Plovdiv has a humid subtropical climate with continental influences, featuring hot, dry summers and cold, sometimes snowy winters. Summer highs often reach 31–33°C, while winter lows can dip below freezing. Rain falls year-round, peaking in late spring and early summer, and sunshine is most abundant from May to September, making Plovdiv a vibrant destination in all seasons.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Plovdiv experiences four distinct seasons, with significant temperature swings between summer and winter. Summers (mid-May to late September) are hot, moderately dry, and sunny, with average highs of 31–33°C in July and August. Heatwaves are common, sometimes pushing temperatures above 40°C, while nights remain mild. Rainfall is lowest in summer, with August being the driest month, and thunderstorms occasionally break the heat. Sunshine is plentiful, with up to 10 hours per day in July and August, and daylight lasting over 15 hours in midsummer.
Winters (December–February) are cold, with average highs of 4–7°C and lows often below freezing. Snow is common, averaging 15 days of snow cover per year, though heavy accumulation is rare in the city. Spring (March–May) is cooler than autumn, with mild days (15–25°C) and blooming landscapes, while autumn (late September–November) brings warm days early on and chilly nights by November. Rain falls throughout the year, with May and June being the wettest months. Humidity averages 68–73%, peaking in December. Winds are generally gentle, and mists are common in the cooler months, especially near the Maritsa River. Plovdiv receives around 2,200–2,300 hours of sunshine annually, making it one of Bulgaria’s sunniest cities.
| Average climate data for Plovdiv, Bulgaria | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 5 | 8 | 13 | 18 | 24 | 28 | 31 | 30 | 26 | 19 | 12 | 7 | 31 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -3 | -1 | 2 | 6 | 11 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 8 | 3 | -1 | -3 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 27 | 34 | 37 | 41 | 76 | 57 | 39 | 43 | 35 | 36 | 36 | 38 | 500 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 5 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 59 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 77 | 67 | 61 | 53 | 52 | 50 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 58 | 70 | 75 | 58 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 3 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| Average UV index | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
The best time to visit Plovdiv is from April to June and September to October, when temperatures are mild (18–28°C), the city is in bloom or adorned with autumn colours, and rainfall is moderate. These periods offer comfortable weather for sightseeing, outdoor events, and exploring the city’s historic sites, with fewer crowds than the peak summer months.
The least favourable time to visit is from December to February, when days are shortest, temperatures are coldest (highs of 4–7°C, lows below freezing), and rain or snow is frequent. Outdoor activities are limited, but the city’s museums and cafés offer a cosy refuge from the damp, chilly weather.
Plovdiv has hot, dry summers (highs 31–33°C) and cold, sometimes snowy winters (highs 4–7°C, lows below freezing). Rain falls year-round, peaking in late spring and early summer. Weather can change quickly, so pack accordingly.
Yes, snow is common from December to February, with about 15 days of snow cover per year. Accumulation is usually light, but heavier snow can occur in some winters, especially in the surrounding hills.
May and June are typically the wettest months, with up to 70–90 mm of rain and 10–12 rainy days. Rain is moderate in spring and autumn, while summer is drier, especially in August.
Plovdiv enjoys up to 10 hours of sunshine daily in July and August, while winter months are much gloomier, with just 2–3 hours per day. Annual sunshine averages 2,200–2,300 hours.
Pack warm, waterproof layers for winter and spring, and light clothes plus sun protection for summer. Even in summer, evenings can be cool. Always bring layers, as weather can change quickly.
Yes, late spring to early autumn is ideal for outdoor activities, with mild to warm temperatures and long days. Winter is best for cosy indoor experiences, while spring and autumn offer fewer crowds.
Plovdiv is inland and does not have beaches, but there are riverside parks and pools for summer relaxation. The Black Sea coast is a few hours away by car or train for those seeking the beach.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (30.5 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (5.3 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 18.5 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (16.9 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (-2.9 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 7.1 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is May (75.9 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is January (26.7 mm). Over the whole year there are 500.2 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is May (6.5 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is September (3 days). Over the whole year there are 59 days of rain on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is January (76.8 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is July (45 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 58.4 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 15 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 9 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is August (Average sunshine: 10.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is December (Average sunshine: 2 h). Over the whole year there are 6 h of sunlight per day on average.
The month with the highest average UV index is July (UV index: 9). The months with the lowest average UV index are January and December (UV index: 1). Over the whole year the average UV index is 4.8.
