Jelajah Bulgaria - Plovdiv, the Ancient City

Plovdiv is 150km away from Sofia, an ancient city which is built around 7 hills. Charming oldtown, with glorious past. This vibrant city; crowned as European Capital of Culture 2019.

There is much to see and experience in the old town of Plovdiv with it winding cobblestone streets and old architecture. Very quiet and laid back. I personally think Plovdiv is a beautiful city, can't just get enough of them. They have so much to offer; Roman Amphitheater, Roman Stadium, Old Bulgarian House too, and not forget their lovely garden, Tsar Simeon. 10 minutes walk from Bus/Railway station, you should reach Tsar Simeon Garden, Plovdiv's prettiest place to stroll.

Whenever you visit Plovdiv you can't just miss the old town. It is treat of history of the old Bulgarian town. Take a stroll on the old cobblestone streets and enjoy the views of the colorful old houses

[1] How-to-reach
[BUS] There is an hourly bus from Sofia-Plovdiv-Sofia. 1way ticket just cost around 15 Leva (apprx. RM35), returned ticket cost around 30 Leva (apprx. RM70). If you are taking bus from Sofia, depending on which bus you take, it either drop you at The South Bus Station (Yug Coach And Bus Station) or North Bus Station. Try NOT to take 'Union Ivkoni' because it will drop you at the North bus Station which is slightly further than the South Bus Station. Journey with bus from Sofia takes around 2 hours ++. 

Note: In SOFIA bus station, if you're approached by someone who is kind enough offering you help to buy tickets, ignore them. This person will ask for money once they finished 'HELPING" you, Instead, go straight to the counter. DON'T GET CONNED, unless you don't mind :)

[TRAIN] If you don't prefer to ride buses, there is night train from Istanbul to Plovdiv which continue to Sofia after that. You can opt for sleeping car which is more comfortable for long journey. (Macam katil untuk tidur - like your personal couch). They have option for 4-berth compartment, 2-bed sleeper, and single-bed sleeper all to yourself (1st class).

Leaving Istanbul Halkali station at 21:40 (1 June-1 Oct) or 22:40 (2 Oct-May), arriving Plovdiv next morning at 6:00am and Sofia's 08:38am. Can check their timetable here: http://www.bdz.bg/…/time…/balkan-express-sofia-istanbul.html

Unfortunately, they don't sell them online; instead you can get them at Istanbul Sirkeci station. The train departs from Halkali station. But there is a shuttle service from Sirkeci station leaving at 20:30(1 June-1 Oct) or 21:30 (2 Oct-May), arriving Halkali apprx. 50 minutes later. Don't worry if the shuttle stucks in traffic jam as the train waits for the shuttle in any case. ;)

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Ticket fares for Sofia-Istanbul and vice versa boleh check kt sini http://www.bdz.bg/en/offers/zakuska-v-istanbul.html
It should be slightly cheaper from Istanbul-Plovdiv. Contoh nk kira, boleh tgk kt bawah ni👇

1st class ticket (54,18 BGN) + 1 bed compartment (68,45 BGN) per pax

2nd class ticket (36,18 BGN) + 2 beds compartment (29,34 BGN) per pax

2nd class ticket (36,18 BGN + Couchette (from 18,38 BGN) per pax
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Kalau interested nak tengok how the Sleeper car looks like, here you go :)https://www.youtube.com/watch…
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[2] Luggage storage in PLOVDIV
There is one in Railway station; which is just walking distance to the Plovdiv center. The South Bus Station is just across the Railway Station. Boleh simpan all your belongings here before exploring Plovdiv.

[3] What-to-see
Most of them are within walking distance. I don't think you need car to move within Plovdiv itself.

►► Plovdiv’s Main Street, a lively promenade in Plovdiv called Glavnata. Banyak shopping outlet sepanjang this promenade. Also Ice-cream and gelato stop 😄

►►Dzhumaya Mosque: Located in the city of Plovdiv. Ottoman architecture, and now it still served as a mosque 🕌 The other name of this mosque is Main Friday Mosque. 

►►Next to Dzhumaya mosque is the Ancient Stadium of Philippopolis. Still well preserved up till now.

►►Bulgarian Revival Houses: It is everywhere within the Old Town. Colourful and creaky 19th century mansion with unique decoration, bright colours dan wall painting is worth seeing. Bulgarian Revival is a cultural movement by Bulgarians to regain their identity from the Ottomans back in the days. Kebanyakkan daripadanya is open to public.

►►Statue of Milyo the Crazy: You will come across Milyo while you are walking along the pedestrian street. Fun statue with an interesting story.Take a picture with him and keep walking. Also next to him is the famous Together sign – the symbol of Plovdiv 2019 European Capital of Culture.

This LANDMARK of PLOVDIV being THE EUROPEAN CAPITAL of CULTURE

►►Hissar Kapia is within the Old Town too. It was the eastern gate to the Acropolis of ancient Plovdiv. Walking through this gate will lead you up to Nebet Hill, a Roman fortress complex that offers beautiful bird’s eye views of the city and Maritsa River.

Hisar Kapia - is a medieval gate in Plovdiv's old town. It was the eastern gate to the Acropolis of ancient Plovdiv

►►Plovdiv Roman Theatre; stage for gladiatorial and hunting games back in the ancient time. Built in the 1st century AD. During summer, the theater still hosts plays and musical performances. Entrance Ticket is 5 Leva. I am always a big fan of roman theater. It seems like it has sad story to tell how it was during the ancient years. Don’t ask me why but I always have my soft spot for them.

Roman AmphitTheatre. Actively used to host special event and concerts. Ticket: 5 Leva

►►Park Tsar Simeon & The Singing Fountains: Spending sometime in the garden is not a bad idea at all. It has Singing Fountains which worth seeing combines light and water effect on a summer Thursday, Friday or Saturday evening around 9pm.

Great for a walk, to enjoy fresh winter breeze. Despite the cold weather, I enjoy them a lot!

►►Kapana Art District (literal translation: “The Trap”). Once you get there you would never want to go back. Also, many other Mural-on-the-wall can be found around Plovdiv.

►►Ancient Forum: The ruins are located behind the main post office on General Gurko Street.

►►Church of St Constantine and Helena

►►The Rowing Canal

[4] Where to eat?
I always came back for dessert. Affredo Ice-cream House located at the start of Plovdiv’s Main Street. It served yummylicious dessert, ice-creams and gelato. If you walked across the Tsar Simeon Garden, you will see one yellow building at the corner of the garden.

If you keep walking along the Plovdiv's Main street, it will bring you to Dzhumaya mosque. There is one dessert cafe attached to the mosque itself; "Dzhumayata coffee and sweet house" which served Turkish dessert. Exactly below the mosque entrance. And if you feel dessert won't suffice your appetite, 100m from the mosque, there is one Halal Turkish Restaurant; SOFRA Turkish Restaurant (https://goo.gl/maps/dSBJCqxnSmM2)

 My favourite yellow building in Plovdiv. Not because of anything else, but they served majestic sinful desert that make you forget you’re on diet. So delicious you can’t resist

[5] CLIMATE: Warmer than other parts in Bulgaria. If you're visiting during summer, you know what to do :) Best to visit during spring or autumn (if you ask me!)

[6] Plovdiv card: Hmmmm it is depending on your need unless you are a big fan of art-lovers, enjoy museums and art galleries, it might be a nice to have. Each Museum-House has an entrance cost apprx. 5 BGN. Boleh dapatkan card di "Tourist Information Center of Plovdiv" berdekatan dgn Dzhumaya mosque/Roman Stadium. Oh, you can get Plovdiv map from there too.

TIPS:
►Please wear comfortable shoes. You might hurt yours because of those cobblestone street yang tak berapa even.

►It is possible to explore Plovdiv in just a day and back to Sofia. However, staying 1 night in Plovdiv is always a good idea which I did almost all the time.

►Those who interested of history of Plovdiv, you can join Free Plovdiv Tour too. (https://freeplovdivtour.com/)

[6] PLACE TO PRAY

Dzhumaya mosque, located in the city of Plovdiv. Ottoman architecture, and now it still served as a mosque. The other name of this mosque is Main Friday Mosque. So jangan risau nak cari tempat solat kat Plovdiv ni, tak susah. The reason for us ‘bermusafir’ adalah untuk lihat ciptaan dan keagungan Allah. Janganlah niat utk bermusafir kerana Allah tapi lupa pada Allah, rugi je nanti.

 Plovdiv Municipality

Full of statues

Cobblestone street in the Oldtown. It is a little hilly, thus wear comfortable shoes of yours. It brings you back to few centuries before. Calm and peaceful. I wish I could live here

Overall, Plovdiv is like a small Rome with all the excavations being successfully uncovered. The romans ruins are absolutely amazing. How can I not love this city when it is as sweet as this?

Love,

нурул