This blog post is dedicated to a few good enough reasons why you should add Plovdiv to your travel plans if you visit Bulgaria even for a couple of days. The best would be if you take your time, slow down a bit and enjoy the timeless beauty of Plovdiv for more than just 1-2 days. Below you will also find some ideas about what to do and where to go while in Plovdiv.
1. Plovdiv is one of the oldest towns in Europe starting its history more than 8000 years ago. Situated on a crossroad for centuries it preserves layers and layers of history, stories and legends. It is also considered as the cultural capital of Bulgaria. In 2019 the town of Plovdiv became the European capital of culture together with the Italian town of Matera. Plovdiv traditionally has a rich cultural calendar full of concerts, music festivals, craft bazaars, art exhibitions, workshops and events all year long.
2. The sightseeing landmarks that are really worth visiting are mostly concentrated in the center of Plovdiv. The historic heritage that dates back to the Roman period of the town is conserved and restored nowadays. You could explore up close the Ancient theatre, the Stadium, the Ancient Odeon, The Forum, The Big Basilica, the Small Basilica and the Domus Eirene. More sightseeing highlights you could also find in the old town of Plovdiv where the time just slips away while exploring the art galleries, the churches, the house-museums or digging for some vintage treasuries in the antique shops. One of the most popular venues for open air concerts in Plovdiv is the Ancient theatre. There is no way not to find it once in the old town.
3. Kapana is a small former craftsmanship neighborhood right in the center meters away from the small main street. Nowadays Kapana is full of cafeterias, bars and restaurants. At the same time there are still craft shops where you could find unique handcrafted gifts locally produced. On hot summer days Kapana is just a small oasis in the heart of the town where to relax while enjoying a cup of coffee or a cold drink and getting ready for the next adventure.
4. Plovdiv is definitely an instagramable town and you will realise it with full power the moment once there. All the vibrant colors, the picturesque small streets of the old town, the hills, the ancient ruins, and green parks overwhelm the senses and make the experience of exploring the beauties of Plovdiv a lifetime to remember. The hills of Plovdiv could give you completely another perspective of the town and the area, especially if you get there before the sunrise or the sunset.
5. Only 120 km away from Sofia, Plovdiv is located in the Upper Thracian Plain and it gives easy access to everybody who searches for a getaway in nature. Plovdiv is 20 km away from Rodophi mountain (direction south) and approximately 50 km away from the mountain range of Stara Planina (direction north). Just an idea for a day trip away from Plovdiv – you could visit and explore the towns of Asenovgrad or Koprivshtitsa. Another idea for a day trip could be getting close to the town of Kazanlak where you could find the Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak that dates back to the fourth century BC and it has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage site list since 1979.
These are only five reasons why you should visit Plovdiv during your stay in Bulgaria. Book a private tour with me in Plovdiv and learn much more about the cultural, historical and local diversity of the second biggest town in Bulgaria.
Let’s travel, discover, repeat!