Bulgaria
Plovdiv travel guide
Plovdiv is a city in Bulgaria, home to about 334,000 people.
- Best months
- May, June, September and October
- Nearest airport
- PDV12 km · Plovdiv International Airport
- Currency
- EUReuro
- Time zone
- Europe/Sofia
- Language
- Bulgarian
About
About Plovdiv
Plovdiv is the second-largest city in Bulgaria and the most populous city in the Bulgarian part of the historic region of Thrace, located 144 km (93 miles) southeast of the capital Sofia. It is considered the oldest European continually inhabited city, having been inhabited since c. 6,000 BCE.
Plovdiv lies in the western part of the Upper Thracian Plain, on the banks of the river Maritsa, the largest by discharge on the Balkan peninsula. To the north, the valley extends to the "bottom" of the Balkan Mountains - the Sredna Gora mountain range, the Sub-Balkan Valleys ("The Valley of Roses"), and then the southern slopes of the main chain itself. To the south, the northern slopes of the Rhodope Mountains rise not far from Plovdiv, easily visible on a clear day.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Plovdiv
See
Old Plovdiv is compact and walkable, with the main central road blocked to car traffic. There is a good collection of Bulgarian revival buildings in use as museums, hotels, and restaurants etc. and is worth a visit if you have a chance.
- Roman Theatre
- St. Marina church
- Roman Stadium
- Dzhumaya Mosque
- Plovdiv Regional Archaeological Museum
- Plovdiv Regional Historical Museum
- Imaret Mosque
- Ottoman Clock Tower
- Plovdiv Regional Ethnographic Museum
- Church of St Constantine and Helena
- Bishop's Basilica of Philippopolis
- Small Basilica Archeological Site
Do
- Bachkovo Monastery
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
When to go
The best time to visit Plovdiv
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Plovdiv are May, June, September and October. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 31 °C; June is the wettest, with about 71 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Plovdiv: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Plovdiv International Airport (PDV), about 12 km from the city centre in a straight line; Sofia Airport (SOF, 125 km) and Kavala Alexander the Great International Airport (KVA, 137 km) are also within reach.
Getting in
The railway station is just south of the city center, a 10-15 min walk. There are around 15 daily trains to and from Sofia, taking 2 to 4 hours - the slower trains may require a change. There is a sleeper train every night between Sofia, Plovdiv and Istanbul which takes about 7 hours. In June 2019, another train ran daytime between Plovdiv and Edirne in western Turkey. It was meant to be a permanent service, but lasted for just one weekend then they cancelled! The A1 expressway/motorway connects Plovdiv westward to Sofia, and eastward all the way to Burgas on the Black Sea.
Getting around
Taxis and buses are prevalent. The city centre has a large pedestrian zone. Taxis are (Summer 2010) as cheap if not cheaper than bus rides when split between 3-4 people in general. A 5-7 km distance was charged at around 5 лв (charge for km is 0.99 лв daily and 1.09 лв nightly); an average ride within the city costs around 3 лв. The taxi arrives in about 3-5 min. Remember to order the Taxi from the companies that offer the best deals and wait for it. Generally taking the taxi that is already waiting will cost you more (sometimes up to 5 times more) avoid them or ask for a fixed price.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
PDV · Plovdiv International Airport
SOF · Sofia Airport
KVA · Kavala Alexander the Great International Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Plovdiv
Eat
Generally speaking, eating in Plovdiv should be cheap for the Westerner's pocket. Fast food is available and of high quality (in general). There are McDonald's, KFC, Kastello, Verde and other popular restaurants. The cheapest fast food could cost as little 0.50-1.00 лв to 2-3 лв and can be found along the main street. There are plenty of such places offering pizza, traditional food, and kebabs. The small bakeries sell pastries for about 1 лв, which make great breakfasts if you're on the move. There are some low-priced restaurants that will be fairly affordable, pay attention to the menu and think about 10-15 лв for a full meal (salad, main course, dessert, drinks).
Stay safe
In general, Plovdiv is a very safe place. Avoid the ghetto area and you will be very safe. Old town and the main street can be very busy, yet safe. Parks during the day are safe, but it is better to avoid them at night unless you are with a larger company. Avoid wearing football shirts or scarves of the Plovdiv or Sofia-based football teams, especially on match days. Beggars have many forms, including people holding documents and having badges from "charity foundations". If such people try to stop you, just say firmly "No" and don't stop. Overall the city has improved in terms of safety. If you are using public transport always keep an eye on your personal belongings.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Plovdiv: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Plovdiv?
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Plovdiv are May, June, September and October. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 31 °C; June is the wettest, with about 71 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Plovdiv?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Plovdiv International Airport (PDV), about 12 km from the city centre in a straight line; Sofia Airport (SOF, 125 km) and Kavala Alexander the Great International Airport (KVA, 137 km) are also within reach.
What currency is used in Plovdiv?
euro (EUR).
Nearby
Destinations near Plovdiv
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.