This calm Bulgarian city on the Maritsa River has mineral springs, parks, and landmarks like the 16th-century Clock Tower. Local restaurants serve authentic Bulgarian dishes.
Pazardzhik sits along the Maritsa river in southern Bulgaria. Walk through the city center to see the 19th-century clock tower, step inside the Church of Dormition to admire its hand-carved wooden iconostasis, or catch an evening performance at the Drama and Puppet Theatre. Beyond the city, fish at Batak Dam or hike the trails of the Rhodope mountains while farmers tend their tomato and pepper fields in the Upper Thracian Plain below.
Getting to Pazardzhik
Pazardzhik lies 112 kilometers southeast of Sofia and 37 kilometers west of Plovdiv. Take a train on the Sofia-Plovdiv railway line or drive via the Trakia motorway. Local buses run from the central bus station to towns and villages throughout the Upper Thracian Plain.
Climate and When to Visit
Summer temperatures in July reach 40.6°C, while winter temperatures in February drop to -29.5°C. Visit in May or September when mild temperatures make walking and hiking more comfortable. The Winter Music Night festival in February fills churches, theaters, and public spaces with classical music concerts.
Exploring the City Center
Step inside the Church of the Dormition, built in 1837, to see the wooden iconostasis carved by local craftsmen. The detailed religious scenes and floral patterns cover the walls from floor to ceiling. Walk to the clock tower in the main square, where you'll find cafes serving Turkish coffee and local pastries. The Drama and Puppet Theatre Konstantin Velichkov stages Bulgarian plays and puppet shows throughout the year.
Museums of Pazardzhik
Walk through seven exhibition halls in the Regional Historical Museum, housed in a 1911 building. The archaeology collection includes tools, pottery, and jewelry from 2000 BC. Visit the ethnographic exhibition in an 1850s Baroque house to see traditional Bulgarian costumes, household items, and weaving looms. The Stanislav Dospevski Gallery exhibits 19th-century portraits by the namesake artist alongside paintings by his contemporaries.
Local Food and Agriculture
Buy fresh tomatoes, peppers, peaches, and cherries at the central market, where local farmers sell their produce. Rice cultivation ended in the 1980s, but some family restaurants still cook rice dishes according to old recipes. Try local specialties made with vegetables grown in the surrounding fields.
Day Trips Around Pazardzhik
Fish for carp, perch, and zander at Batak Dam, where you can rent fishing equipment from local shops. Follow marked hiking paths through oak and pine forests in the Rhodope mountains. Soak in mineral pools in the nearby towns of Velingrad and Strelcha, known for their thermal springs and spa facilities.
