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

Sights in the City

The incredibly long past of this city is also reflected in the large number of sights you can explore during your visit. Let yourself be enchanted by the Old Town and visit the Ancient Theatre. The Roman Stadium of Philippopolis and the Bishop’s Basilica of Philippopolis are also well worth seeing. And there is so much more!

The Old Town of Plovdiv

The cultural and historical heart of the city is shaped by its impressive Old Town. It’s no coincidence that Plovdiv was named European Capital of Culture in 2019, gaining particular recognition as a multicultural place. As you explore Plovdiv, you’ll also notice that the streets of the Old Town are almost car-free. Stroll undisturbed through the winding alleys and let Plovdiv’s ancient charm captivate you.

The Ancient Theatre

In front of this architectural masterpiece, you definitely shouldn’t miss the chance to take photos. Visit the Ancient Theatre of Plovdiv and be amazed by the oldest ancient theatre in the world. The theatre was built under Emperor Trajan, roughly between 116 and 117 AD.

Especially interesting: the theatre, so well known today, was only discovered in the 1970s when a landslide revealed it to the public. To this day, events are held in the ancient theatre, which can accommodate up to 7,000 people. Fans of opera and theatre performances will definitely get their money’s worth here. But even without a performance, a visit is worthwhile just to admire this ancient structure. The strikingly beautiful building is made of white marble and lies between the southwestern slope of Dschambas Hill and Taksim Hill. In total, there are six different hills in Plovdiv, with Plovdiv Hill being a particularly good viewpoint.

The Roman Stadium of Philippopolis

Today, the Roman Stadium is only a remnant of the former city of Philippopolis—now better known as Plovdiv. In Roman times, however, the remains you see today formed a grand stadium modeled on the Forum Romanum in Rome—a place where citizens gathered. It is therefore not surprising that the Roman Stadium of Philippopolis could accommodate up to 30,000 spectators.

Today, only fragments of this once adventurous and spectacle-filled site remain, blending almost surrealistically into the urban surroundings of the Old Town. Like the Ancient Theatre, the Roman Stadium was only discovered in the 20th century. So take a stroll along Plovdiv’s shopping street and make a short detour to this impressive Roman-era sight.

Bishop’s Basilica of Philippopolis

The Bishop’s Basilica dates from the fourth to fifth century and today serves as a modern museum—especially well suited for families. At the same time, the basilica itself is a wonderful sight, as it is considered the largest early Christian church in the Balkans. For years, archaeologists worked to uncover the mosaics on the site so that the uniqueness of this building can continue to be admired in the future. You can take in these mosaics during a visit while walking over a glass floor. But the Bishop’s Basilica not only features unique mosaics—it also offers fun for young and old alike in the form of virtual-reality adventures.

St. Constantine and Helena Church

This church is located in the center of the Old Town and is one of the oldest Christian churches in Plovdiv. Over time, it has been destroyed and rebuilt repeatedly. The original church likely dates back to the 4th to 5th century, while the present-day St. Constantine and Helena Church dates to 1832. Visit this historic building and discover the large-scale wall paintings 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 with the help of donations. This church marked the beginning of the autonomous Bulgarian Church, where a service in the Bulgarian language was first held in 1859. Particularly worth seeing are the gold-adorned wood carvings and the original icons from the 19th century.

Mevlevihane

Even though this building now houses only a restaurant, it is considered a special feature in the Bulgarian city. It is the only dervish monastery of its kind—although it is Muslim in origin, it belonged to the Persian religious community of the Order of the Whirling Dervishes, also known as “Mavleviii.” Its existence ended at the end of the 19th century, while the building itself has survived to this day. Inside the dervish monastery you can find the hall where the famous liturgical dances took place. In addition, various Sufi wall paintings can be found in the building—definitely worth a look. If the term Sufi doesn’t mean anything to you, we can explain it: the paintings are based on Sufism, an inner and spiritual current of Islam that aims to experience God directly.

Dzhumaya Mosque

Not only the Romans passed through Plovdiv and left their traces, but the Ottomans did as well. In the 14th century, the Ottoman army built the Dzhumaya Mosque, replacing the former Cathedral of St. Petka Tarnovska. During the reign of Sultan Murad II (1421–1451), the Dzhumaya Mosque was expanded and modified. The Dzhumaya Mosque that exists today is considered the oldest preserved Friday mosque of Ottoman architecture.

Revival Houses

Most of the imposing buildings were built in the early 19th century, when the Bulgarian people began to distance themselves from the Ottoman Empire. This spirit of change led to a collective sense of Bulgaria’s revival. That is also where the name “Revival Houses” comes from—carefully restored as a symbol of rebirth. Today, these Revival Houses serve as museums and give you an insight into Plovdiv’s history. Before your trip, find out which Revival Houses might be most interesting for you and be impressed by the variety.

Nebet Tepe

The hill of Nebet Tepe—one of Plovdiv’s seven hills—is considered the oldest settlement in the city area. There are indications that the first settlements already formed there in the 12th century BC, as the ancient Thracian city of Evmolpia, which was later expanded by Philip of Macedon. This is why Nebet Tepe is also regarded as the city’s acropolis. Enjoy the wonderful view while encountering the tiny remnants of early settlements.

Old Pharmacy “Hippocrates”

Have you always wondered what pharmacies looked like about 150 years ago? Then you can find out in Plovdiv. The old pharmacy “Hippocrates,” dating from 1872, was restored to its original condition and is a unique feature in Plovdiv. To this day, you can see on site how medicine was created during the Bulgarian National Revival.

Regional Ethnographic Museum

This museum offers a wonderful insight into Bulgarian folk culture and impresses not only from the inside but also from the outside. The Regional Ethnographic Museum is located in a former merchant’s house and is therefore wrapped in a magnificent and playful exterior façade. Discover Bulgarian culture, including musical instruments, handicrafts, or agricultural equipment from another decade.

Sights Nearby

Are you planning a longer stay in Bulgaria and want to explore not only Plovdiv, but also the interesting places surrounding the city? Then you should definitely try Bulgaria’s delicious wine at one of the wineries or set off on a hiking adventure in the Rhodope Mountains. In addition, the Bulgarian city of Sofia is only about a two-hour drive from Plovdiv and is also well worth a visit.

Enjoying Wine

A large number of traditional wineries are scattered around Plovdiv and invite you to a delicious wine tasting. You’ll especially get your money’s worth in the old Thracian Valley. There you can discover the 5,000-year-old tradition of viticulture and enjoy unique wines in the picturesque Thracian landscape. Tours are particularly suitable for visiting wineries, as you can also learn something about the history of wine growing.

Rhodope Mountains

The Rhodope Mountains border the Thracian Valley and extend all the way to the city limits of Plovdiv. This beautiful mountain range is known for its unique flora and fauna. It is therefore not surprising that many hiking enthusiasts also take a trip to the nearby Rhodope Mountains. Use the various hiking routes and discover the Trigrad Gorge, a spectacular limestone gorge. The Devil’s Throat Cave, a unique dripstone cave with an underground waterfall, is just as breathtaking. Another highlight is the Buynovo Gorge, the longest gorge in Bulgaria. Please note, however, that these three natural phenomena are a bit farther from Plovdiv. So if you want to see not only the mountains but also the gorges and the dripstone cave, a two-day trip is probably best. The highlights are close to one another and can be combined well. Overall, the drive from Plovdiv to Buynovo Gorge takes about 4.5 hours by car. The first gorge is already on your route and can be reached by car in about 3.5 hours.

The City of Sofia

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

Best Time to Travel

If you would like to visit Plovdiv, you should preferably plan your trip for the months of May to early October. The summer months are especially worthwhile for a city break, as you can set off on a hiking adventure in the cooler Rhodope Mountains during your stay. In general, however, you can visit Plovdiv all year round. After all, the city also hosts wonderful Christmas markets during the festive season, and Plovdiv is quieter in winter. Please note, however, that you should not go hiking in the Rhodope Mountains during the winter months, because the weather conditions are not suitable for a hike.

The Europamaut Team Wishes You a Pleasant Trip

We wish you a pleasant trip to Bulgaria and lots of enjoyment as you explore this diverse country. You can find more information about tolls in Bulgaria in our guide. Feel free to use our route planner to plan your trip optimally and have suitable toll products displayed. If you have any questions, you can contact us anytime by email. Simply order your digital vignette for Bulgaria online from us so you can use the motorways in this country without a worry.