{"id":7934,"date":"2019-04-25T14:47:41","date_gmt":"2019-04-25T11:47:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travellingbuzz.com\/?p=7934"},"modified":"2023-02-26T19:18:18","modified_gmt":"2023-02-26T17:18:18","slug":"things-to-see-and-do-in-plovdiv-bulgaria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/travellingbuzz.com\/things-to-see-and-do-in-plovdiv-bulgaria\/","title":{"rendered":"15 things to see and do in Plovdiv, Bulgaria (+Where to eat)"},"content":{"rendered":"

The buzz around Plovdiv this year is huge. And not without reason. The city has been proudly named a European Capital of Culture for 2019,<\/strong> along with\u00a0Matera in Italy.<\/span><\/p>\n

I always recommend travellers to go to Plovdiv when they visit Bulgaria for the first time. The capital city – Sofia<\/a>, is cool, but Plovdiv is more relaxed<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Furthermore, Plovdiv is more compact<\/strong>, has a distinct Old Town,\u00a0better looking central pedestrian street (sorry, Vitoshka), an artistic neighbourhood with lots of arts & crafts shops, a river, and hills for a great sunset view over the city. Here are some travel tips and recommendations to enjoy Plovdiv:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Plovdiv travel tips<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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\u25cf From Sofia to Plovdiv with public transportation\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

By bus:<\/strong> There are buses almost 10 times per day departing from the Central Bus Station in Sofia to Plovdiv. The journey takes 2 h.\u00a0You can check the bus schedules on the<\/span> Sofia’s Central Bus Station’s\u00a0website<\/a>. The trip costs around 10 Leva.<\/span><\/p>\n

By train: <\/span><\/strong>Trains are cheaper but a bit slower. They are also running around 10+ times per day. The train ride takes around 3 h. You can check the train schedules on the official<\/span> Bulgarian State Railways’ website<\/a>. The trip costs around 8 Leva.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25cf Get the Plovdiv City Card<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Plovdiv City Card gives you<\/span> free access<\/a> to 10 of the top museums, galleries, and other cultural sites in Plovdiv, as well as<\/span> deals and discounts<\/a> (such as free beer!) in various restaurants and shops. <\/span><\/p>\n

The City Card is available for 24 or 72 hours. It is automatically activated when you use it for the first time. You can get the card as a QR code on your phone, via the mobile app, or at some of the locations in the city. <\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more at their website:<\/span>\u00a0plovdivcitycard.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\u25cf Learn some local slang<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you are headed to Plovdiv, it’s worth to learn one or two<\/span> local words<\/a> that can get you far in the city. The most useful slang you need is ‘aylyak’<\/strong> – a word to describe the carefree and chill life that the Plovdiv inhabitants have. <\/span>You can use it as a verb, a noun, whatever you feel like. <\/span><\/p>\n

If you say ‘bicha aylyak’<\/strong>, that would mean “I’m chilling” but in a cool, Plovdiv’s way.\u00a0<\/span>Another popular slang word in the city is ‘maina’<\/strong> – which is used instead of “bro”. Ex. “What’s up, maina”. <\/span><\/p>\n

And if you say “I just want to bicha aylyak today, maina”<\/strong>, then you’re technically a local. \ud83d\ude09\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Source: Plovdiv City Card<\/p><\/div>\n

\u25cf\u00a0Tourist Info Centers in Plovdiv<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In case you want to get more info and recommendations about your visit to Plovdiv, you can go to one of the three info centers:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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