City Garden. It`s the oldest and most central public garden, in existence since 1872.
Largo.
Orlov Most. It`s a bridge over the Perlovska River in the centre of Sofia
Prince Alexander of Battenberg Square.
Slaveykov Square. It`s an open-air book market.
Patriarch Evtimiy Square.
Sofia Zoo. Sreburna Str.. ttp://www.sofiazoo.eu/. 9:00 to 17:00.
Do
Cafes and restaurants. Sofia is full of trendy cafes with outdoor seating in the summer and good-quality restaurants.
</do>
National Opera and Ballet. ttp://www.operasofia.com/.
Arena Cinema. ttp://www.kinoarena.com/. It`s one of the biggest Bulgarian cinema multiplex. Cinemas in Sofia play all films except children's films in their original language with Bulgarian subtitles.
Buy
The currency in Bulgaria is the Lev, plural Leva. You will also see the abbreviation BGN or lv. The currency exchange rate is fixed at 1 EUR = 1.96 BGN. Currency exchange offices and most offer a buy rate of 1.95 and a sell rate of 1.96. However at the airport and train station the rates are worse (cashing in on tourist ignorance). A new tourist might prefer to exchange their money in a big bank. ATMs (Cashpoints) on Visa, Mastercard and many other credit networks are widely available, although not all can withdraw money from bank accounts held outside the country, in spite of the Visa / Mastercard stickers suggesting otherwise. Credit cards are somewhat accepted, but certainly not in every store or restaurant; you will definitely need to carry some cash, preferably smaller denomination bills.
'''Souvenirs''' can be bought many small shops in the subways in front of the old Party House and in the metro station at the Largo. The Ethnographic Museum has a small shop tightly crammed with souvenirs of all kinds from all over Bulgaria (on the right, just as you enter the main entrance).Antiques and souvenirs can also be found in Alexander Nevski square, in stalls just opposite the church.
Vitosha Boulevard. It`s the main commercial street in the centre of Sofia.
Central Sofia Market Hall. arie Louise Boulevard. pposite the Banya Bashi mosque.. Has many stalls selling all kinds of food, drink and cosmetics. The second floor has various fast-food cafes.
TZUM. , Knyaginya Maria Luiza Blvd.. 359 2 926 07 00. zum@tzum.bg. ttp://www.tzum.bg/. 0:00 to 21:00.
Mall of Sofia. 01, Alexander Stamboliiski blvd.. 359 2 929 33 77. 359 2 929 33 00. ttp://www.mallofsofia.com/.
City Center Sofia. Arsenalski Blvd., floor 3. 359 2 865 72 85. ommunication@ccs-mall.com. 359 2 865 71 37. ttp://www.ccs-mall.com/.
SkyCity Mall. 2 Kosta Loulchev Str.. ou can get there by tram No 20, bus No 9, and Route Taxi No 1, 19 and 21.. 359 2 971 02 13. ffice@skycitycenter.com. 359 2 971 01 89. ttp://www.skycitycenter.com/. 0:00 to 22:00. Also has an entertainment center.
Eat
Fast food
You can easily find take away food in Sofia. For less than 2 leva you can get a slice of pizza, a hot-dog or a sandwich. You can get more traditional Bulgarian food in bakeries, offering [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banitsa banitsa] and other kinds of pastry. This food is often consumed with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayran ayran] or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boza boza]. Another possibility is to get a katma, which is a big pancake filled with cheese, ham, jelly or chocolate.
Budget
Pizzeria-type restaurants and snack bars can be found all over Sofia. Although many are very uninteresting for the traveler looking for a meal with a local flavor, some include excellent Bulgarian dishes.
Mr.Pizza. 4 Neofit Rilsky Str.. 359 2 988 82 58. ttp://www.mr-pizza.info/. 0 to 15 BGN per person.. Popular in Sofia, get there early or reserve if you want a table in their courtyard.
Ba_plbek. ear Slaveykov Square.. This is great Arab food. Downstairs is take-away kebabs and falafels, and upstairs a small eat-in. Excellent hummus and salads, etc., and cold beer.
Trops House. ttp://www.tropshouse.bg/. It`s a fast-food type of place, offering traditional Bulgarian meals and drinks. It can be found in several locations throughout the city center.
Mid to High End
Happy's Bar and Grill. ust across the street from the Sveta Nedelya church.. ttp://www.happy.bg/. Happy's is the Bulgarian equivalent of an American diner, and the Sofia representative of a nationwide chain. There are English-language menus, and the staff (all microskirted young girls, who apparently have to be smiling when they serve you) all seem to have at least some English as well. Portions are generally huge and represent a sort of "watered down" version of their traditional Bulgarian equivalents, although more Western fare is also available.
Pizza Victoria. ttp://www.victoria.bg/. One of the best Bulgarian pizzas.
Pod Lipite. ttp://www.podlipitebg.com/. Very good traditional food. Reservation is required.
Motto. 8 Aksakov str.. otto is on the street right behind the Radisson hotel, and then two blocks East (turn to the right on the first small street behind the Radisson if you are walking from the big horse statue) - it's kind of hard to find as the sign is a small black sign with white lettering.. 359 2 987 27 23. ttp://www.motto-bg.com/. to 15 BGN per dish.. This place is always fairly busy with a trendy crowd. The decor is modern and cool, and the people typically good looking. The service here is usually pretty nice, and many of the wait-staff speak English. The food is consistent and enjoyable.
Carrera. Golo Bardo Str.. 359 2 960 28 66. ikostoyanov@abv.bg. A fairly modern restaurant over in the Lozenetz area. The decor is well done, the service good, and the food very good. Prices are in line with the quality and style of the place. The wine selection is excellent. They also have a nice summer/winter garden area.
Drink
Cafes
Onda Coffee Break. 359 2 980 49 40. nda@onda.bg. 359 2 980 19 39. ttp://www.onda-coffeebreak.bg/.
Pchela Sweet Shop. ttp://www.pchela-bg.net/.
Nedelya Sweet Shop. 359 88 560 08 30. ttp://www.nedelya.com/.
Costa Coffee. ttp://www.costa.co.uk.
Bars
JJ Murphys Irish pub (http://www.jjmurphys.com/)
friendly staff, good prices, good food... well worth a visit
We went here and the staff told us about other cool places to go in sofia
Nightlife
Apartment. http://a-part-mental.org/?lang=en. Popular among locals as well as foreigners is the "apartamenta", some sort of private club in the first floor of a turn of the 19th century mansion: There you find a series of rooms like in a real apartment, all in different styles and wall-drawings, colourful tapestries, etc. Go to the right, get a drink in the kitchen (everything non-alcoholic is 3 lv), and just pick and choose a room which looks cozy enough (shouldn't be too hard to find one with all the couches lying around). If you don't like the music, there are Mac computers in most of the rooms where you can pick something else out of the playlist. Have a game of chess, or ask for tobacco for the water pipe. There is also a room which serves as cinema, if there is nothing running just go in, pick a movie out of the list and start the projection. There is also home- made chocolate and cream and all different kind of drinks like Himalayan tea, Kiwi nectar and much more...
Lodkite. In the huge "Borisova gradina" park near the stadion (just ask you way around) you'll find this open-air place, located in an old leisure-park parcour (you know, that type of small water-channels where kid can drive around in little gondolas). The boats have gone and the channels serve as improvised sitting places (basic tables made out of wood planks put between the two sides of the channel). There are also some tables on the court and lights decorating the trees luminate the scene. The public sound system has experimental electronic music, ambiance, progressive rock, or whatever the DJs feel like. The later it gets, the more you'll find people sitting everywhere on the floor on the trees. On warm summer nights, this place is a must-be.
Escape. 359 88 999 00 00. ontact@clubescape.bg. ttp://clubescape.bg/.
Chervilo. ttp://www.chervilo.com/.
Yalta. 0, Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd.. ffice@yaltaclub.com. ttp://www.yaltaclub.com/.
Sleep
'''Le Freak Deluxe''' [http://www.vegspace.com/lefreakdeluxe] [mailto:sofia.hostel@yahoo.com sofia.hostel@yahoo.com] Sofia's cheapest and possibly friendliest long-stay vegetarian non-profit hostel. Easy access to the center of Sofia within a twenty minute tram ride and with the bus stopping directly outside of the front gates. Le Freak Deluxe boasts a unique double mountain view with south facing Vitosha (the pet mountain of Sofia city) and the view of the Balkans (Stara planina), to the north at the rear of the building - this sunny animal friendly hostel makes it a truly unique place to be. Running on a donation basis with 300_|_r (approx. ?153, __122 or $244) being the minimun donation which entitles you to a stay of up to one month. Le Freak Deluxe as a seasonal alternative also provides camping facilities for 200_|_r per month - please see website for details.
'''Maxim Hotel''' [mailto:hotel_maxim@abv.bg hotel_maxim@abv.bg] This was a very nice hotel just 5 min walking from the train/bus station and 5 min away in the opposite direction from downtown Sofia. It is a cute hotel with a nice bedroom and also a living/TV room, large private bathroom and includes breakfast buffet in the morning. Only negative is they do not have an elevator. Cost in slow season was 60 euros for 2 people, 50 euros for one person.
'''Art Hostel''' [http://art-hostel.com] provides cheap accommodation and a friendly atmosphere where tourists and locals mingle in the small basement bar. 9 euro (18 leva) a night, "The Guardian" says: "Probably the best youth-hostel in Europe"
'''Holiday Village Diplomat''' [http://www.gloriapalace.net] is near Vitosha mountain and 20 min away from the city centre. Spacious rooms, large park area and friendly staff.
'''Hotel Renaissance''' is situated in downtown Sofia, very close to the administrative and commercial center of the city. Double rooms start at 79 Euros.
'''Hostel Mostel''' [http://www.hostelmostel.com] - easily Sofia's best hostel! One of a kind huge lounge to chill out, watch DVD from their collection, browse the net on modern computers or just to hang out. All en-suite dorm rooms - so no queues in the mornings! Trips to Rila Monastery are run daily.
'''Hotel Lozenetz''', 23 Naum Str [http://www.lozenetzhotel.com] is a modern boutique style hotel within easy walking distance of the city centre.
'''Internet Hostel Sofia''',[http://www.geocities.com/internethostel/].50A Alabin Str/Vitosha Blvd Offers excellent service and rooms for every taste at top city location.
'''Kervan Hostel''' [http://www.kervanhostel.com]
'''Orient Express Hostel - Sofa''' [http://www.orientexpresshostel.com] 8A "Christo Belchev" Str - This charming decorated small hostel offers a variety of room options, check it!
'''Red House B&B''' [http://www.redbandb.com] - a charming B&B located in the Red House cultural centre.
'''Red Star Hostel''' [http://www.geocities.com/redstarhostel]. In the city center between main street Vitosha Blvd. and City Garden with National Theatre, and offers cheap and clean accommodation in a variety of private rooms and dorms.
'''Maria Luisa Hotel''' occupies an exquisite building dating back to the turn of 20th century and listed as one of Bulgaria's cultural monuments of national significance. Maria Luisa Hotel offers a combination of the standards and services found in a luxury hotel plus the privacy and independence of one's own home.
'''Scotty's Boutique Hotel''' is centrally located near the Zhenski Pazar and moderately priced, and looks to be very nice.
'''Sofia Guesthouse''', [http://www.SofiaGuest.com]. offers clean accommodation at the exact city center for EUR9 inc. breakfast.
'''Dunav Apartment House''' Situated in the heart of the city this has one of the best locations in Sofia. Its central position allows immediate access to the center, 10 minutes from the cathedral Al. Nevski, the Bulgarian Parliament and the National Opera.
''' Sofia Backpacker's Inn''', [http://sofiabackpackersinn.com/]. A cozy hostel located 5 minutes from the centrail train and bus stations and 5 minutes from the center of Sofia.
Sheraton Sofia Hotel Balkan. ttp://www.luxurycollection.com/sofia. Sofia's most luxurious hotel.
BgAccommodations.com. ttp://www.bgaccommodations.com. BgAccommodations.com is an online reservation system for self-catering apartments/villas in Bulgaria, for short/mid term rental. The web site is created to help our clients choose the best accommodation in Bulgaria according to their personal needs and requirements. These self-catering apartments/ villas are carefully selected among a number of accommodation offers throughout the country. Our aim is to offer you only the apartments/villas that offer good and high standard accommodation and contemporary furnishing.
Marrinella apartments in Sofia. 359 2 9516555. ttp://www.flatsinsofia.com. p.m. or later. 2 a.m.. Luxury accommodation in serviced apartments in the centre of Sofia - for a long or short term. Most of the apartments are near the National Palace of Culture and Vitosha blvd. In all of them - Internet connection and air-conditioners.
Contact
Sofia has a large number of mostly free wireless hotspots in bars, restaurants, and cafes. You may find also in hotels and public areas, like "Park Zaimov".
Check out [http://wireless-sofia.blogspot.com/2008/05/map.html] for a detailed map of the free WiFi spots.
Stay Safe
If you travel by car make sure that you park in a toll parking. This is the best solution against auto theft. Parking in the center of Sofia could be troubling. Despite it is hard to find a free parking place, Bulgarian police tend to behave harsh since the license plate is not Bulgarian. You might see a long row under the non-parking sign, despite that it is for your own good not to park such areas.
Also, if traveling by car, be ware to purchase a vignette (_r_y_~_u___{_p) straight on entry in Bulgaria. You need this on every high-way out in the country, and the customs officers on the border will not be nice enough to tell you about it. The price (2008) is 10 BGN (5 EUR) for one week - this is the shortest period available, also one-month and year vignettes are available. You need to place it on the front window, in the bottom right corner. If you rent a car and plan to go out of the city area, you will need a vignette as well. You can purchase from any petrol station. The fine, if you forget the vignette, is about 100 EUR.
Car lights are also compulsory in the light part of the day from November 1st until March 1st.
Pedestrians should be careful since Bulgarian drivers do not yield right of way to those on foot.
Generally, you should avoid by night the area around the Central Bus and Train Station, Maria Luiza Blvd and don't hang around the Lions' Bridge (Lavov Most)area at night. This is especially true for single women and girls. Junkies get high on glue there, prostitutes (both female and transsexual) might offer you their "services", ignore them, some people might want to tempt you with a " good bargain" on a stolen product or try to mug you, if your hotel is in the area you'll be alright, just don't hang around it unnecessarily, unless you are familiar with the area and you look and act like a local. As long as you avoid the poorly lit areas, the centre is generally safe, stick to the well-lit areas such as Vitoshka, the Largo, Sheraton hotel, the Ivan Vazov theater and the military club (Voennia klub). It is generally safer to choose a hotel/hostel in a better location, such as the ones listed above if you want to experience safely the night life.
Do not get into conflict with locals especially if they seem aggressive or drunk. Also, it is better to avoid the green areas of the city by night (the park around the National Palace of Culture and Borisova gradina), because junkies, homeless and drunk people usually frequent these places at that time.
Avoid football fan groups, they tend to be drunk and aggressive.
Be careful with the cabs, make sure you check the prices first before you get in (the fare is per kilometer and it should be something like 0.59 during the day and 0.70 during the night, avoid cabs that display their fare as above 1.00), also make sure the cab has the driver's card on the front with his name.
Also, be wary of money exchange shops. Some of them exchange money for generally lower rates than displayed on the exchange rate panel. Go to banks, you can easily become a victim and if you want your money back the security guard might intimidate you and physically abuse you. One such change shop is on Maria Louisa as you walk towards the Lion's bridge (_L___r___r _}______) just after Halite (_V_p_|_y___u) and Ekzarh Yosif street (you'll recognise it by the misspelling of currency, spelled 'currensy').
Get out
Vitosha is a magnificent landmark mountain just rises south of the capital. It is easily accessible by public transportation or by car and day trips in Vitosha in a sunny day are highly recommended. In the winter it is well suited for skiing and its proximity allows one day ski-trips.
Rila Monastery is the most famous monastery in Bulgaria, situated in the huge Rila Massive. It`s just one hour and a half drive away from Sofia.
Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria. It`s just one hour drive on a good highway away from Sofia. Plovdiv lies around three hills in the otherwise totally flat Thracian plane. It's historical center, Roman remnants & relaxed feeling make it a great day-trip.
Veliko Turnovo a beautiful city along a winding river, the former capital of Bulgaria in the middle ages. The original city castle and walls are reconstructed. Be sure also to visit nearby Arbanassi.
There are also many monasteries around Sofia.