The modern city is literally built on top of ancient Roman structures.
The oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe is not in Italy or Greece, but in Bulgaria, according to Travel Off Path.
We are talking about Plovdiv – the second-largest city in the country, with a population of about 300,000 people. According to the publication, the history of continuous settlement in this territory spans more than 8,000 years, so the city is “older” than Athens, which many people mistakenly consider the oldest city in Europe, by more than 3,000 years.
The most notable period in the history of Plovdiv is the Greco‑Roman period. As the authors of the material note, the modern city is literally built on top of ancient Roman structures: the main pedestrian street, “Glavnaya”, is laid over the ruins of a Roman stadium, fragments of which are still visible here and there. And in the central H&M department store, you can go underground and see the preserved marble seats from the same stadium.
The main attraction of the city is the Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis (that’s what Plovdiv was called in Roman times). It is one of the best‑preserved Roman theatres in the world, with a capacity of 7,000 spectators, and concerts and opera performances are still held there.
But Plovdiv is not just about antiquity. On the Nebet Tepe hill, prehistoric remains have been preserved, dating back to around 4000 BC, and in the surrounding areas, traces of settlements dating back to the 6th millennium BC can be found. Ottoman Istanbul also left its mark here: in the center of the city stands the 15th‑century Jumaya Mosque, and the Sahat Tepe tower is one of the oldest clock towers in the Balkans.
A separate reason to visit the city is the prices. Food in Plovdiv can cost up to 70% less, and accommodation up to 60% less than in popular Western European cities, the media report.
Estimated prices:
- Budget accommodation – $35–60 per night.
- Dinner for two (three courses) – $35–55.
- cappuccino – $2-3;
- local beer – $2–3;
- The fare for public transport is $0.60.
It is known that the minimum wage in Bulgaria is $714 per month.
At the same time, Plovdiv is among the safest cities in Europe. According to the Traveler Safety Index, Bulgaria received 89 points out of 100, and the US State Department classifies the country as having the first, lowest, threat level. The publication explains this by the city’s small size, strong neighborhood ties, enhanced police patrols in the city center and the Kapan area — and the almost complete absence of street crime typical of large metropolises. Among the potential issues, the authors mention only isolated cases of not‑so‑polite attention on the street and rare pickpocketing incidents.
Getting to Plovdiv, however, is not so simple: the train from Sofia takes about 2.5 hours, while from Varna on the Black Sea it takes a full 7 hours with transfers.
Konstantin is an acclaimed travel writer, celebrated for transforming ordinary journeys into extraordinary narratives. With years of experience exploring diverse destinations across the globe, his work blends vivid storytelling, cultural insights, and practical advice to inspire wanderlust and guide readers toward unforgettable adventures.
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