Plovdiv sits on seven hills, but the seventh, Markovo Tepe, was destroyed in the early twentieth century and its stone used to pave many of the city's streets.

Of today’s six syenite (stone similar to granite) hills the highest and most remote from the city centre is Dzhendem Tepe or Youth Hill. There is a large park here, with a mini railway for children.

Second in height is Bunardzhika or Liberators Hill on the top of which are situated the monuments of Russian Liberators and of the Soviet Soldier, known locally as Alyosha.

In the centre of the modern city lays Sahat Tepe or Danov Hill, which is called the clock hill - it sports a clock tower dating back to the 17th century but an earlier Roman sundial has been found there.

The three hills on which the architectural and historical reserve Old Plovdiv is built are Dzhambaz, Taksim and Nebet Tepe. They gave the city its Roman name - Trimontium (Three Hills).