Plovdiv: Exploring One of the Oldest Cities in the World

Park your car here and enjoy your day in this beautiful city.

Perhaps the best part of town, the old streets of Plovdiv are the perfect blend between modernity and Roman times.
With cobblestoned streets and beautifully decorated houses, this area is peaceful and dreamy to walk through. You can even visit some of the old house-museums, like House of Stephan Hindliyan, to see what upper classes of the 1800s used to live like in Bulgaria.

A 19th century house decorated in baroque sgraffito style, this house-museum contains thousands of items relating to Bulgarian folk and ancient culture. It gives a great understanding of the original Bulgarian influences, from clothing, to musical instruments and fabrics, all a very with distinct style and feel of the original Bulgarian people.
Open Hours: Winter Tuesday - Sunday: 09:00 - 17:00 Monday: closed
Summer Tuesday - Sunday: 09:00 - 18:00 Monday: closed
For more information, visit the official website.

Have you ever wondered what people used back in the day to treat themselves from illnesses and diseases? At the only ancient pharmacy left in Bulgaria, you can now travel into the past to see what the ancient locals used to cure themselves.
Built in the 1860s, this building was the local pharmacy of the town, where Dr. Sotir Antoniadi would examine sick people and prepare their medicine, using natural herbs, minerals and natural fats. The rooms still contain the original scales, mortals and water distillation apparatus that were used to process the herbs and medicine. An absolute gem to visit and explore the ancient medicine world.
Open Hours: November - March Tuesday - Sunday: 09:00 - 12:00, 12:30 - 17:30 Monday: closed
April - October Tuesday - Sunday 09:30 - 12:30, 13:00 - 18:00 Monday: closed

The influence of the Ottoman Empire, which once ruled these lands, can still be observed in parts of the city such as this dervish monastery. Constructed in the renaissance period, dancers here would perform their famous spinning dances and stands as a stark difference to the rest of the Roman site around the town. It definitely makes you appreciate the richness of all the cultures that have influenced this region of Bulgaria.

Take a rest from all of the exploration so far at this incredible restaurant. It offers a menu with modern Bulgarian cuisine, prepared with high level of craftsmanship. Many local, homemade dessert that are an absolute must too. Quiet and romantic setting, it's the perfect place to take a breather from today's walks.
Open Hours: Monday - Sunday: 12:00 - 23:00

One of the most intact ancient theaters that is still in use after 2000 years. Every summer, regular opera and theater performances take place here. I often visited here for special occasions with my family. Sitting on the steps and watching the actors and opera singers at the center of this beautiful setting is one of the most magical experiences.
The Rhodope mountains stretch out far into the distance and during the summer nights and "vechernik" (summer night breeze), as the sun sets into the mountains and the opera singers fill the air with their beautiful sounds, it's as if you are transported 2000 back and living into the ancient past.
While you are visiting, check out the schedule to see if you can catch one of those once on a lifetime performance that, I guarantee, will be unbelievable.
Open House: Monday - Sunday: 09:30 - 18:00
See the full program of performances here.

A wonderful place to visit and feel into the ancient past here where once over 30,000 people would gather to watch the national games. Although not all of it is not intact anymore, you can still see what it was like and imagine how locals here used to enjoy events together.
Open House: Monday - Sunday: 09:30 - 18:00

This served as an important place as part of the ancient history of Plovdiv. With its columns still standing and the seating still intact, it is such a wonderful place to take another deep dive into the past and imagine how locals used to live and gather during special events.

Sitting on top of one of the 6 hills of Plovdiv, visit this sculpture-filled hilltop park that offers incredible views of the city. The park itself is stunning, covered with various sculptures and monuments, as well as animal life, situated around trees and peaceful nature to take a break from the busy city.

Enjoy the wonderful view of the fountains as you dine and watch the sun descend. This great restaurant features traditional Bulgarian cuisine, and you can even try a puff of the shisha hookah if you are a smoker.
Open Hours: Monday - Sunday: 09:00 - 02:00

Your last stop for today should be the incredible light show of the singing fountains. Quite a spectacle to observe during the evening especially, stop off here to enjoy the wonderful performance that is a feast for eyes and ears. The show lasts for about 30 min from 9pm, so make sure not to miss it.

Finally, check in at the wonderful Hill House guesthouse. With beautiful, spacious rooms with amazing views of the city, it's the perfect place to relax after a long day of exploring.