A Book-Lover's Guide To Plovdiv

A bookworm will feel at home in the arty atmosphere of Plovdiv. Whether its finding an exciting new read, hiding away in a quiet spot with your latest discovery or simply enjoying the company of other book aficionados, this Bulgarian city has it all.

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.

Bibiotekata

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

https://www.instagram.com/p/BTRXWpgl5Dq/?taken-at=312955970%20

Chitalnyata

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

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

Book-friendly cafes

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.

European Night of the Literature

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.

Bookcrossing in Plovdiv

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:

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.