Welcome to the charming city of Plovdiv! The second largest city in Bulgaria, built around seven hills, and rich in beautiful historical sites.
The city also has some more modern places to offer visitors, making it an ideal destination for any traveler. Stroll the pedestrian streets, explore the amazing houses as well as the ancient ruins in this magnificent city.
As we write this post, we go back in thought to the places we visited in Plovdiv and only one comes to our minds… how wonderful this city is! Rich in ancient history, as well as more modern places for walking or shopping, Plovdiv has become one of our favorite cities in Bulgaria.
It’s impossible to get bored here, and that’s why we’ve compiled this guide for you to learn about the 19 coolest attractions in the city.
Start your adventure in the city with a stroll through one of Plovdiv’s most popular neighborhoods – the Kapana district.
This colorful and full of restaurants street will be a perfect start of the day. Stop for a moment at one of the cafes and enjoy an aromatic coffee. Or choose one of the local stores to buy souvenirs or local products. Or just stroll around and mingle with the locals who love to visit this neighborhood.
Beautifully painted in indigo blue, Hindliyan`s House is a magnificent example of an 18th century house of one of the wealthier residents of the city of Plovdiv. The owner of the house have been a wealthy merchant of spice and silk, whose trade took him as far as India. This is also evident in this eclectic house, where oriental elements can be found.
The house is filled with beautiful furniture and accessories, and the walls are decorated with magnificent frescoes. Noteworthy is also the facade of the building painted, as mentioned above, in an electrifying blue color.
Another beautiful house on the map of Plovdiv is the Nedkovitch House. The facade of the building painted in yellow and decorated with floral patterns looks beautiful against the blue sky.
The house belonged to rich merchant Nikola Nedkovitch and was built in 1863. Inside, the rooms are furnished with interesting furniture and carpets, and in some rooms you can also admire the costumes of the occupants, as well as the original fireplace and marble baths.
In front of the house there is a small garden where exhibitions are often held.
Located just a few steps away, Balabanov`s House is another example of a beautifully maintained house, but this time it was built in 1935 and decorated in the 19th century style. Of particular note are the incredibly richly decorated wooden ceilings and the unique frescoes on the walls. Exhibitions of local artists are often held on the first floor of the house.
One of the most beautiful house-museums in Plovdiv you can visit is Klianty House. Built in the 18th century, the house is beautifully and richly furnished.
The colorful rooms with richly decorated furniture, beautiful colorful curtains and wooden, gilded ceilings is one of the best examples of rich people’s houses from this century.
The house has changed its owners over the years, but owes its name to its first owner Klianti who was a wealthy merchant of woolen fabrics.
Located in the heart of the old city, the charming church of St. Constantine & Helena is a beautifully and richly decorated example of an orthodox church. The main altar consists of many holy icons in beautiful gold frames, while the exterior walls of the building are decorated with frescoes.
The first building on this site was constructed in 337, over the years the building was destroyed and rebuilt several times, and the current church was built in 1832.
Take a break from sightseeing at small garden around the church, it is an ideal place to relax during a sunny day in the shade of the trees.
To learn more about the history of the country, as well as the city of Plovdiv itself, be sure to go to the Regional Ethnographic Museum.
The museum is not large, but in its collection it has many interesting props that were used in the past. These range from everyday objects, such as bowls, utensils, clothing, to interior design elements such as carpets and furniture.
The museum also boasts a rich collection of regional costumes, as well as equipment used for the production of metalwork, jewelry and textiles. Also noteworthy is the museum’s beautifully painted building, and well-kept garden, an oasis in old town of Plovdiv.
Entrance to the museum costs $4.50 (BGN 8) and photography of the museum interior is charged extra.
While exploring the old city, don’t forget to make a brief stop at the medieval gates of “Hisar Kapia”.
The gate was built in the 2nd century (it was destroyed and rebuilt over the years) and was one of several gates leading to the city of Plovdiv. On both sides of the gate still stand the old stone walls of the city on which colorful residential houses were built during the Ottoman Empire.
In the evening the gate and the walls are beautifully illuminated, which gives a nice effect especially because the walls and the street are made of cobblestone.
Located in a former merchant’s house Historical Museum, it is a beautiful building, hiding magnificent furniture and objects from the Renaissance period.
The facade of the building is painted orange and is definitely an eye-catcher. Inside, the house is equally magnificent, with rooms painted in various colors, walls decorated with frescoes and floral motifs. Also noteworthy are the wooden, ornate ceilings.
The rooms are filled with furniture, and objects of everyday use. The museum also boasts a large collection of costumes.
Located in the very center of the city, the Ancient Theater of Philippopolis is one of the best preserved amphitheaters in the world. The marble building was only discovered in 1970 after a landslide that uncovered part of the ruins.
The size of the amphitheater is impressive and can accommodate up to six thousand spectators. Back in the days people used to watch gladiatorial fights here, nowadays plays, concerts or opera performances.
The Ancient Theater is a must-see when visiting Plovdiv and must not be missed on your Plovdiv itinerary.
Located in the Old City, the Church of Holy Mother of God (Eng.) is the main church of city of Plovdiv and is the second largest church in the city.
The first building was erected on this site as early as the 9th century, while the present church was built in 1844. The building is painted in yellow, has three naves and is filled with icons and colorful murals.
Located on Kniaz Alexander I Street, the amazing Djumaya Mosque is an example of Ottoman-Turkish architecture. The first building on this site was built in 1364, unfortunately it was demolished and replaced in fifteenth century by a new building, called Main Friday Mosque.
The building is built of bricks and stones, inside it is full of arches, painted in colorful frescoes, and the ceilings are decorated with huge chandeliers. On the side of the mosque is a cafe serving Turkish delicacies, and aromatic Turkish coffee.
Although there is not much left of the Ancient Stadium, it is another specimen of an ancient building from the time when Plovdiv was once the ancient Roma city of Philippopolis.
The stadium was used for various sports events and could accommodate up to thirty thousand spectators thanks to its horseshoe shape.
Almost two kilometers long, Knyaz Alexander I Street is a very popular street among locals. Full of stores and cafes in the shadow of tall, colorful buildings. Its length makes it one of the longest pedestrian streets in Europe, and its popularity makes the street very lively, especially when the stores are open.
If you’re looking for a new clothes, accessorize or craving a delicious ice cream, this is definitely the street for you.
The amazingly modern building of the Bishop’s Basilica of Philippopolis Museum hides the magnificently preserved mosaics of the huge, early Christian basilica from the fourth century.
Although the basilica building was deteriorated over the years and a settlement and even a cemetery were built in its place, the mosaics are still in good condition.
The museum is interactive, with numerous descriptions and charts, allowing you to imagine what the basilica once looked like and how impressive it was was.
Entrance to the museum costs $6.75 (BGN 12) and tickets can be purchased on site.
Another example of Roman ruins in the very center of Plovdiv are the amazing ruins of the Roman Forum of Philippopolis, the remains of which are scattered all over the area around Central Square.
These ruins are among the largest Roman Forums in Bulgaria and occupy as much as 20 herctares, although they have not yet been fully restored. Among the ruins one can notice the remains of the Odeon, the library and the treasure building.
The remains of the Roman Forum can be admired right from the street, and their central location definitely makes it easier to visit the place.
Although considered by many to be a relic of the past, the Central Post Office building in its interior hides a magnificent and huge mosaic, made by a local artist.
The mosaic in white, green, ochre and black depicts homing pigeons, occupies an entire wall and it was constructed in such a way that it was created in just one day.
The beautiful gardens of Tsar Simeon are a wonderful, full of greenery place where you can hide in the shade of trees, from the scorching sun in Plovdiv.
In addition to numerous trees, bushes and flowers in the garden you can also admire numerous sculptures, and you can quench your thirst in the fountains, which are gladly used by both locals and thirsty tourists.
In the summer in the garden you can also observe seasonal exhibitions, such as the exhibition of digital art.
In the heart of Tsar Simeon Garden is a huge fountain that serves as a place for local kids to swim during the hot days, and in the evening offers an amazing spectacle of water, lights and music.
If you like such spectacles, head to the park just after dusk and enjoy an amazing fountains show.
For the best restaurants head to Kapana Street, where you’ll find something for every taste. Kapana Street in the morning is ideal for coffee and breakfast, while in the evening when all the lights start to shine is a great place for dinner.
There is an airport in Plovdiv, so you will even get here by air. You can choose from domestic as well as international flights.
If you decide to go on a road trip in Bulgaria you will certainly choose this means of transportation, as the roads in Bulgaria are safe and get you everywhere.
The car is one of the fastest means of transportation. However, rental prices during the summer season can be quite high, especially if you book a car at the last minute.
The train is the last means of transportation you can use when traveling to Plovdiv for example from Sofia.
Keep in mind that some of the trains in Bulgaria are not the newest, the passages are narrow, the cabins are small and, unfortunately, there is no air conditioning, which can be a bit of a nightmare if you are traveling in summer.
Although Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria, everything around the old city and all the above-mentioned attractions can be easily reached on foot.
Outside the city center, or to the bus or train station you can get by city buses or local taxis. However, if you decide on the second option, ask the hotel reception or houst for a reliable carrier to avoid scams.
The best time to visit Plovdiv is between May and September. You can be sure of perfect weather then.
However, remember that June, July and August are the months when temperatures in Bulgaria are quite high, so visiting the city can be a bit more strenuous and it is best to do it in the morning, or in the afternoon, when temperatures drop a bit.
Plovdiv has a wealth of accommodation on offer, but as always, hotels, hostels or even Airbnb located in the city center are often very expensive, unfortunately, especially in high season.
Since Plovdiv has great and affordable bus connections, we would recommend to stay somewhat outside the old town and spend that money preferred on delicious food and drinks.
Plovdiv is an incredibly interesting place full of history with a charming old town. In order to explore all the nooks and crannies of the city, be sure to reserve at least two full days for sightseeing.
The prices are per person, except for the accommodation, which we rent for 2 people.
Accommodation: $37 / night
Snack: $1 – $2 / meal
Pleasure: $2 – $6 / event
Activity: $4.50 – $8.25 / event
