Things to do in  Plovdiv

Yes, it’s worth visiting Plovdiv. From its Roman ruins to its postcard-pretty Old Town, this is a city that wears its ancient heritage with style and verve. Besides great food, wine, nightlife, and shopping, it’s a fabulous base for exploring Thrace, the Rhodope Mountains, and beyond.

Plovdiv is best known for history: One of Europe’s oldest cities, its impressive Roman remains include a theater and a forum. But it was also Europe’s capital of culture in 2019 and the annual calendar of events ranges from jazz festivals and folklore shindigs to live performances in the Roman theater.

While you can see Plovdiv’s Old Town and Roman ruins on a day trip from Sofia, it’s better to spend at least one enjoying the city’s food, wine, and nightlife. Two days give you time to see surrounding sights such as Asen’s Fortress, Bachkovo Monastery, and a winery.

It depends. Sofia is Bulgaria’s capital and a much bigger city with more things to do, but Plovdiv is more attractive and walkable with more of a traveler focus. The two cities are only 95 miles (150 kilometers) apart, so you should spend time in both.

Depending on traffic and the exact location you are starting from, the drive from Sofia to Plovdiv can take anything from 1.5 hours to 3 hours. Private transfers booked online cost around US$100; metered taxi fares follow the meter. Be aware that taxi scams can be an issue in Sofia.

No, they do not have Uber in Bulgaria. The company stopped operating in Bulgaria in 2015 after a high court judgment, and there are currently no ridesharing services available anywhere in the country. Many individual taxi firms in Sofia and Plovdiv operate ride-hailing apps, however.