Sofia
Sofia is the capital of Bulgaria and the 15th largest city in the European Union. Being one of the oldest towns in Europe, Sofia has embraced many cultures. Thracians, Romans, Ottomans and Slav People have left their mark making the city an interesting blend of architecture and spirit. Nowhere else you can find witnesses of the rise and decline of so many civilizations, co-existing with contemporary examples of architectural achievements. Like any capital city, Sofia is rich in museums and galleries, nightlife and restaurants, happenings and events. The capital offers activities for the adventurous ones - city games, hiking at Vitosha mountain, sailing at Iskar dam, carting or laser tag, as well for those who want to relax and enjoy - rakia and wine tasting, retro tram ride, sightseeing or food tour.
Plovdiv
With an easy grace, Plovdiv mingles invigorating nightlife among millennia-old ruins. Like Rome, Plovdiv straddles at seven hills; but as Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited city, it’s far more ancient. It is best loved for its romantic old town, packed with colorful and creaky 19th-century mansions that house-museums, galleries and guesthouses.
Cobblestoned lanes and National Revival–era nostalgia are only part of the story. Bulgaria’s cosmopolitan second city has always been hot on the heels of Sofia, and a stint as European Capital of Culture 2019 seems sure to give Plovdiv the edge. Music and art festivals draw increasing crowds, while renovations in the Kapana artistic quarter and Tsar Simeon Gardens have given the city new confidence.
