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Plovdiv Travel Guide
Six hills, not seven: Markovo Tepe was partly quarried away in the 1930s, and the city around the rest counts 333,994 residents in the NSI estimate for the end of 2025. The Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis, built in the 90s of the 1st century AD, keeps 28 concentric rows of marble seats. Settlement on Nebet Tepe dates to the 4th millennium BC, which is why Plovdiv is often described as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe, and the euro has been the currency since 1 January 2026.
One Day In Plovdiv: A Walk Through The Old Town
A one-day route strings the Ancient Theatre, an Old Town house museum, Kapana and Nebet Tepe into a single walk. Everything sits within roughly 1 km of the theatre, since Old Plovdiv clusters on the hill.
1Morning
Ancient Theatre Of Philippopolis
The theatre was built in the 90s of the 1st century AD with 28 concentric rows of marble seats. Per oldplovdiv.bg it opens daily, Apr to Oct 9:30 to 18:00 and Nov to Mar 9:00 to 17:30 with a 12:30 to 13:00 lunch break; the one-site adult ticket is 3.58 euros.
3.58 Euro Ticket2Late Morning
Balabanov House
This is a Bulgarian National Revival house under the Old Plovdiv ticket: 3.58 euros adult, 1.53 students, 7.16 family. The five-site combined ticket is 10.74 euros adult.
3Afternoon
Kapana
Kapana means The Trap, a name earned by its maze of narrow streets. Now the creative district, its public streets are free to walk, with cafes, studios and small shops throughout.
4Evening
Nebet Tepe
This open-air complex on the oldest settled hill is free, and its restoration was officially opened in March 2025. The first settlement here is dated to the 4th millennium BC.
FreeThings To Do In Plovdiv: The Short List
Prices below are the published Old Plovdiv euro tickets, and free sights are marked Free.
Ticket 3.58 euros
Ancient Theatre Of PhilippopolisBuilt in the 90s AD with 28 concentric marble rows, it still hosts performances, with Opera Open from 23 June to 9 September 2026.
Free
Roman StadiumA 2nd century AD stadium that once held up to 30,000 spectators; only the northern sphendone is open, free, beneath Main Street.
Free
Nebet TepeOpen-air archaeological complex on the hill, restored and reopened in March 2025.
Ticket 7.57 euros
Eirene Mosaic And Episcopal BasilicaBishop's Basilica: about 83 m by 36 m, over 2,000 sq m of mosaics, open daily 9:00 to 18:00.
Free
Dzhumaya MosqueWorking mosque, open 6:00 to 23:00, about 1,500 sq m and second largest in Bulgaria by built area; dress modestly.
Ticket 3.58 euros
Balabanov HouseOld Town house museum covered by the one-site Old Plovdiv ticket.
Ethnographic MuseumKuyumdzhiev House, open Tue to Sun, closed Mondays; 9:00 to 17:00 winter, 9:00 to 18:00 summer.
Alyosha MonumentUnveiled in 1957, standing on a hill with a view over the city.
Plovdiv Neighbourhoods At A Glance
The Old Town holds hilltop Revival houses and the Roman theatre. Kapana, The Trap, is the creative district of narrow lanes. Main Street and the centre form a pedestrian axis with the Roman Stadium, Dzhumaya Mosque and Tsar Simeon Garden. Kichuk Parizh and Karshiyaka are residential and local, while the Three Hills are Nebet, Dzhambaz and Taksim.
Old Town · Kapana · Main Street And The Center · The Three Hills
7,318 traveller reviewsacross 46 checked tours
From $9cheapest paid tour today
Prices checkedagainst the booking page, refreshed monthly
Plovdiv Tours Worth Booking
Forty-six tours and tickets cover Old Town walks, food and wine, and day trips to Bachkovo, Asen's Fortress and Koprivshtitsa. Answer three questions to narrow it to a shortlist.
Below is a starting shortlist of well-reviewed tours, not the full list. Tap an answer above and it rebuilds to fit you.
- Guided Day Trip, Must-See Sights 9 hours from $22 ★ 4.6 2,774 Check availability
- Highlights Tour, 11 to 12 Hours 11 - 12 hours from $22 ★ 4.6 983 Check availability
- Base Fare, Koprivshtitsa Full Day 11 - 12 hours from $34 ★ 4.7 626 Check availability
- Shuttle Bus Day Trip from Sofia 9 hours from $22 ★ 4.5 424 Check availability
- Shuttle Day Tour, Bachkovo Option 9.5 hours from $34 ★ 4.7 401 Check availability
- Small Group, Fortress and Bachkovo 9 hours from $86 ★ 4.8 322 Check availability
- Small Group Day Trip, 12 Hours 12 hours from $22 ★ 4.5 279 Check availability
- Starosel and Art Village Day Trip 10 - 12 hours from $22 ★ 4.4 217 Check availability
- Budget Fare, Koprivshtitsa Included 11 hours from $22 ★ 4.7 207 Check availability
- Premium Fare, Fortress and Bachkovo 9 hours from $97 ★ 4.8 182 Check availability
- Old Town and Roman Theatre 2 hours from $13 ★ 4.5 168 Check availability
- Private Walk, 2 Hours 30 Minutes 2 hours 30 minutes from $175 ★ 4.9 94 Check availability
- Rila Monastery Plus Plovdiv, 11 Hours 11 hours from $113 ★ 4.4 87 Check availability
- Bridges, Monastery and Fortress 7 hours from $129 ★ 4.9 65 Check availability
- Classic City Walk, 2 Hours 2 hours from $22 ★ 4.8 48 Check availability
- Fortress Only, Budget Fare 9 hours from $34 ★ 4.6 39 Check availability
- Small Group Thracian Kings, 10 Hours 10 hours from $111 ★ 5 38 Check availability
- Bulgarian Food Walk, 3 Hours 3 hours from $57 ★ 5 35 Check availability
- Wonderful Bridges, Rhodope Cuisine 9 hours from $88 ★ 4.9 35 Check availability
- Monastery and Fortress, 3 Hours 3 hours from $96 ★ 5 32 Check availability
- Old Town Walk, Rakia Tasting from $17 ★ 4.6 28 Check availability
- E-Motorcycle Rhodope Canyon Ride 5 hours from $114 ★ 5 26 Check availability
- Private Trip, Monastery and Fortress 3 hours from $67 ★ 4.8 26 Check availability
- Fortress and Monastery, 4 Hours 4 hours from $40 ★ 5 21 Check availability
- Thracia Valley Wine Tasting Day 10 hours from $166 ★ 4.7 17 Check availability
- Kazanlak Rose Valley, Private Trip 7 hours 30 minutes from $137 ★ 4.9 16 Check availability
- Starosel and Staro Zhelezare 6 hours from $11 ★ 4.8 16 Check availability
- Koprivshtitsa Half-Day, 5 Hours 5 hours from $34 ★ 4 15 Check availability
- Buzludzha and Aviation Museum 10 hours from $106 ★ 4.9 14 Check availability
- Buzludzha, Roses and Thracian Kings 7 hours from $119 ★ 4.6 14 Check availability
- AudioGuide, Old Town Roman Sites 3 hours from $14 ★ 4.2 14 Check availability
- Eagle's Eye Hike, 11 Hours 11 hours from $102 ★ 4.9 11 Check availability
- Jewish Heritage Walking Tour 3 hours from $17 ★ 5 8 Check availability
- 40-Minute Wine Tasting, Center 40 minutes from $26 ★ 5 7 Check availability
- Costume Photo Shoot, 30 Minutes 30 minutes from $21 ★ 5 7 Check availability
- Private Wine Trip, 3 Hours 3 hours from $111 ★ 5 5 Check availability
- Buzludzha and Kings, 9 Hours 9 hours from $106 ★ 4.8 5 Check availability
- Fantasy Non-Museum Entry Ticket from $14 ★ 4.7 4 Check availability
- Devil's Throat and Yagodinska Caves 10 hours from $123 ★ 5 2 Check availability
- Wine, Cheese and Cured Meats 1.5 - 2 hours from $54 ★ 5 1 Check availability
- Perperikon, Waterfall, Stone Mushrooms 8 hours from $196 ★ 5 1 Check availability
- Sunset Wine Tasting City Tour 2 hours 30 minutes from $89 Check availability
- Private Bike Tour, 4 Hours 4 hours from $38 Check availability
- One-Hour Taste Walk, Budget Fare 1 hour from $9 Check availability
- Fortress Hike, Breakfast and Pickup 2 hours from $40 Check availability
- Free 2-Hour Walk, Tip the Guide 2 hours Free to join, tip the guide ★ 4.5 4 See this free tour on GuruWalk
Plovdiv With Kids
The Old Plovdiv family ticket costs 7.16 euros for parents plus children aged 7 to 16, and under 7s enter free. Tsar Simeon Garden has singing fountains, while the rowing canal park suits walking and cycling.
Plovdiv With KidsFamily tickets, parks and what works at child pace.
Tsar Simeon GardenA central garden with the singing fountains.
Rowing CanalA long canal park west of the centre, popular for walking and cycling.
Plovdiv In The Rain
The Regional Archaeological Museum is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 18:00, with a permanent exhibition renewed in November 2025, about 150 new exhibits and a bilingual audio guide. The Bishop's Basilica is covered and open daily, 9:00 to 18:00, for 7.57 euros.
Plovdiv MuseumsWhich museums to pick and what each one costs.
Archaeological MuseumOpen Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 18:00, with a renewed exhibition.
Episcopal BasilicaFloor mosaics under cover, open daily.
Plovdiv At Night
Evenings gather in Kapana and along the pedestrian Main Street. The Ancient Theatre hosts the Opera Open season from 23 June to 9 September 2026, and the Plovdiv Jazz Fest autumn edition runs 6 to 8 November 2026 at the Boris Hristov House of Culture.
Plovdiv At NightThe lanes after dark and where people gather.
Plovdiv NightlifeBars, wine and the late squares.
Coffee And CafesWhere to sit with a coffee in the centre.
Plovdiv In Winter
The Ancient Theatre keeps winter hours, 9:00 to 17:30 from November to March. ERA5 reanalysis, 1991-2020, puts January at a mean daily high of 5.9 C and a mean low of -2.6 C.
Plovdiv In WinterWhat stays open between November and March.
Christmas And New YearThe festive season in the centre.
Ethnographic MuseumWinter hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 to 17:00.
Free Things To Do In Plovdiv
Nebet Tepe, the Roman Stadium sphendone, the Dzhumaya Mosque (modest dress), Kapana, Hisar Kapia and the Alyosha monument cost nothing. Old Plovdiv's other sites charge 3.58 euros each, and a 2-hour English GuruWalk tour is pay what you want.
Free 2-Hour Walk, Tip the Guide
4.5 from 4 reviews · free, pay what you want
See this free tour on GuruWalk
What To Eat In Plovdiv
Banitsa, shopska salad, kebapche, kyufte, kavarma and tarator anchor the local table, with Mavrud and Rubin grapes and rakia alongside. Numbeo crowd data puts an espresso at about 2 euros.
Banitsa
Cheese filo pastry, the standard Bulgarian breakfast.
Shopska Salad
Tomato, cucumber, pepper, onion and grated white cheese.
Kebapche And Grill
Kebapche are grilled minced-meat sausages, the base of a Bulgarian grill plate.
Where To Book Dinner
The best restaurants guide is sorted by what you want to spend.
Best restaurants
Plovdiv On The Map
Loading the map. Every place is also listed below.
Click the map to zoom with the scroll wheel. Numbers match the list.
- Ancient Theatre of PhilippopolisThe Ancient Theatre, where most first days start
- Roman Stadium of PhilippopolisLandmark · 260 m from Ancient Theatre
- Roman OdeonLandmark · 370 m from Ancient Theatre
- Roman Forum of PhilippopolisLandmark · 500 m from Ancient Theatre
- Episcopal Basilica of PhilippopolisLandmark · 340 m from Ancient Theatre
- Nebet TepeHill · 500 m from Ancient Theatre
- Sahat TepeHill · 370 m from Ancient Theatre
- Dzhendem TepeHill · 1.9 km from Ancient Theatre
- Alyosha MonumentHill · 1.2 km from Ancient Theatre
- Dzhumaya MosqueLandmark · 250 m from Ancient Theatre
- Hisar KapiaLandmark · 450 m from Ancient Theatre
- Church of Saints Constantine and HelenaLandmark · 350 m from Ancient Theatre
- Church of Saint MarinaLandmark · 90 m from Ancient Theatre
- Cathedral of the Dormition of the Mother of GodLandmark · 110 m from Ancient Theatre
- Armenian Church of Saint KevorkLandmark · 430 m from Ancient Theatre
- Tsar Simeon GardenLandmark · 780 m from Ancient Theatre
- Plovdiv Rowing CanalLandmark · 3.9 km from Ancient Theatre
- Balabanov HouseMuseum · 350 m from Ancient Theatre
- Hindliyan HouseMuseum · 340 m from Ancient Theatre
- Lamartine HouseMuseum · 820 m from Ancient Theatre
- Georgiadi House (Museum of the Bulgarian Revival)Museum · 370 m from Ancient Theatre
- Regional Ethnographic MuseumMuseum · 380 m from Ancient Theatre
- Regional Archaeological MuseumMuseum · 730 m from Ancient Theatre
- Old TownNeighbourhood · 350 m from Ancient Theatre
- KapanaNeighbourhood · 320 m from Ancient Theatre
- Knyaz Alexander I StreetNeighbourhood · 610 m from Ancient Theatre
- Bunardzhik HillHill · 1.1 km from Ancient Theatre
- Kichuk ParizhNeighbourhood · 2.3 km from Ancient Theatre
- KarshiyakaNeighbourhood · 1.1 km from Ancient Theatre
- Plovdiv Train StationTransport · 1.6 km from Ancient Theatre
- Plovdiv South Bus StationTransport · 1.3 km from Ancient Theatre
Day Trips From Plovdiv: Bachkovo, Asen's Fortress, Koprivshtitsa
Bachkovo Monastery sits about 30 km away, 35 to 45 minutes by minibus from Rodopi station. Koprivshtitsa and Rila are longer days, and Sofia trips run both directions.
Monastery
Bachkovo Monastery
About 30 km from Plovdiv, with free entry to the working monastery, per toursbulgaria.com.
Fortress
Asen's Fortress
A medieval fortress near Asenovgrad on a cliff above the Chepelare river; the small entry fee is unconfirmed.
Revival Town
Koprivshtitsa
A museum town of Revival houses; six house museums combined cost about 10 euros, per toursbulgaria.com.
Rock Bridges
Wonderful Bridges
Natural rock arches in the Rhodope mountains, a long day from Plovdiv.
Plovdiv Right Now: Weather And Golden Hour
At the last check, on 12 October, the forecast for Plovdiv was 16°C with light rain. Sunset was at 18:44, so the Old Town glowed best from about 17:44.
- Forecast, old town
- 16°C
- light rain, cloud 100%
- Sunrise and sunset
- 07:29 / 18:44
- 12 October, Plovdiv time
- Golden hour
- from 17:44
- about an hour before sunset
Weather data from MET Norway (Locationforecast 2.0 and Sunrise 3.0, Norwegian Meteorological Institute), under NLOD 2.0 / CC BY 4.0. A forecast-model value for the grid point at the Old Town, not a thermometer reading.
When To Visit Plovdiv, Month By Month
Tap a month: figures are ERA5 reanalysis, 1991-2020, via Open-Meteo for the Plovdiv grid cell at 42.1475 N, 24.7515 E, not a weather-station record.
Plovdiv's rain peaks in spring, not winter: May is the wettest month at 56.8 mm on average and March follows at 55 mm, about 2 times the 25.2 mm of August, the driest. These are modelled grid-cell averages for 1991-2020, not a station record.
- Monthly rainfall (mm)
- Mean temperature (°C)
| Month | Mean temp | Mean high | Mean low | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1.4°C | 5.9°C | -2.6°C | 40.95 mm |
| February | 3.2°C | 8°C | -1.1°C | 40.44 mm |
| March | 7°C | 12.1°C | 2.1°C | 55.03 mm |
| April | 11.9°C | 17.1°C | 6.4°C | 47.67 mm |
| May | 17.1°C | 21.9°C | 11.5°C | 56.83 mm |
| June | 21.1°C | 25.9°C | 15.4°C | 49.09 mm |
| July | 23.5°C | 28.2°C | 17.9°C | 45.57 mm |
| August | 23.7°C | 28.6°C | 18.1°C | 25.18 mm |
| September | 18.9°C | 23.8°C | 13.8°C | 42.8 mm |
| October | 13.4°C | 18.1°C | 8.8°C | 44.06 mm |
| November | 7.8°C | 12.3°C | 3.8°C | 39.69 mm |
| December | 2.8°C | 7°C | -0.7°C | 49.3 mm |
Data: Copernicus ERA5 reanalysis, 1991-2020 (retrieved through Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0); contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information).
Where To Stay In Plovdiv
Choose between the hilltop Old Town, the Kapana creative district and the pedestrian centre along Main Street. Each puts you within walking distance of the core sights.
Old Town
Best For The Ancient TheatreCobbled hillside lanes beside the Ancient Theatre and house museums, walking only and steep. Three stays are listed.
- Villa Flavia Heritage Boutique HotelBoutique hotelCheck rates
- Villa Flavia Heritage Boutique HotelBoutique hotelCheck rates
- Art Boutique Hotel Gallery 37Boutique hotelCheck rates
- HillHouse PlovdivGuesthouseCheck rates
Kapana And Centre
Best For Cafes And BarsA creative district of cafes and bars at the foot of the hill, flat and central. Three stays are listed.
- The Emporium Hotel Plovdiv, MGalleryUpscale hotelCheck rates
- The Emporium Hotel Plovdiv, MGalleryUpscale hotelCheck rates
- Residence City GardenUpscale hotelCheck rates
- THE STAY Boutique Hotel Central SquareBoutique hotelCheck rates
Main Street And Tsar Simeon Garden
Best For A Flat BaseFlat pedestrian centre between the garden and the Roman Stadium, with the train and bus stations a short ride away. Three stays are listed.
- Plovdiv City Center HotelHotelCheck rates
- Plovdiv City Center HotelHotelCheck rates
- DoubleTree by Hilton Plovdiv CenterChain hotelCheck rates
- Ramada by Wyndham Plovdiv TrimontiumChain hotelCheck rates
Getting To Plovdiv From Sofia And The Airport
Direct BDZ trains run from Sofia to Plovdiv in about 2 h 40 to 3 h 05 per razpisanie.bdz.bg, while trains via Karlovo take 4 h 50 to 5 h 50, so check the timetable. Buses from Sofia take about 1 h 45 to 2 h 20 and cost about 6 to 9 euros, per secondary reporting. Plovdiv Airport, about 12 to 14 km southeast at Krumovo, lists routes to Belfast, Birmingham, Bratislava, London, Manchester, Milan and Tel Aviv. The central railway station and Yug bus station sit side by side on Hristo Botev Blvd. Railway junction modernisation is due to finish in 2026, so expect access changes.
Sofia to Plovdiv · Plovdiv airport · Plovdiv train station · How to get to Plovdiv
What Is Plovdiv Famous For?
1
One Of Europe's Oldest Cities
Plovdiv is often described as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe. The city's tourism site dates the first settlement on Nebet Tepe to the 4th millennium BC.
2
Roman Philippopolis
The Ancient Theatre was built in the 90s AD and has 28 concentric rows of marble seats. The Roman Stadium of the 2nd century AD could hold up to 30,000 spectators.
3
Capital Of Culture 2019
Plovdiv was European Capital of Culture in 2019, an honour shared with Matera, Italy. The title marked the city on the European cultural calendar that year.
4
Not A UNESCO Site
Plovdiv is not inscribed on the World Heritage List. The Ancient Plovdiv sits on Bulgaria's Tentative List, submitted on 14 September 2004, which is a waiting list rather than an inscription.
5
Kapana
Kapana means The Trap, a maze of narrow streets that has become a creative district. The streets are free and open to wander.
6
Six Hills
There were seven hills until Markovo Tepe was partly quarried away in the 1930s. Six remain, and Youth Hill stands at 285.5 m.
Is It Safe For Americans To Travel To Bulgaria Right Now?
Yes. Bulgaria is a full Schengen member, uses the euro, and Plovdiv, the country's second-largest city in the south, is a calm inland destination where the everyday risks for Americans are the ordinary ones of any European city.
Is Bulgaria Cheap For Americans?
Plovdiv, in southern Bulgaria, prices itself in euro now, and for an American visitor the numbers sit well below most of Western Europe.
What To Be Careful Of In Bulgaria?
Bulgaria is a calm, low-drama destination, and Plovdiv is a walkable inland city of six hills where the real cautions are practical: euro prices after the changeover, museum closing days, Cyrillic signage and honest transport fares.
Is Sofia, Bulgaria Worth Visiting?
Sofia is the capital, the main airport and the rail hub, and the BDZ timetable connects it to Plovdiv in under three hours, so the real question for a Bulgaria trip is how the two cities split your days.
How Do Bulgarians Say "Hi"?
In Plovdiv, in southern Bulgaria, a greeting almost always lands before anything else: learn the handful of Bulgarian words that open doors, and how much English stands behind them.
Is Plovdiv A Nicer City Than Sofia?
Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second-largest city, is an inland city of six hills with a Roman theatre in its Old Town, while Sofia is the capital. Here is how the two compare for a visitor, and which suits which trip.
Which Part Of Bulgaria Is Best To Stay In?
Southern Bulgaria, and Plovdiv in particular, is the region that rewards a longer stay: an inland city of six hills, Roman ruins under the main street, and the Rhodopes within day-trip reach.
Is Plovdiv, Bulgaria Worth Visiting?
Plovdiv, in southern Bulgaria, is an inland city built around six hills, and its Old Town, Roman ruins and creative quarter make a strong case for a visit.
