Plovdiv is a city of a thousand years. Bulgaria’s Plovdiv is charming visitors mostly with a mix of history and culture. So, join us and learn how to spend a day in Plovdiv, where to eat in Plovdiv, and where to stay in Plovdiv! Let’s go!
Why visit Plovdiv?
Behind the industrial curtain, Plovdiv is above all a historical city that offers visitors a memorable journey. Today we are in Plovdiv for a short while. I don’t know Plovdiv.
From the highway, it looks more like a heavily industrialized one. Indeed a dusty city and sadly, engulfed in smog amidst beautiful nature. Moreover, you can see the decaying legacy of communism in the architecture, society, and cultural landscape. So, not exactly the place I would choose for a short family vacation. But Plovdiv pleasantly surprises us.
Plovdiv History
With a history of 8000 years, Plovdiv is considered Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited town. Bulgaria’s second city has a rapidly growing population of 350 000 and, over the years, has established itself as a tourist and industrial center.
The first signs of a Neolithic settlement on the territory of Plovdiv date back to 6000-5000 BC. Many people chose this same spot on the map as their home afterward.
Thracians, Romans, Greeks, Ottomans, Ancient Macedonians, Turks, and Slavs all lived on these lands at one point in history. They left behind a colorful puzzle of their heritage still visible today in the many ancient ruins scattered around the city’s contemporary center.
Seven syenite hills stand tall in the heart of Plovdiv. These are turned into parks and provide a much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of busy city life. Another natural landmark is the longest river in the Balkans, Maritza, which flows through Plovdiv and provides a habitat for many wild species.
The city became the European Capital of Culture in 2019 and has been an artistic hub ever since. As a result, Plovdiv has a rich cultural program every year with events attracting visitors from the whole country.
Aside from the arts, the International Fair Plovdiv is the largest in Bulgaria – a trade event that puts the city on the industrial map.
Here are some of the best things to do in Plovdiv if you ever visit this ancient city.
How Do You Spend a Day in Plovdiv? What to See in Plovdiv?
The Main Street
We choose the classic way to tour the city – we start walking along the main street.
Starting from Central Square in front of the Trimontium Hotel we decide to first stop by Tsar Simeon’s Garden. The weather is warm for spring, but one of the main attractions of the garden – the singing fountains – still isn’t working.
- The Main Pedestrian Street. Full of shops and cafes, the Main Street of Plovdiv is also Europe’s longest pedestrian street, attracting visitors and locals for long walks.
- Kapana. The name of Plovdiv’s creative district is translated as “the trap.” You can easily get lost among art shops, bars, and restaurants. It’s a tourist-friendly neighborhood where a part of Plovdiv’s nightlife is concentrated. Kapana’s paved streets buzz with life, especially on warm summer evenings, and invite everyone for a beer or a cocktail under the stars.
Old Town
We pass by Stefan Stambolov Square and the Plovdiv Municipality. We reach the Roman Stadium. This is the largest and best-preserved Roman stadium in the Balkans. You can explore the different sectors and tunnels where sports competitions were once held. Our next stop is the Djumaya Mosque. This is one of the symbols of Plovdiv and the oldest preserved Muslim religious building in Bulgaria. The minaret offers a beautiful view of the city and the surrounding areas.
At Djumaya Square, we hesitate – towards the Old Town or the Kapana district. We decide that a walk in the Old Town is the better choice for us. Plovdiv’s Old Town is one of the best-preserved and most attractive historical areas in Bulgaria. It represents a combination of different architectural styles and cultural monuments that reflect the city’s rich history. Exploring the Old Town requires quite good condition. Here are some of the most remarkable places you can visit in Plovdiv’s Old Town if the weather is not too hot or cold. The perfect time for a walk is April or May.
What to see in Old Town Plovdiv?
- Djumaya Mosque and Square. The main mosque of Plovdiv was built in 1363 after the Ottoman invasion of Bulgaria. It’s the largest Muslim temple in the city and a beautiful architectural sight. Next is a typical Turkish cafe bearing the same name and serving traditional pastry.
- Roman Stadium of Philippopolis. Spread underneath Main Pedestrian Street is the massive Roman Stadium built in the 2nd century AD. The most significant part of it still lies underneath the contemporary buildings, with only a few small parts having been excavated and open for visitors.
- Ancient Roman Theatre. Constructed in the 1st century AD and excavated at the beginning of the 1970s, the Roman Theatre in Plovdiv is an impressive sight. It’s been fully restored and is currently functioning as an outdoor venue hosting various events for an audience of over 3000 people.
- Old Town. The Ancient Roman Theatre is in the Old Town, built on three of the seven hills of Plovdiv – Nebet Tepe, Taksim Tepe, and Dzambaz Tepe. It’s an architectural reserve connecting the dots between different periods of Plovdiv’s millennial history. Wandering around the old cobbled streets, one will find Roman and Thracian ruins next to typical houses built during the Bulgarian revival in the late 19th and early 20th century.
- Bishop’s Basilica of Philippopolis. Also known as the Great Basilica, this historical sight dates back to the 4th century AD and is the largest Christian church from that period discovered in Bulgaria. Its impressive mosaics are now preserved in a modern museum built in the exact location and open to visitors all year round.
Where to eat in Plovdiv
Maybe, we just did not have much luck with restaurants in Plovdiv, but we were not thrilled with the food there. However, we asked locals which are their favorite places to dine out, and here is the list:
- Pavaj, 7 Zlatarska Str. Voted many times as the best restaurant in Plovdiv in a contest organized by the Bulgarian food magazine Bacchus, Pavaj fuses traditional local food with contemporary culinary styles. It’s situated on a small street in the heart of Kapana, and getting a table without booking in advance is almost impossible.
- Tams House. 4 Zagreb Str. Located on the next corner across from Pavaj, Tams House is a restaurant where foodies can enjoy familiar flavors and textures in an unconventional form.
- Saborna 23, 20 Konstantin Stoilov Str. This restaurant is located on the outskirts of the Old Town in an early 20th-century house and offers high-quality food and cocktails.
- Pasa Restaurant, 8 Zlatarska Str. One of the most popular Turkish restaurants in town serving traditional Eastern specialties.
- Citizens’ Club, 1 Stoyan Chalakov Str. Traditional Bulgarian food is served in a Revival-style house in the Old Town.
- Bluestone Doughnuts, 29 Otets Paisiy Str. If you’re after a sweet treat, visit Plovdiv’s most famous specialty doughnuts shop.
- If you fancy an excellent cocktail, don’t miss bars The Post and Club Fargo. Beer connoisseurs should head to Cat & Mouse or Temple Bar.
- PizzaLab – right on the main street, create your own pizza and it’s pretty good.
Where To Stay in Plovdiv
Villa Flavia
From the multitude of options in the central part of Plovdiv, we choose the boutique hotel Villa Flavia on Booking.com. We are pleasantly surprised. The owners have invested over 10 years in building the hotel and have overcome many obstacles to open this extraordinary hotel located right in the heart of the ancient Roman city.
When we first entered, we didn’t realize that the hotel building is situated upon thousand-year-old ruins, which have been restored over the years and integrated into the hotel’s structure. Right in front of the reception, thanks to a glass floor, the ruins of the Roman baths are revealed. This glass floor makes us realize how we all live and walk upon the world of long-lost civilizations, which were much more resilient than today’s.
Villa Flavia is a unique interpretation of the passage of time – from the Roman era, through the architecture of the building based on original designs from archival records from the 1920s, to modern comfort.
We can wholeheartedly recommend Villa Flavia. It’s a wonderful place for a stay and relaxation with children.
Fun things to do outside Plovdiv
- Go for a hike in Rhodopi Mountains. Plovdiv is located on the outskirts of one of the largest mountains in Bulgaria. This makes it very easy for locals and visitors of the town to escape the noise and smog and relax in nature. Many villages located near Plovdiv take up to 30 minutes by car but offer fresh air and natural sights. A notable example is Khrabrino, with a river and many hiking routes nearby.
- Go horse riding in Tzaratzovo village. In just 12 km outside the city, you’ll find Horse riding base Frigopan, located in Tzaratzovo village. It has a restaurant and children’s playground and provides horse riding for kids and adults.
- Go to Hissarya. Located 45 km from Plovdiv, this small city has mineral springs, SPA hotels, and well-preserved Roman ruins.
Whatever activities you choose while you’re in Plovdiv, the best thing to do there is to practice being ‘aylyak.’ The word derives from Turkish and means ‘doing nothing,’ but nowadays, locals in Plovdiv use it in the sense of being relaxed, taking their time, and not rushing themselves.
