Free Sofia Tour's Blog
May 12, 2019
Do you remember the Cold War? Have you read and listened about it? Perhaps you have seen movies focusing on the dramatic stand-off between the two powerhouses of the world at the time – the US and the Soviet Union. You probably know about the arms race, the never ending competition between them, constantly designing more and better weapons and ways to destroy each other. You also likely know about the space race, the start of humankind’s exploration of the so-called final frontier. If you come from the West, you would have been exposed to propaganda about the evil communists whose main objective was to destroy your peaceful and prosperous way of life. If you come from the East, you would have been constantly flooded with propaganda about the evil capitalists, who live and breathe to ruin your attempt at a just and perfect social system. But have you ever wondered how the regular citizen of the “Empire of Evil”, as per Ronald Reagan, actually lived like? If yes, then… The Red […]
May 3, 2019
Is it a bird? A plane? Is it a UFO? It’s the Buzludzha Monument! Once, a huge symbol of the power and might of the Bulgarian Communist regime, attracting people from both the country and all over the world with its bizarre look, monumental construction and embedded ideology. Nowadays, it is completely abandoned. It has been falling apart ever since the end of the communist regime in 1989. This time we are covering one of the most extraordinary and controversial ideological monuments left from Bulgaria’s communist past. And of course, we are going to tell you everything you need to know about it. You might have seen this outlandish looking building before as it has been included in the list of the 33 most beautiful abandoned places in the world. Its futuristic appearance looks as if taken straight from a science fiction series. This is the main reason for people to call it “the flying saucer”. If you are wondering where the Buzludzha monument is… you will find it in […]
March 25, 2019
Spring is here and all of us at Free Sofia Tour are extremely excited! Not only because of the great sunny weather but also because we are now able to share our Summer Schedule 2019 with you. Free Sofia Tour – 4 Times a Day! We know how tight your schedule is when visiting a new city. That’s why we decided to give you an extra opportunity to explore Sofia with us. Starting April 1st (until 31st of October), our daily Free Sofia Tour will be running not two, not three, but four times a day – at 10AM/11AM/2PM/6PM! Free Sofia Tour is the general sightseeing walk around the main historical landmarks in the center of Sofia. In just 2 hours you will get acquainted with what Sofia has to offer – the perfect introduction to any trip to Sofia. We will be waiting for you in front of the Palace of Justice. Our tours run 365 days a year, no matter the weather conditions (including all national and religious […]
February 22, 2019
Sofia might not be your typical European capital when it comes to architecture and beautiful buildings. The city does not have an old town. Instead, there are various historical layers that form the city’s unique appearance. A mix of different architectural styles, old and new buildings. Of course, there are plenty of beautiful buildings in Sofia and everyone has their own preference. Here are our picks for Sofia’s most beautiful buildings: 1. Former Mineral Baths Functioning as a public bath from 1913 to 1986 this truly is one of Sofia’s unique buildings. It combines several architectural styles such as Vienna Secession with Byzantine, Bulgarian and Eastern Orthodox elements. Nowadays, the building houses the Sofia History Museum. 2. Ivan Vazov National Theatre The building carries the name of Bulgaria’s most beloved author – Ivan Vazov. The National Theatre is a favorite of a lot of locals. Not just because of its purpose and beautiful neoclassical architecture but also because of the park in front of it. Undoubttedly, it is one of […]
February 15, 2019
If you are reading this then you are most likely visiting Sofia for the first time. No worries! We are here to guide you through your first experience with a list of essential things to do and see in Bulgaria’s capital and largest city. 1. Explore Sofia’s main landmarks From its beautiful temples to the ancient Roman ruins, Sofia has a lot to offer. The city is full of must-sees due to its rich historical and cultural heritage. A great way to get a good overview of the city’s historical center is of course one of our daily free walking tours. This will get you acquainted with the city’s most important sights in just 2 hours. The tours start in front of the Palace of Justice and end right next to Sofia’s most legendary building – St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. 2. Vitosha Boulevard Sofia’s city center is very compact and walking is the best way to get your bearings and experience the Bulgarian lifestyle. It is inevitable that you will […]
January 8, 2019
Free Sofia Tour is looking for talent! It’s the beginning of 2019, winter holidays are (unfortunately) gone and we at the Free Sofia Tour are already starting to think ahead. That’s right, we are looking for new guides to join our team! You might have seen us on the street, you might have seen us in the media, you might have heard someone tell you stories of us. If you haven’t… this is who we are and what we do. Our primary goal is to make every guest of our tour feel welcome to Sofia and Bulgaria. We want to ignite a spark of interest in such a way so that they would want to come back and recommend it to their friends. We are passionate about what we do. That’s why we constantly strive to make each tour personal, fun, informative, helpful and unforgettable. Are you one of our new guides? Take a look at our poster and if you see yourself in it, don’t hesitate to contact us. If you […]
November 28, 2018
If you have explored Sofia, been to Plovdiv, visited the Rila Monastery or the seven lakes then probably next on your list is Veliko Tarnovo. Known as the old capital of Bulgaria this city is full of history, charm and great people. This is why this time we will be sharing with you the easiest way to get there. Veliko Tarnovo is situated in the center of Northern Bulgaria at a very strategic location. It is at an almost equal distance away from Sofia (around 220km), Plovdiv (around 200 km), Varna (around 220 km) and Burgas (around 220 km) all of which have airports. No matter where you have landed you will be equally away from this must-see Bulgarian town. You can easily get there on your own choosing from the options listed below. By car or taxi If you have rented a car or plan to do it or even take a taxi this is the easiest and fastest way to get to Veliko Tarnovo. It takes around 3 […]
November 14, 2018
You are planning to visit Sofia? You are 12 – 18 years old? This article is written just for you! I chose these places from my hometown, because as a teenager myself, I’ve visted them plenty of times and I think that they are all worth your time. I hope that this information will be useful for you and will be very happy if you decide to visit my city and add different ideas to this list, so that more teenagers can experience Sofia their way. Number One: Escape Rooms Escape rooms are places where you can get locked in for about one hour and you have to solve tasks, in order to escape. When you are ready with all of the obstacles in your quest you can go out and enjoy freedom once again. Apart from that, you can celebrate your birthday there. There are many different escape rooms in Sofia. The first one that opened in my city, is called “Dextrophobia“. The one which I personally visited for the […]
October 25, 2018
You have already explored Sofia? Great! Then it’s time to see what else Bulgaria has to offer. Sofia is the perfect starting point for various types of day trips including small historical towns, natural landmarks and so much more. Here are our top 7 suggestions for day trips from Sofia: The Rila Monastery and the Rila mountain The Rila Monastery is truly one of Bulgaria’s most emblematic symbols and one of its most picturesquely located landmarks! Nested amongst the majestic peaks of the highest mountain on the Balkans, the monastery is simply an architectural and ethnographic piece of art to be discovered at the end of a scenic mountainous road that leaves you breathless on every turn. And if the inexhaustible array of stunning views displayed towards ancient forests, crystal-water mountain creeks and stiff alpine cliffs are not enough to have you hold your camera out throughout the whole journey, then the sophisticated lines of the monastery complex, its colorful inner yard facade and authentic atmosphere, are certain to do so. No […]