BASIC INFO

Basic info

Money

The currency in Bulgaria is lev (leva - plural). One lev is 100 stotinki. Coins are 2 leva, 1 lev, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2, 1 stotinki.

Notes: 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 leva and still 2 leva (being phased out). The Euro is fixed at 1.95 leva.
You can get leva from banks and ATM’s these days with small fluctuations on the fixed rate.  You can also use the Money Change Shops.

Debit and credit cards are now generally accepted in most bigger and international brand stores, as well as in hotels and restaurants. 
Most smaller places still run on cash only! 

Climate

The best occasions to visit Plovdiv are spring and pre-winter when temperatures are more often than not between 15-24°C Always a couple of degrees hotter than Sofia, summer can be, exceptionally sweltering (35-40°C) however there is a wealth of obscure open air bistros, bars and eateries to enable you to adapt. Clearly most local people abstain from going out in the warmth from 13:00-17:00. The nighttimes offer extraordinary open doors for outside occasions, for example, the musical show and artful dance exhibitions in the Ancient Theater. Thunder-storms are an ordinary occurance in the mid year months, generally spring is likely the rainiest season in Plovdiv however infrequently do the showers keep going for quite a long time. Winters are cold and blanketed yet again not as serious as in different areas with temperatures infrequently going much beneath 0°C 



Law and Order 

In Bulgaria you are relied upon to convey a legitimate ID card on you consistently, this applies to all more than 14 years old. 
The lawful drinking age is 18, as is admission to clubs.  Smoking is denied inside in every open space, including schools, emergency clinics and restaurants!!!

SAFETY
Plovdiv can be classed as relatively safe. Obviously all the usual common sense applies when visiting any tourist destination.  

Public Facilities 

You pay the attendant a small fee of 50 stotinki.

Taxis

Taxicabs are exceptionally economical and offer an incredible option in contrast to moving around the city via vehicle. 
Cabs in Bulgaria are altogether painted brilliant yellow and are generally marked to a specific organization. They charge by the kilometer, with an underlying expense of anyplace up to 1 lev. Hope to pay around 50-70 stotinki daytime and marginally higher during the evening. Do ensure you have seen the cost per kilometer and watch out for how the cost is going up as you are voyaging. Your cab driver is obliged to show his photograph and I.D. on the dashboard just as a number for you to call with any grumblings.


Tourist Info Centre

Situated on the main thoroughfare of the Old Town (pictured above), the tourist info centre provides ad- vice, information, free maps and tourist information, including some rather cute mini cards with the sights. Qul. Dr. Stoyan Chomakov 1, tel. (+359) 32 620 453, Open 09:00 - 18:00 (17:30 Winter time) www.visitplovdiv.com. tourism@plovdiv.bg