Why Plovdiv Deserves More Than a Day Trip
Plovdiv is Bulgaria’s second city, but it doesn’t feel like it. Where Sofia is busy, political, and slightly intense, Plovdiv is relaxed, walkable, and genuinely charming. The Old Town is one of the best-preserved in Europe — and that’s not travel-guide hyperbole. It’s real. Cobbled streets, 19th-century National Revival houses turned into museums, Roman ruins scattered throughout the city. Plovdiv was European Capital of Culture in 2019 for a reason.
The thing is, most tourists skip it. They fly into Sofia or the Black Sea airports and never make it inland. That’s a mistake. Plovdiv is Bulgaria’s hidden gem — authentic, affordable, and far less crowded than the coast in summer.
Plovdiv Airport: Small But Functional
Plovdiv Airport (PDV) is 12km southeast of the city centre. It’s small — really small. A handful of airlines operate here, mostly seasonal and charter flights. Don’t expect the range of destinations you’d find at Sofia or Varna.
Because it’s small, car hire options at Plovdiv Airport are limited. You’ll find:
- Top Rent-A-Car (usually has a desk or meets arrivals)
- One or two international brands (seasonal)
- Local companies with off-site pickups
If you’re flying into Plovdiv Airport, book your car in advance. Walk-up availability is not guaranteed, especially in summer. The staff aren’t always on-site — some companies work on-demand and meet you when your flight lands.
Alternative: Rent in Sofia and Drive
Many visitors fly into Sofia and drive to Plovdiv (140km, about 1.5 hours on the A1 Trakia Motorway). This gives you more car hire options and often better prices. The drive is straightforward on a modern motorway.
Car Hire in Plovdiv City
If you’re already in Plovdiv and decide you want a car, there are rental offices in the city. Most are small local companies rather than big international chains. Top Rent-A-Car has a location. Prices are generally lower than in Sofia or the coastal airports.
You don’t actually need a car to explore Plovdiv itself. The city centre is compact and walkable. A car is useful for day trips into the surrounding region — monasteries, mountains, and historic towns that public transport rarely reaches efficiently.
Driving Out of Plovdiv
The A1 Trakia Motorway
The A1 connects Plovdiv to Sofia (140km west, 1.5 hours) and to Burgas on the Black Sea (250km east, 2.5-3 hours). It’s Bulgaria’s best motorway — smooth, well-maintained, with fuel stations and rest stops. You need a vignette to use it.
Rural Roads
Secondary roads around Plovdiv vary in quality. Main routes to tourist attractions are generally good, but once you get into smaller villages and mountain roads, expect potholes and occasional rough patches. A standard car is fine for most destinations — you only need 4WD if you’re heading deep into the Rhodope or Sredna Gora mountains on unpaved roads.
Day Trips From Plovdiv by Car
Bachkovo Monastery (30km south)
The second-largest monastery in Bulgaria and one of the oldest (founded in 1083). It’s about 40 minutes south of Plovdiv into the Rhodope Mountains. The drive is scenic, following the Chepelarska River valley. The monastery is still active, with beautiful frescoes and a peaceful courtyard. There’s a decent restaurant nearby serving traditional Bulgarian food. Combine with a stop in Assen’s Fortress on the way back — a dramatic medieval fortress perched on a cliff.
Hisarya Spa Town (47km north)
A small town famous for its mineral springs since Roman times. The old Roman walls are still standing — remarkably preserved. Several spa hotels offer day passes to their thermal pools. Hisarya is quiet, green, and relaxing. The drive takes about 45 minutes through the Thracian Plain. Good for a half-day trip if you want to soak in hot springs.
Starosel Thracian Tomb (50km west)
An ancient Thracian temple-tomb dating to the 4th century BC. The Thracians were the original inhabitants of this region before the Romans, and their tombs are scattered throughout Bulgaria. Starosel is one of the most impressive examples. The setting is beautiful — vineyards and rolling hills. Combine with a wine tasting at one of the nearby wineries.
Rila Monastery (140km west)
Yes, you can do Rila Monastery as a day trip from Plovdiv, but it’s a long day. About 2.5 hours each way through the mountains. If you’re going to Rila, consider staying overnight in the area or doing it from Sofia instead. That said, Rila Monastery is Bulgaria’s most iconic site — a UNESCO-listed fortress monastery in the Rila Mountains. If this is your only chance to see it, the drive is worth it.
Plovdiv Itself: Park the Car and Walk
Plovdiv’s Old Town is pedestrian-friendly. Narrow cobbled streets, lots of stairs, and limited parking. Park on the edge of the Old Town and explore on foot.
Must-See in Plovdiv
- The Ancient Roman Theatre — still used for concerts, seats 6,000, incredible views over the city
- The Ancient Stadium — a Roman stadium from the 2nd century, partially excavated under the main pedestrian street
- Ethnographic Museum — inside a stunning National Revival house, shows traditional Bulgarian life
- Kapana Arts District — the creative heart of Plovdiv, with galleries, cafes, bars, and street art
- Nebet Tepe — the highest point in Plovdiv with ruins dating back 6,000 years and panoramic views
Parking in Plovdiv
Blue Zone parking in the centre costs 1-2 BGN per hour (Monday-Saturday, 8am-7pm). Most hotels offer parking. Street parking in residential areas is free but harder to find.
Bulgaria Driving Essentials
Vignette
Required for motorways including the A1. Buy at petrol stations or online at bgtoll.bg. Cost: 15 BGN for a week, 30 BGN for a month. Some rental companies include it — ask when you pick up.
Speed Limits
- 50 km/h in cities
- 90 km/h on rural roads
- 130 km/h on motorways
Other Rules
- Headlights on at all times
- Winter tyres mandatory November 15 — March 1
- Blood alcohol limit 0.5‰
- Keep rental docs in the car
Why Plovdiv Beats Sofia for Tourists
Smaller, more walkable, less traffic, more authentic. Sofia is great, but it’s a busy capital city with capital-city problems — traffic, construction, crowds. Plovdiv has Roman ruins in better condition, a more cohesive Old Town, and a relaxed pace that Sofia can’t match.
The restaurants are excellent and cheaper than Sofia. The locals are friendly and less jaded by tourism. You can walk almost everywhere. If you’re choosing between using Sofia or Plovdiv as your Bulgarian base, consider Plovdiv — especially if you want to explore central Bulgaria and the Rhodope Mountains.
Booking Car Hire in Plovdiv
Options at Plovdiv Airport are limited, so book in advance — especially if arriving during summer. Use our comparison to find the best deals from available providers.
Already in Plovdiv city and need a car? Check local rental offices or opt for delivery to your hotel.
We offer no hidden fees, free cancellation up to 48 hours before pickup, and reliable customer support.
For car hire elsewhere in Bulgaria, see our full list of locations. For other Balkan destinations, visit 365carhire.com.
Before You Drive
- Check the car for existing damage and photograph it
- Confirm fuel policy
- Ask about vignette inclusion
- Save the emergency contact number
- Download offline maps — some mountain areas have poor mobile signal
Plovdiv is the kind of city that rewards slow travel. Rent a car for day trips, but save time to just wander the Old Town. It’s one of the most underrated destinations in Europe.