Plovdiv On a Budget
Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Sights
With a history that dates to the ancient Thracians, a few thousand years before Roman occupation, Plovdiv is a treasure trove of relic monuments. One of the best-known examples from antiquity is the Ancient Theatre, which is still in use roughly 2,000 years after its construction, accommodating 7,000 people. Operas and theatre performances are held in the summer. Another treasured monument is the 2nd-century Roman Stadium, which once sat 30,000 spectators, though much of it now lies buried beneath Plovdiv's Old Town. The cobbled streets and traditional homes of Old Town blend with the ruins in a unique and interesting way, showing layers of time with Bulgarian revival buildings amidst an ancient Roman Forum.Plovdiv also features a number of religious centers that speak to the culture of the region. Bachkovo Monastery, for example, lies on the outskirts in the town of Asenovgrad. Founded in 1083, it is the oldest Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria and brings together Bulgarian, Georgian, and byzantine religious traditions. Others, within Plovdiv itself, include the city's oldest Christian church called the Church of St. Konstantin and Elena from the 4th century, and the Dzhumaya Mosque built by the Ottomans in the 1300s.
Neighborhoods
Historically the city developed on seven hills until one was destroyed in the early 20th century. The leftover material was used to pave most of Plovdiv's streets. Today six hills remain, and they are called the Three Hills (Nebet, Dzhambaz, and Taksim Tepe), the Hill of the Youth (Dzhendem Tepe), the Hill of the Liberators (Bunarzhik), and the Hill of Danov (Sahat Tepe). The Three Hills make up the most historic part of the city-the Old Town, or, the Ancient Plovdiv Architectural and Historical Reserve. Of the Three Hills, Nebet Tepe is recognized as a cultural monument of national importance, featuring the fortress remains of a prehistoric settlement that grew to become the Thracian city of Evmolpia by the 12th century BC. Old Plovdiv is compact and walkable, with the main downtown road blocked to traffic for pedestrians only. There are plenty of historic sites with many Bulgarian revival buildings now used as museums, hotels, and restaurants, as well as opportunities for buying local goods and art. Explore the cobblestone streets and discover other centuries-old treasures, including churches, mosques, and an ancient gateway.Activities
From walking Plovdiv's scenic hills to exploring Old Town's historic architecture, visitors can spend days just wandering on foot and taking in the sights. One might enjoy a musical or theatre performance in one of Old Town's unique venues or walking the cobbled streets to shop for the perfect souvenir. Some of the most popular gifts tend to be Bulgarian rose products-mostly shampoos, gels, oils, and perfumes.For a little more insight into the region's cultural, historical, and artistic heritage, visitors can also step inside one of the city's museums. A few of the more popular exhibits include the Regional Ethnographic Museum and the Plovdiv Aviation Museum.
Plovdiv is also a great base to explore some of Bulgaria's best wineries, which are quite nice and very scenic. Plovdiv even has its own wine festival every year, too.
Food and Dining
Bulgarian cuisine is typical of Eastern Europe with some Balkan influences, such as Persian, Turkish, and Greek cooking. Dishes include any variety of meats-lamb, goat meat, veal, chicken or pork-grilled with spices and herbs or often cooked into stews. Yogurt is also central to many meals. Banitsa, for example, is a popular breakfast pastry of eggs, white cheese, and yogurt between phyllo layers. Another example that uses yogurt is a cold soup of cucumbers, garlic, yogurt, and dill known as tarator. Bulgarians also cook with a white cheese called sirene; it is similar to feta and is used in salads and pastries. Other popular food items include cold cuts like salami and sausage, a variety of soups and stews like shkembe chorba (spicy, made with tripe) and bob chorba (bean soup), salads and relishes made with seasonal vegetables and cheeses, bread and pastries, and kebab. There are also a variety of Bulgarian wines, beers, distilled liquors, and fermented beverages, such as boza (made from roasted flour) and ayran (from yogurt).Transportation
The international Plovdiv Airport is located near the village of Krumovo, 15 kilometers away from the city center (about 20 minutes by car). It is primarily served by the low-cost airline RyanAir. In addition to transfer by private car, the city center can also be reached by taxi and public shared shuttle (line No. 2).Another way to travel to Plovdiv, both nationally and internationally, is by train. The railway station is about a 10-15 minute walk to the city center.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.