How to reach Bunardzhik hill from the city center?

Published by freeplovdivtour at May 5, 2023

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Bunardzhik hill/Bunardzik tepe (tepe = hill, from Turkish) is one of the seven hills of Plovdiv. Its official name is “The Hill of the Liberators”, but almost no one ever uses it. The most common name of the hill is „Alyosha” – the name the locals gave to the Soviet soldier monument built on top.

The hill is a gorgeous park and an excellent way to escape from the city for an hour or two. Also, it provides a marvelous panoramic view of the whole town.

The hill’s location is quite central so it is a preferred choice for people who feel like conquering one of the tepes. How to reach it though if you are staying in the Old Town, Kapana, or around the pedestrian street of Plovdiv? Your goal is to get to the park at the bottom of the hill. Once you are there, all paths go to the top.

There is a street that was used by cars before but later driving in the area was forbidden. Also, there are many small paths that are very picturesque and beautiful. The climb to the top is around 20-25 minutes – depending on your speed.

Here you will find the easiest way (not always the fastest) to reach Bunardzhik tepe, following big streets directly from the center of Plovdiv.

Reaching Bunardzhik hill from the Old Town and Kapana

The Ancient Roman Stadium is near the Old Town and Kapana district. From here you can reach the hill in about 15 minutes. If you turn your back to the Dzhumaya Mosque, the Roman Stadium will be on the left. In front of you, starts a street called “Hristo G. Danov” (“Христо Г. Данов”). You need to walk straight on it for several minutes until you reach a park, the Museum of Natural Sciences. The street makes a left turn there bringing you to “Ruski” boulevard (“Руски”). Another left turn, several more minutes of walking straight and you will end up at the bottom of the hill.

Reaching the hill from Central Square or the City Hall

If you are going to the hill from the central square or the City Hall you can reach Bunardzhik in about 15 minutes. Behind the City Hall (the Free Plovdiv Tour meeting point is marked in front of it on the map below) you will see the “Tsar Simeon” garden. The post office needs to be behind your back. You can either go through the garden or walk on the verge of it next to “Gladstone” str. (ул. “Гладстон”). Walking straight for around 10 minutes you will reach a crossroad with “Ruski” boulevard (бул. “Руски”). On one side of the crossroad, you will see Markovo tepe mall. On the other side – a beautiful red building of a high school. The Bunardzhik hill park starts next to the school.

Reaching Bunardzhik tepe from Central Railway and Bus station

In front of the central railway station in Plovdiv (Bus station “Yug” is a minute’s walk to it), one can find a roundabout. Walk straight having your back to the railway station. You guessed it correctly – this is again “Ruski” boulevard. In the middle of the boulevard, there is a pedestrian/bicycle lane with trees. On the way, you will pass Markovo tepe mall and the red building of the high school mentioned above.

Good job! You have reached Bunardzhik hill. Enjoy the beautiful sights in the park and the marvelous panoramic view from above. And just to tease you a little bit – here are some pictures of the tepe by the local photographer Dimitra Lefterova.