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Plovdiv is the European Capital of Culture for 2019. As you walk through the cobbled streets you will quickly understand why. Plovdiv is, by some distance, Europe’s oldest city and it is packed with history. Nearly every street and building have a story behind it. The city has also kept itself from becoming too touristy, meaning that the streets still have a local feel to them. Plovdiv is a great city to explore, one that is sure to see a rise in tourism after receiving the prestigious award which will come into place next year. This Plovdiv Travel Guide will keep you busy for a couple of days in the city, which in my opinion is the right amount of time to spend there, seeing all there is to see.
Currency Converter – 2 Bulgarian Lev (BGN) = €1/£0.90/$1.20
Getting In
Plovdiv is a popular choice for travellers looking to spend a few days outside of Sofia. To get to Plovdiv from Sofia you can take either a bus or the train. Whilst the train is slightly cheaper, it takes twice as long as a bus should. There are three main bus stations that you could arrive into, Rodopi and Lug to the south, next to the Central Railway Station and North Bus Station, to the north. All are within walking distance of the city centre, less than 2.5km. There are also public transport and taxis readily available at each station.
Plovdiv airport is located 9km outside of the city. There is no public transport available to or from the airport. The only option you have is to take a taxi. The fare into the city shouldn’t cost you any more than 15BGN.
Where To Stay
Plovdiv is not a big city. You could walk across it comfortably in less than an hour. Though to be right in the thick of the action you need to stay in one of two areas, The Old Town or Kapana. These two areas, old and relatively new, are separated by one road. Kapana is where you will find most shops, bars and cafés whilst The Old Town, as you would expect, is full of historical sights that line the cobbled hills.
I stayed at Hostel Old Plovdiv which was as beautiful a hostel as I have ever stayed in. It boasts small dorms with only single beds (no bunk beds), huge bathrooms and some very charming common rooms. Private rooms are also available. The free breakfast here was also excellent. It is no wonder that this hostel was voted Trip Advisor’s Best Hostel in Bulgaria in both 2016 and 2017, I can’t recommend it highly enough.
When To Go
Plovdiv, like most of Bulgaria, gets extremely hot summers and bitterly cold winters. I found it to be a place that is better explored on a chilly day than a scorching hot one. I always find that some places just feel better when there is a chill in the air. That being said, I certainly wouldn’t recommend coming when it is at its coldest. Early spring or late autumn will give you a comfortable temperature once you are wearing the right clothing. This way you will be able to walk easily around the city.
What To Do
Explore Old Plovdiv
The Old Town is a very charming area to walk around. The cobbled hills are filled with historic buildings, churches and Roman ruins. It can be a good idea to take a map with you as there are so many buildings of significance to see. Pop in and out of the churches and houses that are open to the public, the architecture is quite a sight to see. It might only take you a couple of hours to see all of the Old Town but it will certainly stay a lot longer in your memory.
Kapana
This feels like a newer or at least a recently renovated part of the city. Cafés, restaurants and shops fill this area. Whilst not many of the main sights are here, there is enough to keep you entertained for a few hours. Sculptures and street art are commonly found, while most of the cafés have an outdoor seating area where you can grab a drink and people watch.
Free Walking Tour
Walking tours can be a great way to learn about what you are seeing. Even though most historical buildings in Plovdiv have information placards, it can be nice to hear it in more detail from somebody else. Every day from 2 pm a free walking tour leaves from the Municipality of Plovdiv building and covers most of the Old Town. Although it is free, be sure to tip your tour guide!!
Tsar Simeon’s Garden
A great place to get away from it all. Whilst it is quite a large, busy park, the layout of Tsar Simeon’s Garden means that you can feel quite secluded and shut off from the surrounding world there. If the weather allows, be sure to take a stroll around the gardens before relaxing on one of the many benches. You will find cafés with seating areas at the west entrance. I wouldn’t recommend eating there, but they are a good place to grab a hot or cold drink.
Ancient Theatre
To the south of the Old Town is an Ancient Theatre that dates back to the 1st Century. This Open Auditorium has not been in use since the 5th Century and was only discovered by archaeologists in the early 1970s. After restoration work a decade later, you can now visit the historic site. Entry is 5BGN, and whilst it might not take long to visit, it is one of the oldest sites in Plovdiv and very interesting to see.
Take A Day Trip
Plovdiv can be a good base to explore surrounding Bulgaria. Day trips are popular among tourists. Most tours are personal which unfortunately means you are paying for the car and the driver. Tours start at 40BGN for 1 person, 30BGN for 2 people and 20BGN for 3-4 people. These tours are for places like Bachkovo Monastery and Assens Fortress or Red Church Perushtitsa. Prices for different tours can be considerably higher though, especially if you wish to visit places like Perperikon or Trigrad Gorge. These tours will cost you 180BGN for 1 person, 100BGN for 2 people and 80BGN for 3-4 people.
Where To Eat
Skaptobara 2
Sometimes in life, you just need a good burger to make everything better, especially when the burger is as good as what Skaptobara serve up. Prices here aren’t overly cheap, with a burger costing an average of 10BGN with an extra 6BGN for french fries. Luckily, you get what you pay for. The burgers are a good size, fresh and delicious. The fries are just as good, with a tasty herb and spice mix sprinkled over them. Vegan and Vegetarian options are also available. It’s a really cool place to hang out, grab a beer and eat some really good food. Check out their Jack Daniels Lemonade if you feel like really treating yourself.
Rahat Tepe
A very popular spot for tourists, Rahat Tepe serve up delicious traditional Bulgarian food at a reasonable price. Portions here can be quite large so be prepared to share a meal if possible. I ordered the Combined Hot Clay Plate which was 900grams of Sausages, Pork, Chicken, Eggplants, Zucchini, Onions and Spices alongside a Potato Pie which weighed 450grams. It is fair to say this was a huge meal and a bit more than me and my girlfriend could finish. The total cost was 27BGN, which was very reasonable considering it could have filled 3 or 4 people.
Sofra Turkish Restaurant
Being in close proximity to Turkey, it is only natural that you would find really good Turkish food in Plovdiv. Nowhere in the city does it better than Sofra. Fresh food is cooked to order from a menu that changes on a daily basis. To order you need to go inside, see what is available and choose from that. A meal there will usually consist of some rice, kebabs and some salad. It is also priced very reasonably!!
Eddy’s Cafe and Food
Eddy’s serves amazing buckwheat crepes that are excellent value for money. This is a great place to go at any time of the day. They have a breakfast, lunch and dinner menu that offer different fillings. I went for dinner and got a crèpe filled with turkey, cheese, egg and caramelised onions. For dessert, they offer sweet crepes and a selection of cakes which, unfortunately, I did not try but they looked incredible. A meal there will set you back less than 10BGN.
Plovdiv doesn’t need a lot of time, though it is sure to stay a long while in your memory. The city is unique, history is brought to life there. It is charming and beautiful. Whilst people that visit Bulgaria tend to do so for either Sofia, the mountainous skiing resorts or the beaches to the East, Plovdiv deserves a place on your itinerary. I thoroughly enjoyed the couple of days that I spent there. Personally, I felt it was the perfect length of time to explore the city and I left feeling very glad that I did. I hope this Plovdiv Travel Guide will make you consider a visit there in the very near future. It is definitely worth the trip!!
Whilst you are here, why not check out my Sofia Travel Guide! You can do so by clicking here.
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The city looks really pretty. I haven’t been in Bolgaria yet, but I am sure this will be on my list of places I want to visit there. And those food photos are making me seriously hungry right now. 🙂 Great post.
Would love to visit more of Eastern Europe in the future, but it won’t likely be for a few years at least. We’ve always envisioned a trip from Prague to Istanbul, which would go right through here. Can’t say we know too much about Bulgaria, so thanks for sharing!
This is a new city on me, I honestly never heard of it. Roman ruins look cool, and seems like a nice place for a few chilled days.
I had never heard of Plovdiv. Thanks for the introduction! I certainly would love to visit Bulgaria and add Plovdiv. It’s hreat idea to take a walking tour. I’ll try that and tastes the local foods.