Plovdiv, Europe’s oldest city, has become a favorite in up-and-coming tourist hotspot Bulgaria. Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second-largest city, is an excellent choice for those looking to capture the true essence of the country and learn about its rich history.
This idyllic and laid-back town often referred to as “the most beautiful city in Bulgaria,” will astound visitors with its unique eastern European architecture and multicultural Balkan origins.
You’re going to need a good place to rest after all the exploration you’re going to do there, so here are Hostelgeek’s picks for the best hostels in Plovdiv.
Our favorite hostels in Plovdiv are:
- Hostel Old Plovdiv - best for female solo travelers
- Hakuna Matata Guest House - best for solo travelers
- Ginger House - best for Couples
Money-saving tip: Compare hostel prices with Hostelz.com. They compare prices from Hostelworld, Booking.com and others with 1 click.
1. Hostel Old Plovdiv
2. Hakuna Matata Guest House
3. Ginger House
Overall, Bulgaria is an excellent choice for travelers looking for an off-the-beaten-path European destination.
Plovdiv is a top choice for an authentic and equally alluring Bulgarian experience any time of year, whether you’re in the country for a few days or a few weeks.
Prepare your stomach for the delicious experience of consuming sarmi and bring an extra pair of shoes to spend the gained energy from this meal in this stunningly hilly city— enjoy it while it retains the quaint eastern European mystique that draws travelers to the region.
If you’re planning on backpacking around in Bulgaria, we also have a guide on the best hostels in Bulgaria that should come in handy.
This guide is perfect for YOU, when you…
- are tired of crappy hostels!
- want a social Hostel to actually meet people
- are happy to spend $1 to $2 more for a much better experience
What do we cover in this article?
You can find all 5 Star Hostels here with Hostelgeeks and all guides to “Best Hostels In” here.
Quick Introduction to Plovdiv
Average price for a bed: Hostels in Plovdiv cost $10 – $12 per night for a bed in a dorm. A private room has an average of around $45 per night. This is a rough average, just to give you an idea.
Prices always depend on the season and holidays. Please always check the exact rates on Hostelz.com or Hostelworld.com.
Check-In and Check-Out: The average check-in time is from 15:00 (3 pm), while the Check-Out time is before 11:00 (11 am). Hostels usually offer luggage storage in case you arrive earlier or leave later. Make sure you check if luggage storage is free or if there is an extra cost.
Did you know? During its Roman era of occupation, Plovdiv was formerly known as Philipopolis. The Roman Stadium, Philipopolis, provides a one-of-a-kind digital presentation of historical events held at the stadium. A quick stroll through the ruins will transport you back in time and allow you to discover the city’s Greek, Roman, Greek, and Ottoman heritage.
From Grapes to Wine: Bulgaria’s wine culture is underappreciated. Forget France and Italy; Bulgaria is one of the world’s oldest wine-producing countries! With such vast lands comes an abundance of vineyards, and the country is particularly fond of reds such as Cabernet and Merlot.
Plovdiv is an excellent wine tourism destination, with many tastings and tours available throughout the city for tourists to sample some of the world’s best wines. If you’re more interested in liquor, House of Distillation is one of the city’s best liquor production sites, where you can sample and buy quality Bulgarian alcoholic beverages.
🎁 New to Hostels? Read my guide to staying in a Hostel for the First Time here. I especially recommend reading:
- How to book hostels?
- Understanding Hostels in Europe - and what makes them special
The 3 Best Hostels in Plovdiv are …
Let’s jump right into the coolest hostels in Plovdiv.
- Hostel Old Plovdiv – best for female solo travelers
- Hakuna Matata Guest House – best for solo travelers
- Ginger House – best for Couples
These are our favorite hostels in Plovdiv. We want to make your life even easier, so we put all accommodations on a map for you. We even added our own tips for favorite restaurants, things to see, and more.
1. Hostel Old Plovdiv
2. Hakuna Matata Guest House
3. Ginger House
Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type
| 🙎♀️ Female Solo Traveler: | Hostel Old Plovdiv |
| 👯 For Groups: | Hakuna Matata Guest House |
| 🦸 Solo Traveler: | Hakuna Matata Guest House |
| 🧘 Cozy Hostel: | Hostel Old Plovdiv |
| 👩❤️👨 Couple Hostel: | Ginger House |
1. Hostel Old Plovdiv
Hostel Old Plovdiv, located in the historic Old Town of Plovdiv, is a stylish and trendy hostel ideal for the solo female traveler seeking comfort, cleanliness, and aesthetics.
This hostel, which was once the home of a wealthy tobacco merchant in Plovdiv, is small but full of character, resembling an old Renaissance painting.
Each room at the hostel has no more than five beds, ensuring guests a peaceful slumber without the distractions of a multi-person dorm. Privates include a 4-bed room suitable for a family or close friends traveling together, a 3-bed room, and a 2-bed deluxe room, all with shared bathrooms.
There is also an individual room for one available if you like your privacy.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Hostelz.com
The outside terrace is a picturesque European garden, with charming tables surrounded by beautiful trees and other plants that make experiencing Bulgarian springs and autumns feel like a romantic postcard.
The interior design is a rich and robust mix of traditional and regal, emphasizing the hostel’s immaculate design to make guests feel calm and comfortable.
The all-white dining room features remnants of an ancient Roman fortress. Guests adore this gorgeous hostel and the location, which is only a few minutes away from the artsy Kapana neighborhood.
The common area makes it comfortable to lounge around the hostel.
The hostel provides free coffee and lemonade all day, and breakfast is included with certain bookings. The kitchen is located outside, making it a refreshing place to make home-cooked meals on nice days, though it gets cold during the winter.
The best choice in Plovdiv for
- Female solo travelers
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Hostelz.com
2. Hakuna Matata Guest House
This Lion King-themed hostel is located in the heart of Plovdiv. The interior of Plovdiv’s best social hostel is decorated with colorful graffiti from the hit Disney film.
Hakuna Matata Guest House is only a short walk from the Ancient Stadium of Philippopolis and is ideal for exploring all of Plovdiv’s highlights.
The hostel has a lovely rooftop bar and terrace with views of the stunning Bulgarian architecture, where guests enjoy gathering at night to drink and socialize. It’s a great hostel for solo travelers because the smaller size allows people to connect, especially during hostel BBQs when the weather permits.
Hakuna Matata has two 6-bedroom and 4-bedroom dorms, some with a lovely terrace view. Private rooms with four and six beds are also available for group bookings.
The large living room is also a popular hangout for guests. One of the most significant advantages of staying at this hostel is the atmosphere, which is ideal for anyone exploring Bulgaria and searching for new travel (or drinking) buddies. Though the hostel provides enough amenities to keep guests happy, visitors should know that there are no lockers.
A great choice for
- Solo travelers
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
3. Ginger House
If you’re keen on exploring the entirety of the city, Ginger House is conveniently located near Plovdiv’s main public bus routes, making your trip into, out of, and around Plovdiv quick and easy.
This small hostel, only a five-minute walk from the Old Town and main street, is ideal for couples seeking a peaceful stay in Plovdiv while remaining in the city center.
The atmosphere is quiet and homey, ensuring a restful night’s sleep. The dormitory is a standard mixed 6-bed, with two private rooms with bathrooms that sleep two and four people.
The hostel provides free coffee and tea throughout the day and organizes trips and rentals to experience only the best of Plovdiv.
The Hill of the Liberators, Plovdiv’s highest point, is also close by, taking only ten minutes to reach for a breathtaking view of the city.
This is one of Plovdiv’s coziest hostels, surrounded by shops, eateries, and convenience stores, ensuring a stress-free stay for travelers.
This is one of the best hostels in Plovdiv for
- Couples
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
Best Hostels in Plovdiv for Solo Travelers?
We think that the best hostel in Plovdiv for solo travelers is Hakuna Matata Guest House. It has an awesome social atmosphere that will make it easier for solo travelers to socialize, meet new people and possibly make new friends as well.
Their location is also ideal for exploring the city.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
More Hostels worth a mention
At the moment, we think you are all set with the hostels we just shared with you. We always try to keep our guides super fresh and up to date. We might add more hostels worth a mention here in the future if we feel that it could enrich your travel and hostel experience.
What about the cheapest hostels in Plovdiv?
Of course, there are always cheap hostels. But how do you actually find them? When you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you want to save every dollar, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Plovdiv.
- Open Hostelz.com with a full list of all hostels in Plovdiv
- add your dates
- Order the listings by price
Simple as that.
Hostelz.com is a price comparison site for hostels. They list every single one in the world and tells you exactly which website is cheaper to use.
Another smart Tip: Check what is actually included, and what is excluded. Take a closer look at the location, too. A further location might mean more costs in transport.
Any Discounts?
From time to time, I receive special promo codes for booking platforms, hotels, or hostels. I will be sharing these here once received. Bookmark this page to get an update.
How to book?
The most popular booking platforms are Booking.com and Hostelworld.com. On both platforms, your credit card is 100% protected and the booking 100% confirmed.
I included some handy links to each of the recommended hostel. Just click on the hostel name. The link will lead you to check prices and availability.
I recommend booking your hostel as early as possible! All of Plovdiv best hostels are popular; especially in high-season. To make sure you end up in those stylish and good hostels, secure your room/bed as soon as you have your travel dates fix.
My Best Hostels in Plovdiv for Female Traveler on a Map + Sights
We’re listing all the three best Plovdiv hostels on a map to give you an idea of the location and distances between them.
Here are some of our suggestions for things to do in Plovdiv as well:
Tsar Simeon Gardens: for a leisurely afternoon away from traffic and people. The park’s main attraction is the Singing Fountains, a colorful fountain with lightened-up waters that can be seen on weekends at 9 PM. A walk through Grebna Baza, also known as the Rowing Canal, provides a soothing riverside view.
Visitors in September will want to catch the famous Night of Museums and Galleries celebration. This art festival showcases artistic pieces and performances throughout the city.
Bulgarian cuisine is a hearty blend of Ottoman, Balkan, and Mediterranean staples. One of the city’s most popular restaurants among locals and tourists alike, Restaurant Pavaj is famous for its meat cuts and traditional Bulgarian dishes.
Kapana, one of the city’s most colorful neighborhoods, is home to all of the city’s cool, hipster cafes, pubs, and eateries. On weekends and during the summer months, locals like to go barhopping and end the night in one of the district’s many clubs.
Rakia is the official alcoholic beverage of the country, as it is in many Balkan countries. Part of Bulgaria’s beauty is its comparatively lower prices in Europe– your money will stretch far.
FAQs
Here we share with you the most asked question:
What are the best hostels in Plovdiv?
The best hostels in Plovdiv are:
- Hostel Old Plovdiv – best for female solo travelers
- Hakuna Matata Guest House – best for solo travelers
- Ginger House – best for Couples
What is the best hostel in Plovdid for solo travelers?
The best hostel in Plovdiv for solo travelers is:
Hakuna Matata Guest House
More handmade Guides for you
Alright, this is your answer to where to stay in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
We did the leg work for you and bring you more hostel guides to destinations:
- best hostels in Bulgaria
- best hostels in Macedonia
- best hostels in Sofia, Bulgaria
- best hostels in Skopje, Macedonia
- best hostels in Bucharest, Romania
- best hostels in Tirana, Albania
- best hostels in Belgrade, Serbia
- coolest party hostels in Belgrade, Serbia
You can find all our new and updated articles for Best Hostels here.
We also created a huge guide to hostels. Here we cover how to build lifetime friendships in hostels, the perfect packing list, and more.
