Pleasant Day trip Exploring the Ancient City of Plovdiv Philippopolis in Bulgaria

Plovdiv Philippopolis was the day-trip destination I chose to go to through Traventuria -Day Tours. The group consisted of six in all tourists including myself.  The meeting point behind Alexander Nevski Cathedral is easy to find, and I was there on time as the rest. The van drove off with no delay.

We set off on time, with Martin our guide driving the car himself, and with cautiousness. The van was clean and quite comfortable, and we set off on time with none delay, with one stop for coffee on the way.

Plovdiv Philippopolis Day-trip

Throughout the journey, Martin kept entertaining us. The tour, in general, was paced to provide a full and not an exhausting experience!

The small group in that lorry made a feeling of a ‘friends’ trip. What makes a trip memorable is not only what you see, but mostly the experiences you get out of it.

Plovdiv Philippopolis

An essential part of it is the people you also meet. Our guide was courteous and had an entertaining way of telling history. He could speak fluently English and was knowledgeable not only about Plovdiv but the history of Bulgaria in general.

The tour started off with a pleasant stroll in the old part of town with its steep cobblestone streets and enjoyed taking photos of the many colourful painted ancient houses, several museums, and art galleries.

No matter where we went there was always something connected with the history of Plovdiv, and there was the ubiquitous presence of culture and art throughout.

Its culture is a living history that combines Thracian, ancient Greek, Byzantine and Roman influences. Plovdiv was known as the city of the wealthy Bulgarian people, which might not be that accurate these days, but from the few hours we spent in Plovdiv, we could see the glorious past through the classical architecture and cultural atmosphere the place offers.

Towards the end of our sight-seeing tour, Martin allowed ample of time to spend it as we wished and got the vibes of the bustling city center.

Though modernized and boasting with an array of boutiques, coffee shops, restaurants, and hotels, there are still ancient sights worth to be seen. By contrast, the old city is quieter and laid back as one would expect.

Facts about Plovdiv

It will take you only a few minutes inside the historical old town of Plovdiv to realize how unique this town is.

It holds the 6th place on the list of the World’s 10 Oldest Cities, not to mention that its history dates back to the Roman Empire –probably longer. Recently, has won the title of European Capital of culture for the year 2019!

Over the centuries Plovdiv used to be called Eumolpia, Trimontium, and Paldin, but the most famous name was Philippopolis, -translates into the City of Phillip, the father of Alexander the Great who conquered the city in 342 B.C. and named it in his honour.

Centrally located on the banks of the Maritsa River, Plovdiv is an ancient city built around seven hills, and it is the second biggest Bulgarian city with old Roman ruins scattered around the town. It is one of these lovely touristy spots that can be explored entirely on foot.

If you decide to spend a couple of days in Plovdiv the best choice is to book somewhere centrally as everything is within walking distance.

Plovdiv is perfect for day trips because of its location. Staying here for a few days, you can visit the Bachkovo Monastery, the natural formation Marvelous Bridges, the Rose Valley, the Valley of the Thracian Kings and the museum-town of Koprivshtitsa.

 

If you liked this article, I will appreciate if you share it but also post a comment below