A Book-Lover's Guide to Plovdiv

You will find branches of the major bookstores in Bulgaria (Helikon, Booktrading, Hermes and Orange) on the main pedestrian street of the city, Knyaz Alexander I Boulevard, as well as in shopping malls. If you are in for a more special literature experience, here are the best places to find it.

Bibliotekata (meaning The Library) is much more than just a literature club; it is a nightclub, live music and theater venue and overall cultural hub. There are hundreds of books on the shelves around the club which are available to read or exchange for a book you no longer need. It is usually open in the evening.

5, Lady Strangford Str., 4000 Plovdiv

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Chitalnyata (meaning The Reading Room) is a cozy art cafe with a whole room full of bookshelves right up to the ceiling. Curl up in an armchair with a book in hand and an aromatic cup of tea for the perfect lazy afternoon. The cafe hosts regular live performances but even if there’s none on the day of your visit, stick around for the evening to try the cocktail selection.

15, Konstantin Stoilov Str., 4000 Plovdiv

Cafe-bookstore Dobrota (meaning Kindness) is a project run by two young women who wanted to create a place for books and social causes. Good coffee accompanies a variety of reading options. A little far from the city center but worth the trip for the warm welcome and smiling faces.

35, Alexander Stamboliyski Blvd., 4004 Plovdiv

Almost every bar or cafe in the Kapana art district will welcome you if you bring a book to enjoy with your cappuccino or glass of wine. Many young creatives hang out in the center of Plovdiv, thanks to recent renovation in the once bland and dilapidated quarter.

This event started as a way to promote European authors among the Europeans. Every year, usually in May, literature clubs, cafes, and cultural venues organize public reading events, Plovdiv being among the participating cities.

If you want to exchange a book for a new one, or just set a book free, visit any of the bookcrossing zones in Plovdiv. You can see the bookcrossing zones in Bulgaria on this map created by the biggest Bulgarian book website AzCheta, who ensure the map is constantly updated: