About
Plovdiv is Bulgaria's second-largest city, set in the Plovdiv Province in the south of the country. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe, and it has long been known by other names, including Philippopolis and Trimontium. In 2019 it was named European Capital of Culture, which gave its museums, streets and public spaces a particular focus that year.
What to see
- The Roman theatre is the city's best-known monument, and it stands in good condition. It is a striking place to spend an hour looking at the stone seating and imagining its earlier use.
- The Old Town is the charm of Plovdiv for many visitors. Its narrow, winding streets are lined with old houses, and wandering through them is often the best part of a visit.
Planning a visit
Plovdiv works well as a day or a weekend trip. Most of the main sights lie close together, so the city is easy to explore on foot, with the Roman theatre and the Old Town forming the core of the walk. Because the city has been lived in for so long, its layers of history sit side by side, and a visit tends to reward slow browsing rather than a rushed checklist.
If you are coming from elsewhere in Bulgaria, Plovdiv makes a good stop between the capital and the south, and it suits anyone interested in ancient history, architecture or simply a relaxed city with a long memory.