March 9, 2019
A Budget traveler knows how important getting a convenient accommodation in the town they visit is. Above all, it is the first thing you take care of when planning your trip, isn’t it? Fortunately, getting your money’s worth in the oldest continuously inhabited town in Europe is relatively easy. However, you might still stumble upon a lodging that isn’t to your liking. Hence, our goal with this article is to offer you some variety and hopefully, with our help, your stay would be as pleasant as possible. Bike Hostel The first hostel on our Accommodation list is the closest one to Plovdiv Central Railway Station and Bus Station South. It is supposed to be a hostel but it resembles the home of a 1970’s Bulgarian family more, there is even a cassette player with an old rock collection for the true fans! As the name suggests, bike or kayak rentals are offered, also, if you stay longer, you can get a free ride. Approximate walking time: 7 minutes to train […]
February 22, 2019
Every settlement that was a part of the nowadays Bulgarian theritory, from Thracians to medieval Bulgarians was dependent on leather, hence leatherworking certainly was one of the most important professions of the ancient people. When the Bulgars (tribes that the Bulgarians originate from) settled on the Balkans, they were already familiar with the craft of leatherworking. Cloths, armor and dishes were made of this material. From one generation to the next, all the way from the days of old to the Information Age, leatherworking surprisingly has made it through. To give you a good example, we pay a visit to the town of Plovdiv because, throughout the centuries, it has been known for its prominent merchants and artisans. Nowadays, the traditions are still alive in a district where every street was named after a particular craft. The name of the craftsmen heaven is Kapana. On a first glance it looks as if currently invaded by cafés and restaurants. However, soon we stumble upon Art Studio Giovanna. Leatherworking nowadays in Kapana On […]
February 15, 2019
The uniqueness of Plovdiv is hidden in its mixture of cultures, architecture styles and layers of amazing history. In our town, you just need to walk for a few minutes to enter a different neighborhood with its own story and looks. Such examples are the Old Town, The Tobacco town, The area around the Pedestrian street, the neighborhoods around the hills and our favorite – Kapana district. Of course, we guarantee you will find one common thing between all these places – the bohemian relaxed soul of Plovdiv. Because we are so happy and proud of our Arts and Crafts district, we started wondering which are those unique and charming neighborhoods around Europe that people adore. The Monti neighborhood, Rome, Italy Romeing – the ultimate guide for the cultural scene, events and lifestyle defines Monti as the place for the “cool and young, the old and vintage”. A place combining old, classic and chic (check the blog in the link!). Monti is located between the Colosseum and Piazza Venezia and […]
February 8, 2019
Whenever you visit a new place there is always the question about transport. What is the best way to get from this place to the other place? Here are some hints about the transportation in Plovdiv. Buses Buses are pretty much the only available public transport in the city. In comparison to Sofia Plovdiv is a smaller city, therefor it doesn’t have an internal tram or subway network. Nevertheless, the buses in town are fairly regular, especially on workdays, and they can get you to almost anywhere. Working time Usually, the first buses in the morning start travelling as early as 5:30-6:00 AM and the last ones in the evening run until 10:00-11:00 PM (depending on the season and the day of the week). The ticket price is 1 lev (€0,50) and you buy it on the bus itself. Below you can find a short and simplified list of the most frequently used bus lines, which run between the center of town (the central bus stop next to Trimontium/Ramada Hotel […]
January 19, 2019
Christmas is over, the new year is already here and we have no huge celebrations ahead of us… It seems like the best part of winter is gone and all we have waiting for us are cold gloomy days. Well, not so fast! Winter can be quite cool, especially if you visit a charming place like Plovdiv. Here are our top suggestions for the best winter activities you can do near and in our city. 1. Skiing near Plovdiv Have you heard about Pamporovo? Pamporovo is a ski resort situated in the Central Rhodope Mountains – just about 90km from the city of Plovdiv. The winter here is long, but mild – with 240 sunny days per year, which makes Pamporovo the sunniest mountain resort in Bulgaria. Most of the ski trails start from Snezhanka peak (1926m) and vary from 1926m to 1400m. The season starts in the beginning of December and lasts till the end of April, meaning you have plenty of time to plan a ski trip. You […]
January 10, 2019
What to expect in Plovdiv in 2019 when the city is going to be European Capital of Culture? The Meaning of the Title European Capital of Culture Like all cities, carrying the proud title of European Capital of Culture for a full year, the lovely city of Plovdiv is going to have a lot of events, festivals and concerts to offer to its visitors. Plovdiv has always been a focal point for arts in the country even before the title was won, mainly due to the city’s vibe and artists, who have lived and still live in it. Being one of the oldest living cities in Europe, it comprises of countless cultural layers that create its complex soul. That is a long and exciting story, which you can learn by visiting our tour. So for now, let’s see what this intriguing and obscure city has to offer in 2019! Events The “Plovdiv 2019” foundation was established to manage the efforts for the whole European Capital of Culture year and beyond. So far […]
November 30, 2018
Nowadays, more than ever, it seems, the motto of our city is most fitting. Ancient and eternal! And not just the city! Everything in it too – starting with the breathtaking Roman theater. The Roman Theatre One of the highlights of Plovdiv is our Roman theater. Proudly labeled one of the best preserved Roman theaters in the world – it is a no-miss attraction in the city. It all began two thousand years ago. Fancy nobles and their families, patricians and politicians would gather here to laugh and cry. Theatre was not unknown to the Romans. They valued not only its beauty, but also the favorable social atmosphere it created. The theater used to seat up to six thousand spectators and it has stood the test of time during both political clamor and times of prosperity. After the Roman empire Even the Roman empire, however, eventually collapsed. And with it – the whole world created by them was in shambles. Someone had to pick up where the Romans left off. […]
November 17, 2018
The Old Town of Plovdiv When thinking about Plovdiv and what is symbolic for it, the first thing that comes in mind is the beautiful Old Town. If you are visiting Plovdiv the Old Town is a must! There you can literally see the different layers of history and culture that formed the nowadays city. The lovely Revival houses with unique architecture, interesting museums, stunning view from the top of the hill and also the magnificent Roman theater will definitely impress any visitor. You can visit the Free Plovdiv Tour everyday so you can find out the story behind every emblematic sight in this preserved area. After that, if you have more time to spend don’t leave the Old Town yet. Because it has some hidden treasures that are worth walking around the narrow streets. Round tower next to Hissar Kapiya In the past there was a fortress on the top of Nebet hill. Just as any other big fortress ours had a stone defensive wall surrounding it. The […]
November 4, 2018
You have several days in Plovdiv and want to travel around, spending a day near by? Here are some suggestions for one day trip near Plovdiv. Bachkovo monastery and Asen’s fortress – history and good food Our first suggestion for a day trip is the Bachkovo monastery. It is the second most famous and important monastery in Bulgaria. Established in the 16th century it is still operating, while being open to the public. You can see there a beautifully painted with mural dining room with the authentic marble table of the monks. There is also a museum and two churches. Finally, Bachkovo is said to make the best kebapche in Bulgaria. On the way to Bachkovo you get a bonus! Something to enrich your day trip even more. Asen’s fortress is a medieval fortress which defended the mountain pass from Byzantine troops. Established in 11th century now what is left of it are mostly ruins. One notable exception is the fortress’s church,which was almost entirely intact until 1928, when it […]