Smolyan has two bus stations, at opposite ends of town. Coming from Sofia, Plovdiv or anywhere north or west you'll probably arrive at Avtogara Zapad on ul. Minyorska, just downhill from the upper end of bul. Bâlgariya, which runs down into the centre. You can walk it in ten minutes or wait for buses #1, #2 or #3, which run from one end of Smolyan to the other via the modern centre, terminating at Avtogara Iztok in Ustovo, the station that serves Kârdzhali and other points east. However, some buses from Plovdiv that bypass Pamporovo and come via the Rozhen Pass arrive at Ustovo, while private buses from Plovdiv drop passengers outside the Hotel Smolyan , smack in the centre.

Beside the hotel, the helpful tourist information centre (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; tel & fax 0301/25040, mati_dil@yahoo.com ) can advise on trips and activities in the Smolyan region. Immediately opposite, hidden away in the administrative complex, meanwhile, you'll find the Smolyan Regional Economic Development Agency (Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, tel 0301/28758, fax 28761, srda@mbox.digsys.bg ), which is able to provide further information, including maps and brochures. Enter the Obshtinski Suvet café beneath the clock tower, then take the first door on the left.

There are two post offices (both Mon-Fri 7.30am-6pm, Sat 8am-11pm), one on bul. Bâlgariya, next to the Olimp café, and another in the administrative complex, just around the corner from the telephone office (daily 7am-10pm). Internet access is available at the Internet Club , right next to the tourist information centre.