#THECITY# #DOANDSEE# Make your trip start at hoMe | www.arrivalguides.com #EATING# Make your trip start at hoMe | www.arrivalguides.com #BARSANDNIGHTLIFE# #CAFES# Make your trip start at hoMe | www.arrivalguides.com #SHOPPING# Make your trip start at hoMe | www.arrivalguides.com
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Emergency numbers:150 - Emergency Medical Aid166 - Police
Tourist information:Bulgarian State Agency ForTourismAddress: 1 Sveta Nedelya SquareTel: +359 2 933 58 45www.bulgariatravel.org
SOFIAPUBLISHING DATE: 2009-11-27 | COUNTRY CODE: BGContents: The City, Do & See, Eating, Cafés, Bars & Nightlife, Shopping,Sleeping, Essential Information, Maps
SOFIASofia could be likened to Sleeping Beauty rousing from herslumbers…reawakening to once again share her charms withthe outside world. And oh what charms! With relics fromRoman times through to the Soviet era, a vibrant culturaland entertainment scene and the breathtaking surroundingsof the Plana Zavala Mountain range, Sofia is a city ready toreclaim her rightful place as one of the leading lights on theEuropean stage.
Make your trip start at hoMe | www.arrivalguides.com
THE CITY #THECITY#
The Central downtown district is where youwill find the major sights of Sofia’s longhistory, ranging from Roman, Byzantine,20th century and neo-classical Stalinistarchitecture. This is also the cities businessand commercial heart, where the majorshopping avenues and entertainment areasare located.
Near to the Alexander Nevski Church is theOborishte district, a charming residentialand commercial area, with a fine array ofsmall boutique style shops, galleries andrestaurants.
Studentski Grad, as the name suggests ishome to the majority of Sofia’s 16Universities and as can be expected ofsuch a heavily populated student area, thearts and social scene is particularlybohemian and vibrant.
If you want to escape the bright lights ofthe city and are looking for somethingmore serene, then head out to the Boyanadistrict which is located at the foot ofVitosha Mountain, where you can wanderamongst the forested lower slopes andsuck in the fresh mountain air.
DO & SEE #DOANDSEE#
Aleksandar Nevski Memorial ChurchSofia’s premiere landmark! Be sure toattend one of the daily prayer services.
Address: pl. Aleksandar NevskiOpening hours: Open daily 7am-7pm.Phone: + 359 (0)2 988 17 04More information: Trolley no. 9 to Aleksandar Nevski Sq.
Russian Church of St NicholasThis Orthodox Church is widelyacknowledged as the most beautiful of allSofia’s places of worship.
Address: 3 Tsar Osvoboditel BoulevardPhone: +359 (0)2 986 27 15More information: Trolley no. 9 to Aleksandar Nevski Sq.
Rotunda of St GeorgeThis 4th century Roman temple is theoldest preserved building in the city.
Address: 5 Ploshtad Sveta NedelyaPhone: +359 (0)2 981 6541More information: Tram no. 1/2/7/14/18 to Sq. Sveta Nedelya
National History MuseumA great selection of art and archaeologicalfinds and a must see for anyone interestedin Bulgarian history.
Ethnographical MuseumExcellent displays of folk art and crafts.
Address: Aleksandar Batenberg Place / 6A, Moskovska StOpening hours: Open 10:30am - 5:30pm, closed on Monday andTuesdays.Phone: + 359 (0)2 987 41 91More information: Tram no. 2/12/14/18 to Aleksandar Batenburg
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St.
Sofia Art GalleryAn excellent collection of Bulgarian artincludes both past masters andcontemporary artists.
Address: 1 General Gurko Street, entrance from Kniaz Al.Batenberg Str.Opening hours: Open Tuesday-Saturday: 10am - 7pm. Sunday11am - 6pm. Closed on Monday.Phone: +359 (0)2 9872181Internet: www.sghg.cult.bgMore information: Tram no. 2/12/14/18 to Aleksandar BatenburgSt.
Boyana ChurchThis medieval church is a UNESCO heritagesite due to its renaissance style frescoes.
Address: ul. Boyansko ezero 1-3Phone: + 359 (0)2 959 0939Internet: www.boyanachurch.orgMore information: Bus 64/107 to Boyansko Hanche
Mount VitoshaEscape the pace of the city with a hikethrough the forested slopes or rocky peaksof Mount Vitosha.
More information: Tram no.9 to Hladilnika and then bus No 66
EATING #EATING#
Due to its geographical location and itshistory of settlement, Bulgarian cookery isa mixture of several cuisines. Look out forShopska salad or the Turkish influencedKebapcheta and kyufteta which are spicedmincemeat formed and grilled. Don’t missout on a hearty bowl of Kavarma and ifthere’s room to spare, be sure to try therenowned Bulgarian yoghurt.
BulgariTraditional Bulgarian regional cuisine in anatmospheric Art Nouveau style houseadorned with photographs and icons.
Before and AfterArt Nouveau style café serving an excellentselection of snacks and drinks.
Address: 12 ul. Hristo BelchevInternet: www.club-cabaret.netMore information: Tram 1/7 Solunska St.
LucianoA spot of sightseeing and then over toLuciano’s for a well earned coffee andpiece of cake.
Address: ul. Moskovska 29Phone: +359 (0)2 981 97 77More information: Trolley 9 Aleksandar Nevski Sq.
LuckyThis is a great place to sit and peoplewatch whilst you relax with a coffee andone of their tempting cakes.
Address: bul. Tsar Osvoboditel 21Phone: +359 (0)2 943 33 44More information: Bus 84/94/280/306 Su Kliment Ohridski
Dvete FukliEscape the crowds and indulge in somehomemade treats in this delightful café.
Address: ul. Karnigradska 14Phone: +359 (0)2 986 32 70More information: Tram 1/7 Solunska St.
BARS & NIGHTLIFE #BARSANDNIGHTLIFE#
From chic designer bars where you canseriously strut your stuff, to bohemianhideaways reminiscent of the 50’s beatscene in San Francisco, Sofia willundoubtedly have a watering hole tosatisfy the party animal in you.
For the nocturnal animals amongst you orthose suffering from a severe bout ofInsomnia, Sofia’s nightclubs will notdisappoint. Be it hard house, rock orBulgarian folk there’s a place to suit alltastes and styles.
BlazeIntimate DJ bar that attracts the hip youngthings of Sofia.
Address: 36 SlavyanskaPhone: +357 0888 354 004More information: Trolley 1/2/5/8/10 Gen. Josif Gurko St
BilkovataVery popular basement bar that servesgood drinks and plays a wide selection ofmusic.
Address: ul. Ivan Shishman 22Phone: +359 (0)2 986 49 05More information: Bus 9/84/94 Gen. Josif Gurko St
MottoCool and contemporary bar serving a fineselection of cocktails and chilled out tunes.
Address: 18 Aksakov StreetUnderground: Trolley 9 Aleksandar Nevski Sq.Internet: www.motto-bg.com
Pri KmetaIf you’re a beer connoisseur then be sure
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to check out pub Mayor’s where the beer isbrewed on the premises in the timehonoured traditions.
Address: 3 Paris StreetInternet: www.prikmeta.comMore information: Trolley 9 Aleksandar Nevski Sq.
HambaraAtmospheric bohemian hangout with livearts events and good selection of drinks.
Address: 22 6th September StreetMore information: Tram 2/12/14/18 Rakovski St
EscapeSofia’s premiere nightspot with great tunesand an up for it crowd.
Address: 1 Angel Kanchev StreetPhone: +359 889 990 000More information: Tram 2/12/14/18 to Rakovski St
CabaretAtmospheric basement club with DJ’sspinning some hot Latin rhythms.
Since the end of communist rule, Sofia hasblossomed into a shopper’s paradise. Ifyou’re after high end designer boutiques orjust the inexpensive and simple pleasuresof a good rummage around a local market,then Sofia is guaranteed to satisfy yourshopping needs.
Vitosha Boulevard and Graf Ignatiev areSofia’s main shopping areas where you willfind the familiar line up of internationalhigh street fashion chains. If you’re lookingfor something a little more exclusive thenhead for the Tzum department storelocated in nearby Sveta Nedelya Square.This mall is home to some of the topdesigner names in the fashion industry.
If you’re after a one-off original, thenShipka, Oborishte and San Stefano St,near the Alexander Nevski Church arethronging with small boutiques.
If the hustle of the market is more yourthing, then around the Alexander NevskiChurch you will find all manner of antiqueand craft stalls selling everything fromreligious icons to lace doilies.
Other markets of note include theWomen’s market on Stefan StambolovBoulevard, which is probably the mostpopular market in Sofia and selling allmanner of goods, the Book market inSlaveikov square, whilst the Central Halishopping centre, a turn of the centurycovered market on Ekzarh Yosif St is theplace to pick up excellent Bulgarian food.
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SLEEPING #SLEEPING#
EXCLUSIVEGrand Hotel SofiaLocation, location, location…the rooms arealso beautifully furnished and have all thefacilities expected of a quality hotel.
Address: 1 Gurko StreetPhone: + 359 2 811 0811Internet: www.grandhotelsofia.bgMore information: Tram 2/12/14/18 Aleksandar Batenburg St
Sheraton Sofia Hotel BalkanThe rooms in Sofia’s oldest luxury hotel arespacious and combine the comforts ofhome with 21st century amenities.
Address: 5 Sveta Nedelya SquarePhone: +359 (0)2 981 6541Internet: www.starwoodhotels.com/sheratonMore information: Tram 1/2/7/14/18 Sveta Nedelya Sq.
GOOD VALUEScotty’s Boutique HotelA stylish and contemporary boutique hotelset in a recently renovated periodproperty.
AirportSofia International airport is located 10kmfrom Sofia.
The number 84 bus runs between SofiaAirport and Orlov Most from 05.00 until23.00. Journey time is approximately 20minutes. A single ticket costs 1Levincluding luggage.
By Taxi the average fare between SofiaAirport and the city centre is 10 Lev.
Public TransportSofia has a network of public transportoptions that will enable the visitor to easilyget around the city and its surroundingsuburbs. Most services run from05.00-23.30. Single-journey tickets are
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(1Lev), One day pass (4Lev), five days(15Lev) or one month (50Lev) are alsoavailable.