Sofia’s Lost Communist Heritage: Tracing Bulgaria’s Complex Past
December 14, 2023
How to get to Vitosha mountain
August 1, 2024
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 Vitosha mountain! And yes we are totally going to brag that once work is over during the winter season we can drive up the mountain and do some night skiing. You are an early riser? You can get on those slopes as early as 8:30 AM. Due to the changing weather conditions, it is wise to check what time the lifts are open.
2. Ice-skating – For our more tame athletic types
Sofia boasts two such options in the city’s center.
Yunak Stadium
The ice-skating rink at Yunak stadium is an yearly event. You will find it at the entrance of Borisova Garden, right next to Vasil Levski Metro Station. Near the intersection of boulevards Evlogi & Hristo Georgievi and Dragan Tsankov. Once you have discovered it, you will be ready to rent your skates. Don’t worry! You don’t need to be an ice-skating champion to put on those skates. If it is your first time, and you are not the most coordinated person, you might spend the majority of your time inspecting the ice on the ground, i.e. get ready to fall a lot, but trust us you will have tons of fun.
2023/2024 Working Hours & Prices:
Working Hours:
Every Day: 10 AM to 11:20 PM
Prices:
- Kids up to 3yo – free of charge
- Adults: 15BGN (including the skates rental)
- Adults: 13BGN (if you have your own skates)
- A lesson with an instructor: 18BGN
You can also buy your tickets online.
Sofia Ice Park
For the 2023/2024 season, you can also visit the exciting Sofia Ice Park. You will find it right in front of the (currently being removed) Monument of the Soviet Army.
Prices:
- Entry ticket for 1 session – 15 BGN
- Ice skates rent for 1 session – 3 BGN
- Locker rent for 1 session – 2 BGN /deposit for key 5 BGN/
- Support /penguin, bear, panda, zamboni/ rent for 50 min – 10 BGN
- Instructor for 30 min. /individual lesson/ 30 BGN
- Entry tickets /only entry, without ice skates/ 6 for the whole season- 100 BGN
3. Board games – For our kids at heart with a grown-up twist
Perhaps you made some new friends last night at your hostel, but the outside temperatures are a bit snippy and you are not too keen on exploring the city. Don’t fear! There is a solution! You will be able to do something with your new BFFs. How about some board games in a cool renovated old house that has a bar! Stop by Abordage and you will see what we are talking about. That’s right – board games, drinks, and great company! That’s one way to escape a harsh winter day in Sofia!
Sofia rooftops covered in snow
4. Sofia Opera and Ballet – For our performing arts fans
You should definitely visit the Sofia Opera and Ballet and take advantage of the incredibly low prices. Yet the standard of the performances is really high! Bulgaria is famous for its wonderful operatic voices and the Sofia Opera and Ballet house is one of the best value for money you could get in the Opera world. You can book your tickets online, or at the location. We advise you to do that online, so you can avoid the potential language barrier at the ticket box while personally selecting your seats from the comfort of your home/accommodation.
5. Visit The Red Flat
The Red Flat is now open. Explore Bulgaria’s communist part by entering the cozy home of an average Bulgarian family from the 1980s. A 1.5 hour long interactive indoor activity that will immerse you into the daily life of the regular Bulgarian people during the Cold War.
6. For our travel bloggers looking for a view
Unfortunately, there are not many options for rooftop views in Sofia. However, there are several bars/restaurants that offer great views such as:
- Sense Hotel Rooftop Bar
- Any of the Millenium Center Rooftop Bars, Restaurants and Cafes
- The Scene Rooftop Bar
7. Join a Walking Tour
Our organization is most famous for doing walking tours in Sofia and Plovdiv. A walking tour might not be the first thing that comes to mind when it’s really cold. However, if you do enjoy walking in the cold winter weather the Free Sofia Tour is always there to guide you through the city’s most famous landmarks! In the snow, they look even more enchanting. The very friendly, young, and energetic tour guides will graciously take you for a leisurely two-hour sightseeing walk. Feel free to join us every single day of the year in front of the Sofia City Court (Palace of Justice). See you there!
8. In need of new clothes, shoes, and jewelry?
Malls are everywhere in Sofia. We have more shopping malls than we have time and money to spend on, enjoy them all. It’s warm, inside, at least. You can also check out our guide to shopping in Sofia.
9. Escape Rooms
Sofia has plenty of escape rooms for you to chose from. 3 KEY Rooms is a local favorite. They are known for their original puzzles and WOW effects, authentic decoration and friendly English speaking staff. The escape games are an entertainment for groups of 2-8 people and is about finding a way out of a misterious room counting on the team’s logical skills, teamwork and resolving riddles. They have 3 different games – all centrally located.
10. Visit the Christmas Market
Christmas markets are not really part of the Bulgarian Christmas tradition. That’s why usually there’s only one such market in town and it’s extremely popular. It is situated in the garden in front of the National Theatre. However, over the past couple of years Sofia’s festive spirit has been raised by around 10 different Christmas markets. Check them out! Christmas specialties and mulled wine will keep you warm in the cold December days! If you happen to be in Bulgaria during Christmas time make sure to learn about some of the fun local Christmas traditions.
11. Go to a traditional Bulgarian restaurant
Traditional Bulgarian restaurants are so cozy that they offer the perfect environment for you to spend several hours enjoying incredible Bulgarian dishes and most of all… great local wines. One of our favorites is Manastirska Magernitsa.
Last Updated: January 2024
Also check out:
Christmas in Sofia – Christmas Markets & Festive Locations
1 Comment
Hola! No es necesario reservar de antemano. Simplemente, vengan a la hora correcta frente del Palacio de la Justicia.