Things to Do in Plovdiv: Top Attractions and Day Trips

Plovdiv is Bulgaria’s second city, but its historic centre is arguably the most attractive in the country — older and more coherent than Sofia’s, built across hills above a 2nd-century Roman amphitheatre that still hosts performances. The city was European Capital of Culture in 2019, and the investment from that period left a visible mark: restored buildings, better signage, and a creative district that functions as a genuine neighbourhood rather than a tourist construct. All prices below are approximate as of 2026; 1 EUR ≈ 1.96 BGN.

Roman Amphitheatre of Philippopolis

The Ancient Roman Theatre of Philippopolis is Plovdiv’s centrepiece — a 2nd-century amphitheatre built into the south slope of Nebet Tepe hill, with seating for around 6,000 spectators. It was only rediscovered in 1972 after a landslide exposed the upper tiers. Today it is one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in the Balkans and still used for live performances during summer.

Entry: Approximately BGN 10 (€5) for the museum section. If a performance is scheduled, you can buy concert tickets (from BGN 20–40) and experience the theatre as its builders intended.

Tip: Visit in the late afternoon. The light is best between 16:00–18:00, when the sun catches the marble stage and the Rhodope mountain backdrop turns golden.

The Old Town (Staria Grad)

Plovdiv’s Old Town occupies three of the city’s original hills — Nebet Tepe, Dzhambaz Tepe, and Taksim Tepe. The streets are steep cobblestone lanes lined with restored National Revival houses from the 18th and 19th centuries: painted facades, overhanging upper floors supported by timber brackets, and walled courtyards.

Key buildings open as house-museums include:

• Balabanov House — a merchant’s house with period furniture and rotating art exhibitions. Entry approximately BGN 5 (€2.50).
• Hindliyan House — an 1835 mansion with murals depicting European cities the owner had visited. Entry approximately BGN 5 (€2.50).
• Ethnographic Museum — housed in the blue-painted Kuyumdzhioglu House (1847), considered one of the finest examples of Bulgarian Revival architecture. Entry approximately BGN 6 (€3).

A combined ticket covering multiple house-museums is available for approximately BGN 15 (€7.50) and is better value if you plan to visit three or more.

Kapana Creative District

Kapana (meaning “The Trap” — named for its confusing grid of narrow streets) is Plovdiv’s former artisan quarter, repurposed as a creative and dining district. Unlike many “creative quarter” rebrands, Kapana still functions as a real neighbourhood: tattoo studios, record shops, graphic design offices, and independently owned restaurants share the same blocks.

What to do there:

• Browse street art — the lanes are covered in murals, many from the annual Kapana Fest
• Eat at Pavaj — contemporary Bulgarian dishes in a small courtyard setting, mains from BGN 18–28 (€9–14)
• Drink craft beer at Cat & Mouse Brewery — local IPAs and pale ales from BGN 7–10 (€3.50–5) per glass
• Browse vinyl at Gramophone Records — one of the better record shops in Bulgaria

Kapana is busiest on weekend evenings. During the twice-yearly Kapana Fest (usually June and September), the streets close to traffic and fill with live music stages, food stalls, and pop-up galleries.

Nebet Tepe

Nebet Tepe is the highest of Plovdiv’s hills and the site of the oldest settlement in the city — Thracian fortifications dating to at least 4000 BC. The hilltop is a public park with exposed excavation sites and the best panoramic view in Plovdiv: the Old Town rooftops below, the Maritsa River plain, and the Rhodope Mountains to the south.

Entry: Free. Open 24 hours. Bring a drink and watch sunset — it is one of the best free experiences in Bulgaria.

Dzhumaya Mosque

The Dzhumaya Mosque sits in the main pedestrian zone, directly adjacent to the Roman Stadium remains visible through glass panels in the square. Built in the 14th or 15th century during Ottoman rule, it is one of the oldest mosques in the Balkans still in use.

Entry: Free (it is a functioning mosque — dress modestly and remove shoes). The interior has original painted decorations on the walls and ceiling.

Roman Stadium of Philippopolis

Directly below the pedestrian street between Dzhumaya Square and the Central Post Office, the remains of a 2nd-century Roman Stadium are partially visible through glass viewing panels set into the pavement. The stadium originally held around 30,000 spectators and stretched 250 metres — you can walk its approximate length along the modern street above.

A small underground section is accessible as a museum for approximately BGN 5 (€2.50).

Alyosha Monument

The Alyosha Monument — a 17-metre Soviet-era statue of a Red Army soldier — stands on Bunardzhik Hill (Hill of the Liberators) on the western side of the city. Whatever your view of its political history, the hilltop platform offers a strong 360-degree panorama of Plovdiv. The climb takes about 15 minutes from the base.

Entry: Free.

Plovdiv Regional Historical Museum

Housed in a former gymnasium building near the river, the Regional Historical Museum covers Thracian gold treasures, Roman-era artefacts, and the Bulgarian National Revival period. The Thracian collection is the highlight — gold jewellery and drinking vessels from tombs in the region.

Entry: Approximately BGN 6 (€3). Open Tuesday–Sunday, typically 09:30–17:30.

Day Trip: Bachkovo Monastery

Bachkovo Monastery, approximately 30 km south of Plovdiv in the Rhodope foothills, is the second-largest monastery in Bulgaria after Rila. Founded in 1083 by two Georgian military commanders, it has a courtyard with a 17th-century church, medieval frescoes, and a functioning monastic community.

Getting there: Buses run from Plovdiv’s South Bus Station (Yug) approximately every 30–60 minutes. The journey takes about 40 minutes and costs around BGN 4 (€2). You can also take a taxi for approximately BGN 40–50 (€20–25) one way.

Entry: The monastery grounds are free. The ossuary (bone church) has a small entry fee of approximately BGN 3 (€1.50).

Allow: 2–3 hours at the monastery, plus travel time. Combine with a walk along the river gorge trail from the village for a full day.

Day Trip: Asen’s Fortress

Asen’s Fortress (Asenova Krepost) perches on a cliff above the Chepelare River gorge, about 20 km south of Plovdiv on the road to Bachkovo. The site has been fortified since Thracian times, but the surviving church (the Church of the Holy Mother of God) dates from the 13th century and has remarkable frescoes.

Entry: Approximately BGN 4 (€2). The walk up from the car park takes about 10 minutes but is steep.

Combine with: Bachkovo Monastery is only 5 km further south — the two make a natural half-day circuit by car or taxi.

Plovdiv Free Walking Tour

Several companies run free walking tours (tip-based) departing from the Central Square near the Roman Stadium. Tours typically run at 10:00 and 14:00 daily during peak season, last around 2 hours, and cover the Old Town, Roman Amphitheatre area, and Kapana. A tip of BGN 10–20 (€5–10) per person is standard.

Practical Information

• Getting around: Plovdiv’s centre is compact and best explored on foot. The distance from the train station to the Old Town is about 1.5 km.
• Main Street (Knyaz Alexander I): The pedestrian boulevard running through the centre, with cafes, shops, and the Roman Stadium beneath.
• Currency: Bulgarian lev (BGN). 1 EUR ≈ 1.96 BGN as of 2026. Card payments accepted at most restaurants and hotels; carry cash for markets and small museums.
• From Sofia: Buses take approximately 2 hours and cost around €5 each way.

See also

• Bulgaria travel guide
• Plovdiv travel guide
• Sofia travel guide
• Hiking in the Balkans
• 7-day Bulgaria itinerary
• National parks in the Balkans

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Plan your trip: Browse tours and activities in Plovdiv — guided options cover everything from history walks to day trips. Pick up a Balkans eSIM for data on arrival, and protect your trip with travel insurance.