Plovdiv Travelers Recommend

An easy day trip from Sofia, Plovdiv is not to be missed. Bulgaria’s second-biggest city has an abundance of ancient archaeological sites and a flourishing creative scene, which is centered around the cobblestone streets of the Kapana neighborhood. Here’s how to make the most of one day in Plovdiv.

Morning: See the Sights

Most Plovdiv day trips include round-trip transfers from your Sofia hotel, which allows you to skip the hassle of taking the metro to Sofia’s bus station. Whether you begin in Sofia or Plovdiv, a walking tour provides a great introduction to the city’s main attractions, which include the Roman Stadium, Old Town, and the Djumaya Mosque. Alternatively, you can discover Plovdiv at your own pace on a self-guided audio tour.

Afternoon: Dive into Local Culture

Although Plovdiv was the official European City of Culture in 2019, a stroll through the city—which is home to ancient mosaics and frescoes—shows that it’s long been a major player on the European arts scene. See what’s current by visiting the Kapana neighborhood, home to a number of art galleries, as well as restaurants where you can stop for lunch. Another important element of Plovdiv’s local culture is wine. You can learn all about Bulgarian wine on a wine tasting tour that allows you to bottle, cap, and label your own blend of wine. 

Night: Enjoy the Nightlife

Home to a young and creative population, Plovdiv boasts a lively nightlife scene. You’ll find the best bars and clubs in the Kapana district and close to the universities; in the hot summer months, many bars spill out onto the sidewalks. For an evening of fun and culture, embark on a Plovdiv pub crawl, during which you’ll visit some of the city’s best-known bars—and a few hidden spots missed by most tourists—in the company of a guide . These tours typically include a few free drinks and come with tailored recommendations. 

Three days in Plovdiv gives you plenty of time to soak up the city’s atmosphere, explore an abundance of ancient sites, check out its cultural scene, and even take a trip out of town. Here’s how.

Day 1: Explore the City and its History

Devote the morning to getting your bearings by going sightseeing in Plovdiv. A walking tour gives you a more intimate glimpse of attractions such as the Roman Stadium, Ancient Theater of Philippopolis, the Old Town, and Djumaya Mosque. Plovdiv is Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited city—its even older than Athens or Rome—so exploring with a guide ensures you get the inside scoop on its history. If you prefer to wander solo, opt for a self-guided audio tour that lets you explore at your own pace.

In the afternoon, delve deeper into the city’s history at the Archaeological Museum, which is home to more than 100,000 items largely from the Thracian and Roman eras, and at the Ethnographical Museum, housed in a National Revival–era building.

When it’s time for dinner, head for the Old Town, home to a number of sophisticated restaurants housed in historic buildings.

Day 2: Delve Deeper into Local Culture

Start your day with a small-group walking tour of the Kapana district, Plovdiv’s center of arts and culture. Tours introduce visitors to the creative people working in the neighborhood. You’re likely to hear about the development of Kapana, which is also known as The Trap; meet local artists; and visit artist studios, workshops, and galleries.

Alternatively, if food culture is more to your taste, take a food tour; tours typically visit a local market, where you can try local dishes such as kyopolou (eggplant dip), babek (cured sausage), and banitsa (feta cheese pastry) washed down with rakia, a strong Bulgarian spirit made from distilled fruit. You’ll also learn more about local food customs and culture.

In the evening, get to know more locals by embarking on a pub crawl. These tours introduce visitors to some of Plovdiv’s most popular bars, as well as a few hidden spots.

Day 3: Head Out of Town

Plovdiv’s central location provides easy access to some of Bulgaria’s top attractions. Rila Monastery is a popular day trip; founded in the 10th century, this UNESCO World Heritage site is Bulgaria’s largest Eastern Orthodox monastery and is known for its black, red, and white archways, yellow domes, and stunning frescoes. Day trips from Plovdiv typically include hotel pickup and drop-off.

Oenophiles have the option of joining a wine tour to western Thrace, one of Bulgaria’s best-known wine destinations. These tours typically visit two or three wineries; introduce visitors to the history of Bulgarian wine; and include a tasting session. Lunch is usually included.

Top off your visit to Plovdiv with a 5-course dinner menu with Bulgarian wine pairings in a private dining room in one of the city’s best restaurants.

Two days in Plovdiv gives you ample time to see the city’s highlights, which include the Roman Stadium and Old Town, while also exploring less-visited areas and soaking up the cultural and nightlife scenes. Here’s how to spend 48 hours in Bulgaria’s second city.

Day 1: Soak Up the Scene

**Morning:**Get your bearings while checking off Plovdiv’s major sights on a private or group sightseeing tour, which typically tick off the Roman Stadium, Ancient Theater, Old Town, and Djumaya Mosque. For more flexibility, create your own itinerary on a self-guided audio tour.

**Afternoon:**Make your way to the Kapana district, hailed as Plovdiv’s creative quarter. Take a stroll around the art galleries and boutiques and pop into some of the many cafés and bars; order a glass of rakia, the strong Bulgarian spirit distilled from stone fruits, if you dare.

**Night:**Spend your evening soaking up the city’s lively nightlife scene. Embark on a pub crawl, which offers the opportunity to chat with locals while discovering some under-the-radar spots that you may otherwise have missed. Pub tours tend to include free drinks.

Day 2: Explore Deeper

**Morning:**Spend the morning exploring on two wheels or four hooves. Cycling tours typically take you along Maritza’s riverbank to the Rowing Canal, and reveal off-the-beaten-track locations missed by most visitors. Alternatively, saddle up for a horse-riding tour through the meadows and forests of the Rhodope Mountains.

**Afternoon:**Reward your morning efforts with a wine-tasting tour. Learn about Bulgarian wines, and bottle, cap, and label your own blend during a workshop in the city. Alternatively, head a little out of town for a buggy tour of the vineyards of Brestovitsa, one of the country’s best-known wine regions. 

**Night:**Head back to the Kapana district for your final evening in Plovdiv. Here, you can take your pick of restaurants that serve everything from traditional Bulgarian cuisine to Italian and and Mexican dishes. There’s no shortage of bars here either, from a sprawling Bavarian-style brewery to chic cocktail lounges.