The present invention relates to a novel process for the preparation of low molecular weight aromatic compounds such as benzene, toluene, and xylenes (BTX) from plastics. Provided is a thermo-catalytic pyrolysis process for the preparation of aromatic compounds from a feed stream comprising plastic, comprising the steps of: a) subjecting a feed stream comprising a plastic to a pyrolysis treatment at a pyrolysis temperature in the range of 600-1000° C. to produce pyrolysis vapors; b) optionally cooling the pyrolysis vapors to a temperature that is below the pyrolysis temperature; e) contacting the vaporous phase with an aromatization catalyst at an aromatization temperature in the range of 450 700° C., which aromatization temperature is at least 50° C. lower than the pyrolysis temperature, in a catalytic conversion step to yield a conversion product comprising aromatic compounds; and d) optionally recovering the aromatic compounds from the conversion product.