Bulgaria’s capital had rather more to supply than I anticipated. Right here’s tips on how to get an ideal impression in a number of days…
Earlier than my go to to Sofia, I’d learn a number of on-line guides that prompt spending merely 24 hours within the Bulgarian capital. Whilst you can tick off absolutely the highlights in a day, you don’t must rush as a curious traveler will discover a lot extra issues to do in Sofia.
I spent 6 nights in Sofia, serving to me get a whole image of this itinerary. Nevertheless, for the typical go to, I might recommend 2 or 3 nights. You’ll be able to spend one or two days exploring the town and at some point on a day journey, similar to to the Rila Monastery.
I discovered it refreshing to wander round a metropolis the place not each different store is an H&M or a Zara — or worse, an Ale Hop or Flying Tiger (these annoyingly ubiquitous European present outlets). Sofia is usually nonetheless doing its personal factor.
Sofia could also be much less developed in some respects, nevertheless it’s additionally splendidly genuine and blissfully freed from the everyday vacationer crowds. Strategy the town with an open thoughts — and settle for an sometimes grungy aesthetic — and you may expertise one of the best of Sofia.
I discovered it an interesting metropolis to discover with a lot contrasting structure, road life, and attention-grabbing museums, to not point out easy accessibility to the Vitosha mountains.
I received’t overfill this information with unimportant sights, however share solely what I feel are the issues undoubtedly to not skip in Sofia. Let’s go!
For a visible tour of Sofia, take a look at my vlog the place I offer you my trustworthy impressions of the town and present you many hidden gems:
SOFIA ITINERARY
DAY 1
Take a strolling tour
I strongly recommend kicking off your Sofia go to with a strolling tour, as this allows you to see the town in a distinct gentle.
Sofia could not impress that a lot at first look and in a superficial sense, being principally a contemporary metropolis nonetheless struggling some architectural hangovers from the communist period, however figuring out the tales behind the town will rapidly convey it to life.
Free Sofia Strolling Tour runs a minimum of thrice each day, led by enthusiastic native guides. Whereas it’s marketed as free, as is normally the case, these excursions are pay-what-you-want. The tour I’ve linked is a part of a non-profit group that does a whole lot of tasks in Sofia.
A strolling tour will repay vastly when it comes to appreciating Sofia total. Alternatively, you may also stroll across the middle in a self-guided manner.
Pin these in your map and go discover:
Immerse your self on the Crimson Flat
This was significantly my favourite exercise in Sofia. In case you have any curiosity in Bulgaria’s more moderen Twentieth-century historical past, particularly on a human degree, then you definately actually want to do that!
The Crimson Flat transports you again to the Nineteen Eighties, faithfully capturing life in Bulgaria on the peak of the Chilly Battle. This typical residential residence has been stored simply as it could have appeared throughout communist occasions.
Thoughts you, that is not a museum, however extra of an immersive expertise. It’s very insightful and, better of all, relatable.
The wonderful audio tour gives dozens of vignettes advised from the angle of a fictional however consultant Bulgarian household. The good factor is which you could {photograph}, contact, or look at something — giving a really tangible sense of what unusual life was like.
Since area is restricted contained in the Crimson Flat, you do want to order a spot upfront. The ticket sale and assembly level is on the Gifted store. Exploring all of the rooms takes about 90 minutes.
Go to the Nationwide Archeological Museum
I didn’t see this talked about in different blogs however was positively stunned by the Nationwide Archeological Museum, which is housed in a former mosque courting again to Ottoman occasions.
Lots of Bulgaria’s most prized archaeological possessions are on show right here. Given the numerous empires and civilizations that got here and went on this area, you’ll see a various vary of spectacular artifacts. This contains items from the Romans, Ottomans, Bulgarian Empire, and Byzantine Empire (the late Romans).
One of many upstairs rooms shows the Thracian treasures, a set of objects from the civilization that existed in Bulgaria earlier than the arrival of the Romans. It features a lovely gold masks and a stunningly lifelike bronze head of a Thracian king.
The museum is modestly sized, so it is going to take about 60 minutes to see it.
See the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky
Cap off your first day in Sofia by visiting its most iconic sight!
The Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Church, completed in 1912, is a effective instance of neo-Byzantine structure. It’s value going inside to see the spectacular inside, which options giant chandeliers and Byzantine-style artwork.
Pattern the Bulgarian meals
By now, you need to in all probability have an urge for food in any case this sightseeing, so it’s time to attempt Bulgarian delicacies.
It may be considerably crudely described as a mix of Japanese European, Mediterranean, and Turkish meals. Grilled meat is featured closely, however so are veggie dishes such because the Shopska salad, which bears some resemblance to a Greek salad, and snacks like sarma — vegetable leaves rolled round a filling of minced meat.
Some well-rated conventional eating places embody Bistro Lyubimoto (map), Hadjidraganov’s Homes (map), and Manastirska Magernitsa (map).
DAY 2
Day 1 was about specializing in absolutely the necessities. In the present day we’re going to widen our aperture to see extra of Sofia and its environment.
Discover the Artwork Quarter (KvARTal)
I beloved wandering round this neighborhood that’s stuffed with cute cafes and arty outlets.
This neighborhood doesn’t appear to be marked on any maps, nevertheless it’s recognized informally because the KvARTal (which interprets to QuARTer). You’ll be able to simply discover it southeast of Lavov Most metro station and north of Knyaz Alexander Dondukob Boulevard. (Can’t discover it? I’ve put this map pin at its middle.)
The realm is ideal for some city exploring, particularly because it’s recognized for its road artwork. Preserve an eye fixed out for some spectacular multi-story artworks.
I loved kicking off my days in KvARTel with some specialty espresso and yummy breakfast. On the &bread bakery, you will discover some uncommon treats, together with croissants in cuboid type. If you’ll want to sit out a rainstorm (as I had at one level), you may take shelter on the cozy board recreation pub serving a number of sorts of selfmade mead.
Not one of the blogs about Sofia that I’d learn truly talked about the Artwork Quarter, however I discovered it a way more enjoyable space for a wander than the restaurant-lined Vitosha Boulevard excessive road (although it is usually good).
Go to the Nationwide Museum of Historical past
Okay, so this museum is surprisingly far faraway from the middle. Nevertheless, should you’re into your museums, you’ll in all probability discover it well worth the journey.
It’s not so effectively linked to public transport so it’s greatest to get a taxi. There’s no Uber however you may obtain the native TaxiMe app to simply hail a cab. Until there’s site visitors it is going to take about 20 minutes from the Serdika station space, which is admittedly not so dangerous!
The Nationwide Museum reveals Bulgaria’s historical past all the best way from Neolithic occasions as much as the communist interval. Don’t be delay by the 1970’s fashion constructing — it’s truly very lovely on the within.
Boyana & Vitosha Mountain hike
Now that you just’ve gone all this manner south, it’s solely one other 10-minute drive or so to Boyana, a neighborhood on the outskirts of Sofia.
Right here you may go to the Boyana Church, a small Medieval church recognized for its greater than millennium-old frescoes. It’s a small sight and one which’s normally provided as an additional on organized excursions of the Rila Monastery, nevertheless it’s value taking a look should you haven’t but.
Stroll a bit extra south, and also you’ll hit the path to Boyana Waterfall. This reasonably difficult hike goes up the inexperienced mountains, which you’ll be able to usually see distantly from Sofia’s middle. Whereas the waterfall shouldn’t be precisely Niagara Falls, it gives excuse for a hike, to not point out a few of the metropolis’s huge vistas.
Be warned, it will probably take about 3 hours to hike your manner up, so it’s not a stroll within the park. I like to hike, so I loved spending the afternoon surrounded by inexperienced.
A better different is to take the bus up the mountain and hike your manner down. A number of bus strains go to this actual cease the place you may see the Golden Bridges, an space with giant stone boulders, after which hike all the way down to Boyana Waterfall.
Individuals-watch on the Nationwide Palace of Tradition
Because the day involves an finish, sit among the many fountains in entrance of the Nationwide Palace of Tradition (NPC). Right here you may watch as Sofia residents stroll, cycle, and skateboard round this public area, which is among the metropolis’s liveliest.
On the adjoining Vitosha Boulevard, you’ll have your choose from quite a few eating places serving Bulgarian and worldwide cuisines.
DAY 3
Maybe by now, you’re feeling able to discover different components of Bulgaria. Nevertheless, you may nonetheless keep one other evening in Sofia to make use of it as a base for an organized day journey.
You will discover a whole lot of day journey choices on GetYourGuide or Viator.
I recommend 4 choices for day journeys, every of which I’ve completed myself.
Possibility 1: Rila Monastery & 7 Lakes
That is my default suggestion; you may e-book the precise tour that I did right here, which I extremely advocate. It’s a self-guided tour that you are able to do at your personal tempo, although you’re supplied with a whole lot of helpful data and even suggestions by way of a Whatsapp group. Pickup is conveniently close to the Serdika II metro.
The Rila Monastery (pictured additional beneath) may be very spectacular and so is the seven-lake space within the Rila mountains. The hike can take as much as 5 hours, however relying in your health degree you may simplify the route tremendously to take about half this time, so it may be acceptable for many mountain climbing ranges. You go up by ski elevate to 2,196 m (7200 ft), so that you’re handled to epic views straight away.
On this tour, you’ll get to see a stupendous cultural sight and a few gorgeous surroundings. It’s a full-day expertise although the driving occasions aren’t too lengthy, making it an excellent journey to do from Sofia.
Possibility 2: Rila Monastery & Boyana Church
If you happen to don’t prefer to hike, then that is another day journey that features Rila Monastery together with the small Boyana Church on the outskirts of Sofia. Do you know? Each the Boyana Church and Rila Monastery made it to the listing of the UNESCO World Heritage listing.
Possibility 3: Full-Day Tour to Belogradchik
Belogradchik was truly one of the best factor I did in Bulgaria! This distinctive historical fortress is constructed inside pure rock pillars, trying like one thing straight out of Sport of Thrones or Lord of the Rings. The views from the highest are completely jaw-dropping.
It’s a little bit of a chewy journey from Sofia although, taking about 3 hours of driving a method. The street follows the Iskar Gorge by way of the Balkan Mountains, so that you’ll have some wonderful views alongside the best way. Not many individuals make it as much as Belogradchik, so it is a extra distinctive off-path expertise.
I took a practice and stayed in a single day myself, however with restricted time the one method to actually do that as a day journey is by utilizing a tour.
Possibility 4: Lovech, Devetaki Cave, and Krushuna Waterfalls Tour
That is one other pretty journey exterior of Sofia. It takes you to the charming city of Lovech, famed for its lined bridge, however the true spotlight is the gorgeous Devetaki Cave.
It’s a completely huge cavern with a number of gaps within the ceiling by way of which gentle beams enter the area. This cathedral-like cave is bound to depart you in awe!
Contemplate reserving this tour for a guided expertise.
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Posted SEP 09, 2024
