Popular Cities Plovdiv

The historic city of Plovdiv may not be as well-known as the cities of Varna or Sofia, but it is definitely worth a visit on your trip. Plovdiv is one of the oldest cities in Europe and even surpasses ancient Rome in age. This beautiful Bulgarian city has been home to many people for over 8,000 years and shows you the change of time with the most varied elements of world history.

Attractions in the city

The incredibly long history of this city is also reflected in the many attractions you can see during your visit. Let yourself be enchanted by the Old Town and visit the Ancient Theatre. Also worth seeing is the Roman Stadium of Philippopolis or the Episcopal Basilica of Philippopolis. But there is so much more!

The Old Town of Plovdiv

The cultural and historical heart of the city is formed by the impressive Old Town. It was not for nothing that Plovdiv was named European Capital of Culture back in 2019, gaining fame especially as a multicultural place. When you're exploring Plovdiv, you'll also notice that the streets of the Old Town are almost car-free. Follow the winding alleys undisturbed and let yourself be fascinated by Plovdiv's ancient charm.

The Ancient Theatre

You should definitely not miss taking pictures in front of this architectural masterpiece. Visit the Ancient Theatre of Plovdiv, one of the best-preserved ancient theatres in the world. The theatre was built under Emperor Trajan, and thus roughly in the period from 116 to 117 AD.

Particularly interesting: the theatre, so well-known today, was only discovered in the 1970s, when a landslide revealed the ancient theatre to the public. To this day, events are still held in the ancient theatre, which can accommodate up to 7,000 people. Those interested in opera and theatre performances will definitely get their money's worth here. But a visit is not only worthwhile for the performances, but also simply for admiring this ancient structure. The strikingly beautiful building is made of white marble and lies between the southwestern slope of Dzhambaz Hill and Taksim Hill. Plovdiv is known as the city of seven hills, six of which still remain today. Nebet Tepe, for example, makes for a particularly good vantage point.

The Roman Stadium of Philippopolis

Today, the Roman Stadium is just a remnant of the former city of Philippopolis, now better known as Plovdiv, but in Roman times, the remains we see today formed a stately stadium modelled on the Forum Romanum in Rome. A place that became a meeting point for citizens. It is therefore not surprising that the Roman Stadium of Philippopolis could hold up to 30,000 spectators.

Today, only fragments remain of this once very adventurous and spectator-filled place, blending almost surreally into the urban surroundings of the Old Town. Like the Ancient Theatre, the Roman Stadium was only discovered in the 20th century. So feel free to stroll along Plovdiv's shopping street and make a little detour to this impressive attraction from Roman times.

Episcopal Basilica of Philippopolis

The Episcopal Basilica dates from the fourth to fifth century and today serves as the site of a modern museum that is particularly wonderful for families. At the same time, the Basilica is already a wonderful attraction in itself, as it is considered the largest early Christian church in the Balkans. For years, archaeologists have worked diligently to uncover the mosaics on the site so that the uniqueness of this building can continue to be admired in the future. Today, you can experience these mosaics for yourself during a visit to the Basilica while walking over a glass floor. But the Episcopal Basilica is home not only to unique mosaics, but also offers young and old alike fun in the form of virtual reality adventures.

Church of St. Constantine and Helena

This church is located in the centre of the Old Town and is one of the oldest Christian churches in Plovdiv. Over time, the church was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt. The original church probably dates back to the 4th to 5th century, while the Church of St. Constantine and Helena that exists today dates back to the year 1832. Visit this historic building and discover the large-scale murals on the church's exterior walls.

Church of the Holy Mother of God

The Church of the Holy Mother of God is also known as "Sveta Bogoroditsa" and was built in 1844 using donations. This church marked the beginning of the existence of the autonomous Bulgarian church, in which a service was held in Bulgarian for the first time in 1859. Particularly worth seeing are the gold-decorated wood carvings as well as the original icons from the 19th century.

Mevlevihane

Even though this building today only houses a restaurant, it is considered a special feature of the Bulgarian city. It is the only dervish monastery of its kind, which, although actually Muslim, is part of the Persian religious community of the Order of the Whirling Dervishes, also known as the "Mevlevi". Their existence ended at the end of the 19th century, while their building has survived to this day. Inside the dervish monastery you can find the hall that was the setting for the famous liturgical dances. The building also contains various Sufi murals that are definitely worth a look. If the term Sufi doesn't mean anything to you, we can give you an explanation. The murals are based on Sufism, which represents an inner and spiritual current of Islam that pursues the goal of experiencing God directly.

Dzhumaya Mosque

But it wasn't only the Romans who passed through Plovdiv and left their mark, but also the Ottomans. In the 14th century, the Ottoman army built the Dzhumaya Mosque, replacing the cathedral of St. Petka Tarnovska that stood there at the time. During the reign of Sultan Murad II (1421-1451), the then Dzhumaya Mosque was expanded and altered. The Dzhumaya Mosque that exists today is considered the oldest surviving Friday mosque of Ottoman architecture.

National Revival Houses

Most of these impressive buildings were constructed in the early 19th century, when the Bulgarian people began to distance themselves from the Ottoman Empire. This spirit of awakening led to a collective sense of Bulgaria's rebirth. This is also where the name "National Revival Houses" comes from, as they were meticulously restored as a symbol of this rebirth. Today, the National Revival Houses serve as a museum of the city and give you an insight into the history of Plovdiv. Find out before your trip which National Revival Houses might be particularly interesting for you, and be impressed by their variety.

Nebet Tepe

Nebet Tepe Hill, one of the seven hills of Plovdiv, is considered the oldest settlement in the city area. There is evidence that the first settlements formed there as early as the 12th century BC, as the ancient Thracian city of Eumolpia, which was later expanded by Philip of Macedon. For this reason, Nebet Tepe Hill is also regarded as the city's acropolis. Enjoy the wonderful view while encountering the tiny remains of earlier settlements.

Old Pharmacy "Hippocrates"

Have you ever wondered what pharmacies looked like around one hundred and fifty years ago? Then you can find out in the city of Plovdiv. The old pharmacy "Hippocrates" from 1872 has been restored to its original condition and represents a special feature in Plovdiv. To this day, you can see on site how the art of healing was practised during the time of the Bulgarian National Revival.

Regional Ethnographic Museum

This museum offers you a wonderful insight into Bulgarian folk culture and is impressive not only on the inside, but also on the outside. The Regional Ethnographic Museum is housed in a former merchant's house and is therefore wrapped in a magnificent and playful exterior façade. Discover Bulgarian culture, including musical instruments, handicrafts and agricultural tools from a bygone era.

Nearby attractions

Are you planning a longer stay in Bulgaria and would like to explore not only Plovdiv but also the interesting places surrounding this city? Then you should definitely try Bulgaria's delicious wine at one of the wineries or venture on a hiking adventure in the Rhodope Mountains. The Bulgarian city of Sofia is also only a two-hour drive from Plovdiv and is likewise worth a visit.

Enjoying wine

A large number of traditional wineries are spread around Plovdiv, inviting you to a delicious wine tasting. You will particularly get your money's worth in the ancient Thracian Valley. There, you can discover the 5,000-year-old tradition of winemaking and enjoy the unique wines in the picturesque Thracian landscape. Tours are especially suitable for visiting wineries, as they also let you learn something about the history of winemaking.

Rhodope Mountains

The Rhodope Mountains border the Thracian Valley and extend to the edge of the city of Plovdiv. This beautiful mountain range is known for its unique flora and fauna. It is therefore not surprising that many hiking enthusiasts visiting the city also take a trip to the nearby Rhodope Mountains. Make use of the various hiking routes and discover the Trigrad Gorge, a spectacular limestone gorge. At least as breathtaking is the Devil's Throat Cave, a unique stalactite cave with an underground waterfall. Another highlight is the Buynovo Gorge, the longest gorge in Bulgaria. However, please note that these three natural phenomena are located a bit further away from Plovdiv. So if you'd like to see not only the mountains but also the various gorges as well as the stalactite cave, a two-day trip is probably best. The various highlights are close to one another and can be combined well. In total, a one-way trip from Plovdiv to the Buynovo Gorge takes about 4.5 hours by car. The first gorge is already on your way and can be reached by car within about 3.5 hours.

The city of Sofia

If you would like to get to know Bulgarian culture even better and are interested in more than just the city of Plovdiv, then you should definitely visit Sofia. Sofia is the capital of Bulgaria and still not too overrun by tourists. Just like Plovdiv, Sofia is known as one of the oldest cities in Europe, among other things, and impresses its visitors with its unique attractions. You can find more information in our guide to Sofia.

Best time to travel

If you'd like to visit Plovdiv, you should preferably plan your trip for the months of May to early October. The summer months in particular are worthwhile for a city trip, as during your stay you can venture on a hiking adventure into the cooler Rhodope Mountains. Generally speaking, however, you can visit the city of Plovdiv all year round. After all, wonderful Christmas markets are also held in this city during the Christmas season, and it is especially quieter in Plovdiv during the winter. However, please note that you should not go hiking in the Rhodope Mountains during the winter months, as the weather conditions are not suitable for hiking.

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant trip

We wish you a pleasant trip to Bulgaria and lots of enjoyment while exploring this diverse country. You can find more information on the toll in Bulgaria in our guide. Feel free to also use our route planner to plan your trip optimally and to be shown suitable toll products. If you have any questions, we are available to you at any time by email. Simply order your digital vignette for Bulgaria from us now, so you can use the country's motorways and national roads with complete peace of mind.