SOFIA Economic Travel Guide
Sofia, the capital and largest city of Bulgaria, has a 7000-year-old history, but nevertheless it is a touristic destination. There are not many places to visit. Being close to Vitosha mountain, a popular ski resort, affordable food and beverage opportunities, casinos and of course, being close to our country makes this place especially attractive for a weekend.. The country has not yet switched to the Euro, Leva is used as its currency. 2 Leva= around 1 Euro.
The wave of “cold air coming from the Balkans” in winter passes through these cities as well.. We mean that this region can be too cold for your touristic trips in winter, so the best time to visit Sofia is between April and September.
TRANSPORTATION TO SOFIA: SOFIA’ OR HOW TO GET THERE?
By Airplane: Those who will go to Sofia from Istanbul by plane can reach Sofia Airport in about 1.5 hours with THY’s direct flights.
By the bus: You can comfortably go to many cities of Bulgaria by bus from Istanbul.. Although it is a bit troublesome to compare alternatives on the web, since many companies do not have a website, we clearly know that Metro Turizm organizes expeditions to Bulgaria.. It takes about 9 hours to reach Sofia with Metro Turizm (customs/visa procedures can of course extend this period during holidays and busy periods) and the price is around 160 TL.. For different alternatives, you can go to Bayrampaşa bus station and take a short tour and examine other companies.
By train: Again, we recommend you to go to any TCDD train station, as it will be somewhat impossible to buy tickets online.. With the Istanbul – Sofia Express train, which runs from Istanbul Halkalı every day, you can have a different experience with a night journey that is both affordable and more comfortable than the bus, but takes a little longer.
SOFIA IN CITY TRANSPORTATION
There is an extensive bus network in Sofia. Also, unlike other Balkan countries, you can use the metro here.. Other than that, you can use tram, trolleybus or taxi.. Don’t forget to turn on the meter as soon as you get in the taxi.. It is also possible to travel around the city by renting a bicycle.
By the way, those who will arrive in Sofia by plane can reach the city center from the airport by bus number 84.
ACCOMMODATION IN SOFIA. : WHERE TO STAY IN SOFIA?
Sofia is such a touristic city that you won’t have any problems with accommodation.. You can find affordable hostels from sites like Booking.com, rent an apartment from sites like airbnb.com or be a short-term guest in someone’s house with couchsurfing.
Since Vitosha Street is the heart of the city, if you choose your accommodation close to this street , you can walk to all places of interest and you can also reset the transportation cost for the city.
THINGS TO DO IN SOFIA?
- Sofia’ or if you went in a nice weather, we definitely recommend you to spend time in the parks.. You can at least take a short break in parks of all sizes and relax.
- Sofia organizes a “Film Festival” in March, a “Jazz Festival” in April, and a “Salsa Festival” in May.. If your trip coincides with these periods, do not fail to attend because I am tired.
- Free walking tours (free walking tours) are organized twice a day, starting from the Palace of Justice and lasting for 2 hours.. They show you all the touristic places in Sofia. Tours in English. You do not pay any fees, but at the end of the tour you are expected to give some donations.
WHAT TO EAT IN SOFIA? WHAT TO DRINK?
Meat in Sofia, or rather in the Balkans, is very cheap and delicious.
For local delicacies, you can try Bulgarian cheese Kashkaval or bob soup.
There is a restaurant chain called Happy. You can also visit these restaurants. You can also try the 70-year-old Mehana Boliarite restaurant, which tastes like a tavern, for a more traditional evening.
It is possible to fill your stomach with affordable and delicious menus in the restaurant chain called Happy.. These restaurants are available in different parts of the city.
SHOPPING IN SOFIA: WHAT TO BUY FROM SOFIA?
Your first stop for shopping in Sofia should be Vitosha Avenue.. You will find everything you are looking for along this street.
The markets called Billa, which you can easily see in different parts of the city, are in our A101 style.. In these markets, alcohol is sold at a more affordable price compared to other markets, if you want to shop for different types of alcohol, keep it in mind.. For example, Bulgarian raki (plum raki) can be a different gift.
SOFIA CITY TOUR
Before going into the details of all the touristic spots to see in Sofia city centre, You can click here for the google walking map we prepared.
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (Alexander Nevsky Cathedral): It is one of the most important structures to see in Sofia. This fascinating cathedral, especially with its neo-Byzantine architecture, has a capacity of 10,000 people and is considered among the largest Orthodox cathedrals in the world. It was built in memory of the soldiers who died in the Russo-Ottoman War, when Bulgaria gained its independence, and was completed and opened for use in 1912.
Antique Market:Alexander Nevsky Cathedral This market, which is located in the square where it is located, is an ideal place for antique goods lovers.. Of course, we do not forget to bargain
Hagia Sophia Church (Church of St.. Sophia):The church, which was built in the early periods of the Byzantine Empire, is one of the religious buildings of historical importance.. It is located next to the Nevsky church and is known as the second oldest church in Bulgaria.
National Museum of Natural History In this museum, the Prince who gave the order to establish it Ferdinand’s own personal collection of birds, mammals and butterflies is on display. Today, it is the only national institute where living specimens brought from Bulgaria and around the world are exhibited, dead or alive.
National Art Gallery:
strong> Founded in 1934, this gallery is one of the must-see places to learn about the cultural and artistic development of the Bulgarian people.
Saint George (Rotunda) Church (Church of St.. George): This is Sofia’s oldest building.. At the back of the building, which was used as a mosque during the Ottoman period, you can see the intact part of a Roman road.
Ivan Vazov National Theatre: This was founded by a group of theater actors. theater fires and 2. Banyabaşı Mosque (Banya Bashi Mosque): Built in 1576 by Architect Sinan, Banyabaşı The mosque is also referred to as Kadı Seyfullah Efendi Mosque. In the country that was under Ottoman rule for 500 years, before the Ottomans left Bulgarian lands, there were 32 mosques in the city, but today only this mosque remains open for worship.
Closed Market (Tsentralni Hali): This two-storey indoor market area, located right across the Banyabaşı Mosque,. where it meets its needs.
Sveta Petka Church: This Orthodox church located at the exit of the Serdika metro, 11. It was built in the 19th century in memory of St. Petka.
Vitosha Avenue (Vitosha Boulevard): The street, which is the main shopping center of the city, 1. Thanks to the public buildings built here during the World War II, it became an important commercial center.. Palace of Justice in Sofia, St. Buildings such as the Kyriaki Cathedral, the National Palace of Culture are located on this street.
The National Palace of Culture, concerts are primarily It also hosts events such as trade fairs with its exhibition area.. Cafes and shops are located on the 3 underground floors of this cultural palace, which is one of the iconic structures of Sofia.
Sofu Mehmet Pasha Mosque, Black Mosque (Sveti Sedmochislenitsi Church): This mosque, which was converted into a church in 1903 by Mimar Sinan by order of Sultan Suleiman, is known as Koca Mehmet Pasha Mosque, Imaret Mosque, and finally the Black Mosque due to the black stones on its minaret.
Tsar Ivan Shishman Street. :You can photograph small, colorful, historical Bulgarian houses on your way as you head towards Sofia University from Tsar Ivan Shissman street just in front of the Black Mosque.
University of Sofia: 1888 This university, which was established in 2007, has the title of the oldest and most important university in Bulgaria. 14.000 students study in 15 faculties.
Also must-see places;
Borisova Gradina Park (Borisova Gradina): Boris’ Garden of.. The name of the park, which was started to be built in 1884, is Çar 3. It was from Boris. You can visit the Soviet Monument, University Observatory and Open Air School in the park.
Boyana Church:The most important feature of the Boyana Church, located at the foot of Vitosha Mountain it was frescoes. 240 human figures were engraved in 89 scenes on the wall paintings drawn in previous periods.. These frescoes are considered to be among the most successful examples of medieval art that have survived.
The Church of St Nicholas the Miracle-Maker: This is the most elegant church in Sofia. The church was built on the site of the Palace Mosque, which was destroyed by Russian troops in 1882 during the war for the liberation of Bulgaria.
ENTERTAINMENT AND NIGHTLIFE IN SOFIA
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Sofia is one of the nearby capitals, popular for its variety of nightlife and the cheapness of alcohol.. Different nightclubs, discos and bars in the city are very affordable compared to our country in terms of both the entrance fee and the alcohol sold inside.. So those who go to Sofia for a short weekend getaway will have as much fun as they want without spending a lot of money.. By the way, this is a city where casinos are also very common.. In Sofia, which was the last stop of our Balkan tour, our energy was now on the ground.. But next time we have added Sofia nightlife to our list to edit this article
OTHER PLACES TO VISIT CLOSE TO SOFIA: ALTERNATIVE TOURS
- Sofia in Winter We recommend those who will go to Mount Vitosha, which is a ski resort and can be reached by Europe’s longest cable car.
- For those traveling with children, Sofia Zoo >, with more than 1500 animals living here, it may be of interest.
- The Rilski Monastery, located in the Rila National Park 120 km south of Sofia city centre, is one of Bulgaria’s most valuable historical and It is considered one of the cultural heritages. You can reach Dupnitza Village by bus that leaves every morning at 8:00.
- You can go to Bansko, one of the most famous ski resorts in Bulgaria and one of the few in Europe.. Transportation takes only 2 and a half hours from Sofia.
- We recommend that you go to other Balkan cities, except Varna, Burgas, Plovdiv, and wander through the villages.. It will be quite a different experience.. Click for articles.
- While you’ve come this far, you can go to Bucharest. We had a lot of intentions, but unfortunately we had to skip it because we couldn’t leave the tour, it settled down inside of us
SOFIA TRAVEL NOTES
- If in March If you go to Bulgaria, you may notice that people tie a red & white string bracelet to their wrists or wear a brooch on their collars.. The reason for this is the belief that if a stork is seen in the air from the beginning of March, wishes will come true.
- It’s a pretty cheap city, it’s guaranteed that you won’t spend too much money on alcohol, accommodation, food & beverage.
- Become an EU member. but a non-European place. We are sure that you will think that we are not a member of the European Union in Bulgaria We say you should visit Bulgarian villages and judge Sofia later, because Sofia is pretty much European next to the villages.
They will also visit Bulgarian villages. We invite you to read this article..
