Plovdiv

About Plovdiv

Plovdiv is Bulgaria’s second-largest city (after the capital Sofia), and lies in the south of the country. Its ancient ruins and many museums make it a wonderful destination for cultural travellers. It also has a university with a thriving student population which brings a welcome touch of energy to the place. This makes sure that the local nightclubs, cafes and restaurants are always at the cutting edge of style and quality.

Antiques, socialist memorabilia, quirky jewellery and fun fashion by local Bulgarian designers are just some of the items shoppers can find in Plovdiv. And Saborna Street in the Old Town is the best place to start looking. The Kapana district is full of little boutiques offering original art, jewellery and fashion. The main shopping street in town is pedestrianised Knyaz Alexander I Boulevard where you can suss out the latest Bulgarian fashion trends.

Eating out in Plovdiv offers great value and local Bulgarian specialities include tatarsko kufte (stuffed meatballs) and karnache (spiced sausages), although there is a range of options and food types to choose from. If you’re self catering or looking for a foodie souvenir, visit the main market on a Thursday where you’ll find a range of ingredients including fruit, vegetables, nuts and local honey.

The city is surrounded by six hills (there used to be seven but one was quarried for the stone which built the town), so there are plenty of opportunities for hiking. Time your climb around sunrise or sunset and you’ll be rewarded with great views. Visit in the summer and you can enjoy a series of open-air concerts performed by the Plovdiv Opera and Plovdiv Philharmonic Orchestra staged in the atmospheric Roman theatre.