This is your sign to explore ancient Roman ruins in Europe's oldest living city: Plovdiv, Bulgaria!
When traveling in Bulgaria, Plovdiv is a must-see city—and for good reason, too! Plovdiv, or "The City of Seven Hills," boasts unreal mountainous views and a rich history that is still being excavated to this day. Trust us, you don't want to miss it.
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Check out our travel guide to Veliko Tarnovo
Since Plovdiv has so much to offer, many of the adventures you experience here aren't planned, but more so stumbled upon. But, to get you started, here's a collection of everything you need to know about the city and all of the places you should plan to visit during your trip.
About Plovdiv
Plovdiv is also known as "The City of 7 Hills" because of the... you guessed it, seven hills that dot the areas surrounding and within the city. It is a dream spot for travelers, especially history lovers.
Scattered throughout this mountainous terrain, you will be able to explore ancient Roman ruins that have been there as long as 3000 BC! Plovdiv is the oldest city in Europe that is still a functioning society.
Because of this, you will find architecture ranging from active excavation sites to modern Bulgarian structures. All of it is a sight to behold, and you won't be able to help yourself from taking a gazillion pictures.
Transportation
If you're traveling from a far distance, Plovdiv does have the Plovdiv International Airport (PDV).
We like using Google's flight search tool to look at flights, but feel free to check different websites to see if you can find better deals. You could even see what ChatGPT recommends!
Walking
Since you are in the "City of Seven Hills," you can expect some steeper streets and a bit of hiking as you walk throughout the city, particularly if you are going to the must-see viewpoints.
Like most parts of Europe, Plovdiv is a very walkable city. It also has one of the longest pedestrian zones in Europe, so when we say walkable, we mean it! Some of the big attractions you will visit here are also only minutes apart, making walking the more practical way to get around.
One of the best parts about Plovdiv is that there is a rich history around every corner. It's impossible not to stumble upon Roman ruins and little cafes that smell so good you won't want to pass up trying one of the treats. Plus, when you are walking, you will notice things you would pass right on by if you were taking other modes of transportation.
Bus
The first thing you should do before you take the public bus system in Plovdiv is download the Moovit app. Google Maps has been said to be outdated, and more people find success with Moovit.
The bus system here can be found just about everywhere, and runs from 5:30 am to 10:30 pm. You want to make sure you have exact cash available to hand the drivers or you will need to purchase a ticket in person beforehand.
Like most places in the world, the bus system can be complicated, crowded, and unpredictable. Buses may run ahead or behind, but it is definitely a good option when you travel far distances and if walking doesn't feel like an option.
Bike Rental
There are a few places scattered throughout the city where you can rent bikes to help you see more of the city. There are even a few bike tours offered that you could consider booking for your trip on websites like TripAdvisor.
You can keep an eye out for rental shops in areas such as Kapana, Park Tsar Simeon, and near the Rowing Canal.
Taxi/ Bolt
Want more of a private ride? Then, hailing a taxi or ordering a Bolt (the Uber of Bulgaria) are two of your best options.
The taxi system in Plovdiv is not our first recommendation. They have a history of scamming tourists by overcharging, and past visitors have had sketchy experiences using them in general. If you do opt to use a taxi, make sure you are hailing a clearly marked taxi. The sketchy and scammy ones are super easy to run into at train and bus stations.
Bolt has slightly higher reviews but can be a tad unreliable. If you need a private driver, there is no harm in trying out Bolt, but it's safe to say neither Bolt nor taxi cabs should be your primary form of transportation.
Where To Stay
When booking a place to stay, the options are endless in Plovdiv, and prices vary depending on what you are looking for. Location, length of stay, and how many people are staying at the location will all affect the price. We listed a few places below that have some good reviews and look cute, but don't be afraid to explore all of the different options for yourself.
Airbnb
The Airbnb options in Plovdiv are seriously never-ending and are located all throughout town. What you potentially book is based on your group's budget, but we listed a few that caught our eye below.Loft studio with 2 bikes
While this loft is located a little bit farther from the main part of the city, the inclusion of bikes is a nice touch to help with the commute. The interior is also very modern and looks like it came right off a Pinterest board, and past guests left great reviews. We also found this to be one of the more affordable locations.
Apartment Trimontium 2
This location is perfect for a group of five that wants to be close to many of the tourist attractions you will visit in Plovdiv. Not only is it convenient, but it also has a clean interior, free wifi, a television, and more.
Terrace Home
This colorful Airbnb is a sight to behold with its darling swinging balcony chairs and colorful interior. It's walking distance to many of the places you will be visiting on this trip and can comfortably hold a group.
Here's where you can book an Airbnb.
Hotel
There are a few "name brand" hotels located in Plovdiv that you can consider booking if that resonates with you more, such as Holiday Inn, Ramada, and DoubleTree. Hotels are typically on the more expensive side, but there's no harm in comparing prices.
TripAdvisor is a great place to find highly-rated hotels and it even has a cool feature where you can see a map of exactly where they are located in the city.
Hostel
Hostels are our usual recommendation to travelers seeking the most affordable housing option. Here are a couple we found that have good reviews, private bedroom accommodations, and convenient locations.
Old Plovdiv
This charming hostel is located in the heart of Old Town... the name makes sense now, right? You are a short walk away from Kampala and the main pedestrian street. It offers free wifi and breakfast (we are always a big fan of free breakfast!). Not only that, but the theming of this place is pretty cool. It is decorated with locally antiqued furniture and features an outdoor area that offers tables under shaded trees. Check it out for yourself here.
Ginger House
Ginger House is also located near Old Town and Kampala. It offers free Wi-Fi and has been said to be very helpful to guests when booking buses, trains, taxis, bike rentals, and tours. There isn't a ton of availability in this hostel, so don't procrastinate booking if you know this is where you'll want to stay.
Hostelworld is our favorite place to book hostels.
What To Eat
One of the most notable parts about Plovdiv is that it is nearly impossible not to stumble upon dozens of restaurants, cafes, and corner stores selling food that just the smell of will make your mouth water.
The food in Bulgaria includes a lot of ingredients that you are probably familiar with in the United States, but with its own Eastern European twist. You can definitely expect to see a lot of meats such as sausage and kebabs, delicious salads with yogurt sauces, sweet and savory pastries, gelato, potatoes, and cheese —and that's just to name a few. Plovdiv, and Bulgaria in general, is a melting pot of cuisine and culture, so don't be afraid to try something you've never heard of before.
Specific areas you can expect to find some restaurants include Kampana and the main pedestrian street.
Things To Do
Plovdiv has the perfect amount of things to sightsee and explore for a weekend getaway. Expect to spend your days filled with ancient Roman architecture, unreal views, and a new appreciation for Bulgaria's underrated historical influence.
We put together a list of the main things you should try to hit while in town, but don't be afraid to explore at your own pace and see what else you can find.
Ancient Roman Theatre of Philippopolis
Like many of the Roman ruins in Plovdiv, this theatre was discovered by accident. In 1968, a landslide revealed parts of this structure, and led to excavations that revealed one of the best preserved Roman theatres in the world!
This theatre is over 2,000 years old and used to hold up to 30,000 people. Today, it has about 7,000 seats... you heard that right, the theatre is still in use today for modern-day performances! After a little hike to get to this theatre, you may be lucky enough to reserve a seat to a rock concert, opera performance, theatre performance, or maybe even a dance performance.
Even if you don't get to see a live performance, this theatre and its gorgeous hilltop view is a must-see during your visit to Plovdiv.
Roman Stadium of Philippopolis
In modern-day Plovdiv, it is very common for construction to be halted due to Roman architecture appearing during the excavation process... no big deal, haha.
This Roman Stadium appeared right under one of modern-day Plovdiv's most populated areas: its main pedestrian street and city center! We aren't lying when we say it's impossible not to stumble into these hugely historic landmarks.
Fourteen rows of marble seating are exposed to the outside world and are able to be explored by anybody. It's an interesting sight to behold modern-day Plovdiv and its beautiful architecture, built around evidence of what Plovdiv used to be when it was under Roman rule.
Old Town
Old Town Plovdiv is described as an "open-air museum " because it has been inhabited for over 6,000 years and is a melting pot of various styles of architecture, cobblestone streets, Roman ruins, colorful homes, museums, and fortress walls.
This area connects many of the other famous spots in Plovdiv (like the Kampana District and the Ancient Roman Theatre), but also needs its own set time carved out so you can admire all of its many layers.
Kapana District
Just a short walk away from Old Town (3-6 minutes to be exact), you can find Plovdiv's most lively and hip part of town, Kampana!
With what used to be a maze of streets for local craftsman, this area has been revived into streets lathered with gorgeous street art, murals and graffiti, markets filled with delicious treats and homemade items, little restaurants that have the perfect ambience for a break between the many sites you will be seeing (and people watching), and live music.
Kampana is likely a place you will want to visit more than once during your stay in Plovdiv.
Nebet Tepe
This spot is a favorite for not only tourists but also locals alike. It's known as a hangout spot for them! Resting on top of one of the seven hills you can find in Plovdiv, Nebet Tepe contains ruins that date back 4,000 plus years.
Here you can find remains of fortification walls and towers, but what draws people in the most is the lovely panoramic view of Plovdiv. You can either relax and take in the scenery or take advantage of the perfect place to sit and chat with the people you're with.
Knyaz Alexandre 1 Street
This is known as the longest pedestrian street/zone in all of Europe! Pedestrian zones are areas where public transportation and personal vehicles are not allowed to drive on the street. This is why we say Plovdiv is a walkable city!
This street connects many landmarks that you will be visiting, such as the Roman Theatre, Kampana, Old Town, Dzhumaya Mosque, and Tsar Simeon Garden.
This street is more than a mile long, and in addition to the landmarks stated above, you can expect to see water fountains, stores ranging from little shops to places you may be more familiar with, like H&M, cafes that serve food like tapas, and, of course, ancient Roman ruins. This is a great place to just wander and see what you find or to people-watch.
Ethnographic Museum
This museum is not only known for its historical collections. It is also known for its beautifully carved wooden ceilings and grand exterior that features hand-painted designs— it honestly screams European.
Inside this cultural monument, you can find displays of old photo archives, folk costumes, jewelry, agricultural machinery and more.
Park Tsas Simeon
This garden is quite literally the perfect change of scenery after looking at cobblestone streets and old buildings all day. Don't get me wrong, those things are great too, but this can help cleanse the palate.
Here, you will find lush tree canopies and gardens that offer shade while you stroll along the pathways, beautiful flower beds, playgrounds, lakes, fountains that feature light shows and music at night, and even a fountain of the Greek Goddess Demeter.
There's even a lake where you can rent a paddleboat!
Dzhumaya Mosque
This Mosque is an active place of worship for Muslims and is the oldest and largest Mosque in all of the Balkans. Here, you can walk through and observe the intricacies of their decor. The floral decals are definitely something you'll want to notice.
Sculptures
Despite Plovdiv's amazing history, don't miss visiting some of its newer additions. Small sculptures scattered throughout the town represent city members who are remembered as classic members of society. These sculptures share messages and symbolize what makes Plovdiv so special.
"Sasha the Sweetheart"
Sasha the Sweetheart lives on to tell the story of a local Jazz musician that caught people's attention with his artistic abilities as well as his sly sense of humor. After offending a local authority, this artist's quick quip got him sent to jail. Today, Sasha the Sweetheart represents all of the artists and intellectuals who were silenced during the Soviet era.
"Milyo the Crazy"
Milyo the Crazy was a local legend who spent much of his time expressing his Bohemian spirit on the steps where the statue stands. Now, locals and tourists whisper their dreams and wishes into his big ears and rub his knee/thigh for good luck.
Asens Fortress
Now, technically, this fortress isn't in Plovdiv; it takes about 20-30 minutes to drive there, but it's totally worth the day trip if you have the time!
After driving or taking a bus or train to Asenovgrad, you will find yourself near one of the best preserved medieval hilltop fortresses! This little medieval stronghold is a sight to behold in and of itself, but be sure to head inside where you can see some awesome viewpoints, the Church of the Holy Mother of God, and of course, the well-preserved walls of the stronghold.
This fortress isn't huge, so you can expect it to take anywhere from twenty minutes to an hour to explore, depending on how quickly you walk through and move on from each viewpoint.
- Want to explore Bulgaria, but as a volunteer?
