Search hotels in Plovdiv →Order an eSIM for your trip

Plovdiv is Bulgaria's second-largest city and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe, with more than 6,000 years of history. Built on seven hills (tepeta) along the Maritsa River, it has been a Thracian settlement, a Roman city called Philippopolis, a Byzantine stronghold and an Ottoman trading centre. Today, Plovdiv is a vibrant cultural city with a beautifully preserved Old Town of colourful 19th-century houses, a spectacular Roman Theatre still used for concerts, a buzzing creative district called Kapana and one of Europe's longest pedestrian streets. Plovdiv was the European Capital of Culture in 2019. This Plovdiv travel guide covers the best time to visit, the top things to do, where to stay, how to get there and around, costs, entry rules and practical tips.

Best Time to Visit Plovdiv

Plovdiv has a continental climate, with hot summers and cold winters.

Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) are the best times to visit, with pleasant temperatures (18–27°C), outdoor festivals and the grape harvest.

Summer (July–August) is hot, often 32–38°C, but evenings are lively with open-air concerts at the Roman Theatre.

Winter (November–March) is cold, around 0–7°C, and quieter.

Events:

• Opera Open (summer): Opera and ballet performances at the Roman Theatre.
• Night of Museums and Galleries (September): Free entry to museums and galleries.
• Kapana Fest: Music and art events in the creative district.
• International Fair Plovdiv (September): One of the region's biggest trade fairs.

Top Things to Do in Plovdiv

1. Old Town (Staria Grad)

A museum-like neighbourhood of cobbled streets and colourful National Revival houses with overhanging upper floors, many now museums, galleries and guesthouses. Highlights include the Balabanov House, Hindliyan House and the Regional Ethnographic Museum in the Kuyumdzhiev House.

2. Roman Theatre of Philippopolis

One of the best-preserved Roman theatres in the world, built in the 1st century AD, with views over the city and the Rhodope Mountains. It still hosts concerts and performances.

3. Kapana Creative District

Kapana, meaning "the trap," is a maze of narrow streets full of street art, independent cafés, craft beer bars, galleries and boutiques, the heart of Plovdiv's nightlife.

4. Main Street and Roman Stadium

Plovdiv's main pedestrian street is one of the longest in Europe. Beneath it lie the ruins of the Roman Stadium, which once seated around 30,000 spectators.

5. Nebet Tepe

The oldest hill in Plovdiv, with ancient fortress ruins and panoramic views.

6. Bunardzhik Hill (Alyosha Monument)

A hill topped by a Soviet-era monument, with one of the best views over the city, especially at sunset.

7. Dzhumaya Mosque

One of the oldest Ottoman mosques in Europe, built in the 14th–15th centuries, near the Roman Stadium.

Also worth visiting: the Ancient Forum, the Bishop's Basilica with spectacular mosaics, the Small Basilica, the Church of St Constantine and Helena and the Singing Fountains in Tsar Simeon Garden.

Beyond Plovdiv

• Bachkovo Monastery: Bulgaria's second-largest monastery, about 30 minutes south.
• Asen's Fortress: A medieval fortress on a cliff near Asenovgrad.
• Rhodope Mountains: Villages, caves and hiking, including Shiroka Laka.
• Hisarya: A spa town with Roman walls.
• Wineries: The Thracian Valley is known for Mavrud and Rubin wines.

Suggested 3-Day Plovdiv Itinerary

Day 1 – Old Town: Explore the Old Town, the Roman Theatre, the Ethnographic Museum and Nebet Tepe at sunset.

Day 2 – Roman Plovdiv and Kapana: Walk the Main Street, see the Roman Stadium, Dzhumaya Mosque and the Bishop's Basilica, and spend the evening in Kapana.

Day 3 – Day trip: Visit Bachkovo Monastery and Asen's Fortress, or go wine tasting in the Thracian Valley.

Bulgaria: Practical Information

Bulgaria adopted the euro on 1 January 2026 and became a full member of the Schengen Area in 2025. Bulgarians write in Cyrillic, an alphabet developed in the First Bulgarian Empire. Remember that nodding means "no" and shaking your head means "yes." Bulgarians are hospitable, and meals often begin with rakia and a shopska salad.

Plovdiv Food Scene

Try Bulgarian dishes such as shopska salad, kavarma, kyufte (grilled meatballs), kapama, banitsa and tarator. Kapana has trendy restaurants and craft beer bars, and the region's wineries produce excellent reds from the local Mavrud grape.

Plovdiv's Seven Hills and History

Plovdiv was originally built on seven syenite hills, of which six survive today: Nebet Tepe, Dzhambaz Tepe and Taksim Tepe (together forming the Old Town), as well as Sahat Tepe (with its clock tower), Bunardzhik and Danov Hill. The city was conquered by Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great, in 342 BC, who gave it the name Philippopolis. Under Roman rule it became the capital of the province of Thrace, with a stadium, theatre, forum and aqueducts. Later, the Ottomans called it Filibe, and in the 19th century wealthy merchants built the colourful houses that now define the Old Town. Plovdiv's mix of layers – Thracian, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and Bulgarian – is visible on almost every street.

Plovdiv for Wine Lovers

The Thracian Lowlands around Plovdiv are one of Bulgaria's main wine regions. Wineries near Brestovitsa, Perushtitsa and Asenovgrad offer tastings of Mavrud, Rubin, Melnik and international varieties. Many tours combine wineries with Bachkovo Monastery or the Rhodope foothills.

Where to Stay in Plovdiv

• Old Town: Boutique hotels in historic houses.
• Kapana: Lively area close to bars and restaurants.
• City Centre: Hotels near the Main Street.
• Near the Maritsa River: Quieter modern hotels.

Compare hotel prices and availability in Plovdiv here.

Getting There & Around

Flying to Plovdiv

Plovdiv Airport (PDV) has limited flights, mostly seasonal and low-cost. Most visitors fly into Sofia Airport (SOF), about 1.5–2 hours away by car, bus or train. Search and compare cheap flights to Sofia or Plovdiv to find the best fares.

By Train and Bus

Trains and buses connect Plovdiv with Sofia, Burgas, Varna and Istanbul.

Getting Around

• Walking: The centre, Old Town and Kapana are walkable.
• Buses and taxis: Affordable for longer distances.
• Bikes: Bike rentals are available.

Travel Costs in Plovdiv

Plovdiv is very affordable. Bulgaria uses the euro (EUR) since 2026.

Visa & Entry Requirements

Bulgaria is a member of the EU and, since 2025, a full member of the Schengen Area.

• EU/EEA and Swiss citizens: Travel freely with a valid ID card or passport.
• Visa-free visitors: Citizens of the US, UK, Canada, Australia and many other countries can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
• EES: Non-EU travellers register fingerprints and a facial image at their first Schengen entry.
• ETIAS: Officially expected in the last quarter of 2026 (expected fee €20), with reports of a possible delay to 2027.
• Visa required: Other nationalities need a Schengen visa.

Local Tips for Plovdiv

• Combined ticket: Buy a combined ticket for several Old Town houses and museums.
• Comfortable shoes: Cobblestones are uneven and steep.
• Summer heat: Sightsee in the morning and evening.
• Free walking tours: Run daily from the centre.
• Tipping: Around 10% in restaurants.
• Museum hours: Many museums close on Mondays or have reduced winter hours; check before you go.
• Water: Tap water is generally safe to drink in Plovdiv.
• Cash and cards: Cards are widely accepted, but carry some euros for small shops, markets and taxis.
• Staying connected: EU roaming applies to EU SIM cards; non-EU visitors can use a travel eSIM. Get your Bulgaria eSIM here.

Tours & Experiences

• Old Town walking tour: Discover 6,000 years of history.
• Bachkovo Monastery and Asen's Fortress tour: A popular half-day trip.
• Wine tasting tour: Thracian Valley wineries.
• Street art tour in Kapana: Creative Plovdiv.
• Rhodope Mountains tour: Villages and caves.

Browse and book the best tours in Plovdiv here.

FAQ

Is Plovdiv worth visiting?

Yes. It's one of Europe's oldest cities, with Roman ruins, a charming Old Town and a lively arts scene.

How far is Plovdiv from Sofia?

About 150 km, or 1.5–2 hours by car, bus or train.

What is Kapana?

Plovdiv's creative district, full of bars, cafés and street art.

Can you see a concert at the Roman Theatre?

Yes. Concerts and opera performances are held in summer.

What currency does Bulgaria use?

The euro, since January 2026.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.