It is unknown exactly how old Plovdiv is, but archaeological evidence suggests it was established as far back as the 7th millennium BC during the Neolithic Age, making it older than both Athens and Rome
The intricate interior of the Church of St. Constantine and Helena(Image: Getty)
With a heritage stretching back over 8,000 years, one of the globe’s most ancient cities rivals Rome in splendour while offering far fewer tourists and significantly lower costs.
The precise age of Plovdiv remains uncertain, though archaeological discoveries in 1975 unearthed a religious structure from the Cretan-Mycenaean civilisation dating to roughly 1750 BC, according to Plovdiv.bg. As an added incentive, pints cost a mere £1.30, reports Wise.
In 342 BC, Philip II of Macedonia seized control of the settlement, subsequently renaming it Philippopolis, meaning City of Philip. Throughout this era, the settlement flourished and served as a launching point for regional colonisation.
This underappreciated Bulgarian destination is packed with Roman antiquities and “deserves to be at the top of your Europe travel bucket list”, according to Midlife Travel Tales, a YouTube duo chronicling their journeys.
They described Plovdiv as a “treasure trove of travel inspiration” that will “capture your heart and leave you wondering why you ever overlooked it”.
Plovdiv’s Old Town is stunning, featuring impeccably maintained pastel-hued houses along delightful cobblestone lanes.
The Kapana, Plovdiv’s historic creative district, is celebrated for its maze of narrow pedestrian streets teeming with art galleries, artisan workshops, trendy cafés, restaurants and lively nightlife.
The city’s magnificent amphitheatre sits tucked between two hills, Taksim Tepe and Dzhambaz Tepe. It’s accessible via a brief but challenging climb from the main pedestrian thoroughfare and Dzhumaya Mosque, reports the Express.
To this day, the theatre remains an active venue for theatrical productions, musical performances and cultural festivals.
Striking vestiges of the ancient Roman stadium, potentially the site of athletic contests and chariot races, lie concealed beneath the principal high street, once accommodating thousands of onlookers in its heyday.
Visitors can still witness the remarkably intact Ancient Forum, which traditionally functioned as the civic heart of the settlement.
Buried beneath the contemporary cityscape are millennia of extraordinary heritage. Archaeological findings indicate Plovdiv’s origins stretch back to the 7th millennium BC during the Neolithic Age, rendering it substantially more ancient than both Athens and Rome.
The comprehensive collection of historical monuments encompasses: the Roman Stadium, the Ancient Theatre, the Odeon, the stunning polychrome mosaics, the Aqueduct, the fortifications, and the remnants of Thracian habitations.
Its most prominent era arguably arrived during Roman rule following conquest in 72 BC, when it developed into a crucial imperial junction, situated precisely on the Via Militaris, the primary military and commercial artery traversing the Balkans.
The well-travelled pair also drew attention to Plovdiv’s “vibrant cultural scene” and its mouth-watering cuisine, which has been heavily influenced by Turkish, Mediterranean and Balkan traditions.
Visitors can enjoy flaky pastries such as Banitsa, slow-cooked stews like Kavarma, or grilled minced meats like Kebapche.
Direct flights from London, Manchester or Birmingham airports take around three and a half hours.
