This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Kardzhali.
Kardzhali is on the Arda River, less than a hundred kilometers from Plovdiv and close to the borders with Greece and Turkey. It is also the city in Bulgaria with highest percentage of Turkish population -– more than fifty percent. It is not a typical Bulgarian city, as most of the people living in Kardzhali are Muslims and that is not common for Bulgaria.
There are some interesting sights in and around Kardzhali, including the Thracian town of Perperikon –- it is less than twenty-five kilometers from Kardzhali and is very well-preserved and has recently been reconstructed. If you stop in Kardzhali, visit Perperikon and if you have time, take a short trip to Turkey. You can see several churches and mosques as well as the Monastery of Ioan Krustitel. There are also more than enough restaurants where you can taste both Bulgarian and Turkish food.
Your choices for Kardzhali hostels are limited, but you will be located in Gledka district near the Monastery Complex, which is in the outskirts of the city. The train station is on the other side of town, so you need to take a taxi to get to your Kardzhali hostel if you come this way -– it is about five kilometers and taxis are a bit expensive for Bulgaria. Kardzhali hostels are not very expensive, but transportation would add to your cost of stay unless you need to stay most of the time in the neighborhood. Train and bus connections are good but not great -– there are enough trains and buses to major Bulgarian cities and also to Turkey.
Written by local enthusiast for Kardzhali hostels
George Traveller
