Plovdiv

Where to stay

Most hostels sit in or just below Kapana, the compact arts and bar district, or along the lower edges of the Old Town hills. Kapana gives you walkable nightlife and cheaper food, while Old Town spots are quieter but require hauling your bag up cobblestones.

Getting around

• The train from Sofia Central Station to Plovdiv takes about two hours and costs just a few leva each way. It is far cheaper and more comfortable than most bus options.
• Eat and drink in Kapana rather than on the main pedestrian strip, Knyaz Alexander I. The menus overlap but Kapana prices are noticeably lower and the crowds are thinner.
• The Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis charges an entry fee to walk the floor, but you can see nearly the whole structure for free from the street on the hill above it. Save the entry fee for the National Archaeological Museum if you only have budget for one ticket.

When to go

Hostels are cheapest from November through February and fill up fast in July and August, especially around Kapana Fest when beds in the neighborhood book out days in advance.