Plovdiv

"Ancient and Eternal"

Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria with a population of 350 thousand people. It is located in the western part of the Upper Thracian lowland, on both banks of the Maritsa River. It is 15 km north of the Rhodopes and 50 km south of Stara Planina. The city is built at the foot of six syenite hills, which is why it is often called the "City under the Hills".

Plovdiv is a city of over 8000 years, whose past can be traced from prehistory to the present day. The first Neolithic settlements within the boundaries of today's city began in the VI millennium BC, and from the Stone-Copper Age (IV-III millennium BC) life in the city has not been interrupted, which ranks it among the most ancient permanently inhabited cities of the world. Ancient monuments such as the Ancient theater, the Roman odeon, the Agora (Roman forum), the Roman stadium, the late antique building "Eyrene", the Episcopal basilica, the Small basilica and others have been preserved.

The city is the most dynamically developing center in Southern Bulgaria. Its economy is based on a well-developed diversified industry, services, tourism and information technology.

Many cultural events are held in Plovdiv: the International fair, the International theater festival "Scene at the Crossroads", "Kapana Fest", "Night of Plovdiv", the music forums "Sounds of The Ages" and "Hills of Rock", the international folklore festival "Plovdiv" and others.

Plovdiv has been chosen as European Capital of Culture for 2019 >>.

Travellers voted Plovdiv to be one of the best places to travel in 2022 in the European Best Destionation 2022 >> list.

The motto of Plovdiv is "Ancient and Eternal".

The pedestrian bridge over the Maritsa River

Interesting places

Visitors to the city can take advantage of the opportunities for interesting leisure time that Plovdiv offers:

the longest pedestrian urban area in Europe – approximately 2 km;
district of creative industries with restaurants and art studios;
an open-air museum with the remains of several civilizations in the 70-century-old city;
rich cultural life throughout the year;
sports – Regatta Venue, sports bases, fitness clubs, bicycle lanes;
entertainment – bars, clubs, discos, casinos and more;
tourism – mountains, SPA resorts, historical landmarks nearby.

Near the hotel >

Panoramic view of the northwestern part of Plovdiv from Nebet Tepe

Things to do in Plovdiv

Have a stroll in the Old Town.
Visit an event (concert, opera, etc.) at the Ancient Theatre.
Visit "Kapana" – the art district of Plovdiv dedicated to the creative industries.
Watch the 3D movie "Plovdiv in II c." presenting the sports games that happened in the Roman Stadium.
Enjoy the special dance of the "Singing Fountains" in Tsar Simeon's Garden.
Get on top of Nebet Hill and/or Danov Hill and take a picture of the oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe.
Experience the combination of wine and gourmet.
Ride a bike along the Regatta Venue.