How many days do you need in Plovdiv?

The top 8 places in the centre take about 1 day at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 2 days for the top 14 places within walking distance.

What are the top things to do in Plovdiv?

Highlights: Plovdiv Roman theatre, Dzhumaya Mosque, Plovdiv Regional Ethnographic Museum, Cathedral of St Louis and Plovdiv Synagogue. The map has 14 things to do in total.

How do you get from the airport to Plovdiv city centre?

Plovdiv (PDV): Taxi, ≈ 12 km to the centre

All cities

Plovdiv Things to do and walking itinerary

Bulgaria

Plovdiv travel guide

14 things to do in Plovdiv, where to stay, airport transfers. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.

All Plovdiv guide sections (8)

Top things to do in Plovdiv

Plovdiv Roman theatre: Built in the 1st century AD, probably under Domitian, it is one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in the world. (visit ≈ 60 min)
Dzhumaya Mosque: Also known as the Friday Mosque, it stands in the centre and was built after the Ottoman conquest in the reign of Murad I. (visit ≈ 30 min)
Plovdiv Regional Ethnographic Museum: Since 1938 the museum has filled six rooms of merchant Argir Kuyumdzhioglu's 1847 house in the Old Town. (visit ≈ 120 min)
Cathedral of St Louis: Co-cathedral of the Diocese of Sofia and Plovdiv and one of the largest Catholic churches in Bulgaria. (visit ≈ 35 min)
Plovdiv Synagogue: Built in 1892, the Zion Synagogue is one of only two synagogues still in use in Bulgaria. (visit ≈ 30 min)
Alyosha Monument: An 11 m concrete statue of a Soviet soldier on Bunarjik Hill, on a 6 m granite pedestal. (visit ≈ 15 min)
Tashkyopryu Mosque: Built in the 16th century under Ottoman rule, it is one of three mosques in Plovdiv in good condition. (visit ≈ 30 min)
Nebet Tepe: One of the hills where the town was founded, first settled around 4000 BC and later the city's citadel. (visit ≈ 60 min)
Church of the Holy Mother of God, Plovdiv: A Bulgarian National Revival church on Nebet Tepe in the Old Town. (visit ≈ 35 min)
Şahabettin İmaret Mosque: On the bank of the Maritsa, the mosque was built in 1444-1445 under Murad II by Şahabettin Pasha. (visit ≈ 30 min)
Small Basilica: Basilica in Plovdiv, Bulgaria (visit ≈ 120 min)
Archaeological museum, Plovdiv: archaeological museum in Plovdiv, Bulgaria (visit ≈ 120 min)
Synagogue of Philippopolis: ancient Building (visit ≈ 30 min)
Lamartine House: museum in Plovdiv, Bulgaria (visit ≈ 120 min)

1-day Plovdiv walking itinerary

Starting point: Old Town. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated. Distances are estimates with a street allowance.

Day 1 (≈ 5.6 km · 7,520 steps · 1 h 14 min on the way): Plovdiv Regional Ethnographic Museum → Nebet Tepe → Dzhumaya Mosque → Tashkyopryu Mosque → Plovdiv Synagogue → Alyosha Monument → Cathedral of St Louis → Plovdiv Roman theatre

Where to stay in Plovdiv

Old Town: Revival-era houses on the hills, close to the Roman theatre.
Kapana: An arts quarter of narrow lanes packed with cafés, bars and restaurants.
Centre (Glavnata): Around the main pedestrian street and the Roman stadium.

Getting from the airport to Plovdiv

Plovdiv (PDV): Taxi, ≈ 12 km to the centre

Getting around

The old town's cobbled lanes are steep and slippery, so wear flat shoes. Avoid walking in the midday heat in summer, as Kapana comes alive in the evening.

Classic places to eat

Pavaj: Kapana's best-known restaurant, book ahead at busy times.
Aylyakria: A cosy gastro bar in Kapana, best booked in advance.
Hemingway: Dinner in one of the city's most elegant dining rooms.

Good to know before visiting Plovdiv

Fine: Motorways require an e-vignette.
Fine: Smoking indoors is banned.
Warning: Check the tariff on taxi windows or use an app.
Bulgaria adopted the euro in 2026. Prices may still be shown in both currencies.
Some Bulgarians shake their head for yes and nod for no.
Cover shoulders and knees in Orthodox churches.

Emergency: 112
Plugs: C/F, 230V
Tap water: Tap water is safe to drink.
Tipping: About 10% is customary.

Sources: UK FCDO: Foreign travel advice: Bulgaria, Wikivoyage: Bulgaria, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı: Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only. Rules change, so check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10

Plovdiv travel FAQ

How many days do you need in Plovdiv?: The top 8 places in the centre take about 1 day at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 2 days for the top 14 places within walking distance.
What are the top things to do in Plovdiv?: Highlights: Plovdiv Roman theatre, Dzhumaya Mosque, Plovdiv Regional Ethnographic Museum, Cathedral of St Louis and Plovdiv Synagogue. The map has 14 things to do in total.
Where to stay in Plovdiv?: Old Town: Revival-era houses on the hills, close to the Roman theatre. Other options: Kapana and Centre (Glavnata).
How do you get from the airport to Plovdiv city centre?: Plovdiv (PDV): Taxi, ≈ 12 km to the centre
How do you get around Plovdiv?: The old town's cobbled lanes are steep and slippery, so wear flat shoes. Avoid walking in the midday heat in summer, as Kapana comes alive in the evening.
What is the emergency number in Plovdiv?: Emergency: 112.
Do you tip in Plovdiv?: About 10% is customary.

Nearby cities

Sofia · Alexandroupoli · Thessaloniki · Gökçeada · Çanakkale · Niš · Skopje · Bucharest

Bulgaria travel guide: all cities · All cities