Plovdiv: Our New Favorite European City
Plovdiv is a beautiful city located in southern Bulgaria, and one of its claims to fame is that it’s the oldest still inhabited city in Europe (older than both Athens and Rome!). It was the 2019 European Capital of Culture, earning that title with its extensive history, stunning architecture, and blossoming art scene. The best part of Plovdiv is its stunning old town; much of the old town is pedestrian only, which really accentuates its charm. If you’re looking for a beautiful, peaceful, and fairly undiscovered spot, look no further than Plovdiv.
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The 10 Top Things to Do in Plovdiv
1. Explore Old Town
The winding streets of Plovdiv’s old town will keep you busy for a while. Every street gives off that classic European essence of calm, historical beauty. One of our favorite things about Plovdiv is that it’s not very discovered yet, so the side streets of old town are very quiet and peaceful to wander around. There are tons of parks, squares, cobblestone streets, fountains, and historic and colorful houses to explore. It is one of the most pedestrian friendly cities we’ve ever been in, making it a safe place to explore for all ages and abilities. Plovdiv is also an excellent place to try some traditional Bulgarian food – so why not go on a food walking tour of the city??
The city of Plovdiv hosts multiple free walking tours every day where you can learn about the extensive history of this beautiful city. You can view the tour schedule and request to book a private tour on their site (which is only necessary if you will be in a group of 10 or more people).
2. Visit the Ancient Theater of Philippopolis
This 2000 year old theater is a magnificent spot in Plovdiv. Not only is it a stunning spot to visit, but you can also go to a concert, opera, or play here. Since its excavation in the 70s, the theater has hosted numerous big artists, including Sting and Shaggy!
Check out the calendar to see upcoming events
3. Church of Saint Archangels Observation Deck
The Church of Saint Archangels is near the Ancient Theater. Not only is the church stunning itself, but it also has observation deck that yields stunning views of the city.
4. Visit the Regional Ethnographic Museum
Located in one of Plovdiv’s historical homes, the Regional Ethnographic Museum provides a glimpse into the history of Bulgarian folk culture. They also host numerous events; you can find the calendar on their site. Keep in mind that this museum is closed on Mondays, so plan to visit on a different day!
5. Explore Plovdiv’s Charming Historical Homes
There are a few houses that you can visit in Plovdiv’s old town, but the most beautiful and interesting of the bunch are arguably the Hildliyan and Balabanov houses. These homes are neighbors and both exhibit the traditional symmetric style that was popular in Plovdiv at the time. These houses are beautiful and good examples of what it was like to live in Plovdiv back then as a wealthy merchant (in the case of Stepan Hildliyan) or tradesman (as was the case for Luka Balabanov).
6. Watch the Sunset at Nebet Tepe
Nebet Tepe is one of the seven hills in Plovdiv and is a sunset hot spot. This hill may actually be the most famous in Plovdiv due to the ruins on it dated back to 4000 BC. With that said, grab your favorite beverage and head to the hill for an unbelievable sunset!
7. Head to the Thracian Valley for a Day of Wineries
The area surrounding Plovdiv – the Thracian Valley – is one of the largest wine-producing areas in Bulgaria. With over 80 wineries, the region was voted the second best European wine destination in 2017 by the Wine Enthusiast magazine. There are enough wineries close to Plovdiv that you can visit a few of them on one day trip. There are also multiple tours that you can go on so you don’t have to worry about driving, and some of these tours will also take you to other beautiful historical sites in the area. If this sounds interesting to you, check out this tour, which starts with a tour of Plovdiv before bringing you to several wineries in the area!
8. Visit the Second Largest Monastery in Bulgaria
The Bachkovo Monastery, nestled amidst the scenic Rhodope Mountains, is a great day trip destination from Plovdiv, Bulgaria. This 11th-century architectural gem, known for its stunning frescoes and serene atmosphere, offers a glimpse into Bulgaria’s rich history and religious heritage. If you don’t have a rental car, this tour is a great option for visiting Bachkovo Monastery, and it also includes a visit to Asen’s Fortress and Plovdiv’s Wonderful Bridges (beautiful naturally carved bridges).
9. Make Chocolate
Have you ever wanted to learn about the process of making cocoa beans into chocolate? If so, look no further than Gaillot Chocolate Factory in Plovdiv! Here, you can do a tour where you’ll be brought through the process of making chocolate bars.
Check out their website, and email them at [email protected] to book your chocolate tour!
10. Go to the Singing Fountains Show (Summer Only)
If you visit in the summer months, you should make sure to go to the singing fountains show in the Tsar Simeonov Garden. It’s a popular ~15 minute show on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 21:30, and you can even grab a cocktail at the restaurant next to the lake and watch the show from there!
Best Time to Visit Plovdiv
Plovdiv is a great place to visit from mid spring to mid fall. During this time, temperatures will be warm (with some summer days getting to be quite hot) and the city will be alive with cultural events and festivals! We definitely recommend visiting during this time so that you’ll have great weather to enjoy all that Plovdiv and its surrounding areas have to offer!
Check out Plovdiv’s Calendar of Cultural Events and Festivals
Where to Stay in Plovdiv
We recommend staying in or within walking distance to Plovdiv’s old town; it’s certainly the highlight of Plovdiv and is the best area for restaurants and things to do!
Plovdiv Accommodations
How to Get to Plovdiv
Plovdiv is extremely easy to get to via any mode of transportation! If you have the means, we recommend using a rental car to explore Bulgaria so you can get off the beaten path easily; driving in Bulgaria is really easy and the roads are great. However, even if you don’t rent a car, the country is still very easy to navigate.
How to Get to Plovdiv by Plane
Plovdiv has a very small airport (PDV) serviced by only a few flights per week. At this point, it looks like you can only fly to Plovdiv direct from London and Manchester, but they may have more flights during the high tourist season. Therefore, if you plan to visit Plovdiv from inside of Bulgaria, going by train or bus is the better option.
Check out Cheap Flights to Plovdiv on Skyscanner
How to Get to Plovdiv by Train
Plovdiv enjoys excellent train connections with major Bulgarian cities and neighboring countries like Turkey and Greece. Trains offer a comfortable and scenic way to travel, allowing you to sit back and enjoy the journey, although it will be quite a slow journey on the Bulgarian trains! You can check train schedules and book tickets online or at the train station.
Check your Train Itinerary and Buy Tickets with Bulgarian State Railways
How to Get to Plovdiv by Bus
We recommend using the trains over the buses for a more pleasant experience, but sometimes bus schedules work out better! Plovdiv is very easy to get to by bus from most Bulgarian cities and towns.
Keep Exploring Bulgaria….
- Bansko: The Balkans’ Ultimate All-Season Resort Town
- 7 Rila Lakes Hike: The Best Outdoor Adventure in Bulgaria
- Rila Monastery: Everything You Need To Know Before You Go
- The Best Things to Do in Nessebar and More
Our Favorite Travel Resources
Accommodations: We use Booking.com for hotels and HostelWorld for hostels. We also use VRBO or TrustedHousesitters for longer stays.
Flights: We recommend using Skyscanner to find the cheapest and best flights.
Ground Transport: We use 12Go and Omio for buses and private transfers, and rentalcars.com and Discover Cars for rental cars.
Activities: GetYourGuide and Viator are the best websites for booking organized tours.
International Medical Insurance: We highly recommend SafetyWing for Digital Nomads and HeyMondo for those not traveling full-time, or who frequently engage in higher-risk adventure activities.
eSIM: We recommend Airalo or Holafly for getting data internationally.
Check out our Travel Resources Page for more of our favorite travel-related products and services!
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Plovdiv FAQs
What is Plovdiv known for?
Plovdiv is known for its rich history and stunning old town. It also gained some popularity after being named the 2019 European Capital of Culture.
Is Plovdiv the oldest city in Europe?
Plovdiv is the oldest still inhabited city in Europe at 8000 years old. It is even older than Athens and Rome!
Is Plovdiv worth visiting?
Absolutely. It is one of our favorite cities, and we could walk around it for weeks.
Is Plovdiv tap water drinkable?
Yes! You can actually drink the tap water in most Bulgarian towns and cities.
