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.

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 – Hobo 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 […]
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 […]
January 24, 2020

How to get to Skopje from Sofia?

If you have already explored Sofia and are now looking for another attractive destination across the border, your easiest shot is definitely Skopje! North Macedonia’s major city is the closest capital to Sofia, with a distance of only 245 kilometers between them. However, due to a variety of reasons, there are still no flights or railways directly linking the two cities together. With planes and trains unavailable, the only way to reach Skopje from Sofia is by car or by bus. To Skopje by BUS The bus ride between the Bulgarian and North Macedonian capitals takes approximately five hours if you are lucky enough to avoid the annoying traffic at the border checkpoints. The busses of MATPU company leave every day from the Sofia Central Bus Station at 09:30 and at 14:00. Alternatively, you can opt for Kaleia company, with its busses departing from Sofia every day at 07:00, 17:30 and midnight. Tickets can be purchased both online and on the spot prior to departure. Ticket prices are around 30BGN […]
January 6, 2020

Koprivshtitsa: How to Get There, History and More

Buzludzha, Zheravna, Belogradchik… it seems that we have a weird tradition in Bulgaria of giving famous sightseeing locations complicated names. However, one of the most famous and most complicated too is Koprivshtitsa. There are probably innumerable visitors of our country who have opted out on the option of going there because of the sheer difficulty of the name of this beautiful historic town in Central Bulgaria. Today we are taking you on a virtual journey there focusing on how to get to Koprivshtitsa and also, what to do and see there.  Koprivshtitsa: Who, what, where? Koprivshtitsa is one of the most characteristic Bulgarian towns, huddled in the mountain-folds just 111 km east of Sofia. The town is a cultural and historic reserve encapsulating the atmosphere of the Bulgarian National Revival period of the 19th century. Apart from an enormous collection of ethnographic treasures, architectural monuments, national costumes, typical Bulgarian jewelry, traditional household weaves, enchanting embroidery and many works of art, the town is most famous for being one of the […]
October 28, 2019

Sofia on a cold rainy day – Top 9 Indoor Activities in Sofia

You know the feeling when you go to a new and exciting destination and you can’t wait to explore all the sights and then… it starts raining. You most probably do if you’re already here. Sofia is one of those cities that might appear amazingly beautiful on a nice sunny day or incredibly gray and depressing when it’s cold and rainy. Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered with 9 exciting things to do when it’s raining in Sofia: 1.  Visit one of Sofia’s great coffee spots Fortunately, in recent years many great coffee shops opened in Sofia. Depening on where you’re staying in the city you might consider visiting the Rainbow Factory, Vanilla or Chucky’s Coffee House. Or, if you prefer having your coffee in a more formal environment then Grand Café is the option for you. Have a cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate while planning your rainy day schedule. 2. Check out Sofia’s quirky shops The center of town is home to some unique, artsy stores that might have you spending […]