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November 13, 2023
How to get to Rila Monastery - Ultimate Guide | Free Sofia Tour
Published by Free Sofia Tour at November 13, 2023
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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 2024. Call +35929555362 (Ovcha Kupel (Sofia-West) Bus Station) for the most up-to-date info. To Rila […]
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October 24, 2023
international food places in sofia
Published by Free Sofia Tour at October 24, 2023
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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 […]
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October 9, 2023
brunch and breakfast in sofia
Published by Free Sofia Tour at October 9, 2023
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5 Best Breakfast & Brunch Places in Sofia

Surprisingly for such a large city, Sofia’s breakfast and brunch scene was rather limited. Until recently. For many years local “grab and go” pastries (like banitsa) have been the dominant breakfast option for most locals. Fortunately, over the past decade we’ve seen several wonderful breakfast & brunch establishments open in the city center.  In this article, we’ll explore some of the best breakfast and brunch places in Sofia that cater to a variety of tastes and preferences. Sweet and Salty Bakery Cafe This cozy bakery in the heart of Sofia (right next to the Vitosha Boulevard) offers a wide variety of both Bulgarian and foreign brunch and breakfast classics such as fried french toast with filling, Bulgarian donuts or the traditional banitsa. Of course, you will also find favorites like eggs benedict, avocado toast, homemade granola and much more. Oh, and did we mention irresistible dessert options?  Sofiyska Banitsa This one is for the lovers of those oldschool Bulgarian grab and go “banitsa” places. Don’t get tricked by the dodgy […]
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September 20, 2023
best traditional restaurants in sofia (2)
Published by Free Sofia Tour at September 20, 2023
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5 Best Traditional Bulgarian Restaurants in Sofia

Sofia, the vibrant capital of Bulgaria, is a city that boasts a rich culinary tradition. A tradition deeply rooted in its history and culture. Bulgarian cuisine is a delightful blend of flavors and techniques, influenced by a variety of cultures that have left their mark on the region over centuries. If you’re visiting Sofia and want to savor the best of traditional Bulgarian cuisine, you’re in for a treat. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best traditional Bulgarian restaurants in Sofia that offer a taste of the country’s culinary heritage. MANASTIRSKA MAGERNITSA In Manastirska Magernitsa you will find a wide range of authentic cuisine options with recipes gathered from monasteries around the country, hence its name which means “monastery canteen”. This culinary journey will take place in a beautiful ethnic house from the last century, with rural and “old Sofia” interior. The slogan of Manastirska Magernitsa is “Before the bread we are all equal!”. Therefore, guests are welcomed with homemade bread and Bulgarian hospitality!  MOMA – Bulgarian Food […]
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October 27, 2022
bankya bath sofia
Published by Free Sofia Tour at October 27, 2022
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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 […]
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May 16, 2022
nedkov urumov 3
Published by Free Sofia Tour at May 16, 2022
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Bulgarian Modernist Architecture in Sofia – Top 8 Examples

Bulgarian modernism is one of Sofia’s best-kept secrets. It’s predominantly in the city center of Bulgaria’s capital where you’ll find prime examples of Bulgarian modernist architecture. Following WW1 and the two Balkan wars, Bulgaria saw a drastic change in the period between the two world wars. Naturally, that was also reflected in the architecture. History of Bulgarian Modernism The years between the two world wars in Bulgaria were a very dynamic period in terms of the changes in stylistic trends. The 1920s was a period of coexistence of different architectural trends such as Art Deco, echoes of Art Nouveau, and different eclectic styles. On the contrary, the beginning of the 1930s was the time of the consolidation of the new trend of the Modern Movement with its distinguishable features like the clearness of the form, functionality, lack of redundant ornamentation, horizontalism, etc. but sometimes with some elegant local taste. This was also the time of intensive growth of the urban population. As a result of that in Sofia, a great […]
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June 28, 2021
alternative transport sofia
Published by Free Sofia Tour at June 28, 2021
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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 […]
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April 29, 2021
spring in Sofia
Published by Free Sofia Tour at April 29, 2021
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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 […]
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March 14, 2021
belogradchick rocks
Published by Free Sofia Tour at March 14, 2021
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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 […]
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