Plovdiv, Bulgaria stands out from the rest of Eastern Europe. While it’s one of the oldest cities on the continent, it also has a distinctively eclectic feel. It has character. But for visitors who visit Plovdiv on a tight timeline, the sheer number of museums and attractions can be overwhelming. So I put together this list of things to see in Plovdiv in one full day to help you make the most of your visit.
As you visit these Plovdiv attractions, be sure to leave some time for aimless wandering. The city is full of hidden gems — from Nabatean ruins hidden in underpasses to random sculptures on the side of the road. These things aren’t worth seeking out on their own, but they add to the overall intrigue and enjoyment of your time here.
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Morning: Things to see in Plovdiv Old Town
Most of the popular things to see in Plovdiv are in the Old Town, a restored neighborhood spanning three of the city’s seven hills. This area is very atmospheric. It’s blocked off from traffic. Narrow cobblestone alleys lead to historic houses that now contain museums, art galleries and antique shops. An occasional Roman ruin appears in their midst.
First, spend an hour or two walking around, admiring the architecture, and popping into the churches. Some of the highlights here are the Church of Sveti Konstantin & Elena (Plovdiv’s oldest), Church of Sveta Bogoroditsa, and Sveta Marina Church (look for the murals on the outside). None of the churches charge an admission fee and they’re all open from 8 am to 8 pm (with no mid-day closures).
Museums in Plovdiv Old Town
Once you’re tired of aimless wandering, it’s time to pick a couple museums. You won’t have time to visit all of them, so I recommend choosing a few that occupy especially notable houses while also being interesting museums in their own right.
The stunning Balabanov House is one of the top things to do in Plovdiv, housed in an elaborate mansion and containing a large collection of contemporary art. For a sense of what life was like back in the day, visit the second floor’s period-decorated rooms. Admission is 5 leva and it’ll take you about an hour to fully explore.
Next, head to the Ethnography Museum. You could pay the 6 leva admission and see some traditional costumes and agricultural tools inside. But at a minimum, stroll around the grounds and the courtyard (for free). It’s a prime example of traditional architecture and one of the most notable things to see in Plovdiv.
Finally, wrap up your stroll around Plovdiv Old Town by climbing up to the ruins of Eumolpias. Not much is left of this ancient Thracian settlement (established in 5,000 BC), but the views over the whole city are stunning. The ruins are free to visit.
Lunchtime: Stambolov Square and around
By now, you’re probably starting to get hungry after exploring many of the things to see in Plovdiv Old Town. So head to the modern city center for lunch and to check out the nearby sights.
Start at Stambolov Square — the heart of modern Plovdiv. You’ll notice street musicians, maybe some performance art, and lots of fountains. The nearby pedestrian shopping streets streets are similarly lined with interesting sculptures. This neighborhood is also a great place to grab a bite if you’re on a budget — sidewalk cafes abound.
The cheapest food option when you visit Plovdiv is to stop in at any of the grills advertising kebabs for 2 leva. During “happy hour” (which sometimes coincides with lunchtime), you can even get 2 for 1. Not in a street food mood? Try Dreams Cafe, where you can get a good coffee and indulge in delicious-but-affordable cafe fare like salads and sandwiches. The nearby Gusto is another good option, with pasta dishes starting at under 7 leva.
Once you’ve refueled, spend half an hour walking around to explore the street art, another of the most enjoyable Plovdiv attractions. The highlight is Milyo Statue — an immortalized depiction of a town prankster. Legend has it that he still eavesdrops on shoppers’ conversations as they pass. Another worthy stop is Dzhumaya Mosque. The Ottoman-style building is literally right in the middle of the shopping strip and is Bulgaria’s oldest mosque. Non-Muslims may enter, provided you cover your shoulders and knees.
Don’t leave the neighborhood without picking up a gelato — just stop into any of the cafes that look good.
Afternoon: Roman amphitheater and Archaeology Museum
The highlight of all things to see in Plovdiv is undoubtedly its gorgeous Roman amphitheater. After being totally lost for hundreds of years, a landslide uncovered it in the mid-1970’s. It’s since been well-restored. Admission to the theater is 3 leva, but you can also see it for free from most of the roads surrounding it. Alternatively, shell out for a concert or special event.
Next, to contextualize your Roman theater visit and finish up your Plovdiv sightseeing, head to the Archaeology Museum. This is one of the most rewarding things to do in Plovdiv, as it contains Roman artifacts, a huge collection of ancient gold, and spectacular mosaics. Admission is 5 leva and it’s about a 15-minute walk from the Roman amphitheater.
Dinner: Rahat Tepe
You can find some of the best-value meals in town at this traditional Bulgarian restaurant in the Old Town. The highlight is satch — a hot plate of grilled meat and veggies. (It’s kind of like a Bulgarian fajita.) For just 10 leva, you can easily get enough food to feed two people. Vegetarians will also find an elaborate salad menu with similarly huge portions.
After dinner, take another walk back to the Roman theater to see it lit up at night. And with that, you can wrap up your day covering the top things to see in Plovdiv!
Not ready to go home yet? As a hotbed of youth culture in Bulgaria, this town has plenty of nightlife to explore. From rooftop bars to jazz shows, you can surely find something that appeals. Check out this extensive list to find things to do in Plovdiv at night.
How to get to Plovdiv
You can get to Plovdiv by either train or bus from most other destinations in Bulgaria. Train is slower, but not by much, and it’s cheaper.
The Sofia to Plovdiv train takes three hours and costs 9 leva. No need to buy a ticket in advance — trains depart a few times an hour. You can also reach Burgas and Varna on the Black Sea coast for 15-20 leva. It takes six hours and trains depart twice daily. For other destinations by train, you’ll have to change in Dimitrovgrad.
If you’re arriving on the Sofia to Plovdiv train, be sure to pay close attention to which stop you’re at — the staff on the train don’t really pay attention and may not be able to help you. The train station is centrally located.
Plovdiv has three different bus stations. Two are located right near the train station — Yug and Rodopi — and have services to most of the same places as the trains run, for about twice the price. Just to give you an idea, a bus to Sofia costs ~18 leva (depending on which company), but only takes 30 minutes less than the train.
If you’re trying to get to Veliko Trnovo, the only direct option is to head to Sever Bus station, 3.5 km outside of the town center. You can take Local Bus 99 to reach it. Buses cost 18 leva and take nearly 5 hours.
If you’re headed to Turkey, you can take the train directly to/from Istanbul for about $30. Otherwise go back to Sofia and pick up a bus from there.
Where to stay in Plovdiv
Easily the best budget base while you explore the things to see in Plovdiv is Old Plovdiv Guesthouse. It’s located in an old house in the heart of the Old Town. It feels more like a boutique guesthouse than a hostel, but still offers the full suite of accommodation choices, from dorms to “deluxe” privates.
The hostel’s dorms ($15 USD a night) have only 3 or 4 beds — none of which are bunks. You can also get a private single for $35 or a private double for $50. The location is great, breakfast is included, and the property has a nice outdoor space too.
After you spend a day checking out these things to see in Plovdiv, you’ll surely agree that this is one of Eastern Europe’s most fun and interesting towns. Don’t miss it on a trip through the region!
What’s your favorite place that combines ancient ruins with quirky modern culture? Leave a comment!
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