Plovdiv, Bulgaria

• Plovdiv is Bulgaria's second-largest city, built on seven hills with Roman ruins mixed in among colorful 19th-century houses. The cafe culture is pretty laid-back - you'll see people working on laptops or reading for hours, especially in the Kapana district where there's a mix of young locals and digital nomads.
• Younger people and those working in tourism usually speak some English, particularly in the Old Town and Kapana. Outside these areas you'll need basic Bulgarian phrases. Bulgaria uses the Euro, which keeps payments simple.
• Crime is generally low. Pickpocketing happens in tourist spots and on buses, so keep your bag secure. You'll see police around the city center fairly often, and emergency services are responsive.
• The center is walkable, though the Old Town's cobblestones get tiring after a while - bring comfortable shoes. Buses run until around 10-11 PM. Taxis are bright yellow and work fine if you call them by phone rather than flagging them down. Kapana has decent lighting and stays busy into the evening.

Bulgarian is the main language. Younger people and tourism workers usually speak some English, especially in Kapana and the Old Town. The emergency number 112 has English-speaking operators. Knowing basic Bulgarian phrases helps in local neighborhoods and with older people.

• Bulgarians shake their head side-to-side for 'yes' and nod up-down for 'no' - it's the opposite of what you're used to. Watch how locals respond to questions until you get the hang of it.
• Cover your shoulders and knees in Orthodox churches. Some churches want women to cover their heads with a scarf, so bring one just in case.
• People dress up more here than in Western Europe when going out for dinner or events. Smart casual is the norm, especially in the evening.
• Skip the political conversations and don't make assumptions about Bulgaria's communist past. Basic politeness goes a long way - a simple greeting gets you pretty far.

The first hour after landing is when you're tired, carrying everything, and easiest to take advantage of. Three things to sort before you fly:

• Your ride from the airport. A driver who meets you in arrivals, at a price fixed before you fly — no haggling at the taxi rank.

  Book an airport pickup

• Data the moment you land. Maps, ride apps and a way to call for help as soon as you switch your phone on. An eSIM installs at home.

  Get a good eSIM

• The emergency number. Pan-European Emergency: 112. Save it in your phone, not just on this page.

  All emergency contacts

• Buses cover the city and run from roughly 5:30-6:00 AM until 10:00-11:00 PM. Tickets are 1.60 BGN (about €0.80) and you buy them from the driver. Google Maps works fine for routes and timing.
• Taxis are bright yellow and meter-based with a small initial fee. Call them using 6155, 6665, or 6160 - don't flag them down on the street or you might get overcharged. City center rides usually cost 3-7 BGN (€1.50-3.50), airport to downtown is 10-15 BGN.
• The center is walkable - there's a long pedestrian street that connects most things. The Old Town has cobblestones that get uncomfortable after a while, and walking between the hills means some uphill sections.
• If you're planning day trips outside the city, consider renting a car.

Explore Plovdiv with local guides and curated experiences.