Plovdiv is the oldest European city on seven hills. The city that was resurrected from the ashes. It has been destroyed, but it has been rebuilt again. It is a beautiful combination of ancient buildings and modern buildings. Its main streets and historic part are closed for automobile traffic, so it is ideal for hikers.
From Sofia the distance is 146 km, so the best and fastest way to get to Plovdiv is to rent a car. The trip takes about 1.5 hours. You can also move around the city by car, but in some parts of the city will have to stop for parking and explore the neighborhood on foot.
Landmarks
The first place to start exploring the city is the main street of Prince Alexander I. It merges 19th century houses with trendy restaurants and cafes, brand stores and antique shops. On the square is an ancient amphitheater, which has 14 marble rows, where you can examine the ancient inscriptions and hieroglyphs. It hosts interesting events and performances.
Fans of religious buildings can see the central Turkish mosque (on the right side of the stadium) and the ancient temple of Saints Constantine and Helena, which stands on the fortress wall of the Acropolis.
There is a wonderful museum of archeology, history, ethnography and art gallery. You can get acquainted with the way of life, household items and culture of Bulgaria. And the gallery has a huge number of paintings. Here a tourist will see the history and stages of development of painting of the Bulgarian region.
For those who want to improve their health in the town there are geothermal springs, the best in Bulgaria.
Worth mentioning is the famous tavern "19th century", which looks like an ancient house. This institution can be referred to the sights of the city for its decoration. On the walls there are hunting trophies and rifles, interesting photos and many historical exhibits. The cuisine is of the highest level.
Local food
The national Bulgarian cuisine will surprise gourmets with its meat and dairy products. There are soups prepared on sour milk, dried ham and an unusual dish "manastirski keremida". This dish is made from several kinds of mushrooms with the addition of tongue and giblets.
Shopping
From here you can take a piece of history with you if you check out the local antique store. Antique musical instruments, collectible coins, Bulgarian items and items related to the Russo-Turkish War.
You can also buy traditional Bulgarian rose oil, wine, ceramic dishes and clay products, a picture of the city, and jewelry by local craftsmen.
When it is better to visit Plovdiv
The climate in the city is mild, similar to subtropical. In summer the maximum temperature reaches +31 degrees. And in winter it stays around 0. The tourist season starts from May to the end of September. But if you like quiet walks, it is better to come out of season, when there is no large flow of tourists. Plovdiv welcomes its visitors at any time of the year. It will be beautiful in its own way.
