European Capital of Culture for 2019 – Plovdiv

Captivating and different from any other town! Picturesquely situated on hills, which rise unexpectedly in the Thracian plain along the quietly flowing waters of the Maritsa River. More ancient than Bulgaria itself, the city preserves the eternal values of its six-millennia-long history like a huge pantheon.

The center of the modern town is the huge main square across which the Post Office and the faded elegance of the Hotel Trimontium face each other. Trimontium is the old name of the city. From the square, the main street leads to Freedom Park, with its fountains and coloured lights, this is the route of the twice daily promenade. It is fun either to watch from a café or to join the walking, chatting crowd.

In this part of Plovdiv the few remaining ruins of a Roman stadium are visible below street level. The Dzhumaiya and Imaret Mosques, with their distinctively patterned minarets also catch the eye. It is, however, the Old Town which attracts most visitors.

No one should miss the Roman theatre, an astonishing archaeological discovery made in the early 1980s. These impressive ruins would have part of the acropolis of Trimontium, built when the Romans made it a provincial capital in the 2nd century.

Along some streets, ancient fortress walls form Byzantine times can be seen, and high up on the hill is the even older ruined citadel of Nebet Tepe. This stronghold was fortified first in the 5th century by a Thracian tribe, and was subsequently seen as an essential target by every successive conqueror of this region.

Plovdiv is a paradise for each and every wine-lover and some of the world top events in this branch are held here. It also has one of the longest pedestrian streets in Europe, which is a perfect place to indulge in some retail therapy. With its central location, Plovdiv is perfect for day-trips or even more.

The city of Plovdiv combines an interesting past with a lively present, it is the home of various arts festivals and trade fairs each year. The first international trade was held in 1892, nowadays there are two fairs each year, the largest events in the Balkans.

There are many beautiful cities around the world, but anyone who has visited the Eternal City on Trimontium is bound to return.

What to see

Ancient Theater Plovdiv

The ancient theater in Plovdiv is one of the best-preserved theaters in the world. It is located in the old town, on the southern slope of the three hills. The theater is the only preserved ancient theater building in Bulgaria. The amphitheater is annually used for cultural events, music concerts, opera and other arts. Among the most significant events are the annual International Folklore Festival, the Opera Open Opera Festival, the Sounds of the Ages Rock Festival and others. The ancient theater is one of the emblems of the city and it is worth seeing!

Mall Plovdiv

Mall Plovdiv is the first complex built in Plovdiv. It has many shops of famous brands, games rooms, cinemas, beauty and health salons and more. This is a new and interesting way to spend your free time. The perfect place if you like shopping and keeping up with the latest fashion trends.

Roman stadium

The Roman stadium in Plovdiv was declared a national cultural asset in 1995. Plovdiv residents and guests have the opportunity to watch the first 3D film / animation / “Plovdiv in the II century”, representing Philippopolis during the Roman period I – IV century. The film is dedicated to the Roman stadium and presents a restored model of the facility, as well as reconstructions of the most popular games held there.

Regional Archaeological Museum

Discovered in 1882. the museum is one of the oldest cultural institutions in Bulgaria. The museum has one of the richest collections containing nearly 100,000 exhibits, works of human art and life related to the history of Plovdiv region and the city of Plovdiv – heir to one of the largest and most important ancient cities on the Balkan Peninsula – Philippopolis.

Old Town

History and beautiful architecture await you in the old town of Plovdiv. There is magic on the cobbled streets that you will not find anywhere else. You have the opportunity to admire colorful murals, unique wood-carved ceilings and architecture that you will not find anywhere else in the world. Style, aristocracy, generosity and serenity radiate this space, ordained by large courtyards with gardens and lush greenery. Today’s Plovdiv is unique, ancient, wonderful, artistic, spiritual and challenging.

Kapana Quarter

The Kapana district is an extremely pleasant place for walks. There are many shops, cafes, restaurants, workshops and handicraft shops on the streets. There are colorful graffiti everywhere that make the neighborhood extremely colorful and cheerful. The neighborhood is known as the place of creative industries. We recommend that you take a walk in it when visiting Plovdiv.

Ethnographic Museum

The museum preserves over 60,000 cultural values, mainly related to the tradition of the population of Plovdiv and its cultural and economic life. Among his collections stand out those of copper vessels, ceramics, ancient weapons, shepherd’s carvings, jewelry and church utensils, sewn and knitted lace, costumes from the entire Bulgarian ethnic territory, musical instruments, urban interior.

Tours which include Plovdiv

Plovdiv – Trigrad

Bulgarian villages are beautifully nestled in the most beautiful corners of the country, picturesque, romantic, unforgettable, guardians of memories of the most memorable moments in Bulgarian history. This tour is an escape from everything you know. Immerse yourself in the magic of the Bulgarian village and traditions with our team!

Short trip to Bulgarian old towns and villages

SHORT TRIP TO BULGARIAN OLD TOWNS AND VILLAGESFamily tripSightseeing}8 days tripSeven citiesPlovdiv and Bachkovo Monastery Plovdiv is one of the most appealing cities in Bulgaria and the Balkans with its first foundations laid here between...

Discover Bulgaria for 5 nights

With this trip you will see the famous Rila Monastery. It is a monument in the UNESCO list of world heritage and is situated in the highest mountain on the Balkans – Rila Mountain. It is one of the best sellers for individual travelers and groups. The Monastery dates back to the 10th century, famous for its ornate interior and colorful frescoes. Enjoy sightseeing in Sofia, Plovdiv, Veliko Tarnovo. You will see the lovely Valley of Roses. The village of Arbanassi is a wealthy crafts and trade hub that you will find very interesting.

Discover Bulgaria 8 nights

Koprivshtitsa – Veliko Tarnovo – Etara – Valley of roses – Plovdiv – Rila monastery. This tour comprises many interesting experiences in Bulgaria. You will see Koprivshitsa’s 19th century houses with their colorful courtyards, surrounded with high stone walls and gates; the unique collection of old-times water-driven machinery in Bulgaria; the symbol of Bulgaria – the ‘Rose Flower’ and many more.

12 Days Touring Bulgaria

Touring palm-size Bulgaria is an exciting experience – it is as if you are entering an open-air museum. It lacks nothing and abounds in hospitality and natural attractiveness.
For those who come to Bulgaria to get away from their tedious routine, there is the leisure of the Black Sea and the magic of the Old Bulgarian museum towns and monasteries.

11 Days Monastery Tour

Bulgaria adopted Christianity during the reign of Tzar Boris (852-889). Now Bulgaria belongs to the Eastern Orthodox Church, which for centuries protected the identity of the Slav community.
The religious monuments – monasteries and churches – inspired a sense of security, creating perfect conditions for theologians and philosophers, thus founding the future cultural and spiritual moral of the Bulgarian nation. This program will introduce you to the top of masterpieces of monastery art and architecture, to the fate of the nation, to the sacred places of our history.

10 Days Touring Bulgaria with a private car

Run away with a private car and have an unforgettable fairy-tale adventure. With its royal comfort you will be overwhelmed by the nostalgic spirit of an irretrievably lost world from the beginning of the century. We invite you to DISCOVER an exciting experience of the past, to FEEL the magic of the fascinating nature where this romantic performance is staged. To TOUCH the treasures of the Bulgarian cultural traditions. The atmosphere of this trip is a splendid mixture of the charming old days and the sophistications of modern times.

7 Days Architectural Museum Towns

Many remarkable architectural monuments from different periods of Bulgarian history have become a part of the world cultural treasure-house.
Remains of the millennial cultural heritage of Tracians, Romans and Byzantians; architectural landmarks from the time of Ottoman rule; perfect examples of homes, public buildings and places of worship, built during the National Revival Period – all places of interest are included in this tour.

The Festival of Roses

There is a valley, hidden between the Balkan Range and the Sredna Gora Mountain, where hundreds of thousands of roses are in bloom in May and June. This program invites you to attend a beautiful festival, beginning with rose-picking and followed by an amusing folklore program near the old rose-distillery at the Tarnichene Ethnographic complex, rose fragrance, a lot of cheerful music and dishes, beautiful young girls in typical national costumes, Bulgarian national dishes and special wines … and many other surprises.

Wine Tasting in Sakar and Eastern Rhodopes

This adventure will take you to one of the famous wine regions in Bulgaria. It is called Bulgarian Napa Valley because of different and numerous wineries close one to each other, vineyards and great views. With this tour you will have the chance to visit Europe’s oldest city – Plovdiv, famous for its unique history, architectural wonders and delicious cuisine. In addition, close to the Greek border you will taste the wine from Mezek winery. We guarantee the food quality and the great accommodation.

Thracian Valley Food Tour

If there is something all travelers share about Bulgarian cuisine it is that our food is not simply delicious, but authentic and real. See for yourselves with our traditional food tour. Bulgarian cuisine is one of the strongest reasons why tourists visit the country. One of the peculiarities that people notice about Bulgarian dishes is the preparation of all or most of the products in a dish at the same time. The explanation is simple: in the past people used to take their dishes to be baked or roasted in public ovens. Another outstanding feature is the abundance of vegetables which are cooked together with the meat.

SPA and Recreation Holiday in Velingrad and Plovdiv

Bulgaria has been blessed with having numerous Mineral Hot Springs, with wide range of healing properties, gravitating people from all over Europe, making it the ultimate Spa paradise. Very few countries in the world can compete with Bulgaria in this respect – here you can find over 200 mineral springs with average temperature between 37 and 50C, with low content of mineralization. Velingrad is specialized for medical treatment of pulmonary, articulation, neurological, gynecological diseases including sterility, renal, liver, gastric etc.

Rhodope food tour

If there is something all travellers share about Bulgarian cuisine it is that our food is not simply delicious, but authentic and real. See for yourselves with our traditional food tour.
Bulgarian cuisine is one of the strongest reasons why tourists visit the country. Its deliciousness is due to the gamut of vegetables grown locally, and to the skills of cooks refined throughout centuries, blending European and Asian cuisine traditions.

Bulgaria: The Grand Wine Tour

Wine tourism in Bulgaria is becoming more and more widespread and preferred by tourists. This type of tourism combines unforgettable travel and tasting of different varieties of wine.
This type of tourism gives tourists the opportunity to get familiar with the vineyards and vine growing methods and habits such as vine clipping and grapes harvesting in the regions being visited, and also with the history, traditions and wine making methods of wineries.

Weekend Tour – see Plovdiv,Koprivshtitsa or Rila monastery

Sightseeing of Sofia and Vitosha Mountain. One-day optional trip to the Rila Monastery, Plovdiv or Koprivshtitsa. Folkstyle evening in Sofia included.

Holiday in Sofia and Plovdiv

Welcome to Bulgaria -a country with an impressive history and unique natural and anthropogenic landmarks. Sofia is the capital of Bulgaria. Here you can dive into the atmosphere of old historic buildings and monuments, and take advantage of the nightlife of the capital. Plovdiv is a great combination of real historical and archaeological treasures with the liveliness of a modern city and great cultural and night life.

Plovdiv-Assen’s Fortress- Bachkovo Monastery

Plovdiv is one of the most appealing cities in Bulgaria and the Balkans with its first foundations laid here between 6-8000 years ago thus making it older than Rome or even Beijing. Plovdiv is a great combination of real historical and archaeological treasures with the liveliness of a modern city and great cultural and night life. From Plovdiv head towards the Rhodope Mountains passing through the pretty town of Assenovgrad. Nearby you will see the remarkable remains of King Ivan Assen’s Fortress. Next visit the picturesque Bachkovo Monastery.

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