Christmas and New Year’s Eve traditions in Bulgaria
December 24, 2025
Thursday Market in Plovdiv – Living Tradition
January 5, 2026
Christmas is over, the New Year is already here, and we have no huge celebrations ahead of us… It seems like the best part of winter is gone, and all we have waiting for us are cold, gloomy days. Well, not so fast! Winter can be quite cool—especially if you visit a charming place like Plovdiv. Here are our top suggestions for the best winter activities to enjoy in and around our city.
1. Skiing near Plovdiv
Have you heard about Pamporovo? Pamporovo is a ski resort situated in the Central Rhodope Mountains, just about 90 km from the city of Plovdiv. The winter here is long but mild, with 240 sunny days per year, which makes Pamporovo the sunniest mountain resort in Bulgaria.
Most of the ski trails start from Snezhanka Peak (1,926 m) and descend to an elevation of around 1,400 m. The season starts in December and lasts until the end of April, meaning you have plenty of time to plan a ski trip. Never tried skiing before? No problem—many qualified ski schools are operating in the Pamporovo ski area, so there’s nothing to worry about.
You can reach the resort by catching a bus to Smolyan from bus station Rodopi.
2. Museums
You don’t feel like travelling outside town? That’s ok because Plovdiv can offer a unique indoor experience through its magnificent museums. Yes! Now is your chance to visit the extraordinary museums hosted by the amazing Revival houses in the Old Town area of Plovdiv. Also, you can visit a house-museum and check how the rich Bulgarian merchants used to live in their homes and what tricks they used to show off with their wealth.
3. Ice skating in Plovdiv
In Plovdiv we have the biggest ice rink on the Balkans – just behind City Hall. It’s working every day till the end of January form 11am till 11pm. You can rent ice skates for 3,07 euro and enter the rink for 11,25 euro.
4. Join the Free Plovdiv Tour
The tour takes place every day—regardless of the weather, one of our guides will be waiting for you at the starting point. And although winter weather is not the most pleasant for sightseeing, Plovdiv has many beautiful places that are sure to charm you.
After the chilly walk, you will enjoy a warm meal and a hot beverage all the more.
Speaking about warm beverages…
5. Warm drinks in cosy cafes
It may sound like a cliché, but we dare you to find that calmness typical of Plovdiv—that very special feeling of a relaxed mind and a soul enjoying the colours and beauty around. It’s called ayliak, and it can be found in a cup of freshly brewed coffee in the Kapana district, in a sweet hot chocolate on the pedestrian street, or over a warm herbal tea in the Old Town.
After all, winter can be all about fun, beauty, and cosiness.
