Plovdiv

Discover Plovdiv for a cultural stay in Bulgaria.

Located in the heart of the ancient Thracian lands in the Upper Thracian valley, Plovdiv is the second city in the country after Sofia and one of the oldest cities in the world, even predating Rome or Athens.

Plovdiv was promoted to European Capital of Culture in 2019.

One of the oldest cities in Europe

Located in the heart of the ancient Thracian lands in the Upper Thracian valley, Plovdiv is the second city in the country after Sofia and one of the oldest cities in the world, even predating Rome or Athens.

Plovdiv rests on seven rocky hills and is located near the Maritsa River, which made the region an ideal site for its development.

Its history began some 6000 years ago and it will impress you with its beauty, its dynamism and the warmth of its inhabitants.

The historic city center

Plovdiv is a magnificent Bulgarian city which will seduce you with its historic Old Town and its characteristic Bulgarian Renaissance architecture.

Its pedestrian streets, the colorful houses of the Bulgarian Renaissance, the house of Lamartine (where the French poet, writer and politician resided in 1833) make it a city with an impressive cultural and historical heritage.

The ancient Roman Theater

The city's heritage, which includes more than 200 archaeological sites, some of which are of national interest, bears witness to the various Thracian, Greco-Roman, Ottoman and Bulgarian civilizations that passed through it.

The City Center of Plovdiv itself is organized around its famous Ancient Roman Theater which is magnificently integrated and highlighted in the modern urban planning of the city.

This unmissable place still hosts concerts, operas and shows in a historic open-air setting.

Garden of Tsar-Simeon and the singing fountains

To the delight of citizens and visitors, the city of Plovdiv also has numerous parks and gardens including the Tsar–Siméon Garden designed in 1892 by a Swiss landscaper, Lucien Chevalas.

Today, this carefully maintained park features avenues shaded by venerable trees, flower beds, sculptures and a fountain.

Areas with swings attract the youngest. A large artificial lake built in the farthest part of the central square allows canoeing activity.

And a sound and light show around the fountain called the singing fountains enlivens the place.

The special fountain dance – a spectacular show with music and light can be seen every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 9:00 p.m.

European Capital of Culture 2019

The city is also rich in numerous museums, contemporary art galleries and an emergence of street art which helps to brighten up street furniture and certain streets in the city's shopping center.

It is a city easily served by the development of its airport and by numerous trains and buses.

This city with its unique and authentic historical and cultural heritage will undoubtedly seduce you and will make your stay in Bulgaria a rich and unforgettable memory.