The airport in Plovdiv is a Bulgarian airport located in the town of the same name, which is the historic capital of Thrace and the second-largest city in the country, right after the capital Sofia. Thanks to its strategic location, in close proximity to the renowned Bulgarian ski resorts of Bansko and Pamporovo, the airport is particularly active during the winter season. Moreover, the main air traffic consists of charters to and from Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Russia. Additionally, the airport plays a significant role in case of emergencies and, in some cases, serves as a supplement to the Sofia airport, located approximately 150 kilometers away. Now, let’s explore Plovdiv and discover why it is advisable to visit independently by simply picking up a car directly from the airport after booking it with Acarent.
The city we are talking about can be visited in essentially one day, which is why renting a car at Plovdiv Airport is a choice to consider. However, if you opt for a more immersive vacation, staying overnight on-site can also be a valid option, allowing you to take advantage of the nightlife as well.
What to see in Plovdiv
To begin, let’s start with the Old Town of Plovdiv. It is spread across three different hills: Nebet Tepe, Dzhambaz Tepe, and Taksim Tepe. It is here that you can admire numerous ruins from the past accompanied by countless and fascinating museums. Moreover, the Old Town is dotted with traditional houses, cobblestone streets, and ancient buildings. All these features combine antiquities from both the Middle Ages and the Bulgarian Renaissance. Therefore, we can confidently say that this is the true bustling heart of the city, as well as one of the most visited areas in the entire country.
In second place, located right in the center of the Old Town, a must-see point of interest is the Roman Theater of Plovdiv. This enormous amphitheater was built by the Romans nearly 2000 years ago and, despite its age, it is one of the best-preserved structures of its kind in the world. Furthermore, the theater is still used to host numerous events throughout the year, and the admission fees are quite affordable.
The Medieval gate of Hisar Kapia
This attraction is also located in the vibrant center of the city and is, without a doubt, one of the main tourist attractions to visit. This medieval gate, built in the 11th century, is wonderfully preserved and was once one of the three different entrances to ancient Plovdiv. Furthermore, the gate that can be admired today was erected directly above a previous Roman-era passage. Another curiosity refers to the period of Ottoman domination when the city’s wealthiest merchants decided to build their homes on top of the fortified walls on either side of Hisar Kapia Gate. For this reason, the ground floors of these houses boast masonry dating back to the Middle Ages. In conclusion, we can affirm that this location is a tourist destination not to be underestimated if one wants to travel and discover Bulgaria. Furthermore, thanks to the car rental service available at Plovdiv Airport, where you can pick up your car after booking it with Acarent, you can comfortably explore the surrounding areas of the city independently, without any time constraints imposed by public transportation.
