Sofia, Bulgaria — Things to Do
Sightseeing in Sofia
Sightseeing in Sofia is an exaggeration of the old and new, as the ancient culture of the Thracians, Byzantines, Romans, Slavs meet with the mad rush to modernization that occurred when the Iron Curtain fell. Thus you'll see a mixture of buildings that will delight any architecture lover, including the multi-domed Byzantine Alexandar Nevski Memorial Church, the medieval art of the Boyana Church (a UNESCO world heritage site), and the Kremlin-like Russian Church of St. Nicholas.
Like any capital city, Sofia's attractions include a wealth of museums and galleries, including the National Historical Museum, the mineralogical-focused Museum of Earth and Men, the Bulgarian National Gallery of Arts, the Ethnographical Museum, and the Sofia City Art Gallery.
There are plenty of other things to see and do in Sofia as well, including visiting the Sofia Zoological Garden, which houses over a thousand animals; the Sofia City Garden with its cafes, playgrounds and fountains; and the famous Turkish Mineral Baths.
Many interesting buildings and sights in Sofia have signs with a phone number on them. If you call this number you can listen to a three-minute recording telling you about the attraction. You can also browse Zhenski Pazar or 'women's market', which is open to both men and women and offers fresh food, flowers and basic goods. Though there aren't many souvenirs there, it's worth the trip for the bustling atmosphere. Another busy market is the Tsentralni Hali (Central Food Halls), which are housed in an ancient Roman marketplace with archaeological finds on display along with the fresh food, coffee, wine and other treats.
Sofia is a relatively safe city in which to sightsee. Violent crime is rare, but pick pocketing is common in the city center, as with all large metropolises.
Shopping in Sofia
Shopping in Sofia offers a variety of options ranging from upscale boutiques and shopping malls and their high-end designer wares to bustling street markets and bazaars with buskers, jumble sales and uniquely Bulgarian patrons.
Popular Sofia souvenirs include Bulgarian embroidery, dolls in traditional costumes, and local instruments such as shepherd's pipes (kaval), ocarinas, and tamboura. You can also get beautiful wool carpets (called kilims) from the weaving town of Chiprovtsi. Tchu kilim (Carpet House) has a wide selection of these rugs, while the well-known Pretty Things Shop in Krakra Street offers charming Sofia mementos like dolls and quilts handmade in their workshop.
Sofia also has a number if interesting outdoor street markets worth a visit. Many are focused predominantly on fresh produce and household goods for locals, but the market next to Alexander Nevski Cathedral has a variety of old weapons, jewelry, music instruments, medal, coins and more.
Be aware when buying clothes in Sofia that Bulgarian sizes are smaller than European ones.
Many shops in Sofia will only accept cash or local debit cards, while you can use a credit card in international stores. The prices displayed generally include the 20% value-added tax, which can be refunded when you leave Bulgaria.
Opening hours for stores in Sofia are usually from around 9am to 6 or 7pm Monday to Saturday. Not all shops are open on Sundays.
Sofia Nightlife
Sofia's vibrant nightlife is known for being a 24-hour experience, and there are a range of options, including nightclubs, bars, pubs, and mehani, a type of traditional tavern serving meze-style Bulgarian food, with local music. There is a large concentration of restaurants, clubs and cafes in Vitosha and Rakovski streets, including restaurant and bar Motto, and the restaurant Vodenitzata, which features live Bulgarian folk music in an old mill in the Dragalevtzi district.
The bars and cafes stay open until about midnight, which is when the clubs take over, carrying on until 5 or 6am. The clubs in Sofia play a mixture of house, pop, and rock. For a taste of chalga, a mixture of Turkish pop and gypsy dance, try Avenue Atanas in Studentski Grad, or Cabaret in Hristo Belchev Street. Pri Kmeta is a bar and microbrewery that features regular live music, and Swingin' Hall has a line-up of local and international music on most nights.
There are a range of other cultural experiences in Sofia, including the local and European productions at the National Opera House, dramatic performances at the Ivan Vazov National Theater, Bulgarian and art-house films at the Dom Na Kinoto Theater, and Bulgaria Hall, which is home to the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra.
Public transport in Sofia comes to a halt from 1am to 5am, so you'll need to take taxis when out late. Walking at night is not recommended.
