Plovdiv Old Town (Stari Grad)

Many travelers spend one or two nights in Plovdiv to explore the Old Town at a relaxed pace. Go shopping at antique stores, browse galleries, and snack at the city’s many wine bars and restaurants. Highlights include the Nebet Tepe Archaeological Complex, Thracian ruins perched atop one of the city’s seven hills; the Roman theater and stadium; and the colorful mansions: two of the loveliest are Balabanov House and House-Museum Hindlian.

If you’re based in Sofia, day trips are a great way to discover Plovdiv Old Town. Many walking tours offer add-ons such as tastings of Thracian wines or local craft beers—or you can even try a cycling tour. Time-pressed travelers can pair Plovdiv with other area attractions such as the beautiful Bulgarian Revival town of Koprivshtitsa, medieval Asen’s Fortress, and the Bachkovo Monastery, which dates back almost 1,000 years.

• Plovdiv Old Town is a must-see for photographers, history buffs, architecture fans, and anyone seeking a comprehensive overview of Bulgaria.

• Allow between half a day and two days to discover Plovdiv Old Town. Wandering is part of the experience.

• Cobbled, often steep streets can make the city’s seven hills challenging for travelers who use wheelchairs or those with limited mobility.

Plovdiv Old Town lies at the heart of Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second city, about a 95-mile (150-kilometer) drive southeast of Sofia. It begins about a 20-minute walk from the train station, or you can catch the 20 bus from the train station up the hill: it runs past the Plovdiv Roman Theater.

Try to visit Plovdiv Old Town midweek, as it gets busy on weekends: Monday is the quietest day because the museums are closed then. Summer is the most popular time to visit Bulgaria, but the city can feel crowded in July and August. If you visit in winter, the mansions can look spectacular when covered in snow with children tobogganing in the streets.

The Bulgarian Revival in the 19th century saw a wealth of gorgeous mansions spring up. Many of them had bay windows, colorful frontages, and overhanging second stories. If Plovdiv Old Town whets your appetite for more, the party-colored mansions of the little riverside town of Koprivshtitsa make a great stop en route back to Sofia. Panagyurishte, not far from Koprivshtitsa, also offers a wealth of house museums to explore.