Guidebook for Sofia
Sightseeing
It provides a great introduction to Bulgaria´s history and the main attractions of Sofia. If you can, we suggest you to take in your first day.
There is no need to make a reservation.
Start: Palace of Justice
https://freesofiatour.com/
April-October: 10 AM, 11 AM & 6 PM
November-March: 11 AM, 2PM & 6 PM
Duration: around 2 hours
75 Einheimische empfehlen
Free Sofia Tour
2 bul. "Vitosha"It provides a great introduction to Bulgaria´s history and the main attractions of Sofia. If you can, we suggest you to take in your first day.
There is no need to make a reservation.
Start: Palace of Justice
https://freesofiatour.com/
April-October: 10 AM, 11 AM & 6 PM
November-March: 11 AM, 2PM & 6 PM
Duration: around 2 hours
Free communist tour in Sofia city center
This is a tour for everyone that is curious about this period in history. They will take you back in time and make you feel what life was like for people living in Bulgaria during the communist era.
Best of all, at the end of it, you will have the chance to ride in the emblematic Trabant car.
Start: The meeting point is next to the National Palace of Culture and Starbucks on (Fridtjof Nansen Str.)
http://sofiacommunisttour.com/
Duration: 2 hs
Saturday and Sunday 10 am
75 Einheimische empfehlen
Free Sofia Tour
2 bul. "Vitosha"Free communist tour in Sofia city center
This is a tour for everyone that is curious about this period in history. They will take you back in time and make you feel what life was like for people living in Bulgaria during the communist era.
Best of all, at the end of it, you will have the chance to ride in the emblematic Trabant car.
Start: The meeting point is next to the National Palace of Culture and Starbucks on (Fridtjof Nansen Str.)
http://sofiacommunisttour.com/
Duration: 2 hs
Saturday and Sunday 10 am
We are not talking about beer (well, not only about it) but a place where crowds of locals congregate to have their bottles filled with “holy” water.
Sofia was strategically built around natural springs, which, at the time when there were only twenty thousand inhabitants, where enough to supply everyone. Now there are many more, but the tradition remains.
The main fountain is one minute walk from Banya Bashi Mosque, across Lidl Supermarket.
Hot Springs
37 ul. "Ekzarh Yosif"We are not talking about beer (well, not only about it) but a place where crowds of locals congregate to have their bottles filled with “holy” water.
Sofia was strategically built around natural springs, which, at the time when there were only twenty thousand inhabitants, where enough to supply everyone. Now there are many more, but the tradition remains.
The main fountain is one minute walk from Banya Bashi Mosque, across Lidl Supermarket.
Parks & Nature
The cablecar to Vitosha is a great way to enjoy the mountain without much physical effort. You can take it almost all the way up and, if you feel with energy, enjoy great views after a short hike to the top.
If you want to hike on that mountain that you see from the apartment, then there are plenty of hiking trails. The trail to Boyana waterfall passing on the way by the famous Boyana Church is among the most populars, but is a good idea to use maps.me to avoid getting lost, as the trail is not well marked.
An easier route in less demanding terrain is the one to the beautiful Mondatery Monastery.
105 Einheimische empfehlen
Vitosha
ulitsa "Detski mir"The cablecar to Vitosha is a great way to enjoy the mountain without much physical effort. You can take it almost all the way up and, if you feel with energy, enjoy great views after a short hike to the top.
If you want to hike on that mountain that you see from the apartment, then there are plenty of hiking trails. The trail to Boyana waterfall passing on the way by the famous Boyana Church is among the most populars, but is a good idea to use maps.me to avoid getting lost, as the trail is not well marked.
An easier route in less demanding terrain is the one to the beautiful Mondatery Monastery.
Shopping
Forget about doing your fruit and veg shopping at the supermarket, go to the Women´s Market at the Lion Bridge and you will see the difference. Fresher and much cheaper food is awaiting you.
Fact: The Women´s Market is the oldest in Sofia.
Getting there: Tram 20 from across the street of the apartment will take all the way there.
40 Einheimische empfehlen
Zhenski Pazar Station
Forget about doing your fruit and veg shopping at the supermarket, go to the Women´s Market at the Lion Bridge and you will see the difference. Fresher and much cheaper food is awaiting you.
Fact: The Women´s Market is the oldest in Sofia.
Getting there: Tram 20 from across the street of the apartment will take all the way there.
On the outskirst of Sofia is this flea morning market. Don't go expecting a picturesque and tidy place, this a a real flea market that some can feel it quite rough.
It's located in an open space behind Kaufland Supermarket, but before getting to the actual place you will see the neighbours unwrapping their mats on the floor and selling whatever they have. From dentures to soviet paraphernalia and old comic books. Rubbish for some, treasures for others.
Getting there: from the apartment take tram 20 to one stop after the Mineral Water Fountain. From there walk to the Lions Bridge and take Bus 86 to Kaufland Supermarket. Don't worry, almost everyone in the bus will be heading to Bitaka, so y
Bitak
On the outskirst of Sofia is this flea morning market. Don't go expecting a picturesque and tidy place, this a a real flea market that some can feel it quite rough.
It's located in an open space behind Kaufland Supermarket, but before getting to the actual place you will see the neighbours unwrapping their mats on the floor and selling whatever they have. From dentures to soviet paraphernalia and old comic books. Rubbish for some, treasures for others.
Getting there: from the apartment take tram 20 to one stop after the Mineral Water Fountain. From there walk to the Lions Bridge and take Bus 86 to Kaufland Supermarket. Don't worry, almost everyone in the bus will be heading to Bitaka, so y
Situated just 5 min from the flat, this small mall provides everything you need for your stay - huge supermarket, clothes shops, jewelry, restaurant, bookstore, etc.
11 Einheimische empfehlen
SkyCity Mall
52 ul. "Kosta Lulchev"Situated just 5 min from the flat, this small mall provides everything you need for your stay - huge supermarket, clothes shops, jewelry, restaurant, bookstore, etc.
Food Scene
Although every visitor to Sofia sees this big building in the city center, most never peer inside. You will find many stalls where to buy local food, some second hand cloth shops and even a bar in the center.
Once outside, and looking around it, you will be sorrounded by the main temples of two religions: the big building of the Jewish Synagogue and the Bany Bashi Mosque, which resembles the ones in Istanbul as it was designed by the architect Sinan.
73 Einheimische empfehlen
Sofia's Central Market Hall
25 булевард „кн. Мария Луиза“Although every visitor to Sofia sees this big building in the city center, most never peer inside. You will find many stalls where to buy local food, some second hand cloth shops and even a bar in the center.
Once outside, and looking around it, you will be sorrounded by the main temples of two religions: the big building of the Jewish Synagogue and the Bany Bashi Mosque, which resembles the ones in Istanbul as it was designed by the architect Sinan.
In winter, everyone in Bulgaria enjoys soups. Supa Star is our choice.
33 Einheimische empfehlen
Supa Star
8 ul. "Tsar Ivan Shishman"In winter, everyone in Bulgaria enjoys soups. Supa Star is our choice.
This is heaven for vegans, vegetarians and healthy food minded people.
34 Einheimische empfehlen
Vegetarian restaurant and bakery "Sun Moon"
39 ulitsa "6-ti septemvri"This is heaven for vegans, vegetarians and healthy food minded people.
Balkan Bites is proud to be the first free daily food tour in Europe and maybe the world. You will get the chance to try some Bulgarian staples and to understand why they are so important in the daily life.
Start: next to the Russian Church
http://www.balkanbites.bg/
2 PM - EVERY DAY (excluding national holidays)
Bookings reccommended but not necessary
info@balkanbites.bg
Balkan Bites
Balkan Bites is proud to be the first free daily food tour in Europe and maybe the world. You will get the chance to try some Bulgarian staples and to understand why they are so important in the daily life.
Start: next to the Russian Church
http://www.balkanbites.bg/
2 PM - EVERY DAY (excluding national holidays)
Bookings reccommended but not necessary
info@balkanbites.bg
Wonderful fish restaurant with fresh fish supply from Greece. A bit pricey, but worth the experience.
Gustoza Ltd
1574 ulitsa "Aleksandar Momchev"Wonderful fish restaurant with fresh fish supply from Greece. A bit pricey, but worth the experience.
Great healthy food, always seasonal and tasty.
10 Einheimische empfehlen
Ресторант Багри / Bagri restaurant
10 ul. "Dobrudzha"Great healthy food, always seasonal and tasty.
Made in Home
30 ul. "Angel Kanchev"Tasty and healthy food
If you like meat, this is a great place. Huge portions and traditional sides.
86 Einheimische empfehlen
SkaraBar
2 ul. "Dimitar Grekov"If you like meat, this is a great place. Huge portions and traditional sides.
Arts & Culture
National Art Gallery
1 пл. „Княз Александър I“The largest collection of Bulgarian artists.