Beautiful places near Plovdiv. Plovdiv in Bulgaria: the main attractions of the “city of contrasts.” Opinions about the sights of Plovdiv

An unforgettable holiday on the warm sea with beautiful beaches, delicious cuisine, hospitable residents and a sea of exciting impressions from the excursions visited - all this is Bulgaria.

Plovdiv

On the Maritsa River, 150 kilometers from Sofia, is located the oldest city in Europe - Plovdiv. It is believed to be older than Athens and Rome, as its history dates back about 6,000 years.

The city changed its name several times. During the settlement of the city by the Thracians, in the first millennium BC, it was called Eumolpiada. After the city was conquered by the king of Macedon in 342 BC. e., received the name Philippopolis. During the reign of the Roman Empire, the city reached its greatest prosperity, at the same time changing its name to Trimontium, which means “city on three hills.”

Then there was Pyldin, when the Slavs came to these places and the city became part of the First. Captured by the Ottomans in 1364, the city again changed its name and became Filibe.

In the 15th century, the first mentions of a city with the name Plovdiv appeared. When Bulgaria was liberated from the Turks in 1885 with the help of Russian troops, Plovdiv became part of it.

Walking tour around the city

You can get great pleasure from walking around this amazing city. Most of the narrow streets are closed to traffic. Plovdiv is a city that harmoniously combines modernity and unique architectural monuments of antiquity and the Middle Ages. Here, in beautiful historical buildings, there are cozy cafes and restaurants, many souvenir and antique shops.

Old Plovdiv, being the historical center, is certainly the richest in attractions. You will have to spend more than one day, full of excursion programs, to see all the objects. Here you can see medieval wooden buildings, and the ruins of stone Ottoman mosques, and Thracian fortifications, and the ancient gates of Hissar Kapia, and the ruins of the Roman Forum.

Roman heritage

Despite the fact that it sank into oblivion many centuries ago, evidence of its former greatness can be found throughout Europe today. Bulgaria was no exception. Plovdiv, thanks to a miraculous coincidence, presented the world with a unique ancient building - the Roman Amphitheater.

The grandiose structure, designed to accommodate 3,000 spectators, was built more than 2,000 years ago by order and was discovered by accident. This happened in 1972 during a landslide that covered Old Plovdiv. After complete restoration, the Amphitheater became accessible to the public. The Amphitheater, decorated with arcades and statues, today, as before, hosts concerts and performances.

In the very center of Plovdiv, surrounded by architectural monuments from various eras, is the Roman Stadium. The period of its construction dates back to the second century AD.

Religious sites

I would especially like to mention the Church of Saints Helen and Constantine. The first church on this site appeared in 337, at the site of the execution of the martyrs Severian and Memnos, professing the Christian faith. It was named in honor of Emperor Constantine the Great and his mother. In this church, despite multiple destructions, priceless artifacts were preserved. Today here you can see ancient icons, frescoes and handmade decorations of extraordinary beauty.

Mosques have been preserved in Plovdiv since the Ottoman rule. The largest and most interesting is the Dzhumaya Mosque. This mosque, built in the middle, has one distinctive feature. Unlike others, its vault is crowned with nine small domes.

When visiting the Church of the Holy Resurrection, built in 1578, special attention should be paid to the 18th century iconostasis. For the first time in the history of the Bulgarian Renaissance, it depicted secular subjects along with spiritual ones.

Museums

It is impossible to get a complete picture of the city without visiting museums and exhibitions. The most visited is the Plovdiv Historical Museum. It displays priceless exhibits:

historical documents;
archaeological finds;
works of art.

The collection includes more than 60 thousand exhibits.

The no less interesting Archaeological Museum displays more than 100 thousand exhibits. Walking through the picturesque park area, you can also see numerous monuments of Plovdiv.

Located in the ancient house of Dimitar Georgiadi, the Bulgarian Renaissance exhibition will help you learn many interesting facts about the life of the city from the 14th to the 19th centuries.

Art connoisseurs will appreciate the State Gallery of Fine Arts. It is housed in a 19th century building, which in itself is of great archaeological value. The gallery presents works by the most famous Bulgarian painters, and also hosts various thematic exhibitions and events.

Best restaurants

The traditional one is based on dairy products and meat, which is due to the long tradition of cattle breeding. Rich meat soups, soups based on fermented milk, spicy sausages and frankfurters, dried ham - all this can be tasted in almost any restaurant in Plovdiv.

The Nineteenth Century Tavern specializes in traditional Bulgarian cuisine. The tavern is decorated like an old Bulgarian house with guns and photographs on the walls. The signature dish of this establishment is manastirski keremida (a mixture of mushrooms, intestines and tongue baked with cheese).

For lovers of Russian cuisine, it will be interesting to visit the Peter the Great restaurant. Everything here is decorated with Russian flavor.

For several years in a row, Puldin has been considered the best restaurant in Plovdiv. They exclusively serve delicacies such as foie gras or rabbit with plums.

Where to stay

There are really many hotels in Plovdiv, which allows you to choose a place to stay to suit every taste and budget. Novotel Plovdiv is considered one of the most stylish. The modern hotel offers rooms equipped with appliances and decorated in different colors. The hotel also has a huge indoor swimming pool, children's playground, conference rooms and restaurants.

The most refined hotel-restaurant is Hebros Hotel, which is located in the very center of Plovdiv. It occupies an ancient Renaissance building, built over 200 years ago. Chic interior decoration made of wood, antique furniture, works of art, a private wine cellar and a restaurant serving national cuisine will not leave anyone indifferent.

The Ramada Plovdiv Trimontium hotel is convenient for its location. It is in close proximity to the Roman Amphitheater and other attractions of Plovdiv. Spacious rooms in the style of national comfort (with antique furniture), as well as a restaurant serving national cuisine and a courtyard with a swimming pool - everything you need after a busy day of sightseeing.

The mild climate, picturesque landscapes, and unique historical attractions make Bulgaria a popular holiday destination. The best time to travel is from May to September. The weather in Plovdiv, as in the entire southern part of Bulgaria, at this time is conducive to a good time.

The average temperature in summer is 25 degrees, the amount of precipitation is insignificant. In addition, Bulgaria today is becoming increasingly popular for purchasing real estate, which many stars of Russian show business have already taken advantage of.

If the question is about where to go on vacation, the answer is clear - Bulgaria, Plovdiv. You will be provided with a sea of positive emotions and unforgettable impressions.

An amazing “city of artists”, Plovdiv is one of the oldest cities in Europe and has been a center of attraction for thousands of travelers for many years. Tourists are attracted to these places by unique historical monuments and ultra-modern entertainment centers, magnificent nature and the national flavor characteristic of the region. The number of historical attractions in the city is incredibly large; more than 200 of them are considered monuments of national importance. Local residents managed to preserve many beautiful architectural structures in the city, and the museums of Plovdiv contain real treasures - priceless historical artifacts and works of art.

According to one version, the first settlements on the territory of the modern city appeared more than 6,000 years ago. In ancient times, the powerful city of Eumolpiada was located here; for many years it belonged to Thrace, and in the first century BC. came under the control of the Roman Empire. The city had a favorable strategic location, which made it an attractive target for numerous conquerors. Already in the 6th century it was under the control of Slavic tribes, and at the beginning of the 9th century it became part of the First Bulgarian Kingdom.

The life of the city, rich in military events, did not stop there; it was completely plundered by the Crusader army four times, came under the control of the Byzantine Empire several times, and was captured by the Ottomans in the 14th century. Considering Plovdiv’s rich military past, it is difficult to imagine how a huge number of historical buildings were preserved on its territory. Here you can see unique Roman baths, an ancient amphitheater, wonderful medieval basilicas, as well as luxurious architectural monuments of a later period. It is noteworthy that local residents continue to actively use many ancient buildings; beautiful historical buildings today house hotels, restaurants and shops. Copyright www.site

One of the main historical symbols of Plovdiv - the Ancient Amphitheater (Roman Amphitheater) - is used for festivals and national holidays. The Thracian fortress is considered the center of the historical area; this majestic building has only partially survived to this day. For several years, Plovdiv belonged to Turkey, and therefore in the city you can see several beautiful mosques, the most attractive of which is the Imaret Mosque.

Plovdiv is a non-resort city in Bulgaria. And that’s probably why it’s not the most popular among tourists. And in vain. Because Plovdiv is a very old city and there are plenty of buildings begging to be photographed. It is also the second largest city in Bulgaria (after Sofia). Plovdiv has many wide streets, brand stores and expensive restaurants. But it is much calmer here than in Sofia. Our geocaching friends have been seriously considering Plovdiv for some time as a city that would be nice to retire to. I didn’t fall in love with Plovdiv that much, but I won’t deny that there is a lot to see in Plovdiv.

The sights of Plovdiv are briefly and succinctly described on Wikipedia. So succinctly that it looks like excessive modesty:

“Plovdiv is a major cultural center; there is an archaeological museum (since 1882), a natural science museum (since 1951), a historical museum (since 1951), a museum of the Bulgarian national liberation movement (since 1956), an ethnographic museum and several art galleries. There are a number of theaters"

There is no sea in Plovdiv, but there are mountains on the horizon and several hills in the city itself. Plovdiv is also a sister city of St. Petersburg. You can take a walk here, you can also visit museums. But is it worth spending more than two days on Plovdiv?.. We’ll figure it out.

Where to go and what to see in Plovdiv?

I'll be a little more verbose than Wikipedia. It is strange that this mega-popular resource did not mention the main attraction of Plovdiv - the hill on which the world famous Alyosha stands. Everyone knows about the monument, but not everyone knows that Alyosha has a real prototype.

Soldier Alexey Skurlatov went through the entire war on the front line, fought near Rzhev, near the village of Kryukovo, on the Kursk Bulge. His mother received funerals twice. But Alyosha survived and met victory in Plovdiv. And when the Bulgarian government decided to erect monuments to Soviet soldiers-liberators, his Bulgarian friend offered the sculptors a photograph of Alexei Skurlatov. And then, at the unveiling of the monument, he wrote on the pedestal: “Alyosha.” I talked about this story in some detail on LiveJournal (I recommend reading it).

So the monument to Alyosha in Plovdiv is the main attraction of the city. You need to climb the hill on foot, and I don’t recommend doing this in the heat - we almost died while we climbed to the top in the forty-degree heat. On it, in addition to the monument to Alyosha, there is a stele in honor of the victories of Alexander II and Christmas trees planted by Soviet cosmonauts. And there is a view of the city.

The second hill in Bulgaria is a little less interesting, but from it you can see old Plovdiv.

In addition to the hills, I advise you to walk around Old Plovdiv. In fact, it’s worth walking along it. Since modern buildings are faceless five-story buildings with a touch of Sovietism. In Old Plovdiv there are museums, temples, and mosques. And even the ancient Roman theater.

It costs money to study the theater from the inside. But for those who want to save money, advice - do not rush to buy a ticket. From the outside, through the fence, everything is clearly visible. Many people call this ancient landmark of Plovdiv an amphitheater, but this is a mistake. The amphitheater has the shape of a circle, and what you can see now in Plovdiv is semicircular.

Excavations of an ancient theater in Plovdiv were found in 1968, preserved and used for concerts.

Interesting fact. In ancient times, the seats of honorary citizens of Plovdiv in the theater were signed - that is, specific seats were assigned to specific citizens. Important citizens included the emperor, friends of the emperor, and ministers.

Dzhumaya Mosque (Zhelezarka St., 2). The main Muslim temple of Plovdiv. It is considered one of the largest and oldest Muslim buildings in the Balkans:

Next to the mosque is the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary:

And this is the temple of the Great Martyr Marina:

Unusual, and architecturally different from all the churches that we had a chance to see in Plovdiv.

The oldest church in Plovdiv is the Church of St. Constantine and Helena (Sborna str., no. 24). It was built back in the 4th century on the site of the execution of Christian martyrs in honor of Emperor Constantine and his mother Helen. The church was destroyed several times and what can be seen now is the result of the work of restorers in 1832. But we didn’t see that either, because we didn’t get there because of the heat. But you can google the photo if you want.

A typical photo for the outskirts of Plovdiv:

Main museums of Plovdiv:

Archaeological Museum(address: Sedinenie str., 1). The museum is old, founded in 1882. coins, documents, icons, paintings and household items, a rich Roman collection. The museum covers all historical periods of the country's development - from prehistoric to Bulgarian.

Natural Science Museum(address: Hristo G. Danov str., no. 34). The largest museum in the city, representing the flora and fauna of Bulgaria. Plants, birds, sea and freshwater fish... And several dozen aquariums. Next to the museum is the Dondukova Gradina park.

Ethnographical museum(Doctor St. Chomakov str., no. 2). The museum was built on an old fortress wall and the building is two-story on the front side, and four-story on the back. The museum mainly displays exhibitions from the 18th and 19th centuries - jewelry, clothing, musical instruments, processes of wine making and metal processing.

Address of the tourist office in Plovdiv: Central Square, 1

How to get to Plovdiv?

By train from Sofia. The train takes about three hours and costs 11 leva. On railway website of Bulgaria You can view the schedule and buy tickets.

By car or bus. Buses to Plovdiv run from both Sofia and Burgas (tickets cost on average 14 leva and do not require purchase in advance). You can get to Plovdiv by car from anywhere in the world. You will drive along the A1 highway (distance in kilometers – slightly lower).

By plane. There is an international airport in Plovdiv (you can see in which months and from which cities it is more convenient to fly):

Plovdiv Hotels

Housing in Plovdiv is not too expensive. For example, a guest house SimplyComfy in the very center of the city, with free parking in mid-April it will cost 18 euros per room. Hotel Hotel Ostrova with the same rating and conditions - 43 euros. The average cost of hotels with reviews above 8 starts from 35 euros, hostels and guesthouses - from 19 euros. Almost all proposed overnight stays through Booking are booked with free cancellation, and more than half of the hotels include breakfast in the price.

And yet... I would love to walk around Plovdiv. I wouldn't mind going back for a day or two. But spending a week here is unlikely. I would get bored.

The name of the city of Plovdiv, as the legend retold by local residents says, comes from the words of the Greek (“Philippopolis”) and Turkish (“Filibe”) dialects.

And this is not surprising. Over the 13 centuries in the history of Bulgaria, this small country, representatives of many nationalities of different faiths and mentality have lived and continue to live on its territory. Naturally, this entailed part of the transfer of the ethnic group and culture of each of them.

Plovdiv is one of the oldest cities in Bulgaria, the third largest in the country. Its age, taking into account the times since the founding of the first settlement, is approximately 8000 years. This city is older than Rome and Athens.

It is located on both sides of the Maritsa River. It is called the city on 8 hills and there is a real, geographical basis for this - they surround it.

Plovdiv is very interesting for tourists all over the world for its unique architecture, abundance of temples and museums, as well as amazing energy.

The main attraction of Plovdiv is the surrounding hills.

"Markov" Hill - lost due to the latest expansion of the city area.
The hill “Bunardzhik the Liberator” is famous for the fact that it was on its top that the famous monument to the soldier “Alyosha” was erected.
Hill "Markovo Tepe" - destroyed more than a century ago. The stone that was mined there was used in urban construction.
"Dzhendem-Tepe" or "Hell" hill. It is famous for the fact that, according to legend, this is where the “gate to hell” is located. Today this hill near Plovdiv does not exist.
"Sakhat-Tepe" or "Clock" hill. The main sundial of Bulgaria was located here.
"Dzhamb-Tepe" hill (tightrope walkers).
“Tiksim-Tepe” hill (watershed) - here is the water supply system, the very first, laid in the mid-19th century (still works today).
Nebet Tepe hill (defensive).

It is to this temple in Plovdiv that most local residents and guests of the city come. This church began its history from the time when the name of Emperor Constantine, who recognized Christianity in Bulgaria and declared it the state religion, began to be inscribed on parchment as a revered saint.

On the site where this temple is now located, Christian sanctuaries have been located since the 4th century. The Life-Giving Cross of the Lord was also found here, which was discovered by Constantine’s mother, Queen Helena, during her trip to Jerusalem.

The Church of Saints Constantine and Helena, known today, has survived to this day in the same form as after restoration with a small reconstruction in 1832.

The main element of its interior decoration is the gilded carved iconostasis by the Bulgarian master Ivan Pashkula. Most of the icons in the temple belong to the hand of the famous Bulgarian icon painter Zachary Zograf. The temple attracts with its architecture and warmth.

Location: Hisar Kapiyah Square.

Museum of Icons

During the persecution of the church under communist rule, in order to preserve icons and church utensils, city residents placed religious objects in their homes.

Over time (at the beginning of the 21st century), the city leadership decided to create a museum of icons. His collection includes icons from churches that were destroyed or suspended their activities and were saved by the Bulgarians.

Now here you can see many icons painted in different styles and techniques. The museum is of interest not only to people interested in religion, but also to professional artists.

This wonderful cathedral was built in the middle of the 19th century in the name of Louis IX. It is located in the central part of the city. In addition to the hall for worship, there are administrative offices of the Catholic community of Plovdiv and Sofia, as well as residences of the clergy.

The outside of the church is decorated with many amazing columns and statues, typical of the Baroque style with classical elements.

The interior decoration of the church is devoid of frills and is made in a very restrained style.

The bell tower of the cathedral was erected at the end of the 19th century as a gift to the church and Plovdiv from Pope Leo XIII. There are 5 ringing bells on it. The church that has survived to this day has been known since 1931, after large-scale reconstruction due to a fire.

Location: Boulevard “Princess Maria Louise” - 3.

The mosque was built in the sixties of the 14th century and is located in the central part of Plovdiv. This mosque is the main religious building for Muslims living in the city. The width of its prayer hall is 33 meters. It was built in a mixed style - ancient Bulgarian and Byzantine. A distinctive feature of the national Bulgarian style is the alternation of cut stone every two rows of bricks.

The interior of the mosque consists of wall paintings with quotations from the Koran. Quotes are printed on wall medallions decorated with natural patterns.

In the north-eastern part of the mosque, where the minaret is located, there is a network of small squares made of red brick, which invariably attracts the visitor's eye.

Prayers are still performed in the mosque today, so you can only enter it if you are dressed appropriately.

Location: Zhelezarska street.

One of the few surviving ancient landmarks of the city and all of Europe. Its construction took place by order of the Roman emperor Trajan (in the 2nd century).

This historical object was discovered by chance, during work to strengthen the city wall after a landslide occurred, during which soil displacement occurred, which made it possible to see the outlines of the ancient structure.

Subsequently, excavations began in this area, which made it possible to establish the age of the theater. The amphitheater has a capacity of 6,000 spectators. Nearby is the “forum” stage. The auditorium is divided into sectors in accordance with the ancient areas of the city. There is an odeon for VIPs with a capacity of 350 seats.

Today the ancient theater in Plovdiv is functional. Many festivals and concerts take place here, allowing residents and guests of the city to feel the atmosphere that the ancient inhabitants experienced.

The second rarest ancient attraction in Plovdiv, the stadium, was built during the reign of the ancient Romans. The Roman classical stadium is called Philipopolis.

Various types of sports games took place here in ancient times. The running track has been completely preserved.

The length of the stadium is 180 meters. It runs along several city streets. This stadium is one of 12 rare structures of this type that have survived to this day.

A symbol without which no tourist can imagine Plovdiv. gate from the Ottoman Empire Hisar-Kapiya. One of three entrances and exits (eastern) outside the city walls. Only the foundation has survived from the ancient parts today. Part of the fortress wall and the gate arch were rebuilt several times due to the fact that they were destroyed to the ground.

About a century has passed since the last restoration. This ensemble attracts tourists because it dates back to the time of the rule of the Ottoman Empire in Bulgaria.

The gallery was founded in 1952. The core of her collection consisted of paintings collected from various institutions, including other museums.

Now the gallery’s holdings are located in 3 buildings: 2 of them are located on the territory of the “Old Plovdiv” reserve, and the 3rd (new) in the central area of the city.

Here tourists can get acquainted with both Bulgarian contemporary art and exhibitions of past times.

Location: Sborna street - 29.

A unique natural attraction of Plovdiv is an amazing cave in which many underground waterfalls are hidden, and a mysterious river that comes out.

It’s worth visiting here if only to admire the beauty of the underground waters. Previously, this place was considered impassable. The cave can now be accessed by crossing a newly built bridge.

The museum is located in an ancient mansion where the family of the local rich man Kuyumdzhiev lived. In several rooms it was even possible to preserve the original furnishings of that time. By visiting the museum you can get acquainted in detail with the Bulgarian culture, see many exhibits, including musical instruments of antiquity.

Location: st. Dr. Stoyan Chomakov - 2.

In the central cultural park of Plovdiv there is a small zoological park. On its territory there are very few animals, but a lot of unique plants. Today it houses an aquarium where marine life, including sharks, live.

Plovdiv is an amazing city that I truly love. Despite the fact that it is not on the coast, it is the most interesting city in the mainland of the country after the capital Sofia. It is very convenient to travel around Bulgaria, visiting Sofia, Plovdiv and, for example, Sunny, making an unforgettable trip lasting a month or two, as I did.

Among other things, Plovdiv boasts an incredible Old Town district, which was built by the Turks during their ownership of this city. Here every fifth house is a house-museum, where you can go and see the often royally decorated interiors. There are also several ruins from the Ancient World in Plovdiv - an amphitheater and a boulevard.

It is better to stay in Plovdiv for two or three days, since the historical center of the city is quite small, and along its outskirts you will find areas of standard residential development.

However, to many tourists, like me, Plovdiv seemed to be a completely idyllic city, aristocratic and romantic in its own way, so you can stay here for a much longer period than planned.

How to get there

The easiest way to get to Plovdiv is through the airport in Sofia (the capital of Bulgaria, 140 km from Plovdiv). You can also come here by car from Moscow and St. Petersburg, as well as by train.

Since Plovdiv is not located on the sea, there are no ferry connections with this city.

By plane

By plane you can conveniently reach Plovdiv from Moscow and St. Petersburg through Sofia Airport.

From Moscow

By plane from Moscow you can fly to Sofia for 11,000–17,000 RUB in both directions from Air Serbia (transfer in Belgrade, 5 hours of flight), Turkish Airlines (change in Istanbul, 5-6 hours of flight).

The price of a ticket Moscow - Sofia without a transfer is 16,000–20,000 RUB in both directions from Bulgaria Air (2.5 hours of flight) and Aeroflot (3 hours of flight).

From Saint-Petersburg

By plane from St. Petersburg you can fly to Sofia for 16,000–25,000 RUB in both directions from Turkish Airlines (transfer in Istanbul, 18 hours), from LOT (transfer in Warsaw, 8-26 hours of flight, Schengen required). There are no direct flights from St. Petersburg to Sofia.

You can also fly on the flight St. Petersburg - Moscow - Sofia. But be careful when choosing your arrival and departure airports in Moscow, because a flight from Moscow can arrive at one airport, and a Moscow-Sofia flight can depart from another). The cost of a flight - Moscow from S7 airlines costs about 7 thousand rubles one way + on average 18 thousand rubles for a flight Moscow - Sofia without transfers, total = 25 thousand rubles in both directions with one transfer in Moscow.

How to get from Sofia airport to Plovdiv

Buses run from Sofia Airport to Plovdiv from morning to late evening (price about 4 USD per person). If you arrive at night, you will most likely have to take a taxi (50 USD per car). The total distance between Sofia Airport and Plovdiv is 142 km, that is, approximately 1 hour 35 minutes drive.

Plovdiv Airport

The airport is local, so I don't recommend using it for your travel. There is not even a regular bus service to the city. A taxi from the airport to your hotel will cost 5 USD (10 BGN).

By train

There is a train from Moscow to Bulgaria - Sofia (the capital of Bulgaria, located 400 km from Sozopol). Next, you can change to the Sofia - Burgas train (Burgas is located 30 km from Sozopol), and then take a bus from the bus station to Sozopol. Do not forget that travel through Romania is carried out with a Schengen visa.

What are the prices for holidays?

The price for a taxi around the city is 4 USD, for a bus around the city - 1 USD.
Ticket price to museums is 2.5-5 USD.

Clue:

Cost of food, accommodation, transportation and other things

Currency: Euro, € US Dollar, $ Russian Ruble, Rub Bulgarian Lev, Lev

Main attractions. What to see

If you like old buildings, architecture, walking through manor houses and taking photos in narrow streets, there really is something to see in Plovdiv. Almost all interesting places in Plovdiv have a fixed entrance price of 2.5 USD (5 BGN), so prepare large quantities of 5 BGN bills! Or buy a single ticket and save up to 400%.

So, starting the journey from the Tourism Association in Plovdiv at st. Konstantin Stoilov, 50, to buy a Single Ticket and get a discount on your visit, you can make your route around the city more convenient. There are various packages, it usually costs 5 USD (15 BGN) and gives access to about 10 museums at once.

On the map I marked not only the TOP 5 attractions, which I will write about below (they are marked with different colors and signs), but also all the museums and house museums (marked with burgundy stars).

Top 5

Beaches. Which ones are better

There is nowhere to swim in Plovdiv, despite the fact that there are two beaches. The beach on the Danube (opposite the Grand Hotel Plovdiv) looks like the most ordinary Russian beach on a river (and even worse), and the beach near the sports complex gives off the atmosphere of the USSR (near the Landmark Kriik Hotel, panorama below).

Therefore, I advise you to go overseas to or go to a normal water park in Plovdiv.

Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?

On the map of attractions I have marked churches that can be visited as part of your personal trip to Plovdiv. I recommend this part of the excursion program not only to believers, but also to architecture lovers.

All churches are open from approximately 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; entry is allowed both when there is a service and when the church is empty. But you need to have covered shoulders; for women it is better not to wear short shorts/trousers and a headscarf (preferably for girls over 12 years old).

Museums. Which ones are worth visiting?

There are a lot of museums and house museums in Plovdiv, especially in the Old Town. For your convenience, I have already marked all of them on the map above, which you can easily use for a walk. Below are not all the museums of Plovdiv; together with house museums and art galleries, there are more than 50 of them in the city! I covered this topic in more detail in the article.

So, I marked the most popular attractions on the map and compiled a brief description of the three most important:

Museum of Archeology. Opening hours: 10:00-17:00. Address: st. Connection, 1. Entrance - 2.5 USD (5 BGN).
Museum of Natural History. Opening hours: 09:00-17:00. Address: st. Hristo G. Danov 34, near Dondukov Park. Entrance - 2.5 USD (5 BGN).
Plovdiv Art Gallery - stunning paintings, surrealism, oil paintings, a hall for icons and a lot of interesting things! Opening hours: 09:00-17:00. Address: st. Prince Alexander I. Entrance - 2.5 USD (5 BGN).

Tourist streets

You can see the entire tourist area on the map of attractions, and by their concentration you can determine the boundaries of the Center and the Old Town - all of them are of interest to tourists.

Inside this area there are restaurants, hotels, shopping centers, parks, as well as walking areas, many supermarkets and clothing stores.

What to see in 1 day

Plovdiv is an incredibly rich city in museums, art galleries, house museums (exhibition houses), but all the attractions are nearby, so it’s quite possible to see absolutely everything marked on my attractions map in one day. If somewhere you are not satisfied with the exhibition, for example, it seems boring, just leave after 5 minutes, quickly walking through all the halls. Where it's interesting, stay for half an hour.

09:00 - we begin our journey from the Tourism Association in Plovdiv at st. Konstantin Stoilov, 50, to buy a Single Ticket and get a discount on your visit (up to 400%).
09:05 - we visit in turn the Atanas Krastev House-Museum, on the hill the ruins of Nebet Tepe, the Balabanov House-Museum, the Hindliyan House-Museum, the Artist Anastas Gallery, the Nedkovich Mansion, the Ethnographic Museum, the Plovdiv Art Gallery, the Lamartine House-Museum. You only have 2 hours for this walk, so don’t be afraid to pass by exhibitions that are not interesting to you personally.
11:00 - we walk along the street. Metropolitan Paisiy along the Church of St. Dimitar, the Church of the Assumption of the Theotokos and the Church of the Holy Virgin. We go out onto the street. Sborna and to Dzhumaya Park.
So we looked at the main attractions of the Old Town area. I marked this first part of the route on the map:
11:15 - from there to the south along the street. Prince Aleksandar, we visit clothing stores and boutiques.
12:00 - I advise you to have lunch at the restaurant at the Drama Theater, then visit Sq. Stefan Stambolov.
14:00 - visit the ancient theater, Odeon.
From 18:00 to 20:00 we spend time at the singing fountains in the Morado Bar & Dinner restaurant. Just about two hours.
21:00 - tired and happy we go home. Or (for those who are younger and not at all tired) we go to the nearby VOGUE nightclub. Below you will see the second part of the route (3.3 km):

Attention: Between visits to the Old Town and the Ancient Theater and Odeon, I strongly advise you to take a lunch break, as shown in my travel plan. You should not go straight from the Old Town to the Ancient Theater just because it is close.

Still, it’s better to relax in a restaurant and go shopping, and then continue the excursion program to fully enjoy the charm of antiquity!

What to see in the area

There are several amazing towns to visit in the area around Plovdiv. Around (up to 120 km of travel) Plovdiv there are mostly the most ordinary villages, so even to the popular tourist village of Asenovgrad there is practically no point in going.

Below I have compiled the three most popular routes from Plovdiv:

Food. What to try

Budget

“Pri Pacho” is a small home restaurant with a not too extensive menu, but a very attractive price tag. Opening hours: 11:00-23:00. The average bill for lunch is 2 USD (4 BGN), I couldn’t believe it was so cheap. For example, 100 grams of bolognese - 0.5 USD, 1 BGN. Full address: st. Stamat Ikonomov, 11.
"Ton Bonbon" is not just a family restaurant, but a magical world with a children's play area and a very cheap menu with hearty dishes. Opening hours: 11:00-23:00. The average check for lunch is 4-6 USD (8-12 BGN), juice – 0.5 USD (1.5 BGN). Full address: st. Porto Lagos, 45.

The Ribarnika restaurant is a simple establishment with reasonable prices, mainly seafood dishes. Opening hours: 09:00-01:00. The average bill for a seafood dish is 5 USD (10 BGN). Full address: st. Tsar Simeon, 158.
Shanghai is simply a great place with low prices. Only Chinese cuisine!. Opening hours: 09:00-01:00. The average bill for a salad is 2 USD (4 BGN), all main dishes are 2-6 USD (4-12 BGN). For example, spaghetti with meat – 2.5 USD (5 BGN). Full address: st. Tsar Simeon, 158.

Mid-level

"Megdana" is a traditional Bulgarian restaurant that serves only Bulgarian cuisine, including seafood. If you want to appreciate the culinary traditions of Bulgaria, be sure to come here. The interior here, by the way, is appropriate. There are musical performances with folk dances. Opening hours: 18:00-00:30. The average bill for an amazing dinner is 10 USD (20 BGN). Full address: st. Odris, 11.

Expensive

“Torro” (Torro Grande) is a chic restaurant with a very beautiful interior in the style of a luxury chalet! There is sushi, grilled meat, and many desserts. Opening hours: 07:00-02:00. The average check for lunch is about 10 USD (20 BGN). Full address: st. Captain Raicho Nikolov, 66.

"Hemingway" is a very tasty meat dish and grill in Bulgarian style. Located on a quiet street, the ideal place for a family dinner while traveling. There is an excellent wine list and even its own wine cellar. Opening hours: 12:00-24:00. The average check for lunch is 15 USD (30 BGN). Full address: st. Gene. I.V. Gurko, 10.

“Memory” is a wine restaurant, the emphasis is on meat dishes and snacks specifically for wines. You can very conveniently try many varieties with explanations from the owner. Dishes of original, Italian, European, Bulgarian cuisine are served, as well as seafood, barbecue and desserts. Opening hours: 12:00-24:00. The average check for lunch is 10 USD (20 BGN). Full address: pl. Connection, 3.

Holidays

Plovdiv hosts more than 20 festivals a year, you can see the current poster.

There is a Jazz Festival (beginning of November), a Folklore Festival (first week of August), an Opera Festival (all of September), a rock festival (beginning of September) and many others.

Safety. What to watch out for

Plovdiv is a very safe city in the center, but the outskirts and residential areas may remind you of the rather nostalgic mood of the USSR. So, I advise you to simply not go beyond the areas of the tourist center of the city, and you can feel exactly the same safety as in your hometown, and even more. In Bulgaria, everyone is very friendly towards tourists, problems and misunderstandings are kept to a minimum (unlike, for example, Egypt).

So, Plovdiv is a completely safe resort that can be visited with children of any age!

Things to do

Plus, in addition to numerous museums and restaurants serving Bulgarian and Italian cuisine, Plovdiv has several casinos and even a water park. Below you will see them on the map:

Palms Casino is a very small casino, not comparable to the Ritz, but it is also worth a visit if you are an amateur. Address: st. Raiko Daskalov, 8. Open 24 hours a day.
Efbet is the smallest casino in Plovdiv, which also cannot be called a competitor to Ritz. It's more of a casino parlor. Address: st. Patriarch Evtimy, 9.

Shopping and shops

There are a lot of shops, boutiques of clothes, shoes and accessories in Plovdiv. It is quite difficult to list them all, so below you will see a map of the best clothing stores, shopping centers and supermarkets in Plovdiv:

Bars. Where to go

"Amadeus" is a wonderful bar in the style of classic burlesque, with international cuisine, desserts, cocktails and alcohol. The music usually played is chill out, jazz, R&B, no electronics. Opening hours: 07:30-00:30. The average bill per evening is 15 USD (30 BGN). Full address: blvd. Princess Maria Louise 6.
Piano Bar Getsby is a great place with live music. Opening hours: 23:00-05:00. The average check per evening is 20 USD (40 BGN). Full address: blvd. Hristo Botev, 82.
Fabric is a fairly cheap bar compared to others, usually the age group of 20-28 years old gathers here, while in nightclubs it is usually much higher. Opening hours: 11:00-01:00. The average check per evening is 10 USD (20 BGN). Full address: st. Father Paisiy, 31.
Gramophone is a traditional pub style bar, with a large wooden bar, wooden tables and terraces. There is no full kitchen here, like in Morado (see below), but there are cocktails, a variety of (and very cheap) shots, wines, vodkas, and beers. Opening hours: 10:00-02:00. The average bill per evening is 10 USD (20 BGN), for example, for 4 shots of tequila or two cocktails. Full address: st. Prince Alexander I-vi 36.

Morado Bar & Dinner is a chic place in the park, the second floor is made entirely like a veranda. Lunch here will be surrounded by a park and flowers; during dinner you can watch the singing fountain show from the veranda. Opening hours: 11:00-01:00. The average check for dinner is 15 USD (30 BGN). Full address: st. Avksentiy Veleshki, 19, in the park.

Clubs and nightlife

There are several nightclubs in Plovdiv. Despite the city's small population, it is the cultural capital of Bulgaria and the second city after Sofia. Therefore, here you can find quite modern nightclubs.

The dress code is the usual club one, without beach and summer clothes, tracksuits, jeans and T-shirts, flip-flops, sandals are not allowed (except for girls). The best thing is trousers and a shirt or a suit, for girls a dress, a skirt and a blouse, ballet shoes. That's how everyone dresses here. True, most clubs allow you to enter in jeans and a shirt. It is worth considering that the age category of guests in Plovdiv nightclubs is always about 30-47 years old, and not 18-28 years old, as you might think. Below I present to you a list of the best:

Galaxy is the most luxurious club in Plovdiv with a central stage, go-girls and a very exciting program. There are regular performances by artists and DJs. Hall for 1000 people. Opening hours: 11:30-06:00. Entry price is 5 USD (10 BGN), free for some events. The price of alcohol is from 1.5 USD, for example, for a shot of tequila (3 BGN). Full address: Trakia Blvd. Release to BC No. 1.

VOGUE is one of the most fashionable nightclubs in the city, popular among the 20-40 year old category. Opening hours: 23:30-06:00. Entry price is 5 USD (10 BGN). The price of cocktails is from 4 USD (8 BGN) per cocktail and 2 USD (4 BGN) for a shot of rum or tequila. Full address: st. Avksentiy Veleshki, 20.
Polinero Place offers an incredible live music atmosphere in a truly traditional bar. People in the age group 40-60 usually relax here. Opening hours: 19:30-05:30. Entry price is free if there is no live music, and 2.5-5 USD if there is a performance in the evening. Alcohol price - from 3 USD (6 BGN). Full address: st. Vratsata, 5, Iztochen district.

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

Plovdiv is a city of art and culture! There is definitely only one type of souvenir worth buying here - paintings (well, except for magnets and figurines in the style of the Old Town of Plovdiv). The paintings here are usually painted either by local Bulgarian authors or by painters from the capital Sofia. Amazing techniques, unusual presentation - there are traditional oil paintings, contemporary art, art house - and even more!

How to get around the city

The best way to get around the city is on foot, but if you are coming from Sofia or Burgas, you may already have a rented car. In addition, Plovdiv has a developed regular bus system between all districts of the city. And in the Center and the Old Town, everything remains within walking distance.

Taxi. What features exist

A taxi ride around the city of Plovdiv can cost 2-6 USD, on average - 4 USD (8 BGN). You can safely stop a taxi on the street with a wave of your hand. There are no electronic card payments in taxis; dollars and euros are usually not accepted, only the Bulgarian currency, levs (BGN).

Above you see a map of taxi ranks with telephone numbers of companies.

Buses

Buses in Plovdiv run regularly and there are a lot of routes, just like in a Russian city of the same size. But since the tourist area does not extend beyond the Center and Old Town, most likely you won’t even need them. However, just in case, you should know that buses stop at bus stops; the fare within the city is 0.5 USD (1 BGN).

To get from the Ancient Theater to the Ritz Casino and back, you need to take bus number 2. So, you take the bus on Tsar Boris Boulevard (Ancient Theater) on the right, i.e. you will drive north towards the Old City, driving 3 kilometers, crossing the river. Get off at the stop after the park, almost at the crossroads, follow the big road to the south (Dunav Boulevard) and in 10 minutes you will be at the Ritz Casino. Go back the same way, sit on the other side of the road!

Transport rental

Renting a car in Plovdiv is very easy and very cheap. The rental price starts from 6-10 USD for a regular car and reaches 15-30 USD per day for a luxury car. You will need to present your passport and driver's license. Below on the map I have marked car rental points:

You can compare car rental prices from different rental companies.

Plovdiv - holidays with children

In principle, I would not recommend Plovdiv for traveling with children, since in the summer everyone really wants the sea or at least a swimming pool, so the prospect of wandering through narrow streets in 30-degree heat is not entirely attractive.