question:
Which are the most interesting places in Plovdiv and in its surroundings?

Attractions in Plovdiv District - the second-largest city in Bulgaria

Brief presentation of the rich diversity of impressive natural attractions and beautiful landscapes, rich cultural and historical heritage of Plovdiv and in its surroundings.

Plovdiv is a major cultural center. The city has more than 200 archaeological sites, 30 of which are of national importance. There are many remains from antiquity - Plovdiv is among the few cities with two ancient theatres; remains of the medieval walls and towers; Ottoman baths and mosques; a well-preserved old quarter from the National Revival period with beautiful houses, churches and narrow paved streets. There are numerous museums, art galleries and cultural institutions. Plovdiv is host to musical, theatrical and film events.

The city is a starting point for trips to places in the region, such as the Bachkovo Monastery at 30 km to the south, the ski-resort Pamporovo at 90 km (56 mi) to the south or the spa resorts to the north Hisarya, Banya, Krasnovo, Strelcha. There are more that 50 hotels with 7000 beds as well as hostels and other forms of accommodation.

Plovdiv and its surroundings abound in cultural, archaeological and historical landmarks which provide conditions for cultural tourism – the Old Plovdiv, an architectural and historical reserve, Tsar Ivan Asen’s Fortress, Monastery of Bachkovo, the Roman fortress in Hisarya, the sub-Balkan towns of Kalofer, Sopot, Karlovo, Klisura, the Thracian cult center in the village of Starosel, etc.

Old Town is located in the center of the city next to Dzhumayata. Walking around the city you can not pass this unique and landmark Old Town.

Walking there you better forget for high heels and uncomfortable shoes. Because everywhere are cobblestones. The city is surrounded by Nebet tepe, Taxcim tepe and tepe Dzhambaz. You can visit historical Museum, Church of Saint Constantine and Helen, at the beginning of the walk you will see another church - Holy Saturday, the ethnographic museum, amphitheater. Each Revival house and alley is unique and incomparable. Walking through the narrow cobbled streets you can sign in a café..

This is a very pleasant and interesting walk through the beautiful and unique old town of Plovdiv. Because of its millennial history, attractions in Plovdiv are many. There are ruins of Roman aqueducts, which supplied the city with clean, spring water from the Rhodopes. In the Archaeological and Ethnographic Museum you will learn about the history of the city and the lifestyle of its inhabitants, but a day or two are certainly not enough to be seen all the sights. 30 km from Plovdiv is the second largest monastery in Bulgaria - Bachkovo and Krastova forest, where in 1995 was built a monastery.

Reserve Red Wall is located next to Bachkovo. It presents the beauty, diversity and greatness of the Bulgarian nature. This is an excellent place for recreation and nature walks. At the beginning of the reservation there is a map that marked that there is a cave. If you want to find it, you will be very disappointed - the cave is actually a hole in a rock that was turned into a chapel. It can be reached after climbing a lot of stairs.

In the walls people glued coins hoping that their wishes will come true. River flows through the reservation Chaya and in places it formed small but extraordinarily beautiful cascades. The water is crystal clear. Along the path and the river there many meadows, where you can make a picnic. There are benches and a tables in several places along the the path.

Tsar Ivan Asen’s Fortress is Located near Asenovgrad on the way to Bachkovo. The fortress is situated on a rock and it is easy to reach even by car. Around the city there are 5 monasteries, 15 churches and 58 chapels, historical, ethnographic, paleontology and wine museum.

The Rhodope Mountains are suitable for mountain, ecological, hunting and fishing tourism; Hisarya, Banya and Narechen spa – for balneology tourism, the Cross Forest and the numerous monasteries in the Rhodopes and the foothills of the Balkan Mountains – for religious tourism. A major factor for the development of business tourism is the Plovdiv Trade Fair. There is a well-developed tourist infrastructure in Plovdiv and the region that meets the requirements of present-day tourism.

You can a trip in Plovdiv region by car in any season and it is one of the most interesting ways of exploring the country. There are many companies that offer Rent-a-Car like "Diablo".

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The next article: Varna - the ancient city and a summer tourist capital of Bulgaria.