Culture and tourism
"Ancient and eternal"
Did you know that Plovdiv is the oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe and one of the most ancient in the world?
The Thracians named the city after their mythical king Eumoplas, son of Poseidon.
Plovdiv is home to impressive monuments of antiquity – a 1st-century Ancient Theatre, the Roman Stadium (2nd-century), the Ancient Forum, the preserved Roman mosaic heritage, seen in The Bishop’s Basilica of Philippopolis (4-6th century) and in The Small Early Christian Basilica (4-6th century), the Aqueduct of Philippopolis, the vibrant Old Town and many others.
The Old Town, built in the 18th-19th century as a center of Bulgarian Revival architecture, with its beautiful and brightly decorated houses, is one of the city’s finest gems. It has been submitted as a candidate for the UNESCO World Heritage List, alongside the Bishop’s Basilica of Philippopolis.
Art and culture everyone can enjoy
As a cultural center in Bulgaria, Plovdiv hosts and supports the organization of a number of events and the development of the arts and culture industries. The cultural calendar of Plovdiv is one of the richest in Europe with annual events in theatre, opera, sports, film, music, cuisine, arts and crafts, technology and education, and many more. Some of the most recognized events held annually include: Museum and Gallery Night, Plovdiv Jazz Fest, Opera Open (held at the Ancient Theatre), Hills of Rock, One Dance Week, Kapana Fest, Cinema Under the Stars, Plovdiv Beer Fest and others. Whether you wish to watch the Opera – JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at the 1st century Ancient Theatre, enjoy the music of rock legends at Hills of Rock in the Regatta Venue or drink craft beer at the Food Fests – Plovdiv has it all.
Besides the annual events – enjoying art and the blend of cultures in Plovdiv is easy. Known for its rich nightlife, concentration of bars, cafés, and arts and crafts studios, Kapana has transformed into a center for local and international artists, as well as a spontaneous gathering point for the 20 000 expats and the large freelance community in the city. It is the perfect place to discover new things – from the lavish cuisine and beautiful art pieces, to new friends from all over the world.
International Festival of Chamber Music
May-June
Balabanov’s House Music Days
May-November
Music Daze
June
National Folk Festival
June
S’cool rock fest
June
Opera Open
June-September
Austrian Music Weeks
July
Hills of Rock
July
Wrong Fest Music Festival
September
Electric Orpheus
October
Plovdiv Jazz Fest
October
Plovdiv Guitar Fest
November
Sofia Film Fest in Plovdiv
March
Cinemania Film Fest
April
International Film Fest
May
Include in the Neighbourhood – June-July Theater in the Park
June-July
Plovdiv Ballet Fest
June
“Black Box” Contemporary Dance Festival
June/July
Cinema Under the Stars
June/July
Panorama of Comedies “Curtain Under the Stars”
June-September
European Comedy Film Festival
July
Summer Cinema in the Park
July
Filippopolis Film Nights Festival
July/August
Theatre Comedy Festival “Smiles Under the Hill”
August-September
Theatre Festival ” Scene at Crossroads”
September
Façade Video Festival
September
One Dance Week
October
Kapana Bazaar
April/May
Craft Fair
May/September
Made at the Academy Festival
June
Whiskey & Street Art Fest
June
European Nights of Museums
July
International Photo Salon
July/August
National Autumn Exhibitions
September
Week of Contemporary Art
September
Autumn Salon of Arts
September-November
Exhibition “Us and Them”
October
International Meetings of Photography
October
Plovdiv Game Jam January
January
Young Blue Eart Festival
April
European Literature Night
May
Hello Health Festival
May
International Poetry Festival “Orpheus”
May
National Career Days
May
Literary festival “Plovdiv Reads”
June
Anime & Gaming Festival
July
Grappling Torunament
April
European Mile Plovdiv
May
ITF Taekwon-do Championship
June
International Cycling Tour of Bulgaria
July
Plovdiv Triathlon
July
European Womens’s Volleyball Championship
August
World Youth Rowing Competitions
August
Marathon Plovdiv
October
Kapana Bazaar
April/May
Craft Fair
May/September
Made at the Academy Festival
June
Whiskey & Street Art Fest
June
European Nights of Museums
July
International Photo Salon
July/August
National Autumn Exhibitions
September
Wine & Gourmet Festival
May
Plovdiv Food Park Festival
June
Ethno Kitchen on Wheels
June/July
Street Food & Music Festival
July
Plovdiv Beer Fest
September
Parade of the Young Wine
November
Together

Together
In September 2014, Plovdiv was selected as the European Capital of Culture for 2019 and the concept of “Together”, on which Plovdiv’s application is based, was evaluated as extremely important for the development of the cultural and social life of the city. The concept is cited as a perfect example of successfully combining the historical heritage of the city with the challenges and upsides of modern life. Behind the project is the ambitious cultural task of uniting people of different generations, ethnicities and beliefs in Plovdiv and the entire South Central region.
Plovdiv – European Capital of Culture 2019 is a unique project for Bulgaria, which provides new opportunities for developing the potential of the city and giving new international visibility to Bulgarian culture in general.
Awards
Plovdiv is the first Bulgarian city to be awarded the title European Capital of Culture (in 2019, jointly with Italy’s Matera).
The European Commission praised Plovdiv’s campaign and outlined Kapana Creative District as one of the most visible symbols of change in the city and one of its liveliest areas.


#1 Best European Cultural Destination 2022
#4 Best European Destinations 2022
“The most important cultural destination in Europe […] Ancient and eternal, artistic and modern, cosmopolitan and romantic, this city is so captivating and full of life.” – European Best Destinations
TOP 10 Best in Travel destinations in the world for 2015 in the ranking of the world-renowned Lonely Planet Guide.
