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]]>Our ideas for one-day escapes to Vitosha show you the best places to check out only using public transport. Cultural or natural, exploration is always a way to clear your head and dive deep into a new world.
Here are 2 ideas for cultural visits and 2 for nature’s calm, all suitable for a one-day trip.
Boyana Church – UNESCO heritage sight
The Church of Saint Nicholas and Saint Panteleimon, also known as Boyana Church, is famous for its medieval frescoes.
Several building stages can be distinguished in the structure of Boyana Church. A small cross-domed church was built between the 10th – 11th centuries, known as the Old church. It was renovated in the 12th century. In the 13th century, a narthex and a small upper-floor chapel were added to the western façade of the Old Church. In the middle of the 19th century a two-storied anteroom was constructed, dedicated to Saint Nicholas and Saint Panteleimon. The Boyana Church operated until 1954. Boyana church is unique with the multitude of colors, versatility and images of profound psychological complexity.
The cultural monument is under UNESCO protection, inscribed in the World Heritage List in 1979.
NB For groups you need to contact in advance for a reservation. The church is small and not more than 10-15 are allowed simultaneously. The entrance is 10lv for 15 minutes.
From bus stop Hladilnika or Metro station Vitosha – bus № 64
From bus station Tsar Boris III Blvrd – bus № 63 and 107
Dragalevtsi Monastery of the Holy Mother of God
The Monastery was established in the time of the Second Bulgarian State during the so-called Golden age of Tsar Ivan-Alexander – 14th century. After Sofia fell to the Ottomans in 1382, the monastery was dissolved and its buildings destroyed. It was rebuilt in the second half of the 15th century with the financial support of local feudal lord. Today only the monastery church survives from what was a significantly more extensive complex of buildings in the 15th century. The church was expanded in 1818 and 1932 In the late 19th century, Dragalevtsi Monastery was often visited by national hero Vasil Levski, who used it as a centre for his revolutionary activities. The monastery is currently inhabited by nuns.
From bus stop Hladilnika or Metro station Vitosha – buses № 93
You can take the bus to the station (Lift) Dravalevtsi, after which you have around 10 minutes walking.
Aleko hut
Going up to Aleko hut (1810m) is a nice relaxed 20-30 minutes ride on a cabin lift or bus. You can also get a taxi for around 25 leva in direction. The hut takes its name from a famous Bulgarian satire writer who also happened to be a passionate tourist and organized the first official organized touristic hiking in 1895. The expedition was to Mount Cherni Vrah (Black peak) – Vitosha’s highest peak of 2290 m. With its amazing view it is perfect for walks, picnics and just relaxing in the sun. In the winter the hut welcomes ski and snowboard riders having its own Ski School and the proximity of the pistes. There is also all year open restaurant.
Bus stop Hladilnika/ Metro station Vitosha – buses № 66
(only weekends and national holidays in the summer)
Lift (only weekends and national holidays in the summer)
First lift going up – 8.30 am
Last lift going up – 4.30 pm
Last lift going down – 5.30 pm
Pancharevo Lake
Pancharevo – Sofia people’s beloved one-day escape. With its brand new walking and bicycling alley on its south side Pancharevo is a part of a complex with catering and spa p
remises which can make your day not only relaxing but also healthy and energizing. Its natural mineral springs lie on the western shore of the lake, while at the southern end there is a hydroelectric power station. And in case you are a passionate fisherman there is a fish farm where you can catch your own fish for a fee. Pancharevo lake originates from the stemmed river Iskar, the longest river in Bulgaria. All around is a great spot for picnics and walks.
Buses № 1, 3 and 4
Contact us to get a specially designed self-guided tour which will make you feel and experience Sofia and Vitosha as the true explorer you are!
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1. Time-saving
Research could be stressful and sometimes you do not have that kind of time to dig and dig until you find all the things you want to see, all the places you want to go and all the things you want to do. Instead you can trust professionals in designing just the trip you are dreaming of and then let you explore with no fear of missing out.
2. Cost efficiency
Having a guide present during your trip is great, but sometimes it can be too expensive. Small groups or solo travelers cannot always afford to have a guide, so the self-guided option could drastically optimize the trip costs.
3. Independence
There is a great amount of freedom that comes with self-guided tours. It is surely much higher of having a guided tour, but still it is not as independent as being a completely independent traveller. However travelling independently is not for everyone and unless you’re completely cut out for it, it could be quite stressful with a lot of room for error.
With a self-guided tour, you get the feeling of independence along with the safety of knowing that everything is organised and arranged for you.
4. Choice of Routes
When you are not part of a thoroughly mapped route you can apply your own vision how to get from A to B. Especially when you are feeling challenged or curious you can always have a variety of walking routes being able to choose from gentle, moderate and difficult tours, allowing you to choose how far you walk each day!
5. Flexibility
Guided tours often tie you down to a date when there is a larger group of people going. With a self-guided tour, you can choose whatever day you want to start on. Moreover you are free to pick your sightseeing stops along the way, decide to linger a little over for lunch, or set off an hour earlier to catch the best time of day.
You’re basically free to stop wherever you like, whenever you like and how often you like as well taking as many pictures you like. The freedom of the tour is all yours!
6. Interaction
If you are on your own there won’t be as much social interaction as on a guided tour with a group, but don’t hurry with conclusions that this will make you feel lonely. The truth is that when on a self-guided tour you’re far more free to interact with the locals of the area you’re visiting, and this is the best way to really dive deep into the experience. Interacting with the locals gives you a much more authentic experience, while also giving you the ability to choose when you want to interact, and who with.
7. Accommodation
With a self-guided tour, your accommodation can be fully booked before you even start travelling. You’ll be assured of a comfortable place to rest your head after a day of travelling.
8. Self-Satisfaction
The self-satisfaction that comes with completing a self-guided tour is far greater than that of a guided tour. You truly feel a sense of accomplishment as you have navigated your way along the trail of your choice.
Due to these and many more benefits self-guided travel is becoming more and more popular among travellers who love exploring.
If you are one of them – contact us and get your custom self-guided tour for any destination in Bulgaria.
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Pub Crawl
One thing you will notice, especially in the warmer months – everybody is out drinking. We do love to have a drink or two (or three), chat and have fun with friends. So one of the things to do in Sofia at night is to hop on and enjoy the ride along with the locals. Check out the nightlife of Sofia by booking a tour with Sofia Pub Crawl and mingle with locals and foreigners in a night to remember.
Escape Rooms
One of our favorite things to do in Sofia are the escape rooms. Sofians love solving the mysteries presented by the escape rooms. So if there is one thing that’s sure – escape rooms are a great way to have fun like locals do. Check out Dextrophobia, Questomania or 3 Kеy Rooms.
Climbing Adventure
If you’re the sports type, yet you’re bound to stay in Sofia or the weather simply doesn’t allow you to go for a bike ride around town, well, you can still have some adventure and fun. Walltopia is a large climbing gym not too far from the center, where you can enjoy the largest climbing wall in Sofia and choose from routes up to 19 meters high and diverse boulders. If the weather is on your side and you’re traveling with your children, then you can check Kokolandia – an adventure park located in Borisova garden. The park offers various climbing obstacles and fun activities suitable for different ages.
Board Games Bar
If you consider yourself geeky and your idea of fun is a night spend with friends playing boarding games – well, you can do it in Abordazh, a boarding games pub. Enjoy tens of different boarding games over a pint of beer in the center of Sofia.
Lake Pancharevo
If the weather allows it, you should grab a cab or take the public transport bus 1 or 4 (bus stop located by the Inter Expo Center – Tsarigradsko Shose Metro Station) and go visit the lake of Pancharevo. Located just in the outskirts of Sofia the lake has a lot of sport activities to offer. Get ready for some running, hiking and biking trails surrounding the lake. You can also enjoy mineral water springs all year long and a beach at the summertime. Our favorite thing to do by the lake is kayaking for only 10 leva per hour.
Boyana Church
The Boyana Church is a medieval Orthodox church located in the outskirts of Sofia. You can get to the Boyana Church in the Boyana neighborhood by bus 64 or by cab. Surrounded by a beautiful park, Boyana Church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to its exceptional architecture and Christian frescoes. The two-storey church was built in three stages with the first dating back as early as the 10th century. Learn more by hiring an English guide to introduce you to the history of the Boyana church.
Enjoy the View from Vitosha
Having a mountain so close to the city is a precious gift for us Sofians. One cool thing you can do is to enjoy the view of the city from up top. You can get to the Golden Bridges (“Zlatnite mostove”) by bus 63. Once you reach the Golden Bridges, which is literally a stone river running down the slope, you can get to the top by a short hike. Up top is Kopitoto – the area where the old TV tower is located (we’re sure you can see it from wherever you are in Sofia) and it offers an unforgettable view of the city down below.
The Parks of Sofia
Go for a walk around the beautiful parks of Sofia, one of the positive remains from the communist times. Back when a proper city included enough green parks to be enjoyed by every neighbourhood. The parks in Sofia are plenty and you can run into them even if you didn’t plan it. Our favorite one is Borissova Garden – a huge park that offers all kinds of sports and leisure activities, including our favorite outdoor bar Maimunarnika.
Archeological Museum
Probably our favorite museum in Sofia. Trace back millenia to the people who have been living on the lands of current Sofia. A great way to learn more about Bulgaria, its culture and its ancient history. You can hire an English guide for 10 euro.
Traditional Gourmet Food
If fun for you includes all matters of the palate and you want to try something traditional, yet exquisite, than you should try Cosmos restaurant, located in the very center of Sofia on Lavele 19. Though relatively pricey for the standards of Sofia, Cosmos is a must try kind of place. It offers fine cuisine, reinventing typical Bulgarian food or dishes. Cosmos’s chefs sure know how to blend traditional ingredients from Bulgarian’s culinary culture with their own imagination.
These are just a small part of all the cool things to do in Sofia. If you want a guided experience of the city’s main attractions – make sure to check out our self-guided tours. It’s affordable and convenient – you’re only bound to your own tempo and preferences!
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Vitosha Str.
One street that has it all… When you come to Sofia you most probably will end up striding along Vitosha Str., named after the stunning scenic view of Vitosha mountain you can enjoy from any point of the street. It’s the widest pedestrian street in Sofia which slowly turned it into the very place for tourists. Cafes, restaurants and pubs are combined with souvenir shops and clothing stores from affordable brands like H&M to more haute couture options. Book stores, pharmacies and optics – Vitosha is a main shopping street in Sofia that has plenty to offer. Keep in mind it’s usually crowded most time of the day and the year, so if you’re the shy away type that is not your place.
Shishman Str.
Located a few blocks away from Vitosha, Shishman Str. offers a little different shopping atmosphere. Plenty of hand-made stores combined with book stores, among which our favorite Elephant Book Store. On Shishman you can still find a souvenir, but less traditional and more universal. Shishman has a lot of cute cafes and bars all over, so you can combine your shopping quest with some pleasant time drinking coffee or a refreshing beer.
Graf Ignatiev Str.
Graf Ignatiev Str. is another shopping area street in Sofia that begins near Vitosha Str. and ends all the way by the Vasil Levski Metro Station. It’s a pedestrian street with a tram line passing through but less crowded than Vitosha. On Graf Ignatiev you can find plenty of shoe shops, from a variety of brands. You can also enjoy quite a few bookstores as well as other clothing and accessories shops.
Serdika’s Underpass
We can call Serdika’s underpass the shopping center for souvenirs in the center of Sofia. If you’re looking for a classical souvenir, then this is the place to go. There is a bunch of souvenir shops offering mugs, t-shirts, key holders and all kinds of last-moment presents for your loved ones at home.
The Malls
If you don’t have time to look around for stuff and you really need to buy yourself something – you can always do it in one of the many shopping centers in Sofia. Sofians are in love with shopping in the mall, so you will probably run into a crowd of locals, especially on weekends. The good thing about malls is that you really have it all: clothing, accessories, shoes, bags, pharmacies and many more. The malls you can choose from that are easily accessible through public transport are: The Mall, Serdika Center, Park Center, Paradise Center, Bulgaria Mall.
Of course, there is always the other option – to just start walking, get lost and allow the little shops to find you and not the other way around. Sometimes we prefer it that way. If you need some extra help getting around or you have something specific in mind and need someone to design a shopping itinerary for you, feel free to contact one of our consultants. They are always ready to help and give you some insider’s tips, including those hidden gems only the locals know of.
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]]>Back to the very Bulgarian dishes. Here are some pillars of the Bulgarian cuisine to look out for during your stay in Sofia. Whether stuff you can get from the store or a Bulgarian national dish to order while exploring the traditional restaurants – here’s a list of our favorite traditional foods.
Yogurt
Yes, you’ve probably already heard it. Bulgaria is the mother of yogurts. Only here you can try real yogurt which is full of super healthy nutrients and bacteria that is crucial for your gut and overall health. You can find yogurt in every grocery store and a lot of restaurants offer yogurt based desserts. You can also have it in its liquid form “airan”.
Tarator
We’re not done with yogurt! This cold summer soup is light, refreshing and perfect for the hot seasons yet you can find it at any time of the year. It’s made from yogurt mixed with water with added cucumbers, as well as dill and garlic in some recipes. Chances are you’ll find tarator in every restaurant, unless it’s a non-Bulgarian cuisine place.
Soups
Speaking of tarator, we should add that Bulgarians loooooove soups… Whether chicken or veal, or veggie ones, soups are a great way to satisfy your appetite or heal your hangover. One of the most popular culinary remedies for the party night aftermath is the tripe soup with milk-based broth, called “shkembe”. We wish we could claim ownership, but it’s popular all over the Balkans. Another two types of soup that are very popular around here are lentils and beans soup. Again, soups are a must for nearly all restaurants in Sofia. If you want to delve deeper into the soup variety, you can try one of the specialized soup places such as Supa Star or the Supa Bar.
Banitsa
Whether for breakfast, as a snack or even dessert – Bulgarians love their banitsa and their banitsa loves them back. It’s most often a savory pastry with different filling. On Christmas and New Year’s Eve we put fortunes inside each piece that are supposed to mark your future in the next year. As far as banitsa places are concerned – they are just everywhere. You can have a proper banitsa in every neighborhood in Sofia, however, our favorite central spots are Furna and HleBar.
Bulgarian tomatoes
Even though they’re not a dish, we’ve heard it many times from our foreign friends – Bulgarian tomatoes are delish! They’re succulent and juicy like no other tomatoes. We don’t know if it’s the climate or the soil or a combination of the two. You can still run into the fake tomatoes in the stores but if you hit up the farmer’s markets, you’ll be able to grab a couple real ones and feel the difference, especially in the summertime.
Lyutenitsa
Spreads are popular all over the Balkan peninsula and it’s often hard to trace their specific origins. Among the ones that we consider ours is lyutenitsa – a spread made of pureed peppers, tomatoes, carrots, garlic, vegetable oil, sugar and salt. If you find a local with a stable family tradition they might even invite you to their family ritual of lyutenitsa making, which takes place in the late summer – early fall. Lyutenitsa is something you would get from the store and eat tons of it on a toast with some white Bulgarian cheese crumbled on top of it. Our favorite lyutenitsa brand is Gurmenitsa, but in any case whichever brand you try, you won’t be sorry!
“Skara” – Bulgarian Barbecue for Hungry Souls
“Skara” is all those barbecued meats that you can get anywhere from a park festival to a traditional Bulgarian restaurant. The king and queen of Bulgarian skara are “kebapche” and “kyufte”. Our recommendation when it comes to skara is the Skara Bar, where you can enjoy well-prepared skara options in a nice and modern atmosphere. When it comes to kyufte, our top choice is Q-ftetaria – a hip, fresh place where they cook all kinds of kyufte, even vegetarian ones.
Salads
Last but no least – salads. Salads are a crucial part of the Bulgarian traditional cuisine. Whether in the summer or in the winter time, Bulgarians love to order or make a salad, sit down with a small glass of booze and discuss whatever extremely important issue is on their minds. “Shopska” is the most remarkable Bulgarian salad you can order in restaurants at any time, any place. It’s typically made of fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, white cheese, parsley and a dressing. In the winter time we love having “turshia” – pickles made of seasonal veggies such as cauliflower and peppers.
If you want to have a meal by meal traditional Bulgarian menu, you can try some of the traditional Bulgarian restaurants around town, such as MoMA, Hadzi Draganovite Izbi or Pod Lipite. And don’t forget to keep it moving after the food. One great way to do so – our self-guided tours! Check them out or contact our consultants if you need more specific help!
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]]>A typical Bulgarian breakfast would include a piece of pastry with “airan” – liquid yogurt or “boza” – a traditional fermented drink made of wheat or malt. And when it comes to pastries, ask anyone in Sofia, we are crazy about “banitsa”. Banitsa is a usually savory piece of pastry that we fill with whatever our imagination or our grannies could think of. Most typically it’s cheese, but also onion, pumpkin etc.
If you are into the Bulgarian type traditional breakfast, Sofia has a lot to offer in terms of breakfast places. Even if you miss your home country’s breakfast style – you still have a chance for a proper English or French breakfast. Let’s take a look of our favorite breakfast places in Sofia!
Mekitsa & Coffee
Mekitsa is a traditional Bulgarian deep fried breakfast dish made of dough, full of childhood melancholy for us Bulgarians. As for Mekitsa & Coffee – it is undoubtedly the place for mekitsa in Sofia, offering a wide variety of sweet and savory mekitsa, with healthier options for the ones on a gluten-free or vegan diet. Make sure to try the small fried pastries we call “buhta”, another sweet memory from our childhood.
HleBar
HleBar’s name comes from the Bulgarian word for bread – “hlyab”. Originally a bread bakery, HleBar has turned into one of the hippest places for breakfast in Sofia currently. You can choose from savory banitsa or sweet pastries and croissants, and a daily seasonal menu if you’re up to stay till lunch time. HleBar has also excellent coffee options as well as an organic shop. Make sure to try their bread, available in both classical and more adventurous options. HleBar has two locations, both central – on Shishman Str. and Oborishte Str. It’s a favorite spot of the locals and it can get fairly crowded on weekends and around lunch time.
Furna
“Furna” in Bulgarian means oven and this is one of the better bakeries for banitsa in town. You can choose from classical style banitsa or healthier whole grain options, both savory and sweet. Furna also offers mekitsa, French croissants, pastries cookies, all kinds of desserts and breads and of course coffee. You can find Furna on 3 Stefan Stambolov Blvd., not too far from the Women’s Market. If for some reason you happen to be in Metro Cash&Carry store on Tsarigradsko Shose, there’s one over there, too.
Daro
Daro is named after its owner Darin, going by Daro, a culinary blogger and Master Chef star. Daro is a small cozy bakery and cafe located on Angel Kanchev Str. If you’re not sure what you feel like for breakfast, then Daro is definitely your place. You can keep wondering while choosing from savory and sweet muffins, banitsa, English breakfast (yay for those who feel homesick), omelettes, eggs on eyes, yogurt pudding etc.
Rainbow Factory
Another hip place for coffee and food. It offers all kinds of breakfast: sandwiches, wraps, French toasts, salads, pastries, cakes and sweets. And when it comes to the coffee – many describe the coffee roasted by Rainbow Factory as one of the best you can find in Sofia. Rainbow Factory can be found in two locations: Veslets Str. and Sheynovo Str.
Villa Rosiche
If your sweet tooth is stronger than anything and you can’t begin your day without having something sweet, then Villa Rosiche is the kind of place for you as it is well-known for its deserts and sweets. A higher end sweets shop, Villa Rosiche offer some amazing options for cakes if you’re into the the sweet side of life. It has two locations: more central one on Neophit Rilski Str and one in the neighborhood of Lozenets.
Jovan the Dutch Bakery
Whether you’re Dutch or not, this bakery is one of your must stops when it comes to breakfast in Sofia. The owner is (surprise) a Dutch expat living in Bulgaria, who’s been bringing joy for Sofia citizens with his tasty creations since 2005. Croissants, breads, pies, cakes, as well as all kinds of top culinary meals from the imagination of that bakery king – you can find them all on Angel Kanchev Str.
Crêpes de France
A cute French bistro, founded by a French couple who moved to Sofia some six years ago. If you’re down to have a real French crepe in Sofia, there is no doubt that Crepes de France is the place to go. Crepes, croissants, desserts, salads and omelettes, along with nice coffee and hot beverages options in a cozy atmosphere. As French as it could get. Find it on Solunska Str.
As you have probably figured out so far, pastries and coffee is what we continue to believe a proper traditional breakfast is for us Bulgarians. Even if you don’t manage to get to one of those favorite spots of ours, don’t worry – banitsa will find you wherever you are in town.
And in case you want to get lost in our city in your own search for banitsa, away from the big touristy crowds but still know your surroundings – check out our self-guided tours or contact our consultants for a private program designed especially for you!
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]]>The good news is that Bulgaria has one of the fastest wifi connections in the whole world. On top of that, that there are many spots around town with free wifi, which makes it easy for you to take your laptop out and get the work done wherever that email gets you – in a cafe, restaurant or even in the street or in the park.
New coffee places pop up every month and there are plenty of laptop-friendly cafes to choose from. Here’s our top choice of work-friendly cafes in Sofia for those of you who don’t leave anywhere without their laptop.
From Barista Coffee & More
Arguably one of the most favorite places of foreign visitors of Sofia. The cafe offers plenty of power outlets, free wifi and a general laptop-friendly atmosphere that gathers foreigners and locals who need to get some work done. Customers can choose between a wide variety of coffee, tea and refreshing drinks. The craft coffee they offer is roasted and ground on the site. There is a wide variety of food options available including pastries, croissants, sandwiches and salads. From Barista Coffee & More has two locations – one central on Bacho Kiro Str. and one in Business Park Sofia.
Salted Cafe Sofia
Away from the noisy touristy streets yet still in the center of Sofia, Salted Cafe offers a pleasant vintage-industrial atmosphere and enough sitting place with power outlets. Salted is famous for its delicious raw vegan cakes and has a rich menu of seasonal smoothies and refreshing drinks, as well as coffee specialties. There’s also a seasonal lunch menu, sandwiches and salads, for vegans and vegetarians.
+TOVA
Located on the quiet and relaxed Marin Drinov Str., +TOVA offers everything you might need for a long day working on your laptop – delicious coffee and pastries, accessible power outlets, wifi and plenty of books to rummage through in the breaks. As the place hosts regular exhibitions, book premieres and various events, it is full of artistic atmosphere that can inspire even those who feel really stuck and out of inspiration.
Chucky’s Coffee House
Chuky’s Coffee House is a relatively small cafe in the central area on Hristo Belchev Str., however it offers great coffee and cozy atmosphere for those of you who need a quiet hour on their laptops. The place specialty is coffee so if this is your thing than Chucky’s Coffee House is the place to be.
Costa Coffee & Starbucks
We’ve put those two together as they offer relatively similar atmosphere. They are both large coffee houses with a lot of coffee options, large sizes American style and plenty of comfortable places to work. The good news about these two coffee chains is you can find them anywhere around town. Every shopping mall has one or the other, so if you’re down for some shopping and you need a couple of hours to get some work done, you can do it in Costa Coffee or Starbucks.
These are some of our favorite laptop-friendly places in Sofia. But don’t forget – work is not everything. Once you’re done with those tedious tasks, feel free to explore the city, laptop-free. If you need a hand in doing so – try Get Self-Guided’s tours and enjoy your own urban adventure.
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]]>The post Nature in the City: the Best Hang-Out Parks in Sofia appeared first on Get Self-Guided.
]]>We owe the presence of so many parks to the period of the communist regime. Back then having enough green spaces around town was part of what the communist ideal entailed regarding the urban environment. Well, this communist heritage is something we don’t complain about.
Once it gets warm enough, approximately from April till November, you can find most Sofia natives and guests hanging out, doing sports or simply relaxing with a drink in the park. If you also want to feel the spirit of the park culture in Sofia, take a look at our favorite hang out parks in the center of the city.
Borissova Garden
Borissova Garden is the biggest park in Sofia, occupying an area of 3 sq. km. It is named after Tzar Boris III, while during the communist regime it was called “The Park of Freedom”.
The park is perfect for sports activities, be it independently biking, skateboarding, jogging or taking advantage of the present recreational facilities – tennis courts, football fields, etc. The park also hosts two football stadiums “Vasil Levski” and “Bulgarian Army”.
In the corner near “Vasil Levski” stadium there’s a small artificial lake where you can hire a boat in the summertime or enjoy ice skating in the winter. If you don’t feel like sports, you can have a bite near Ariana lake, where a couple restaurants await you.
How to get there: Borissova Garden begins just next to Eagle’s Bridge. You can reach it by subway or use one of the many bus or trolley bus lines that pass by it, including: (trolley buses) 4, 5, 8, (buses) 72, 76, 84, 204, 213, 306, 604.
South Park
Another huge park located a bit more to the south of Sofia, in the very end of Vitosha Str. South Park is rather a family park, with many amusement facilities for children and big lawns for walking dogs.
In the summertime the vast lawns of South Park are home to many concerts, music and food festivals, including the infamous A to Jazz festival, Festival of Health etc.
To the north of the park there’s a bunch of small cafes where you can have a bite and a refreshing drink. The park offers quite a few trails where you can jog, bike or walk. Keep in mind that the park is home to 65 species of birds, so keep your eyes open.
How to get there: The park’s north entrance is located at the very end of Vitosha Str. You can get there by tram 6 or 1 or with bus 76, trolleybus 8. The south end of the park is near Mall Paradise and you can get there by subway, station Vitosha.
City Garden
This is the oldest park in Sofia, officially opened in 1878, the year of Bulgaria’s liberation from the Ottoman Empire. Located just in front of the National Theater “Ivan Vazov” the city garden perfectly embodies the spirit of central Sofia – charming and romantic, without being cheesy.
Street musicians usually play their music in front of the fountain and the little square in front of the theater is often home to different festivities. The park is also famous for its chess players. Some of the benches are transformed into chess tables and a group of old gentlemen chess players are regulars in the park.
How to get there: It’s walking distance from most places in central Sofia. The park is located just next to the Presidency and the National Gallery.
Doctor’s Garden
A relatively small park located behind the Sofia University and the National Library. This park is named after the edifice located in its center. A sculpture commemorating all the medics who participated in the Russian-Turkish war from 1878.
The park is great for families and young adults alike. Near the park there’s a bunch of cafes where you can grab a bite or coffee.
How to get there: You can walk from almost anywhere in the center to the Doctor’s Garden. In terms of transportation, nearby you can find stops of bus 280 and trolley buses 1,2,4, 11.
Crystal Garden
For those of you who feel like party, Crystal Garden is the place to be! It’s another quite small park but once it gets warm in the spring time, it gets crowded with young people enjoying cold drinks after work.
Two bars in one corner of the garden can provide refreshing drinks and cocktails that you can either drink in the bar or at a bench nearby. The park usually has an exhibition in its main alley and often hosts street performers.
The most remarkable thing about this park is a giant statue of a head. This is Stefan Stambolov, a renowned Bulgarian politician who was killed in the street in 1895.
How to get there: Walking distance from anywhere in the center. If you’re coming from afar though, you can get there by trolleybus line 9, exit stop “Satirichen Theater”.
These are our top hang-out parks in the center of Sofia. Now it’s your turn to go out there and find your favorite one. And if you want to broaden it up and find out more about our city, feel free to check out our self-guided tour of Sofia. Simply download our tour and get ready to explore!
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]]>First of all, in case you need it, the emergency telephone is 112.
Pickpockets in Sofia city center
Pickpockets usually hang out in the area between Serdica station and the big market called “Jenski Pazar” and in the area around Halite (Covered market) and the mineral waters. The area is quite characteristic of Sofia and we do not want to turn it off for you, just the opposite, we would like to prepare you, so that you don’t tempt any pickpockets. Simple precautions will help you a lot: just keep your money safe – don’t leave them in the back of your backpack while it’s on your back, keep them in front of you. Public transportation is another place where you should be careful, especially when it’s crowded and the same tactic would be enough to save you problems.
Ticket inspectors
Talking about the public transportation, be careful not to get into trouble with the ticket inspectors. Sometimes they try to cheat. Yes, that’s right. Although they work for an institution, they have their tricks. One of them is to illegally charge you extra for your backpack or suitcase. You should know your rights: with your ticket of 1.60 leva (80 euro cents) you can carry up to 2 pieces of hand luggage for free if for each of them is valid the following: the sum of their three dimensions should be 140 cm or less.
In case you have violated the rule and you have to pay, you can try first to ask them for a regular ticket. If they don’t agree, and there’s no other way, you should get a fine ticket.
Another problem happens sometimes in the bus from the airport. The driver may tell you that you have to wait till the next stop to buy a ticket from him. If you agree on that and the ticket inspectors come in the meantime, don’t give up, pay a regular ticket don’t agree to pay the fine. Maybe you will have to listen to their explanations in Bulgarian, but just keep calm and fight for your rights.
Taxi Drivers
If you’ve survived through the day, it’s time to prepare you for the “dangers of the night”. Probably the most creative frauds are the taxi drivers. First and most important never take a taxi on Vitosha blvd. Another place where you should be more careful is the Central Railways Station. If you are in one of those locations, it’s better to use a phone to call a taxi or just go a little bit away from the area. Always check if the fair is written on the window, it should be around 0.70-0.90 stotinki (cents) per km.
You can call a taxi through the app taxi.me
Or use one of those:
Yellow taxi – 00359 91119
Ok Supertrans – 00359 9732121
When the taxi brings you to your place is the key moment to watch carefully, they have several tricks.
Sometimes they do not put on any light and if you give them a big note, they change it in their hands for a smaller one, so they can ask you for more money – for instance, you give them 20 leva, but suddenly they turn the light on and show you that you gave them only two leva.
Another trick is, when they give you change they use the old Bulgarian notes and tell you that they are still in circulation. They are not used any more so don’t take them. You can see them below. Probably they have many more tricks, so that they can always take you by surprise, but if you are attentive enough, they won’t be able to cheat.
So now that you are prepared for the “dark side” of the city, we hope you never fall into any of those situations.
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