Plovdiv is not only the oldest city in Europe but also the second largest city in Bulgaria. If you thought we were coming to a metropolis, I dare say you'll be disappointed. We're currently in Bulgaria, where the entire population is less than 7 million. So in terms of local standards only 350,000 people live in the largest city.
The city is located approximately in the center of the country. So no matter where we are in Bulgaria, it's not difficult to reach here. For example: it's about 250 kilometers from Burgas. From Sofia it's even less only 150 km. Tourists who want to visit the city usually come to the capital first and from there, they take a regular bus to the Plovdiv bus station. However the city does have its own airport. But it's not very developed, so we couldn't find a direct flight.
As soon as we arrived in the city, we looked for the best place to stay. The city is built on a river that divides it in two. The right side is the best. Here is where the old town is preserved and generally. All the main attractions of Plovdiv are here. The left side has drawn in industrial areas, which has affected the cost of rental housing. Settling in the right area turned out to be much more profitable. The area is quite clean and quiet. There are also decent parking areas here, which can't be said for the center of Plovdiv. And the river view is always a nice bonus.
Speaking of parking spaces. Based on my experiences in Sofia I must say parking in Bulgaria can be quite a hassle. Plovdiv is no exception. Tow trucks are quick. If you make a mistake paying for parking, you can easily end up without your car. Among the disadvantages of Plovdiv is the lack of working online payment services for parking here. So you have to cope. I must mention the mentality of the locals here. Bulgarians are very hospitable people and often come to help with similar problems. It happened to me in Plovdiv too. Unknowingly I parked the car in a paid municipal parking lot and was getting ready to walk away when a Bulgarian approached me and said that parking payments on the streets would be checked in a few minutes.Understanding that I was not local and couldn't pay for parking via sms he offered to move the car to his private parking spot and it was completely free. As for the apartments I found them through booking and was once again pleased with the approach of the locals. Not only were the apartments two times cheaper than in the capital, but the hostess also personally greeted me upon arrival and even shared laundry detergent. Overall the apartment was very nice and bright.
The hostess also helped me a lot in exploring the city. It might seem like something visible, but such attentive approach from the locals instantly adds a +5 to the city's charm. Just 100 meters away from the apartment I stayed in, our sightseeing journey began.
Here there's a small pedestrian bridge over the Maritsa River. We walked across the bridge for just a few minutes and voila, we found ourselves in the tourist area of Plovdiv, at the beginning of the city's main street.
There are many shopping kiosks on the bridge. so there was no need to deviate from our route to do some street shopping or grab a snack on the go. Plovdiv's central street has been recently restored, so walking along it was a real pleasure. It's the main tourist artery of the city, intersecting several squares and even going underground in some places. There are also many cafes, old buildings, shops and even ancient relics. Overall we could spend the whole day walking along the street and constantly discovering new things.
Walking on a bright sunny day is a pleasure. That's why the summer season is considered the best time to visit the city. I came to Plovdiv in spring. The sun was hidden behind dense clouds, so I was occasionally caught in a light spring rain.
Jumayat square is named after the mosque built in ancient times. This mosque known as Ulu Dzhumaya, has remained a central place for the worship of muslims in the city. Its unique architectural design with nine domes covered with lead plates caught our attention. Among the historical buildings surrounding the square are structures such as the old public bank building adorned with clocks marking the passage of time for over a century.
However the real treasure lay beneath our feet. Just a century ago, archaeologists unearthed the Roman Stadium here during street renovations. Built in the 2nd century ad, this colossal structure hosted various events from sports competitions to gladiator fights. While only a small part of the stadium is visible today, a nearby model showcases its grandeur.
As we further explored we encountered the Kapana district, famous for its narrow and winding streets that used to ensnare careless travelers. Now an art district, Kapana blends ancient heritage with modern street art. Festivals like Kopana Fest revive the area with color and celebration.
Continuing on we reached the Old Town, a miniature city within Plovdiv filled with historical and architectural wonders. Here, medieval monuments, museums and cafes offer a glimpse into Bulgaria's past.
The Old Town, with its elevated position above Kapana, invites us to wander its cobbled streets and medieval gates, where romance and magic await at every corner.
From Jumayat square to the Old town, each step revealed the rich tapestry of sights and experiences Plovdiv has to offer. So we tied our walking shoes and immersed ourselves in this city filled with rich landscapes and experiences.
As a city Plovdiv shares a similarity with Rome. It is built on seven hills. However these hills have merged over time, making it difficult to distinguish where one peak ends and the next begins. If you're thinking of exploring Plovdiv in just one day, think again. Getting to know the city requires constant climbing and descending. Hopefully you'll bring comfortable sneakers.
We set out to explore each hill and discover the interesting places nearby. The first hill, Nebet Tepe, meaning Guards Hill, is the oldest of Plovdiv's seven hills, dating back to the Bronze Age.
The second hill is Taksim Tepe, derived from the Arabic word taksim, meaning distribution. It played an important role as water was collected from the Roman aqueduct and distributed to various parts of the city. The Church of St. Mary is one of the oldest surviving buildings on this hill.
As we made our way from Taksim Tepe to Jambaz Tepe, we encountered the remarkable Ancient Theater of Plovdiv, a Roman arena.
After descending from Jambaz Tepe we returned to the pedestrian street where our journey began. Along the pedestrian street, we came across a beautiful staircase adorned with fountains. At the base of this staircase stands an interesting statue of Milio, a real person who lived 40 years ago. This quirky character was a beloved figure in Plovdiv known for his peculiar behavior and charming personality. Tourists believe that whispering a wish into Milio's ear will make it come true.
From there we encountered an elegant staircase beckoning us playfully upwards. Climbing the stairs behind the sign, we reached the 4th hill, commonly known as Clock Tower Hill. A clock tower was built here in the 16th century, making it one of the oldest clock towers in Europe, standing at a height of 17.5 meters.
There are many cats in Bulgaria, but they usually keep to themselves. However here in Plovdiv, the cats are mega curious and sociable. Residents look after them, often providing feeding stations and water bowls for the furry creatures. I don't know about you, but I love the cats in the city. Whether they're walking, grooming, playing or just peacefully sleeping, their cuteness level is always off the charts.
After descending the hill, we added some variety to our walk by returning to the main square not directly from the main street, but by passing through Stefan Stambolov's miniature park.
The Plovdiv Forum was the commercial, administrative and religious center of the ancient city. Meetings, debates, holidays and state ceremonies were held here. These stones preserve centuries of history. Plovdiv can be called an open-air museum. It holds traces of many civilizations.
The central square with the forum is actually the end of the same pedestrian street that forms the basis of our route. In fact we walked along the longest pedestrian street in Europe.
Plovdiv's central park begins right from the square. The central park of the city is Tsar Simon Park. This is one of Plovdiv's brightest and most popular places, where city residents and guests alike love to come to relax. The European Union has done its best, according to the information board at the entrance, the park cost approximately 4 million euros. It's perfect for both leisurely walks and picnics with children. Of course, the highlight of the park is the beautiful singing fountain.
Just 500 meters away from the park lies the summit of the 5th hill Dzhendem Tepe. This is the highest hill in Plovdiv, standing at over 300 meters in height. It was called the Hill of Youth. In ancient times the hill was called Kuruadalar Tepe, then under the Ottomans, it was known as the Hill of spirits and at times as the Hill of hell. There used to be an Apollo temple here, then a grand basilica. Now it's a natural attraction. There's a park and a train for children on the hill. In ancient times, this hill supplied water to much of the city. From its summit the journey of the Roman aqueduct begins, carrying water to the old town and passing by another interesting hill. The sixth hill is called Bunardzhik.
This is a very interesting tourist spot, equipped with beautiful fountains and benches. The place turned out to be really beautiful. So I definitely recommend visiting, especially if you're walking in Plovdiv with children. At the top of the hill there's a statue of a huge unknown soldier and people call the hill itself Freedom Hill. The statue is considered one of the city's main symbols.
Plovdiv is a very interesting and beautiful place. I think you should visit such an ancient city. If time permits I recommend staying here for a few days and slowly exploring its ancient streets and magnificent hills. You won't have the chance to fully explore the city in just one day and there are many magnificent historical sites hidden around Plovdiv, one of which I'll share in one of my future posts.