Plovdiv: Exploring Europe’s oldest city
Plovdiv is Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited city, which makes it, yes, older than Rome and Athens!
It is located on the banks of the Maritsa River, just an hour and a half drive from Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia. Known as the city of seven hills, Plovdiv has a rich history and was named the European Capital of Culture in 2019.
The old town is filled with beautiful cobblestone streets full of colourful buildings, churches, mosques, and historical sites that are over 2000 years old. Its main street is actually the longest pedestrian street in Europe.
Another great thing about Plovdiv is that it is one of the most affordable cities in Europe, which makes it the perfect destination if you’re travelling on a budget.
How to get there?
The easiest way to get to Plovdiv is either by bus or train from Sofia. One-way bus tickets start from 8 BGN, while a one way second-class train ticket costs around 9 BGN.
THINGS TO DO
1. The Roman Theatre of Philippopolis
The Roman Theatre of Philippopolis is located right in the city centre and it is one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in the World.
Dating back to the 1st century AD, the theatre is functioning today as a live stage for some of the best cultural events in Plovdiv.
One of the best annual events is the International Folklore Festival which is generally held in the last week of July and is completely free!
Tickets for visiting the Roman theatre outside cultural events are around 5BGN.
2. Ancient Stadium of Philippopolis
Built at the beginning of the 2nd century AD, the Ancient Stadium of Philippopolis is located under (yes, under) the main pedestrian street in Dzhumaya Square. It is believed to have had a seating capacity of up to 30,000 people.
Inside the visitor centre, there’s a 3D screening, where you can see a reconstruction of the stadium. There is also a cute cafe on the terrace where you can take a break with a nice view over the stadium steps.
Tickets for the 3D screening cost around 7.2 BGN
3. Nebet Tepe
Nebet Tepe is the place where Plovdiv was born. On this hilltop, you can find remains of an ancient fortress from more than 6000 years ago.
This is also probably the best spot to watch the sunset in Plovdiv and enjoy the beautiful panorama of the city.
The entrance is free.
4. Old Town
The entire Old Town of Plovdiv feels like an open-air museum. Here you will find everything from archaeological sites to colourful houses, bars and restaurants with great food.
Wandering around the Old Town you will surely be mesmerised by all the charming 19th-century houses. Here are some of our favourite museum houses that are worth going inside:
- Stepan Hindliyan House
- Balabanov House
- Kuyumdzhioglu House
The entrance to each house costs 5 BGN, but they are all included in the Plovdiv City Pass.
One of the most beautiful locations in The Old Town has to be Dzhumaya Square. Here, besides the famous Stadium of Philippopolis, you can find the Djumaya Mosque, the main Muslim temple in Plovdiv. Be sure to also stop at the Turkish Coffee and Pastry Shop “Dzhumaya” for some really good Turkish coffee.
Walking around the Old Town, you will surely notice The Statue of Milyo. Milyo was a…let’s say colourful character who lived in Plovdiv in the 1960s. The legend goes that if you whisper your wish in his ear it will come true. If it’s true or not, that’s up to you to decide.
5. Kapana creative district
Kapana district is the liveliest area in Plovdiv. This trendy art district has everything you can think of from amazing art galleries to unique cafes, beautiful street art, great food and craft beer. It is probably the best place to go out in the evening, but be sure to book ahead as it gets quite crowded.
If you are a fan of the show Friends, here you can also find a recreation of the famous “Central Perk” cafe.
Recommended Tours:
Plovdiv is a great place to set up base with its low prices and vibrant city life. But if you only have a short time in Plovdiv, you can take a walking tour to make sure you check off all the main attractions, or, if you’re based in Sofia, you can book a day trip to Plovdiv.
Where to stay
Budget – Temple House – A cosy stay right in the heart of Plovdiv.
Medium – Plovdiv City Center Hotel – located just 200m away from the Roman Theatre and a 5-minute walk to Kapana
High – Residence City Garden – this beautiful 5-star hotel has a beautiful view over Tsar Simeon Garden Park and was named The Best City Hotel for 2022-2023 at the Bulgarian Tourist Awards.
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