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Free Sofia Tour’s Tips and Tricks

More info about your stay in Sofia and in Bulgaria. Practical advice (inside tips & tricks) about anything from more sightseeing to exchanging money.

January 12, 2024

Winter in Sofia – Top 10 Winter Activities

We’re not gonna lie, winter in Sofia can be quite tough. However, there are plenty of things to do in the Bulgarian capital even when it’s -20°C. We want to pass this insight onto you, our lovely visitors. Keep in mind though that you might just fall in love with Sofia and decide to make it your new home! Depending on what region of the world you hail from, the moment you poke your face out from your cozy hotel/hostel/Airbnb room, it might feel like a warm spring kiss or a bone-chilling North Pole slap in the face! Either way, we’ve got you covered, and will give you our top winter picks to make your winter visit to our lovely city as enjoyable as possible! Wondering what to do in Sofia in winter? Here are our top 10 picks for winter activities in Sofia: 1. Vitosha mountain – For our adrenaline junkies  It’s all about the powder a.k.a the snow! That’s right you saw it as you were landing – our beautiful […]
November 13, 2023

How to get to Rila Monastery

Rila Monastery is the most popular Bulgarian tourist site. Rila monastery is the first thing that comes to your mind when you have friends from abroad visiting. I will dare to be accused of blasphemy and even say that sometimes it feels a bit of a cliché. But there’s a reason for that – no surprise it’s one of the nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Bulgaria. Words fail to describe this heavenly monument. Believe it or not, getting to the place is not the easiest thing, though. That’s why one of the most frequently asked questions is… How to get to Rila Monastery? Here’s the answer(s): To Rila Monastery by BUS: Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic started the bus has not been operating. There was a brief attempt to restart it in August 2023. Unfortunately it was short-lived. We will make sure to update this information as soon as the public bus starts operating again. Hopefully sometime soon in 2026. Call +35929555362 (Ovcha Kupel (Sofia-West) Bus Station) for the most up-to-date info. To Rila […]
October 24, 2023

5 Best International Food Places in Sofia

Naturally, your go-to option when visiting Sofia should be one of the traditional Bulgarian restaurants. However, you’ve already had enough of local food and want to go beyond – we’re here to help! It’s time for us to share our favorite international food places in Bulgaria’s capital.  And though the city’s more synonymous with history and culture, in recent years it has also earned a reputation as a culinary destination, offering a diverse range of international flavors. In this article, we’ll explore the five best international food places in Sofia. Each offering a unique culinary experience that reflects the city’s growing food scene. Ninja Bowl Sofia Nestled in the heart of Sofia, just a 2-minute walk from Free Sofia Tour’s final stop, Ninja Bowl Sofia is a culinary gem that transports you to the bustling streets of Asia. This trendy Asian fusion restaurant is known for its artful combination of flavors and aesthetics, and it’s a favorite among locals and tourists alike. It offers a wide variety of healthy and […]
October 27, 2022

Public Bath in Bankya (near Sofia) | History, Getting There & More

Sofia is famous for its abundance of hot and cold mineral water springs. Having said that, you will find it surprising that currently there aren’t any operating public baths in the actual city. The good news is that a couple of weeks ago, in the town of Bankya (only 17km away from Sofia), the newly refurbished bathhouse finally reopened to visitors. Needless to say, we couldn’t be happier. The historic bath in Bankya The construction of the building began in 1907. It first opened to visitors back in 1911. This bath is a prime example of the architectural traditions of public baths created at the beginning of the 20th century in Bulgaria. Designed by German architect Professor Carl Hocheder, this elegant building was widely known as The Royal Bath, as it dates back to the reign of Tsar Ferdinand. After a looong time of being abandoned, the bath reopened to the public on September 30th, 2022. You can finally see it in its full glory after a complete renovation, done […]
June 28, 2021

Alternative Ways to Get Around Sofia

We’ve already covered the more traditional ways of getting around Bulgaria’s capital with our Sofia Public Transport Guide and Guide to Sofia Metro. Today, we are looking at some of the more innovative, alternative, and eco-friendly ways to move around Sofia. This is especially important considering the city’s heavy traffic and air pollution issues. Renting a scooter  You might be familiar with this concept from other cities. Scooters have grown in popularity over the past decade. There are now a couple of companies offering rent-a-scooter services in Sofia. However, we are keen on the Bulgarian micro-mobility startup Hobo. With its user-friendly app and conveniently located scooters around the city, it’s the perfect way to get around the central part of the city and its neighboring areas. Needless to say, they are also quite fun and easy to use without requiring too much physical effort. You can also use them on the bike lanes. Parking zones for scooters are available in various locations in the city center. A ride with Hobo […]
April 29, 2021

Spring in Sofia

After the looong and snowy winter it’s what we’ve all been anticipating for months – Spring in Sofia! The season of awakening, excitement and good mood! Sofia in spring is truly magnificent and a perfect option for an extended weekend trip or a spring getaway. The flowers are blooming and nature is coming to life. The beauty and excitement of this season is just one of the reasons why it’s the perfect time to visit the Bulgarian capital. It’s also the perfect time of year to discover some of Bulgaria’s most interesting traditions. It is indeed during spring time that Bulgarians celebrate some of their most beloved national holidays. Spring Holidays in Bulgaria March 1st – Baba Marta & Martenitsa  Red and white decorations appear everywhere in Bulgaria to celebrate the end of winter and the beginning of the new cycle of life. This old and pagan tradition is so widespread in the country that it’s impossible to miss it. Vendors start selling martenitsas on the streets as early as […]
March 14, 2021

Belogradchik Rocks and Fortress – How to Get There, History & More

Bulgaria offers so much variety when it comes to day trips. There’s a lot to see, and it is sometimes hard to prioritize. Most visitors with a 2-3 day stay in the country usually choose a trip to Plovdiv or the Rila Monastery. However, if you have more time, a trip to the Belogradchick Rocks and Fortress will surely be one to remember. History Belogradchick is a town in the North West of Bulgaria. While the region itself is economically lagging behind other regions in the country, there is something that attracts local and foreign visitors alike. And that’s the famous Belogdradchick Rocks and Fortress. Truth is, Bulgaria is not famous for its castles. However, this one is definitely worth visiting. Not only because of the fortress itself but because of the way it’s situated among the incredibly beautiful rocks. In fact, the fortress has been there in different shapes and forms for the past 2000 years. Artifacts found in the area (such as Roman coins, ceramics, and more) prove […]
November 18, 2020

How to get to Boyana Waterfall and Boyana Lake from Sofia?

We must admit that the citizens of Sofia are spoiled by having the Vitosha mountain so close by. There are many different ways to get there. However, today we are focusing on one of our favorites. One of the many hiking paths available is the one that takes you to the Boyana waterfall. The Boyana Neighbourhood Once a village, neighbouring the big city, today Boyana is one of the nicest and most preferred residential areas in Sofia. It is right at the foot of the Vitosha Mountain. Therefore, it is 8km away from Sofia’s city center. To access it you need to go beyond Sofia’s ring road between Dragalevtsi and Knyazhevo. There are mostly houses in Boyana owned by what would be considered as the wealthier part of the Bulgarian society. However, the area is also home to a few must sees during your trip to Sofia. By far, the most famous landmark is the Boyana Church. A UNESCO world heritage site dating back to the 10th century. Another very […]
October 26, 2020

Parks and Gardens in Sofia

They call it one of the greenest capitals in Europe for a reason! Sofia might not have sea access or a large river crossing it but it is full of beautiful parks – green in spring, yellowish in autumn and (hopefully) white in winter. Here is our selection and description of the most popular and attractive open spaces you should not miss! The City Garden We simply had to start with the oldest one! During the Ottoman rule there was a private garden here in front of the then police station. The park was not open to the public but remained accessible only to the local ruler. Right after the liberation in 1878, the park was officially opened under the name The Alexandrov Garden in honor of the Russian Emperor Alexander II. Today, the most important building in the City Garden is the National Theater Ivan Vazov finished in the first decade of the 20th century. The park is small and neat, with plenty of benches to sit, relax and […]