plovdiv bulgaria tourism

Plovdiv (Bulgarian: Пловдив) is the second-largest city in Bulgaria, and one of the oldest cities in Europe. It is located in the large plain between the Rhodope Mountains in the south of Bulgaria and the Balkan Range, or Old Mountains (Stara Planina) that runs through the center of Bulgaria. Both ranges are visible on clear days. The Maritsa River flows through the city on its way southeast before forming the Greek/Turkey border to the Aegean Sea.

Understand

Plovdiv is the oldest continually inhabited city in Europe, with a history of habitation going back over 8000 years. Originally it had seven tall hills, some of which were used for quarries. When it was controlled by the Romans and it was called Trimontium (the Three Hills - as the city was much smaller in terms of area compared to today). It was also formerly known as Philipopolis from the world "phili" /which means sections/ and "polis" which means city. There is a statue of Philip in the centre today. During the long occupation by the Ottoman Empire, a large mosque was built, still present in the centre area as well. During Communist times, a statue of the unnamed Russian soldier was erected on one of the three main hills which overlooks the city.

Today, Plovdiv is a famous tourist destination itself and also serves as a gateway to many other points of interest. Plovdiv is well-known for hosting the Plovdiv International Fair twice a year and for its ancient sites.

While you are in Plovdiv, you can get help and more information about the city from one of the two Tourist information Centers in the city. The first one is located in the center of the city, right next to the post office; when arriving in the city via train or bus through "Ugh" or "Rhodopi" stations, this is one of the first buildings you'll come across in the center of the city. The second one is located in the old city, on the main street (Saborna St), a little bit before the Etnographic museum and the Church of Saint Konstantin and Elena.

Tourist information centers can help you with all kinds of information including city maps, information about concerts, bus and train schedules, and finding a place to sleep. There is also free wifi in bus stations and train stations.

Get in

By plane

Plovdiv has a small airport originally called Krumovo, now Plovdiv International Airport. There are flights from/to London, Milan/Bergamo, Frankfurt, Moscow and Rostov-on-Don in Russia.

There is a bus that goes from the airport to the central "Yoog" bus station after every flight. On the way back to the airport you can take a taxi or bus. A taxi and will cost you about 15 leva /about 7.50 euro. The bus leaves from the "Yoog" station towards Asenovgrad and tell the driver, that you want to go to the airport. Then the bus is going to stop at KCM, and there will be another vehicle waiting to take you to the airport. Update (25.Mar. 2012): If you take the Bus to Asenovgrad you have to walk the last 3 kilometer from the Bus stop to the Airport. The fare is 1.20 leva.

By train

There are many national and international trains from and to Plovdiv.

There are many daily trains to and from Sofia. Duration is from about two and a half hours for the express ones to four hours for the slow ones. There is also one daily train to/from Istanbul in Turkey which takes about 11 hours. As of March 2013, the Istanbul train leaves from the Halkali station outside of Istanbul. The train leaves around 22:30 and there is not much easily accessible around Halkali station, so come prepared! Halkali can be reached by buses BN1 and BN2. Tickets plus reservations are around US$30.

You can check the timetable on bdz.bg

The railway station is located near the city center, it takes around 10-15 min walk to the centre.

Rail travel and ticketing in Bulgaria is unique. After buying a return trip ticket, before boarding the train on the return you have to obtain a stamp on your ticket at the cashier. Otherwise you will have to pay a fine to the conductor or be kicked off the train to get the stamp.

By car

The A1 expressway/motorway connects Plovdiv westward to Sofia and eastward to Stara Zagora and Yambol. It is expected to be fully finished in 2013 and to connect Plovdiv to Burgas. 

Other destinations require two-lane roads, such as the most direct route to Pleven, which is the somewhat adventurous Troyan pass road.

By bus

Plovdiv has 3 bus stations - "Jug"/("Yoog"), "Sever", and "Rhodopi". There are many buses for cities all around Bulgaria and to some that are outside the country.

Jug station has an ATM located just outside so you can easily get local currency there if you're arriving by bus from abroad.

Buses run approximately hourly from Sofia, and are slightly faster than the trains. Many also have free wifi! Price is 14 leva. The final stop for this bus is the Yug (south) station. Use the 'See' section for a map of the town.

Metro Turizm is a Turkish bus company that runs daily bus service to and from Istanbul in Turkey. Buses going from Plovdiv to Istanbul depart from Jug Station daily at 11:00, 14:00, 19:00, 22:30, and 01:00. The trip costs 40 leva (as of Aug 2013) and takes roughly 6 to 7 hours, depending upon the vagaries of traffic and the border crossing. Metro buses also depart daily for Bursa, Turkey at 19:00. A second bus line (Alpar) also has a daily bus from Jug Station to Istanbul that departs at 22:30.

By boat

There is no boat transportation to Plovdiv.