Plovdiv is Bulgaria's second largest city after Sofia, and is definitely less stressful.
During the summer it is not just hot, it is HOT. Plovdivians have their local wisdom in the following sentence “Gusto maina Filibeto, ogin pada ot nibeto” “Hey dude, it is nice in Plovdiv, but fire falls from the sky”.
Spring (April, May and mid-June) and autumn (mid-September, October) are the best off-season months (except for the few International Fair days in mid May and end of September). This is the best time to visit as the weather is good and not too hot or too cold. The cultural venues, theaters, concert halls, etc. are in their full swing and let’s not forget the off-season rates.
Plovdiv is one of the most appealing cities in Bulgaria and the Balkans with its first foundations laid here between 6-8000 years ago thus making it older than Rome or even Beijing. Plovdiv is a great combination of real historical and archaeological treasures with the liveliness of a modern city and great cultural and night life. The most visited and admired is the hilly Old Town, built on three hills called tepeta. The maze of cobbled streets which meander the area and contain the cuddled up revival houses with their colourful façades and ornate decoration don’t fail to impress and take you back in time.
The modern part of the city centre is built along the main pedestrian street starting at the Central Square (Ploshtad Centralen) and passing along Dzhumaya Dzhamia just next to the Old Town on the west. This long street runs past all kinds of monuments, fountains, the ruins of the Roman stadium, shops, restaurants and cafés all the way to River Maritsa. This is the liveliest part of the city and especially in the evening it seems like the whole population has gathered here, strolling up and down. The streets between the centre and the train station are also something not to miss. The buildings here have not been restored as in the Old Town and the architecture is closer to the capitals’ Sofia feel, but they also hold their charm.
Don’t miss out on climbing the hills of Plovdiv, the views you can enjoy from their tops are amazing.
Plovdiv is also famous for the International Trade Fairs conducted for already 63 years, for 5 days in mid May and at the end of September. During these few days the city welcomes an additional 150-160 000 people so accommodation is hard to find and rates are obviously more expensive.
