RunCity

Plovdiv on foot: a self-guided walking route

This route takes you past 8 of Plovdiv's best-known sights, including Tsar Simeon's Garden, Clock Tower, Dzhumaya Mosque and Roman Stadium and more. It is about 3.5 km on foot, roughly 1.5 hours at an easy pace with short stops. Follow the list on your own, or play it as a free GPS checkpoint game with RunCity and race the clock on the Plovdiv leaderboard.

  • 8Stops
  • about 3.5 kmDistance
  • 1.5 hoursWalking
  • about 37 minRunning
Play Plovdiv in RunCity

Free during launch. Runs in your phone's browser; the app is in English, German and Hungarian.

Plovdiv
Photo: Община Пловдив · CC BY-SA 4.0

Plovdiv is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe, built over seven hills, and this route covers its centre in about 3.5 km with a couple of climbs. It starts at the bonus stop, the Alyosha Monument, a giant Soviet soldier on Bunardzhika hill, and comes down to Tsar Simeon's Garden and its fountains. The old Clock Tower stands on another hill above the lanes.

In the middle of the main pedestrian street, the Dzhumaya Mosque sits above the sunken seats of the Roman stadium. Kapana, the creative quarter, is a grid of small lanes, cafés and galleries. The route then climbs into the old town to the Roman Theatre, still used for summer concerts, the Church of Saints Constantine and Helena and the ruined fortress of Nebet Tepe, with the city spread out below at sunset. The old town's cobbles are large and uneven; wear proper shoes.

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Download the route as GPX (for Komoot, Strava or a watch)

The stops

A suggested order. In the game you can visit them in any order.

  1. Alyosha Monument

    Alyosha Monument Bonus Photo

    The giant soldier statue on Bunardzhika hill.

    Photo: Bollweevil · CC0

  2. Tsar Simeon's Garden

    Tsar Simeon's Garden

    The city's shady central park with its fountains.

    Photo: Michael Desnoyelles · CC BY-SA 4.0

  3. Clock Tower

    Clock Tower Photo

    The old stone clock tower above the lanes.

    Photo: VladislavNedelev · CC BY-SA 3.0

  4. Dzhumaya Mosque and Roman Stadium

    Dzhumaya Mosque and Roman Stadium Photo

    The mosque above the sunken remains of the Roman stadium.

    Photo: BrankaVV · CC BY-SA 4.0

  5. Kapana

    Kapana

    The creative quarter of small lanes, cafés and galleries.

    Photo: Община Пловдив · CC BY-SA 4.0

  6. Roman Theatre

    Roman Theatre Photo

    The ancient theatre carved into the hillside.

    Photo: Edal Anton Lefterov · CC BY-SA 3.0

  7. Church of Saints Constantine and Helena

    Church of Saints Constantine and Helena

    The old town's church behind its stone walls.

    Photo: MrPanyGoff · CC BY-SA 3.0

  8. Nebet Tepe

    Nebet Tepe Photo

    The ancient hilltop fortress ruins above the old town.

    Photo: VladislavNedelev · CC BY-SA 3.0

Play Plovdiv in RunCity

Leaderboard

    Questions

    Can you see Plovdiv on foot in one day?

    Yes. The 8 stops on this route add up to about 3.5 km, roughly 1.5 hours at an easy pace with short stops.

    Is this self-guided walking tour free?

    Yes. The route and map on this page are free, and the RunCity game for Plovdiv is free during launch.

    How does the RunCity game work in Plovdiv?

    Open Plovdiv in RunCity, walk to a stop and tap Validate: your phone's GPS confirms you are there. Some stops also ask for a photo. Timed runs go on the Plovdiv leaderboard.

    Where does the route start?

    This page suggests starting at Alyosha Monument and finishing at Nebet Tepe. In the game you can take the stops in any order.

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