10 Fun Things to do in Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Plovdiv, Bulgaria is one of the longest continuously inhabited cities in Europe. It’s full of interesting architecture and history. While the city isn’t even close to among the largest in Europe (~343,00), there seems to always be fun and interesting things to do in Plovdiv. From the thriving food and cafe scene in Kapana to concerts at the ancient Roman theaters or festivals that stretch through Old Town, it’s a unique city with a fascinating vibe.

We loved our time living here, and fun plenty of fun things to.. While many people visit the city in a single day trip from Sofia, we think Plovdiv deserves at least a couple days of your time if you’re on Bulgarian holiday. But you’ll miss out on the relaxed charm if you’re here just to quickly walk through the city in a single day.

If you’re living in the city as a digital nomad like us, you’ll find there’s plenty to distract you from work. Plus, there’s so many different day trips you can take from the city. Of course, that’s for another post.

For now, we present 10 of our favorite things to do in Plovdiv.

Free City Walking Tour

Plovdiv’s 360 Association does a free English walking tour every day of the year. The tour starts at the Municipality/City Hall building next to the central fountain every day at 11AM. It runs 2 hours. And the best part is it’s free and no reservations are required. All you have to do is show up! We had a very friendly, enthusiastic guide, Iliya, who seemed to really enjoy meeting and talking to new people. He took us through Kapana and Old Town. We learned about Plovdiv’s coat of arms and motto and went to the Roman Stadium, Dzhumaya Mosque, Hisar Kapia, Church of St. Constantine and Helena, and the Ancient Theater.

And if you really enjoy the walking tour, it may be a little different on different days or with different guides! They also host various other tours depending on the guides’ interests, from architecture to communism tours. Check out more at FreePlovdivTour.com

Explore the Kapana Creative District

Kapana is a popular, trendy art district located in the center of Plovdiv. Plus, it’s an area we would recommend staying. The Kapana Creative District is largely pedestrian with lots of restaurants and cafes among artisan shops. You can also do some shopping, admire all of the street art, hit up some art galleries, and grab drinks at the lively bars sprawling across the sidewalks and streets.

Walk up and down Knyaz Alexander I

Next to the Kapana Creative District is the picturesque Knyaz Alexander I. Staying somewhere within walking distance of this street gives you access to all the great things you can do in Plovdiv. This is just as good of an area to stay as Kapana. A pedestrian-only street, its colorful buildings are full of fun places to shop and eat. You’ll also find the ruins of the old Roman stadium and the Roman Forum. Street performers are here quite frequently, ranging from talented music acts to dancers and puppeteers. It’s a fun place to grab some gelato and do some good old-fashioned people watching.

Old Town

Plovdiv prides itself as being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe. And as its name suggests, Old Town has kept the traditional style of homes and buildings from the Bulgarian Revival Period. It’s a must see for anyone visiting the city. The buildings are painted beautiful hues of red, blue, green, and yellow. Take some time wandering up and down the cobblestone streets and admiring the craftsmanship. You can also visit several museums and houses furnished as they were in the 19th century.

Aside from being rich with history and culture, Old Town sits atop three of Plovdiv’s hills. It provides some of the best views of the city. There are quite a few museums set up in historic house. If you can only see one, we recommend the Regional Ethnographic Museum. It is a perfect sampler platter of history and culture. But if you’re particularly interested in seeing a well-done house to see what life was like in the Revival Period (for rich merchants), check out the House-Museum Hindliyan.

Dzhumaya Mosque

Dzhumaya Mosque is located right next to the Ancient Roman Stadium. It is still used as a place of worship for the Muslim population, but tourists are welcome to visit. You can also take in the beautiful Turkish architecture and enjoy some Turkish coffee and desserts at a little café right outside.

Roman Ruins of Philippopolis

There are three main ruins in Plovdiv, the Roman Stadium, Roman Forum, and Roman Theater. 

The Roman Stadium sits right in the heart of Kapana and is one of the most visited spots in Plovdiv. Originating in the 2nd century AD, it stretches approximately 240 meters long. However most of the stadium lies hidden under Plovdiv’s main street. Fortunately, the northern end has been restored and is open to the public. Plus, if you’re lucky, you might catch a concert there. We saw two performances there, and the atmosphere was awesome for that kind of experience.

The Roman Forum is also in the city center and housed several important administrative buildings. You’ll find the remains of the Odeon, library, and treasury. We particularly recommend checking this out at night as the lights give it a more majestic feel. Nearby it is also a favorite spot for street performers. You can grab some gelato and listen to music while taking in the view.  

The Roman Theater is a short walk in Old Town and is one of the best-preserved ancient theaters in the world. The theater was used for gladiatorial and hunting games, the general assembly, and theater performances, and is still used for musical and theater performances today. 

Plovdiv’s Seven Hills

Plovdiv is known as the city of 7 hills. However, one of the hills was destroyed and there are now 6. The remaining 6 hills are: DzhendemTepe “Youth Hill,” Bunardzhik Tepe “Hill of the Liberators,” Sahat Tepe “Danov Hill,” Taksim Tepe “Evmolpia Hill”, Dzhambaz Tepe “Hill of Twister,” and Nebet Tepe “Hill of the Guards.” Our favorites were Bunardzhik Tepe and Nebet Tepe. Bunardzik Tepe is Plovdiv’s second largest hill and has great walking trails, an outdoor fitness area, and great views of the city. Nebet Tepe is one of the shorter hills, but is easy to get to, right in Old Town. And it offers a beautiful view of the city, particularly at sunset. Definitely one of the most fun things to do in Plovdiv. Grab a drink, find a spot among the ruins, and park it as the sun dips below the distant mountains.

Tsar Simeon Garden

Enjoy a stroll through Tsar Simeon Garden near Kapana’s central square. The park is considered one of the most beautiful in Plovdiv and was designed by Swiss landscape architect Lucien Chevalas in 1892 for the first Bulgarian fair. You can cool off on a bench under the treelined paths, admire the flowerbeds, sculptures, and Viennese pavilion, enjoy the playground, or relax and watch the fountains at the lake. You can also take in the park while enjoying a drink or meal at Morado Bar & Dinner or Central Park Restaurant.  

Singing Fountains

During summer months, Tsar Simeon Lake has a free fountain show choreographed to lights and music every Thursday-Saturday from 9:00-9:30PM. I don’t know about you, but there’s just something about the combination of lights, waterworks, and music that always feels magical. It’s a great way for families or couples to cap off the evening!

Festivals and the Arts

One of the best things about Plovdiv is that there always seems to be something going on. From swing dance to EDM festivals to all manners of wine and food events or folklore festivals, there’s bound to be something to pique your interest. It’s worth checking in advance what might be going on in Plovdiv. We were lucky enough to attend one of the Wine and Gourmet Festival. We had a great time drinking all kinds of wine, listening to music, and trying gourmet food throughout Old Town.