Plovdiv is Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited city, but don’t expect to find only ancient ruins here. The city, surrounded by old Roman buildings, is living a modern way of life. Find it out yourself!
According to the Ancients, “Plovdiv is the biggest and loveliest of all towns. Its beauty shines from faraway”. Although it’s only the second largest city in Bulgaria, most of the tourists confirm that its brilliance can outshine not only the Bulgarian capital, Sofia but even Rome. Why?
Just like in the Eternal City, there are plenty of well-preserved ancient districts in Plovdiv. They are however cleaner and better maintained compared to the Roman ones. Interestingly, the city’s amphitheater, which is almost 2,000 years old, has been continually operating to this day. Similarly to the Italian capital, Plovdiv straddles seven hills – it’s worth climbing up one of them for the breathtaking panorama. And if you want to impress your other half, go there during the sunrise or sunset – WOW effect guaranteed!
Situated on three hills (Nebet Tepe, Taksim Tepe, Dzhambaz Tepe) the Old Town represents the architectural mix that is hard to find anywhere else. There are prehistoric ruins, Hellenic and Roman sites (e.g., the archeological complex on Nebet Tepe or the ancient theatre of Philippopolis), buildings from Middle Ages and subsequent eras as well as the examples of the modern architecture, all next to one another. In this historical surroundings, you can experience the buzz of modern life.
Are you a party animal and a nightlife enthusiast? You won’t be disappointed as Plovdiv, picked to be the European Capital of Culture in 2019, offers not only monuments and museums, but also music festivals as well as a variety of bars, clubs, boutiques, and galleries of Kapana artistic quarter. Kapana means a “trap” in Bulgarian, and there is something to that, as anyone who spends some time among colorful mansions, exploring the narrow winding lanes, finds it hard to leave… Your “must-see list” should also include Tsar Simeon Garden with the Singing Fountains and light shows taking place every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 9.30 p.m.
