Last updated: 2026 🙂
The one thing I probably love the most about Plovdiv is its location. Being right at the bottom of 7 hills, the city has the best views over the Bulgarian Rhodope mountains. Regardless of which way I turned, I was seeing the mountains, spanning from one side to the other. I remember thinking over and over again how I could see myself waking up to these views every day. Coming from London, I was so grateful to see that even in a big city, I could still find undisturbed nature.
Plovdiv Bulgaria is only 2 hours on a bus from Sofia so it’s pretty easy to reach by public transport. A company called Union Ivkoni does 3 daily trips from Sofia to Plovdiv and you can buy a one way ticket at the main bus station in Sofia for as little as EUR 6 (12 BGN). Alternatively you can drive from Sofia which is also just under 2 hours. Even better, why nоt fly directly to Plovdiv. Ryanair tends to offer pretty cheap deals from most major European cities.
We had only one and a half days to spend in Plovdiv Bulgaria before we had to head up north so we had to squeeze everything in a day. But don’t worry, it actually is manageable.
How to Get to Plovdiv (and Get Around)
One of the things I love about Plovdiv Bulgaria is just how easy it is to reach. Wherever you’re coming from, you’ve got options, and none of them will break the bank – this is Bulgaria after all 🙂 Here’s exactly how I’d get there.
By air
Plovdiv has its own little airport (PDV), and Ryanair runs seasonal flights from a handful of European cities straight into it. When those deals pop up they’re ridiculously cheap, so it’s always worth a quick check first. If nothing lines up, fly into Sofia Airport (SOF) instead – it has way more connections – and then hop on a bus or train down to Plovdiv. The two cities are only about 150 km apart, so it’s a painless add-on.
By bus from Sofia
The bus is what most people use, and honestly it’s my favourite way to do this trip. Union Ivkoni runs several daily departures from Sofia’s central bus station, the ride takes just under 2 hours, and a one-way ticket costs as little as EUR 6 (around 12 BGN). Buses drop you at Plovdiv’s Yug (South) bus station, which sits right next to the train station and is a short walk or cheap taxi from the centre. Buy your ticket at the counter or online – in summer the popular departures do fill up.
By train or car
There’s also a direct train from Sofia if you fancy a slower, more scenic ride – it takes a bit longer (around 2.5 hours) but it’s dirt cheap and I have a soft spot for Bulgarian trains. Driving is just as simple: the A1 motorway links Sofia and Plovdiv and the drive is well under 2 hours, which makes renting a car a great shout if you want to tack on some of the day trips I mention further down.
Getting around Plovdiv
Once you’re in Plovdiv you honestly won’t need much. The Old Town, the main street and Kapana are all within easy walking distance of each other, and wandering on foot is half the fun in a city this pretty. For anything further out there are cheap city buses, and taxis are so affordable that I’d just grab one after a long day of hiking up those hills 🙂 Just make sure the meter’s running.
The Best Time to Visit Plovdiv
You can visit Plovdiv all year round, but the experience really does change with the seasons. Here’s how I’d think about it.
Spring and autumn (my pick)
If you asked me when to come, I’d say late April to June or September to October without hesitation. The weather is warm but not brutal, the light on the Rhodope mountains is gorgeous, and the Old Town’s cobbled streets aren’t heaving with people. This is also when those craftsmen shops I love are actually open – unlike our August visit when half of them had shut for the holidays!
Summer
Summer is lively and full of energy – think open-air concerts in the Roman amphitheatre, the buzzing Kapana Fest and long warm evenings by the singing fountains. The trade-off is the heat (July and August can really cook) and a few of the workshops closing while artists take their own holidays. If you don’t mind the warmth, it’s a wonderful time to be here.
Winter
Winters are quiet and can get properly cold, but there’s something magical about the Old Town under a light dusting of snow, with hardly another tourist in sight. Just pack layers and be ready for shorter days.
How Long to Stay in Plovdiv & What It Costs
We only had one and a half days and managed to squeeze in everything I’ve written about here, so a full day of walking will cover the highlights. That said, if I could do it again I’d give Plovdiv two to three days – one for the Old Town and the sights, one to slow down in Kapana and the gardens, and a third to venture out to the Rhodope mountains or a nearby monastery.
The best part? Plovdiv is genuinely cheap, even by Bulgarian standards. As a rough guide: a hostel bed runs about EUR 10–15 a night, a comfortable mid-range hotel around EUR 40–60, and a proper sit-down meal with a drink often comes to EUR 8–12. Loads of the best things here – hiking Nebet Tepe and Bunardzhik for those free panoramic views, strolling the main street, watching the fountains – don’t cost a thing. It’s one of the most affordable city breaks in Europe, and that’s a big part of why I keep recommending it.
Explore the Old Town
We started our tour at the city’s Old Town. This was the place I knew I would love the most so we rushed to see it first thing in the morning. I was sooo right. This place got me wondering whether I was still in Bulgaria I used to know. The place was stunning, so different from anything I had seen back home. In fact the Old Town is a historic preservation site which made it into the UNESCO preservation list in 2004. It’s mostly known for its Renaissance architecture, the Roman amphitheater, Nebet Tepe and its remarkable craftsmen shops where we could still see craftsmen weaving rugs, making jewelry and finishing off traditional ornaments.
The building home to Plovdiv’s ethnographic museum is just one of the many highlights of Plovdiv’s Old Town
We were slightly unlucky because we visited Plovdiv Bulgaria in August when most craftsmen shops were closed for the summer season with artists going away on holidays. So what is normally a very buzzing, lively area full of people exhibiting their art and showing their trade, was a bit quiet. Luckily one shop was still open. We were greeted by two lovely ladies who welcomed us into their workshop. They wanted to show us what they do and most importantly how they do it. One of the ladies was crafting all sorts of different home ornaments whilst the other was making handmade scarfs from a vary fine wool which she had to press with a rolling pin to give it the smooth texture and feel. It was actually a pretty incredible experience.
I just wished all craftsmen shops were open so I could enter each and every single one of them and learn about the people and their art because this is what really makes the Old Town so special!
These are examples of the typical houses you’ll find in the Old Town. Pretty cool, right!
Roman amphitheater
At the heart of the Old Town you’ll find Plovdiv’s Roman amphitheater. What amazed me about the theatre was not so much the fact that it’s one of the best preserved ancient theaters in the world but the fact that being as old as it is (built in 90s of the 1st century AD), the theater is still in use today. In fact we saw a band rehearsing for a performance that evening and I was only wishing I could be there to see it. Being able to take a seat at a place built so many years ago, enjoying a Bulgarian theater performance, whilst indulging in the mountain views at the backdrop, is something I will be back in Plovdiv for.
Have you ever seen a more antique active theater? I thought it was pretty incredible!
Nebet Tepe
This is one of the hills you’ll find in the Old Town and is where the first people of Plovdiv used to live. Aside from the remains we saw at the top of the hill, this place opened up to incredible panoramic views over the city. In fact this is one of two places in Plovdiv Bulgaria where you can see the best free views. Nebet Tepe can be easy to miss so make sure to walk up the hill until you reach Rahat Tepe restaurant first and then the stunning views. Rahat Tepe by the way offers amazing views over the other side of the city if you’re looking to have a dinner with a view.
Hiking up Neber tepe is an absolute must! Now you see why 🙂 Just look at the mountains at the backdrop <3
Bunardzhik Tepe
If you haven’t hiked to the top of Bunardzhik hill, it’s like you haven’t seen Plovdiv. Quite literally! Hiking to the top can be a challenge as you have to go up quite a few steep slopes and stairs but the views are simply astonishing. From here not only can you see the whole of the city but you can also get that bit closer to the highest hill in Plovdiv called Dzhendem hill which stands at 143 meters above the city level. It’s the perfect spot in Plovdiv for a romantic moment or just a quiet one as the people who make it to the top surprisingly don’t seem to be a lot. Even a better reason to reach the top!
You sure need to get here at sunset!
There is a lot you can do it Plovdiv Bulgaria once you get out from the Old Town and head into central downtown.
Have a stroll along the main street
A walk along the main street ”Knyaz Alexander I” is an absolute must. The one thing that I love about Bulgarian cities is that they all have a central pedestrian street where all you can find are shops, restaurants, souvenier shops, nightclubs, street musicians and hotels. Pretty much any time apart from the cold winter, you can find a lot of Bulgarians on the main street just strolling along not really going anywhere. This is ideal in the evenings after a day of exploring so definitely have some strolling whilst in Plovdiv.
It may look like Vienna but it isn’t my friend. This is the main street in Plovdiv where you’ll be doing a fair bit of strolling up and down the center.
Visit the Dzhumaya Mosque
On the main street you will find the Dzhumaya Mosque. Built in 1363, the mosque is one of the oldest on the Balkans and certainly among the largest. The temple is active not only on holidays but daily as well and surprisingly to me, muslims are happy for tourists to go in and take a peek into the building, as long as you cover yourself. This was the first time I went into a mosque and I definitely did not feel unwelcome or anything like that. So if you’re curious, go in and take a look around. Put away the camera though 🙂
If you’re curious, take a peek inside, it has an interesting interior 🙂
Listen to the singing fountains
Your walk along the main street will lead you to the gorgeous singing fountains right at the heart of Plovdiv’s Garden of Tsar Simeon. They’re the perfect end of a nice long day of touring around. Grab a drink, have a seat on the benches in the garden and enjoy the free performance.
During the day it’s pretty but you gotta come back at night because that’s when the real beauty shines out <3
Favourite Places to Eat
My absolute favourite is a restaurant called Central Park, and no, we’re not in New York (yet) 😀. It’s actually in the Garden of Tsar Simeon, close to the fountains. If you ever go there, have some houmous if you’re into chickpeas 😀 That was the best houmous I’ve had in Bulgaria so definitely worth the try. Oh and the place is not pricy despite the prime location.
Another good place to check out is called Restaurant Dayana also close to the central garden. It’s ideal in the summer as you can sit in the outside garden which has a very traditional feel and is surrounded by trees and plants all around. Definitely makes up for a very relaxing athmosphere for lunch or dinner. Food is not as nice as at the Central park though, at least from my experience!
Quite an interesting set up, isn’t it.
Wander around Kapana, the Trap
Last but not least, make your way to Kapana, The Trap. This is a pretty cool district where you’ll find a lot of places to have dinner or just a drink. To find the area, which can be a bit tricky even though it’s very near the center, look for the corner between Georgi Benkovski street and Yoakim Gruev street. One place you must definitely check out is the ‘Happy pancakes workshop’ (in Bulgarian Работилница на Веселите Палачинки). I’ve tried their pancakes in Sozopol and they’re simply the best.
My time in Plovdiv was simply wonderful. It’s definitely worth the time and money so don’t just stay in Sofia when you visit Bulgaria. Venture out of the capital and see what the country really is like – green, picturesque and welcoming 🙂
Where to Stay in Plovdiv
Where you base yourself really shapes your stay, so here’s how I’d choose depending on what you’re after.
The Old Town – for charm
If you want to wake up surrounded by that Renaissance architecture I gushed about earlier, stay in the Old Town. The boutique guesthouses tucked into those colourful old houses are full of character – places like the long-standing Hebros Hotel are a treat. It’s the priciest area and you’ll be walking up a few cobbled slopes with your luggage, but honestly, waking up in the middle of all that history is worth it.
Kapana and the centre – for value and buzz
For the best balance of price, location and atmosphere, I’d stay in or near Kapana or along the central pedestrian street. You’re a flat, easy walk from the restaurants, the fountains and the nightlife, and there’s a great mix of stylish mid-range hotels and modern apartments here. This is where I’d point most first-time visitors.
Budget options
Plovdiv has a lovely little backpacker scene, and hostels like Hikers Hostel are cheap, friendly and a brilliant way to meet other travellers – exactly the kind of place I ended up swapping tips with fellow solo travellers. Expect to pay around EUR 10–15 for a dorm bed.
Day Trips from Plovdiv
If you give yourself that extra day, Plovdiv is a fantastic base for getting out into nature. The Rhodope mountains start right on the city’s doorstep, and the beautiful Bachkovo Monastery – one of the oldest and largest in Bulgaria – is an easy half-day trip up into the hills. Keen hikers can also push further into the Rila range: my hike to Malyovitsa was one of my favourite days in Bulgaria and is very doable from this part of the country. Renting a car makes all of this so much simpler.
Plovdiv Bulgaria: Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Plovdiv?
One full day is enough to see the main sights, as we proved with our day-and-a-half visit. But I’d recommend two to three days so you can slow down, enjoy Kapana and add a day trip into the Rhodope mountains.
Plovdiv or Sofia – which should I visit first?
Do both if you can, but if I had to pick a favourite, it’s Plovdiv. Sofia is the bigger capital with more museums, while Plovdiv wins on charm, history and atmosphere. They’re under two hours apart, so pairing them is easy.
Is Plovdiv worth visiting?
Absolutely. It’s one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe, the Old Town is a UNESCO-listed gem, and it’s far more affordable and less crowded than the big-name European city breaks. Don’t just stay in Sofia when you come to Bulgaria – venture out and see this one.
Is Plovdiv safe for tourists?
Yes, very. As a Bulgarian I may be biased, but Plovdiv is a relaxed, welcoming city and I always felt comfortable wandering around, including solo. Just use the normal common sense you would in any city.
What is the best time to visit Plovdiv?
Late spring (April–June) and early autumn (September–October) are ideal – warm weather, open craftsmen shops and thinner crowds. Summer is great for festivals if you don’t mind the heat.
Looking for more articles on Bulgaria?
- Things you cannot miss to see in Sofia in autumn
- Discover Bulgaria’s best beach town
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3 comments
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We came to Plovdiv for a day. It was enough to fall in love with this charming city. I, actually, liked it more than Sofia. We are thinking about spending another 3 months in Bulgaria. This time though, we would be based in Plovdiv instead of Sofia.
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Aww, this place looks so cute and quaint! Totally putting it on my list of places to go now.