Plovdiv (Bulgarian: Пловдив) is a city in Central-South Bulgaria, the second-largest in the country and one of the oldest cities in Europe. Due to the remnants of its colourful past, it's one of the most popular tourist destinations in Bulgaria. It was the European Capital of Culture for 2019.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
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. Plovdiv was built around several small, but steep hills, though only six of them survive (the others were quarried for stone and gravel).
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. Learn who offers best prices from the locals who often use taxis.
Old Plovdiv is compact and walkable, with the main downtown 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. 1 Roman Theatre. The Roman Theatre, discovered in the 1970s during a construction project, is part of the pedestrian zone, and typically has merchants selling art and other items nearby. (updated Feb 2016) 2 St. Marina church. It has a unique wooden tower. (updated Feb 2016) Wander the cobblestone streets near the downtown to find, a mosque from the Ottoman Empire, and on the nearby hill the old town center.
Plovdiv offers many things to do, and most are easily walkable. The Hills - For starters enjoying the sunset from all the different hills is a must. Walk all the way to the top in the late afternoon, pick something to drink and stay for the sunset. Go down to enjoy the nightlife once it's dark. Children's train, On one of the hills there is a small train (it's for all ages) that goes up into the hill and gets back down. It costs 1 лв and it's on the Mladeshki hill. On the top of the Bunardjik Hill is the monument to the Soviet Army, known by locals simply as Alyosha. Old Town - Another must is the old town of Plovdiv which is full of art, free of cars and very enjoyable. Go for a walk.
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). All these are in the ci…
1 Zanzibar, ul. Peshtersko shose 88, ☏ +359 88 424 2200. Club Zanzibar is the ideal place to drink in Plovdiv. It contains a stylish African interior Cocktail Bar which offers the best drinks in the city and at night time offers the largest nightclub in all of Plovdiv. (updated Mar 2015) Kapana District. If you want to immerse yourself in the liveliest area in Plovdiv, head to the Kapana creative district. It used to be a neglected area in the centre of Plovdiv, where the buildings were crumbling and the sidewalks were full of parked cars, but has become the cultural heart of the city. (updated Jun 2019)
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.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Aug, Plovdiv typically sees ~31°C daytime highs and 4 rainy days.
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