We flew into Sofia, Bulgaria for a weekend to reach our travel goal of visiting every country in the European Union.
Sofia to Plovdiv is just 2.5 hours by bus, making Plovdiv, the 2019 European Capital of Culture and second-largest city in Bulgaria, an ideal add-on to a Bulgarian weekend city break.
Read on to learn about why you should consider travelling from Sofia to Plovdiv for a weekend.
Getting from Sofia to Plovdiv
Several bus companies operate on the route between Sofia and Plovdiv. We opted to take Karat S from Sofia Central Bus Station for just 10 EUR for two tickets. The bus station is located right next to the railway station in Sofia.
We picked up a mystery treat for the bus ride from Sofia to Plovdiv; a roll filled with mystery paste. After several bites, my conclusion was that it was an orange-chocolate flavor. Yum!
I love picking baked goods at random when there is a language barrier. This one only cost 1.20 leva or about 0.60 EUR.
Why Visit Plovdiv
You may be wondering: why visit Plovdiv? There are a number of reasons to consider visiting:
- First and foremost, Plovdiv is a 2019 European Capital of Culture.
- Plovdiv Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Plovdiv is close to the Bulgarian wine-growing region.
- The history of Plovdiv dates back to Roman times and you’ll find well-preserved Roman ruins everywhere.
- Plovdiv is also incredibly relaxing. There is enough to do but not so much to do that you feel the need to rush around.
Roman Ruins
Start by seeking out Plovdiv’s Roman ruins. There are some very cool Roman ruins smack in the middle of pedestrianized Plovdiv with communist-era architecture in the background lending an interesting contrast.
An old Roman stadium sits in the shadow of the mosque in Plovdiv and is free to poke around. We skipped the ticketed 3D presentation that is associated with the ancient stadium.
Amazing Gelato
Plovdiv features some amazing gelato. We tried pistachio gelato from Alfreddo Gelateria, which is located on Plovdiv’s main street, followed by a walk through Plovdiv to admire the architecture.
Historic Architecture
We were very impressed by Plovdiv’s architecture. The wooden tower and art at Sveta Marina Church in Plovdiv were particularly striking.
Plovdiv’s Roman Amphitheatre
Plovdiv is most famous for its well-preserved Roman Theatre, the Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis. Pay the admission fee (5 lev / 2.50 EUR at the time of writing) and make your way down the steps and onto the stage. Appreciate the views over Plovdiv from the top of the theatre.
Old Town Plovdiv
UNESCO World Heritage-rated Old Town Plovdiv also features a number of historic homes, Eastern Orthodox churches and the Ethnographic Museum. Have a wander around the cobbled streets.
Sunset over Nebet Tepe
We took a wrong turn in Old Town Plovdiv and ended up at Nebet Tepe, Roman ruins that are a great spot for watching the sunset over Plovdiv. Embrace the unexpected!
Bulgarian Craft Beer
Head to the Kapana neighborhood of Plovdiv after dark to sample Bulgarian craft beer. We tried a couple of brews from Beer Bastards, a Bulgarian microbrewery, at Cat and Mouse Bar.
Kapana is buzzing on a Saturday night. Sit outside and enjoy a lovely weekend evening.
What to Eat in Plovdiv
Another reason to travel from Sofia to Plovdiv is the great food. We ate a traditional Bulgarian dinner with a modern twist at Smokini in Plovdiv including shopska salad, tomato and cheese salad, pork Parmentier, and trout served with a healthy dose of smooth jazz.
We had no choice but to order dessert at Smokini. There was leftover Melnik (Bulgarian wine) to finish. We enjoyed a delicious chocolate soufflé.
Make sure to try flaky cheese bread from a hole-in-the-wall vendor dotted around Plovdiv city.
Another great place to eat in Plovdiv is Паваж (Pavaj). I love the ability to dine al fresco in Kapana in Plovdiv. We started with cold yogurt soup and Buffalo yogurt with dill, cucumber, and walnuts.
Homemade meatballs and veal and pork sausage with lyutenitsa (pepper-and-tomato spread) followed, washed down with a bottle of Bulgarian Mavrud. Паваж (Pavaj) is popular, so stop by in the afternoon to reserve a table for dinner to avoid disappointment.
Colorful Fountains in the Park
We rushed the end of dinner to see the Singing Fountains in Plovdiv. Color me unimpressed. We saw lots of colorful water but definitely no singing.
The Singing Fountains seem to be a seasonal phenomenon that doesn’t extend to October. It was really hard to find any definitive information on the dates and hours for the show.
Roman Mosaics at Trakart Archaeological Museum
Check out well-preserved Roman mosaics and other artefacts from antiquity at Trakart Museum in Plovdiv.
Walk the Longest Pedestrianized Street in Europe
Knyaz Aleksandar I is the main pedestrian street in Plovdiv. Did you know that Plovdiv features the longest pedestrianized street in Europe? Walk Knyaz Aleksandar I (sometimes spelled Knyaz Alexander) from end to end.
Grab a delicious chicken kebab at one of the many kiosks along the street. Take a coffee break at The Family Coffee Roasters. The street continues across the river over a bridge lined with inexpensive shops.
We were rewarded for our efforts to walk Knyaz Aleksandar I Street from end to end when we spotted an absolutely adorable kitten at the terminus!
Explore Kapana Street Art
The Kapana neighborhood in Plovdiv is a bit like Temple Bar in Dublin; a neighborhood focused on revelry and nightlife. We went back to the Cat and Mouse craft beer bar only to learn that Bulgaria doesn’t serve alcohol while the polls are open on election day.
We’d unknowingly timed our visit to coincide with the election and the city was dry (at least in theory) until the evening. We went to scope out some street art in Kapana instead.
Take A Day Trip with Bulgaria Wine Tours
Another great reason to travel from Sofia to Plovdiv is the great day trip opportunities. We embarked on a private wine tasting tour with Bulgaria Wine Tours. We sampled 5 Bulgarian wines (served with homemade spelt bread) at Zagreus Vineyard.
We feasted on Bulgarian food for lunch at Джамура (Djamoura) near Bachkovo Monastery by a burbling river. Sour cabbage bites, potato cake with cornmeal and cheese, and spicy meatballs really hit the spot. We got some great ordering advice from our tour guide, Krassi.
We finished our day trip from Plovdiv with Bulgaria Wine Tours at Bachkovo Monastery. Bachkovo Monastery is an Eastern Orthodox Monastery founded in 1083. Check out the artwork inside the church and the historic jujube tree in the courtyard.
Where to Stay in Plovdiv
Plovdiv is a rather chill destination. We decided to rent an apartment for a few days rather than staying at a traditional hotel. We paid a total of around 80 EUR for three nights.
We had lots of space and were situated in a convenient location near one end of Knyaz Aleksandar I. Renting an apartment means we also had access to a freezer.
We picked up some ice cream in a clay pot at the supermarket in Plovdiv. I love trying local treats when we travel.
Private Transfer from Plovdiv to Sofia Airport
We needed to travel from Plovdiv to Sofia Airport to catch an early afternoon flight back to Dublin, where we were living at the time. Buses don’t run frequently in the morning. Our only option would have been to take a bus before 6 a.m. or we’d be too late for our flight.
With this in mind, we hired a private car and driver instead for 65 EUR. We did discover that driving in Bulgaria can be a risky proposition.
Holy crap! The speed limit on the motorway is 140 km/h in Bulgaria. Our driver kept going even faster.
I’ll admit that the ride from Plovdiv to Sofia was more of a white-knuckled experience than I would have liked. Fortunately, we made it to Sofia Airport in one piece, but I was definitely glad to be out of the car!
