A Information To 29 Epic Issues To Do In Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Diving into Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second-largest metropolis, is a journey by way of a fantastically preserved previous and a vibrant current. From wandering the cobbled lanes of Plovdiv Previous City to marveling on the Historic Roman ruins, every step is steeped in historical past.

The town’s museums supply a deep dive into its wealthy heritage, making it a prime vacationer attraction for anybody planning a visit to Bulgaria. Don’t miss the panoramic views from the highest of the hill, the place town’s layered tales come alive.

Eating places in Plovdiv serve up a style of native delicacies, including taste to your exploration. Really, a go to to Plovdiv is well worth the journey, providing one of the best mix of historic treasures and culinary delights, all inside the picturesque setting of this preserved metropolis.

The 2019 European Capital of Tradition and Bulgaria’s second-largest metropolis in Bulgaria, Plovdiv, is without doubt one of the nation’s prime vacationer locations and the japanese Balkans.

There are various issues to do in Plovdiv, primarily because of its extremely lengthy historical past and wealthy cultural heritage.

Unfold throughout seven hills in a fertile area in south-central Bulgaria, the realm that now makes up Plovdiv has been inhabited for a minimum of 8,000 years.

The primary Neolithic settlements found right here date again to six,000 BC. Since Plovdiv nonetheless exists, it’s usually thought to be one of many world’s oldest still-inhabited cities. Whereas there’s some debate amongst scientists about that, it’s unquestionably one of many oldest cities in Europe.

Over the millennia, town—recognized in Antiquity as Philippopolis—has been occupied by Thracians, Greeks, Romans, Huns, Bulgars, Slavs, western Crusaders, and The Ottoman Empire, amongst different peoples.

As such, it now has an distinctive wealth of historic structure, is a middle of arts and crafts, and has its justifiable share of wonderful museums.

Greatest Issues To Do In Plovdiv – Sights In Plovdiv

Should you’re questioning what to see and do in Plovdiv, you’ll discover loads of choices under. This record options all “necessary” issues to do in Plovdiv, the very highlights of this historical metropolis. Chances are you’ll not be capable to go to all of them in only one weekend, however I like to recommend making an attempt your hardest!

Don’t miss the Previous City, Roman Stadium and Amphitheater, the Kapana Artwork District, and the Regional Ethnographic Museum in the event you solely have someday. I’d deal with these locations—the highest sights in Plovdiv. Let’s now dive in and check out one of the best Plovdiv actions in additional element.

Greatest Historic & Cultural Websites To See In Plovdiv

1. Plovdiv Previous City

Located on three totally different hills—Nebet Tepe, Taksim Tepe, and Dzhambaz Tepe—the Previous City of Plovdiv is the place you’ll discover most historic ruins and structure properly as a number of excellent museums. It’s dwelling to a unprecedented assortment of historical buildings, conventional homes, and cobblestones, combining Antiquity, the Center Ages, and Bulgarian Revival buildings.

That is the beating coronary heart of Plovdiv tourism, one of many most visited locations in Bulgaria, and residential to many different sights listed under. Begin your go to right here. Furthermore, in the event you solely have restricted time in Plovdiv, this is similar space you need to deal with. From eating places and cafés to numerous museums and the highest Plovdiv sights, most motion happens within the Previous City.

2. The Medieval Hisar Kapia Gate

The Hisar Kapia Gate is within the Previous City and is without doubt one of the prime vacationer sights in Plovdiv. Constructed within the 11^th century, this splendidly preserved medieval metropolis gate was one in all three entrances to historical Plovdiv. This present gate was really constructed on prime of the muse of a earlier Roman gate.

Throughout Ottoman rule, Plovdiv’s rich retailers constructed homes over the fortified partitions on each side of the Hisar Kapia Gate. These days, the bottom flooring of those homes nonetheless have the unique medieval partitions.

3. Nebet Tepe

One of many first Plovdiv Hills to be inhabited by individuals, Nebet Tepe is dwelling to settlements relationship again to 4,000 BC. First, the house of the Thracians. Within the Thracian occasions the village grew in dimension underneath Philip II of Macedon and Historic Rome.

Finally, it grew to become the citadel of the Previous City. Now a stupendous hill full of ruins, it’s among the finest locations to go to in Plovdiv for an perception into the historical past of historical Philippopolis.

An expansive archaeological complicated lies atop Nebet Tepe, together with the ruins of fortified partitions and towers. It’s a monument of nationwide significance in Bulgaria and one of the well-liked sights in Plovdiv.

4. The Jap Gate Of Philippopolis

One among solely three found entrances to the traditional metropolis of Philippopolis; the Jap Gate was on the primary street from town to Byzantium (later Constantinople and modern-day Istanbul).

The primary gate constructed on this web site dates from the two^nd century and the reign of Hadrian. Within the 4^th and 5^th centuries, restoration and reparation of this gated complicated befell. It’s thought it was the biggest and most vital entrance to historical Philippopolis.

All that is still now could be a set of ruins and the final format of the gate complicated. It’s one in all many Historic Roman sights in Plovdiv.

5. The Roman Stadium

One among the biggest and best-preserved Historic Roman buildings within the Balkans, the Plovdiv Roman Stadium is without doubt one of the prime sights in Plovdiv. Constructed within the early 2nd century by Emperor Hadrian, it may seat no fewer than 30,000 individuals. Fifty meters broad and 240 meters lengthy, it was the setting of big sporting occasions. Artwork, music, and poetry contests are additionally used to accompany these occasions.

These days, you may see the marvelously renovated portion of the northern a part of the Roman Stadium. It’s one of many distinguished landmarks in Plovdiv that you may’t miss – you may even see part of it within the H&M retailer.

Youngsters will love the 3D cinema of the Roman stadium, for which you should purchase tickets from between 3-6 LEV every. Display screen occasions for the 3D film are 10:00,10:40, 11:20, 12:00, 13:40, 14:20, 15:00, 15:40, 16:20, and 17:00. My boys loved the brief video, though I wouldn’t counsel you wait round to lengthy watch it as we did, it was not well worth the half-hour wait.

Greatest Excursions To Discover Plovdiv Metropolis

6. Plovdiv Strolling Tour

Should you take pleasure in seeing the websites with a neighborhood information, this strolling tour in Plovdiv is an effective way to expertise the highlights of Plovdiv.

You’ll tour Plovdiv’s central space, with probably the most important landmarks, together with Park Tsar Simeon, Stadium of Philippopolis, Plovdiv Previous City, Plovdiv Roman Theatre, St. Constantine and Helena Church, Hisar Kapia, Ethnographic Museum, Nebet Tepe, Balabanov Home, Home-Museum Hindliyan and the Kapana District.

7. 3-D Digital Tour Of The Historic Stadium Of Philippopolis

Get able to journey again in time to expertise this superb piece of historical past!

Have you ever ever puzzled how a historic construction appeared in its prime, however had hassle visualizing it? This 3-D digital tour of the Historic Stadium of Philippopolis is an excellent cool solution to see the speculation of how historians and archaeologists consider the constructing appeared on the time of development (starting of the 2nd century AD).

Theaters, Heritage Mosaics & Avenue Artwork Round Plovdiv

8. Plovdiv Roman Theatre – Historic Theatre of Philippopolis

Should you’re a fan of Historic Roman structure, you should go to the Historic Historic Amphitheater Philippopolis.

It lies within the coronary heart of the Previous City, within the saddle between Taksim Tepe and Dzhambaz Tepe. Relationship from Trajan’s reign within the late 1st century and early 2nd century, it’s one of many world’s best-preserved historical theaters.

Historians presume that this theater used to carry performances, theatre performances, gladiator video games, and looking spectacles circus occasions. Broken within the 5^th century by Attila the Hun, it obtained buried and was finally forgotten. It wasn’t till the mid-20^th century that it was rediscovered because of a landslide. Its restoration is an absolute masterpiece, and the theater is now used as soon as once more as a live performance and theater venue (in summer season). It may well seat 5,000 to 7,000 individuals.

9. Mosaics From The Episcopal (Bishop’s) Basilica Of Philippopolis

Also called the Nice Basilica, the Episcopal Basilica of Philippopolis was found and excavated by archaeologist Elena Kessiakova within the 1980’s. Because the undertaking progressed through the years, it was found that the complicated’s inside was coated in mosaics, particularly the flooring.

A modernized constructing was constructed to cowl and shield the unique basilica and the mosaics had been stabilized, cleaned and preserved inside. As we speak, friends can go to the constructing to view areas of excavated mosaic in several kinds and be taught concerning the constructing’s historical past.

10. Mosaic “Postal Pigeons”

The “Postal Pigeons” mosaic may be discovered within the Central Submit Workplace alongside many of the lobby’s northern wall.

Designed by artist Georgi Bozhilov – Slona in 1977, this three dimensional scene of stylized pigeons was made utilizing used pure stone tesserae in 5 colours – black, white (marble and white limestone), ochre, gentle inexperienced, and darkish inexperienced. The artist was fairly expert in mosaic method, and designed “Postal Pigeons” in such a approach that it was put in in simply someday.

11. 3D Mosaic In A Water Facility

This spectacular mosaic may be present in entrance of the Polyclinic of the Trakiya Neighborhood.

Ornamental stone tesserae in 4 colours: white (marble), black-gray, ochre (limestone) and pink (smalt), cowl globular sculptures on this distinctive 3-D mosaic show. Regardless of the curvature of the sculptures, the stones had been laid so fastidiously that the mosaic creates a fair floor to the construction.

12. The Kapana Artwork District

For a break from all that historical past and archaeology, head to the Kapana Artwork District, the liveliest neighborhood in Plovdiv. Till fairly lately, a uncared for and ignored a part of town, it’s its cultural coronary heart.

The district is greater than 500 years outdated, relationship from when it was dwelling to quite a few craftsmen, reminiscent of fabric makers, tailors, blacksmiths, goldsmiths, and leather-based employees.

Should you perceive Bulgarian, you’ll discover many streets bearing the names of these crafts—translated as, for instance, Iron Avenue and Gold Avenue. The district’s title actually means “The Lure” after its dense community of little streets and alleys.

Within the 2010s, the Kapana Artwork District underwent intensive restorations. Many elderly buildings had been renovated, empty storefronts grew to become artwork galleries, and the whole space was made car-free. These days, Kapana is dwelling to numerous artwork retailers, galleries, wine bars, eating places, and beer halls. It’s the excellent place to hold out on a sunny afternoon or after a well-filled day of sightseeing in Plovdiv.

Greatest Procuring, Parks & Leisure In Plovdiv

13. The Pedestrian Avenue Of Knyaz Alexander I

Also called Important Avenue, Knyaz Alexander I Avenue is the longest pedestrian road in Europe at 1750 m in size. It connects the Kapana Artwork District with Previous City Plovdiv and is the primary buying road within the metropolis.

Alongside this bustling and energetic road one can find buying boutiques, worldwide chains, cafes and eating places, and the historic Dzhumaya Mosque and Roman Stadium.

14. Park Tsar Simeon

Visiting this historical backyard is an effective way to loosen up in Plovdiv. Cascading timber shade the pathways and pleasant backyard beds showcase all styles of flowers.

Swiss panorama architect Lucien Chevalas designed this public park in 1892. It’s a lush and peaceable space inside simple strolling distance from the central Previous City. Should you stroll alongside Important Avenue, one can find Park Tsar Simeon on the finish, earlier than you attain the Kapana Artwork District.

Highlights embrace the Goddess Demeter Fountain, a Viennese Pavilion, trendy youngsters’s playgrounds, flowerbeds, and the star of the present, the Singing Fountains (extra on these under).

15. Singing Fountains At Evening

One of the vital outstanding and enjoyable issues to do in Plovdiv is watching the Singing Fountains in Tsar Simeon’s Backyard.

Positioned in a lake within the park, this assortment of fountains is the setting of a lightweight and music present that takes place each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 9 p.m.

16. Sundown Views From Dzendem Tepe

Located within the western a part of Plovdiv, Dzendem Tepe is the very best of town’s seven hills. Having been dwelling to a Bronze Age shrine (or perhaps a small settlement), an vital Roman Temple of Apollo, and a 4^th-century basilica, the hill is now a pure landmark.

Towering over a lot of the remainder of Plovdiv, its summit is an exceptional spot to look at the sundown.

Greatest Church buildings & Mosques In Plovdiv

17. Go to The Church Of St. Constantine And Helena

One other fascinating historic constructing within the Plovdiv Previous City is the Church of St. Constantine and Helena. Named after Emperor Constantine the Nice and his mom, Helena, it’s one of many oldest church buildings in Plovdiv. It dates from the yr 337.

Over the next centuries, it was destroyed and reconstructed a number of occasions. The current construction dates from 1832 and has attractive frescoes, icons, and work.

18. See The Church Of The Holy Mom Of God

The Church of the Holy Mom of God is without doubt one of the most vital church buildings in Plovdiv. A church has stood on this web site for the reason that 9^th century however was destroyed by the Ottomans once they conquered Plovdiv within the late 14th century.

The present constructing dates from 1844 when it was rebuilt as the primary church within the metropolis. This church and one in all its bishops performed a big position within the Bulgarian Orthodox Church’s wrestle for autonomy. It has a strikingly lovely tower in addition to icons and frescoes.

19. Admire The Dzhumaya Mosque

The presence of the attractive Dzhumaya Mosque is a sworn statement to the cultural variety that so characterizes the japanese Balkans. Plovdiv’s fundamental Muslim constructing, it stands within the metropolis heart west of the Previous City. The Ottomans constructed the unique mosque within the 14^th century on the earlier St. Petka Tarnovska Cathedral Church web site. Within the fifteenth century, nevertheless, that first mosque was taken down and changed by the present constructing.

Amongst its many options are 9 giant domes and a towering minaret — Wall work inside date from the late 1700s and early-1800’s.

Greatest Museums In Plovdiv

As one in all Europe’s oldest cities, Plovdiv has an enormous quantity of historical past and cultural heritage. After studying concerning the issues to see in Plovdiv above, you’ll now know all about that, too. Nonetheless, in the event you’d prefer to be taught much more concerning the metropolis’s millennia-long historical past, I like to recommend visiting the next Plovdiv museums.

20. Regional Ethnographic Museum Plovdiv

Housed within the former residence of 19^th-century service provider Argir Kuyumdzhioglu within the Previous City, the Regional Ethnographic Museum is without doubt one of the finest museums in Plovdiv. It has six totally different reveals, all positioned in separate rooms in the home.

These reveals home a number of 1000’s of artifacts and objects. They vary from furnishings, clothes, and materials to spiritual objects, music devices, books, and artworks.

21. Balabanov Home

Very like the Regional Ethnographic Museum, Balabanov’s Home additionally homes numerous cultural and historic objects. This 19^th-century home close to St. Constantine and Helena Sq. boasts a stupendous exterior. Inside, you’ll discover vintage furnishings, carved-wood ceilings, garments, and different objects showcasing how prosperous Plovdiv residents used to stay within the 1800s.

Related preserved properties of influential Plovdiv residents within the metropolis embrace Hindlyan’s Home and Lamartine/Mavridi’s Home.

22. Klianti Home

You’ll discover Klianti Home within the Historic Plovdiv architectural and historic reserve. Buildings on this neighborhood had been constructed in the course of the Nationwide Bulgarian Revival interval and possess parts of cultural, inventive and ornamental significance.

Klianti Home, additionally known as the “individuals’s monument of tradition”, is the oldest Revival home, recognized for its mural work, monochrome ceilings, enclosed picket recesses, distinctive structure and asymmetrical design.

23. Home Of Nikola Nedkovich

Whereas within the historic reserve, additionally cease on the home of Nikola Nedkovich, a affluent material service provider who had the house inbuilt 1863.

The house is a superb instance of the traditional symmetrical Plovdiv home, and lots of preserved artifacts from the unique house owners are on show.

Ornate murals, carved ceilings, interval furnishings, an underground tunnel connecting the cellar with the road and a coated passage from the kitchen into the primary constructing are a couple of of the exuberant options friends can admire when touring this dwelling.

24. Plovdiv Nationwide Archaeological Museum

Formally opened in 1882, this is without doubt one of the oldest museums in Bulgaria. The Nationwide Archaeological Museum in Plovdiv now homes one of many largest and most vital cultural heritage collections associated to Plovdiv and the encircling area. It has no fewer than 100,000 objects and objects.

This improbable historical past museum focuses on the early historical past of Plovdiv, from prehistoric occasions by way of the Center Ages, together with the Thracian, Roman, and early-Christian occasions. You’ll discover quite a few fascinating artifacts right here, from historical pottery and sculptures to Christian iconography and medieval artwork.

25. Plovdiv Regional Historic Museum

Whereas the Nationwide Archaeological Museum covers Plovdiv’s historical historical past, the Regional Historic Museum focuses on the 15^th century by way of right now. Established in 1951, this cultural and analysis group preserves and research Plovdiv’s more moderen historical past.

The museum has 4 totally different reveals positioned in numerous places within the metropolis:

26. Museum of Pure Sciences

Positioned within the outdated 1880 Plovdiv Municipality constructing, the Museum of Pure Sciences is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Plovdiv for nature lovers. It’s one of the vital museums of its form in Bulgaria, that includes spectacular collections within the scientific realms of paleontology, botany, and mineralogy.

A number of rooms are devoted to wildlife, too. Arguably its fundamental attraction is the large freshwater aquarium dwelling to 40 totally different species. It’s Bulgaria’s largest freshwater aquarium.

Greatest Bulgarian Locations To Eat In Plovdiv (Or Drink!)

There are not any scarcity of locations to eat in Plovdiv – and perhaps simply as many extra decisions of locations to drink a espresso or sip a glass of Bulgarian wine.

Listed below are a number of the locations we cherished:

Divino Cafe

We stopped right here to get our bearings on the place we should always eat; we sat and loved a couple of glasses of Bulgarian wine and people-watched.

Tackle ul. “Hristo Dyukmedzhiev” 3, 4000 Kapana, Plovdiv

Pavaj Restauarant

Dine on tasty, genuine delicacies proper within the coronary heart of Plovdiv as this informal restaurant, with choices that additionally embrace vegan, vegetarian and gluten free choices. Convey money as playing cards aren’t accepted right here (at the very least on the time of penning this).

Tackle Zlatarska No 7 Kapana District, Plovdiv 4000 

Aylyakria

This modern gastropub is about in a 100 yr outdated constructing, offering a comfy ambiance to your eating expertise. Craft beers, cocktails and a scrumptious home wine are all value an order and the seasonal rotating menu is fastidiously chosen to convey friends conventional Bulgarian dishes with a twist together with well-liked dishes from around the globe made with native components.

Tackle Kozhuharska 3, Plovdiv 4000

Mayriges

Should you’re within the temper for one thing totally different, head to Mayriges (“My Mom”) the place you may eat conventional Armenian and Lebanese dishes, home-cooked utilizing childhood recipes handed down by the chef’s mom.

There’s a youngsters’s menu obtainable in case you are touring with pickier eaters.

Tackle “Konstantin Stoilov” 14, Plovdiv

Turkish Espresso and Pastry Store “Dzhumaya”

For one thing candy, head to Dzhumaya for conventional Turkish desserts and drinks.

Tackle ul. “Zhelezarska” 1, 4000 Plovdiv

Cafes Close to “The Pelican Fountain”

The Pelican Fountain is present in entrance of the Plovdiv Municipality, close to the Backyard of Tsar Simeon. This fountain  is a well-liked spot for younger individuals to hang around and for kids to run round whereas dad and mom take pleasure in sipping on espresso or cocktails at any of the close by cafes. It may be particularly enjoyable within the night when the fountain waters gentle up.

Tackle Stefan Stambolov Sq.,Plovdiv

Central Perk

In case you are a fan of the tv present “Buddies”, this cafe is a should. The place is styled after the favored Buddies hang around spot. The ambiance is younger and bubbly, and it’s an amazing place to cease for a drink whereas out in Kapana.

Tackle ul. “Hristo Dyukmedzhiev” 16, 4000 Kapana, Plovdiv

Greatest Locations For Day Journeys From Plovdiv, Bulgaria

27. Go to Bachkovo Monastery

A 30-minute drive from Plovdiv brings you to the Bachkovo Monastery, a serious Jap Orthodox monastery on the financial institution of the Chepelare River. Based in 1033, it was a big complicated with many buildings. At present, just one half survives from these earliest days. That’s the ossuary with its historical frescoes and typical architectural fashion that doesn’t exist anyplace else on this planet.

The monastery does embrace numerous different buildings, although, all constructed in subsequent centuries. Be aware-worthy highlights are the 17^th-century Cathedral Church of the Virgin Mary, the “Panorama” Mural, and the medieval Church of the Archangels.

28. Go For A Journey To Asen’s Fortress

Asen’s fortress lies on the best way to the Bachkovo Monastery in Asenovgrad. This imposing medieval stronghold is without doubt one of the prime castles in Bulgaria to go to. Perched atop a rocky outcrop, it is just accessible from one facet. The three different sides have almost vertical drops within the valley under.

Relationship from the Center Ages, Asen’s Fortress went by way of a number of sieges, together with the conquest by the armies of the Third Campaign and, later, the Ottomans.

After the 14th-century Ottoman conquest, the citadel was left to decay. Now, just one full constructing nonetheless stands. The 11^th– and 12^th-century Church of the Holy Mom of God continues to be in use as a Bulgarian Orthodox church. The remainder of this once-mighty fortress are ruins, though exceptionally well-preserved ruins.

29. Have Some Water Enjoyable At Aqualand

Whereas all different issues to do in Plovdiv described above have one thing, or the whole lot, to do with tradition and historical past, this final one is simply plainly about having enjoyable. Aquapark “Aqualand” is arguably probably the most well-known trendy attraction within the metropolis.

This massive water park is a superb place to take your children in the event that they’re bored with strolling round and sightseeing in Plovdiv. It options lounge areas, a youngsters’s pool, tubing, and thrill slides.

The one query now could be, the place will you begin in Plovdiv? And, you probably have one other suggestion for what to see in Plovdiv, depart us a remark under.