Trip to Plovdiv

Plovdiv was the first city I heard about after coming to Bulgaria, and at the end of July, I finally got the opportunity to visit it.

I stayed for two nights in a guesthouse where there was almost no one else. It was really peaceful and restful.

I arrived in the early afternoon on the 27th, and the welcoming lady, who couldn’t speak a single word of English, was so nice. She did her best to make me comfortable and show me around, even though the language barrier was quite significant. Considering the price of my stay, I was surprised by how well-equipped the accommodation was: my room even had air conditioning and a fridge.

That afternoon, I went to a mall, initially just to go to the supermarket, but I ended up wandering from shop to shop, trying on clothes as if I were at home shopping. In my head, I used the excuse of looking for white clothes for Rila, but honestly, I tried on everything that looked good. At the end of the day, I bought some makeup and skincare products to have a little self-care evening. It felt so good to be able to dress in nice clothes and take some pictures after such a long time.

The next day was dedicated to exploring the city. I visited the center of Plovdiv: the Main Street, the Old Town, Kapana, the different hills, and Tsar Simeon Garden.

After Kapana, I took a break in a bubble tea shop to eat and have a drink. While sitting by the window, I saw a group of people parading in traditional clothes. Out of curiosity, I followed them and ended up stumbling upon what turned out to be a traditional dance festival. I got to enjoy performances celebrating the cultures of Romania, Peru, Mexico, and Georgia.

Once it ended, I headed to Danov Hill to see the Clock Tower and watch the sunset over the city. As I was too early, I went to Bunardzhika Hill, where I discovered its historical monument. The sunset there was amazing, with a beautiful view over the whole city and the mountains in the background.

On my way back, I walked through the park and got to see the Singing Fountains at night. It was definitely worth the detour, as the fountains were illuminated with colourful lights.

The 29th was my day to return. I didn’t do much that day; I simply went back to the mall to buy a dress, which was really cheap.

Overall, I loved Plovdiv and my time there. Plovdiv is a lively and colourful city. You can really feel its strong Greek and ancient history, as well as the effort that has been made to preserve it. The Old Town didn’t feel like it was in the middle of a city because it was so calm, and the houses seemed to come from another time. There are also so many drawings and pieces of street art on the houses and walls in the city centre. It felt a bit like a treasure hunt, with a little gift waiting for me every time I discovered a new one.

Honestly, Plovdiv was a really interesting trip because there is such a great balance between history, old and modern, and nature.

Zoé