Though most of Plovdiv's sights are near enough to be explored on foot, the city is divided into two distinct parts, quite different from each other in atmosphere: the nineteenth-century Stariyat grad or "old town", covering the easternmost of Plovdiv's three hills; and the lower town - predominantly modern with a scattering of Turkish and Roman relics - which spreads across the plain below.

In the absence of a tourist office you'll have to get information from hotel receptionists (try the Trimontium Princess, Novotel, Leipzig or Bulgaria first) or private agencies such as PA?ldin Tours 91, on bul. BA?lgariya 106 (daily 9am-5.30pm; tel 032/555120) - take bus #2 or #102 from the station and alight once you've crossed the river. The Esperansa agency is nearer and also gives out information, but only if you speak Bulgarian. You can also try the Plovdiv Development Agency, which has some good general information on the region. While all the agencies dispense free brochures, for up-to-date maps such as the Plovdiv City Guide you'll have to search the bookstalls around pl. Tsentralen and the southern end of ul. Knyaz AleksandA?r I.