Free Sofia Tour's Blog
February 7, 2018
Welcome to winter in Bulgaria! 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 thought 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 […]
January 19, 2018
Hi everyone! The following post aims to give you more information about taxis in Sofia and the taxi-network in the capital of Bulgaria. How to take a taxi in Sofia? The most secure way to take a taxi in Sofia is to order one via phone, internet or apps. This way the taxi company will keep some important data about the ride. So if a problem occurs, they can track the car, the road, the driver and the time of the ride, making it easier to solve the problem and leaving smaller room for scam. Of course you can also take a taxi on the street by just waving a hand to an approaching taxi-car. On every cab there is a light indicator on the front window. Green light means that the taxi is free and most probably will stop to pick you up. Red light means car is busy and probably won’t stop. On key places like Sofia Airport, Central Bus Station, Central Railway Station, Palace of Justice, etc. […]
January 8, 2018
To and from Sofia Airport Whether you’re planning on visiting Bulgaria’s capital or you just ended up at the Sofia Airport by chance, this article will give you all the information you need on getting from the airport to the city. The Sofia Airport is located at about 10 km away from the city centre. Luckily, there is a pretty good transport infrastructure to get you downtown. Available public transport includes the metro and three bus lines (84, 384 and 184). You can also pick-up a taxi in front of the Arrival building. From Sofia Airport to Sofia City Center BY BUS Until recently (May 2017) there were only 2 bus lines that were serving the 2 terminals of Sofia Airport. Bus line 84 used to pass through both Terminals (T1 and T2) and would take its passengers in downtown Sofia. Bus line 384’s route is Terminal 2 – Drujba district ( ‘Дружба’ in Bulgarian or ‘Comradeship’). Since May 2017 the line 84 splits into 84 and 184 for a trial […]
January 7, 2018
Winter sports at Vitosha mountain, Sofia? Few of the people visiting and falling in love with Sofia and Vitosha mountain are aware of the city’s longstanding ambition to host the Winter Olympic Games. Inspired by Sarajevo’s successful example from 1984, the Bulgarian capital has tried several times to win the competition for Winter Olympics’ host. It came closest in the run up for the 1992 Games by finishing second – only a couple of votes away from the victorious Lillehammer (Norway). Today, Sofia is a bit further away from fulfilling its Olympic dream. However, the city’s beautiful mountain Vitosha is still there. It remains one of the most preferred options for winter sports in Bulgaria. It is located only 30 minutes away from the city center by car. Vitosha mountain welcomes the fans of skiing and snowboarding not only in the winter weekends, but also during the week – at daylight and after sunset. How to ski and snowboard in Sofia and Vitosha mountain? The first and most important prerequisite for […]
December 19, 2017
Dear travelers! We know many of you have already seen our lovely capital Sofia. You’ve probably walked around the historical part of the city with the Free Sofia Tour. You’ve strolled down the Yellow brick road, entered the ancient Rotunda of St. George, gazed at the beautiful St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral. But now you probably want to spend some time outside of Sofia and you’re wondering where to go next? Well, for those of you who like skiing, snowboarding or hiking, going to one of our mountain resorts comes naturally as a next destination here in Bulgaria. One of these great places is Bansko. Let’s talk about Bansko! Bansko is a small town situated in Southwestern Bulgaria, surrounded by Rila, Pirin and Rhodope mountains. It is one of our most popular ski resorts and a popular site for recreation with its pine forests, mountain peaks and lakes near the town. The distance between Sofia and Bansko is 160km and it takes approximately 2 hours to get there by car and […]
October 30, 2017
Adventure seekers, Sofia Alternative Tour is finally here! 365 Association proudly presents the beginning of something unseen… We have been exploring the city the way no tour guide did before. Therefore, we are ready to give you the chance to unfold some secrets that have stayed hidden even for locals. Until now. Sofia Alternative Tour is here! If you: are always searching for a way off the beaten path; want to see places on your own and take part in a treasure hunt; want to escape from the crowd and participate in something different than your typical tourist experience; are not afraid of city legends and the ghosts behind them; sometimes act before you think and jump before you are pushed; think you can handle the Bulgarian style of communication; like riddles and you think you can deal with the pieces of the Sofia puzzle; are comfortable with giving, taking and sharing; If you’re The Alternative Tourist – Our brand new project is for you. You will discover the hidden spots of Sofia on your own, […]
July 20, 2015
Walk through pedestrian friendly Sofia As goes the famous song by Aerosmith. This time we are not going to sing, but we will walk you through the pedestrian secrets of our city. This post is for all who are keen on going by foot. Walking has always been the primary means of human locomotion. There is simply no way to avoid it and we are doing it all the time – we are walking out of home in the morning, going to school or work, we are walking during the day, we are walking to the party in the evening. We are made for walking and it is good for us. Not only does it help us keep fit, but it also gives us a chance to slow down and discover the extraordinary and unique aspects of a place. Sofia has all the perfect characteristics of a pedestrian friendly capital. Although it is the biggest city in Bulgaria, the capital is ideal for a stroll with its many parks, lively […]
May 11, 2015
This year the 365 Association, which stands behind the Free Tours of Sofia and Plovdiv, is launching two new and exciting projects: the 365: Communist Tour (link for the tour) and Culture Tour (link for the tour). The idea behind starting a 365: Communist Tour actually arose out of the experience of our guides doing the Free Sofia Tour. On many occasions our guests show a deeper interest in the topic and have asked about what it was like in Bulgaria during that period, wanting to learn more about the story of our side of the Cold War. The 365: Communist Tour – Communism and Europe The Cold War is, of course, something that practically affected the whole world in the previous century. It has been over 25 years since communism officially disappeared in Europe. It is natural that memories are already starting to fade away or get distorted. At the same time, most people still have strong opinions on the topic. If you just talk to a local about it, you […]
February 13, 2015
February 14th is just around the corner. And the closer it gets, the more excited we are. Why? Because in Bulgaria, it is not merely a holiday – but a two-in one holiday! On this date we Bulgarians celebrate not only St. Valentine’s Day but also the Day of St. Triphon Zarezan – the feast of vine growing and wine producing. St. Valentine’s Day in Bulgaria? Although St. Valentine’s Day is not a traditional Bulgarian feast, for many people in Bulgaria February 14th is a very special day, because it involves a lot of romance and love. Over the last decades, we have embraced the well-known Western celebrations of St. Valentine’s Day – spending the day or evening with a loved one at a romantic place – a nice restaurant, a romantic dinner at home, the cinema or the theater… And couples who happen to have more free time (and money) indulge in a nice hotel with mineral water, spa procedures and massages, or with a short trip outside the country (Venice, […]