Planning a 2 day Plovdiv Itinerary? Welcome to our Plovdiv travel guide! We’ll show you the best things to do in Plovdiv and a few tips along the way.
This itinerary can be adjusted to just one day in Plovdiv if you’re short on time, but 2 days in Plovdiv gives you the opportunity to really experience the oldest country in Europe. Let’s experience Plovdiv, Bulgaria!
Plovdiv is a beautiful city nestled in the hills of Southern Bulgaria. Not many people know this but Plovdiv is the oldest city in Europe! It’s actually the oldest inhabited city in Europe, which means it’s been continuously lived in. This also makes Bulgaria the oldest country in the Europe. Pretty cool right?!
Plovdiv is a little gem in Europe, it’s not very well known yet and isn’t so easy to reach compared to other major European cities. Yet its charming old town made us love our decision to visit Plovdiv and we’re so excited to share our travel guide with you!
If you’re travelling through Bulgaria or visiting nearby countries, Plovdiv is definitely worth a visit. As it’s a small city, you only need 2 days in Plovdiv to appreciate its impressive history!
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Best time to visit Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Plovdiv experiences all four seasons every year. This means there is no exact best time to visit Plovdiv, however, the weather can definitely change your trip.
We recommend visiting in Spring (April-June) or Fall (September-November). The winter can get very cold in eastern Europe and the summer can get very hot! We visited in June and it was very hot already, but we enjoyed our 2 day Plovdiv itinerary even with the heat.
How to get around Plovdiv
Plovdiv is a charmingly small city. This means most of your travel will be done by walking! When you don’t want to walk there are buses to take you around the neighbourhoods and of course taxis are on the street too.
- Walking (beware of hills!)
- Buses (1 lev in cash to the bus driver)
- Taxis (Plovdiv taxi company)
Want to switch to sustainable travel products before visiting Bulgaria? Check out our
18 Great Eco Friendly Travel Products You Need to Swap in guide!
Quick Tips for 2 days in Plovdiv
- Currency β Bulgarian Lev (compare to your own currency here)
- Language β Bulgarian (bΗlgarski)
- Cuisine β Balkans & Middle Eastern Cuisine (meats, grains, potatoes & pastries)
- Apps β GoogleMaps, GoogleTranslate, Airbnb, Booking.com
- Power Voltage β Plugs C & F (230 V)
If you’re staying in Sofia, you can join a tour to visit Plovdiv town and the Rila Monastery!
2 Day Plovdiv Itinerary
Now it’s time to talk about some of the best things to do in Plovdiv on your Plovdiv 2 day itinerary! Stick around to the end and we’ll show you where to stay and great recommendations on where to eat!
This 2 days in Plovdiv itinerary is designed to be flexible so you can do as much as you want or rest as much as you want. A lot of Plovdiv is walkable, so you can pop back to your accommodation to take a nap or chill in a local park. You may not be spending 2 full days in Plovdiv or you may be spending more, we hope you enjoy our 2 day Plovdiv itinerary in Bulgaria.
Day 1 – Old Town & Ancient Plovdiv
As we’ve already mentioned, Plovdiv is a very old city – which means there are some unique ancient sites to find. After you’ve dropped your bags off at your accommodation, it’s time to explore what Plovdiv has to offer!
Discover Plovdiv City Centre
Head to the main city centre of Plovdiv to get a feel of life here in the city. Grab a snack from one of many vendors in the area or browse the Bulgarian shops along the street. The buildings here are so interesting to look at and it won’t take long before you stumble across your first ancient site.
Explore the Ancient Stadium of Philipopolis
The Ancient Stadium in Plovdiv isn’t hard to miss and it’s a must-see during your 2 days in Plovdiv! It’s completely free to enter, although there is an extra experience you can pay for.
The Stadium was originally built in the 2nd century AD and could seat around 30,000 people. Currently, in Plovdiv, only part of the stadium is uncovered, meaning that ancient ruins are below many buildings in the city.
It’s possible to watch a 3D movie of what the Ancient Stadium of Philipopolis would have looked like when it was being used – this will cost a small fee. Find the location here!
Visit Church Bogoroditsa
Moving on from the Ancient Stadium, we have Church Bogoroditsa – an Eastern Orthodox Church. Sitting right on the edge of Old Town Plovdiv it’s a great stop on your 2 day Plovdiv itinerary. The architecture of the church and its walls are beautiful to look at and sometimes they hold wedding ceremonies here.
Walk around the Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis
A few minutes walk away from the church is the Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis. Although it may look slightly similar to the stadium at this point, they are completely different when you’re there in person.
The Ancient Theatre was once able to seat around 6000 people and it has been well preserved by the people of Plovdiv. It now hosts concerts and opera – we visited when they were setting up for an opera performance. It feels incredibly weird to see modern technology in between very old bricks.
There is a 5 Lev fee to enter and it may close earlier than usual on theatre days. Find the location here!
Stroll up to Old Town
This could be one of the most impressive things about Plovdiv – it’s the oldest city in Europe! This Old Town has a long history and it felt surreal to be able to walk through this beautiful town (location here!)
There are a few tourist shops in this area if you’re interested in picking up a 2 lev magnet or postcard, but mainly the best thing to do here is just walk around and admire the buildings. There’s a few museums that you can visit, however we’re going to save them for the second day of your 2 days in Plovdiv itinerary.
Walk through the Hisar Kapia Gate
Inside the Old Town you’ll come across Hispar Kapia Gate, another monument to see on your Plovdiv 2 day itinerary! This gate was once the main entrance out of three for the city fortress – we can’t even imagine what it was like back then! The gate is made from stone, brick and mortar and is free to enter. Find the location here!
Find St. Konstantin and Elena Church
There are many churches in Plovdiv, but another one Old Town is this Eastern Orthodox Church. It is one of the oldest churches in the city and has had a long history of being rebuilt as it was destroyed a few times. It’s in a beautiful location on the hills of Plovdiv and worth a visit as you’re in the area. Find the location here!
Sunset at Nebet Tepe
The best way to end your evening in Plovdiv is to watch the sunset from Nebet Tepe. The walk up to the hill is beautiful as you get to stroll right through the Old Town and end up at Nebet Tepe. It’s usually not too busy up here, even in summer, and it’s always filled with great vibes.
This was probably our favourite experience in Plovdiv and we visited here twice! Find the location of Nebet Tepe here!
Also check out 2 Day Sofia Itinerary: Best Things To Do (2025)!
Head to Kapana Neighbourhood for dinner
After a hopefully incredible sunset at Nebet Tepe, walk back down the hill to Zlatarska street to find some delicious evening dinner. We highly recommend visiting Veggic as they offer an amazing menu for any diet! Scroll further down to see what kind of food you can find in Plovdiv!
Day 2 – Parks & History of Plovdiv
If you’re wondering what to do in Plovdiv after an incredible first day – continue reading! There’s more to discover in the main city and the Old Town. Grab yourself some breakfast from any cafe or supermarket and head out in the morning!
Plovdiv Free Walking Tour
If you’re interested in learning more about the history of Plovdiv, check out a free walking tour by Free Plovdiv Tour. They run Monday to Saturday at 11 am and also 6 pm on a Saturday. Here’s the link!
Free walking tours are a great way to learn more in-depth about cities. The guides that run these are packed with knowledge and are happy to help with any questions!
Tip: We recommend tipping at least 10-15 Bulgarian Lev per person for a free walking tour in Bulgaria. Although it isn’t mandatory to tip, donations are encouraged so that these tours can keep running!
Learn in the Museums of Plovdiv
There are quite a few museums in Plovdiv and some of the more interesting ones are located in Old Town. You will find houses turned into museums so visitors can see what it was like to live here back in the 2nd century AD. These museums do ask for a small fee and you can also buy a multi-ticket if you know you’ll be visiting all of them.
Bishopβs Basilica of Philippopolis
A spacious museum to learn more about Plovdiv – it’s a place where modern design meets ancient heritage and there’s lots of Roman history to read about. The entry is 12 Lev, so a little more than the other museums we’ll mention. Find the location here!
Ethnographic Museum
A small museum located in Old Town – it features Bulgarian clothing, tools, jewels, carpets and more! The exterior of the building is beautiful and can be viewed for free! Sometimes there are markets near the entrance. Find the location here!
Balabanov House
This mansion in the middle of Old Town has been restored to a museum. Unfortunately, it’s not the original house from the 2nd century AD as it had to be reconstructed in 1935 – however, it is based on the original plans. It’s lovely to appreciate the Ottoman-style building with all the architecture inside. Find the location here!
Plovdiv Regional History Museum
This museum gives visitors the opportunity to learn more about the BulgarianβOttoman wars. It’s possible to learn about Russia and Turkey here too. Find the location here!
Check out the artwork in Kapana
If you visited Kapana last night for some dinner, you may have already spotted some amazing artwork! Now is the time to head back to this neighbourhood to catch everything in daylight and browse the creative area. If you’re hungry, there are also plenty of options for food and even a BILLA supermarket if you’re on a budget!
Check out The Statue of Milyo on the way, he’s a great photo opportunity!
Here’s a few more ways on how to save money for travel for your Bulgaria trip!
Spot the Roman Forum of Philippopolis
Another well-preserved ancient site in Plovdiv, this one is easy to stumble across if you’re walking through the main street of Plovdiv. It has been restored and simply blends into the city centre. The Roman Forum is free to enter and a great stop on your 2 day Plovdiv itinerary.
Backpacking Europe? Here are our travel tips for travelling around Europe on a budget!
Relax in Tsar Simeon Garden
After visiting the Roman Forum of Philippopolis, head over to Tsar Simeon Garden for an afternoon/evening walk. Make your way through the park to the popular Singing Fountains! When it’s dark, the fountain plays a show with lights and music for all to enjoy!
Otherwise, in the daytime the park is such a lovely place to chill and watch people live their life in Plovdiv. Find the location here!
Finish at Alyosha Monument
Now we move on to the final thing to do on your 2 days in Plovdiv itinerary. If you have any energy left, make your way to another one of Plovdiv’s hills – Bunardzhika park. This hill is another great place to spend your sunset and an alternative to Nebet Tepe.
The Aloysha Monument is a Soviet soldier statue created in the 1950s. This climb does take a bit more effort than Nebet Tepe but the views will be totally worth it! Find the location here!
Where to stay in Plovdiv
For this 2 day Plovdiv itinerary, we recommend staying anywhere within 20-minute walk of the city. We stayed in the Karshiaka neighbourhood and loved the short walk to the city centre and Old Town, it was also better for our budget (Β£20. a night).
Hostel Old Plovdiv – This is a unique boutique hostel to stay in whilst visiting Plovdiv! Located in the heart of Old Town, you’re really not far away from any of the sights. Find the Hostelworld link here!
Plovdiv City Center Hotel – These modern apartments are perfect for a short stay in Plovdiv – Find on Booking.com
We stayed in an Airbnb when we arrived in Plovdiv and it was beautiful but we’re now a little more worried about using Airbnb and staying in local apartments.
Best Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Plovdiv
Veggic – If you can only eat at one restaurant in Plovdiv, make it Veggic! They’re located in the centre of Plovdiv city amongst all the other popular restaurants. (location here!) They serve amazing vegan pizza, wraps and even cakes!
Green Library – Also in the city centre is Green Library, one of the best spots for healthy food in Plovdiv! Grab a morning smoothie or coffee here to fuel up for the day. (location here!)
If you’re in an accommodation that has a kitchen or even a fridge – head to one of the supermarkets in the area! There’s a BILLA in the city centre, a T Market just above the river or just out of the main town you will find Lidl! All of these shops have great products and you can even pick up some snacks for your trip.
Exploring more of Bulgaria? Here’s our 5 Day Bulgaria Itinerary: Best Places to Visit
Day Trips from Plovdiv
- Visit Rila Monastery – The largest Eastern Orthodox Monastery in Bulgaria. It is a totally unique place to visit in Eastern Europe, however, it’s not very close to Plovdiv. It will take around 3 hours to drive from Plovdiv to the Rila Monastery, it may be better to save this day trip if you’re visiting Sofia.
- Seven Rila Lakes – Another one of Bulgaria’s gems is Seven Rila Lakes. It’s a hiking paradise! It’s also a 3-hour drive from Plovdiv and it’s not actually close to Rila Monastery due to the mountain roads. It will take just under 2 hours to drive from Rila monastery to Seven Rila Lakes which makes it a very difficult day trip to do both.
- Visit Asenβs Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery – A beautiful fortress on top of the Bulgarian mountains! It’s only a 40-minute drive away which is a great alternative if you want to visit somewhere from Plovdiv easily in the afternoon.
How many days to spend in Plovdiv
After reading this blog, you may or not be wondering ‘how many days do you need in Plovdiv’? As you can see, we recommend 2 days in Plovdiv. However, it’s totally possible to see the city in one day.
Plovdiv is rather small and the old town is one of the best things to do in Plovdiv, but it’s also quite small. If you’re only spending one day – make sure you get out to see the sunset! You won’t regret it!
Check out our Eco Friendly Travel Products Guide before visiting Plovdiv, Bulgaria!
How much to budget for Plovdiv
Bulgaria is one of the most budget-friendly countries to visit in Europe! It’s a totally underrated country as you can visit in summer or winter and have a completely new experience. This makes Plovdiv a great place to travel to if you’re on a budget.
- Accomodation: Hostels – Β£10 / Airbnb Apartment – Β£25 / Hotels – Β£30
- Restaurants – around Β£5 per meal
- Transportation – around 50p for the bus / Β£5 for a bus to Sofia
For a couple spending 2 days in Plovdiv, we would budget around Β£45 a day for everything!
Is Plovdiv worth visiting?
Yes! Of course, Plovdiv is worth the visit. After creating our 2 day Plovdiv itinerary, we love Plovdiv even more. It’s not as big as cities like Paris, Copenhagen or Istanbul, but the culture of Bulgaria is amazing to experience and if you’re in the country – Plovdiv is definitely worth visiting. It’s also possible to visit Plovdiv on a day trip from Sofia!
Food in Bulgaria (Vegan edition!)
Over the last few years, veganism in Bulgaria has grown! You can find vegan-friendly snacks in supermarkets and even in restaurants. A lot of Bulgaria’s classic vegan dishes are side dishes but here are a few you may find in restaurants:
Bean Soup – tomato, bean and vegetable soup / Green Bean Stew – fresh vegetable and bean stew / Lozovi Sarmi – grape leaves with rice and vegetables.
You’ll be able to create any easy recipes such as pasta, curry, rice, and stir-fry if you find accommodation with a kitchen! It’s also a great opportunity to try cooking your own Bulgarian food.
What to do after visiting Plovdiv
- Sofia – Head over to the capital of Bulgaria! Only a short 2-3 hour bus journey away will take you from Plovdiv to Sofia where you can learn more about the oldest country in the world.
- Istanbul – Hop on a night bus and head straight to Istanbul! This will definitely be a change of scenery as you enter a busy city filled with beautiful mosques. Spend 4 days exploring Istanbul.
- The Balkans – Bulgaria is close to many other Balkan countries and what better way to explore Europe than to jump on a bus or train! Skopje in North Macedonia is a little while away but it will take you through to some amazing countries in South Eastern Europe.
SafetyWing Nomad Insurance
Don’t forget Travel Insurance! SafetyWing is a totally flexible monthly-rolling travel insurance to help you stay safe on your trip anywhere in the world. Find out more here!
More Bulgaria Travel Guides:
- 2 Day Sofia Itinerary: Best Things To Do
- 5 Day Bulgaria Itinerary: Best Places to Visit
- More of the Balkans? The Best 2 Day Mostar Itinerary
Thatβs the end of ourΒ 2 Day Plovdiv Itinerary: Best Things To Do in Plovdiv (2025)!Β Enjoy your 2 days in Plovdiv and if you need any more help planning β send us a message on Instagram (@thesunrisedreamers) or leave a comment below!
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One for my list. Looks a great place to visit and budget friendly π
It’s a lovely hidden gem in Europe! π
Sounds like an interesting little city. Maybe we’ll get to visit some day. Thank you for an informative article. Have a great day! π
Michelina & Rune