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Plovdiv travel guide

One of Europe's oldest cities, with a Roman theatre and arty quarter

The Roman theatre in Plovdiv. Photo: MrPanyGoff, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

3h 15mflight from London
PDVnearest main airport
24° in Augwarmest month
0° in Jancoolest month

Plovdiv is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe, built over seven hills. Its old town has colourful 19th-century houses and a Roman theatre still used for summer concerts.

The Kapana quarter is full of street art, craft beer and cafés, and the Valley of Roses is nearby.

Good forHistoryCity breaksFoodArt

What Plovdiv is known for

  • Roman theatre

    Concerts in summer.

  • Kapana

    A creative quarter.

  • Old town

    Painted Revival houses.

  • Valley of Roses

    Rose harvest in June.

Top things to do in Plovdiv

  1. 1

    The Roman theatre

    Best at a concert.

    Find tours and tickets
  2. 2

    The old town

    Revival-era houses.

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  3. 3

    Kapana

    Bars and street art.

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  4. 4

    Bachkovo Monastery

    A day trip into the hills.

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See all tours and tickets in Plovdiv

Where to stay in Plovdiv

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Best time to visit Plovdiv

Best value: Mar–May, Sep–Oct. April to June and September to October.

  • Best valueGood weather, smaller crowds
  • PeakBusiest, highest prices
  • QuietCheapest, cooler or wetter
0.5 C0°J2.5 C2°F6.7 C7°M11.2 C11°A16.9 C17°M21.4 C21°J24.1 C24°J24.2 C24°A19.2 C19°S13.1 C13°O7.6 C8°N2 C2°D
Bar height is the average temperature in Plovdiv, °C, 2001–2025 (NASA POWER).

Getting there and around

About 3h 15m from London to PDV, and flights from most UK airports. How long is the flight from your airport?

Walk. Trains and buses run to Sofia in about 2 hours.

Airport transfer to Plovdiv

Find flights to Plovdiv (PDV)

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Good to know

  • Wear good shoes: the old town is cobbled and hilly.
  • Check for concerts at the theatre.
  • Try a Bulgarian wine from the nearby Thracian valley.
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Plovdiv FAQ

How many days in Plovdiv?

One or two days.

Plovdiv or Sofia?

Plovdiv is prettier, Sofia bigger.

More places in Bulgaria

Back to the Bulgaria travel guide + Add Plovdiv to your bucket list