Travel to Sofia

Travel to Sofia

Hemmed in by the Vitosha Mountains to the south and the Balkan Mountains to the north, Sofia is situated on an open plain 1,804 feet above sea level in the western region of Bulgaia. It was first founded some 3,000 years ago by the Serdi, an ancient tribe of Thracians. Renowned for its hot springs and vibrant street life, Sofia is often visited by tourists seeking out Bulgarias Black Sea resort getaways or skiing opportunities.

Transportation to Sofia

The airport is located six miles east of the city centre and offers good facilities with the capacity to serve 2.5 million passengers. A regular shuttle connects the airport to the city centre, and tickets may be purchased from the kiosk situated near the bus stop or from the driver. The Bulgarian State Railway runs an extensive network of services through the whole country, with trains sometimes running excessively slow. Sofias principal station is located on Maria Louiza boulevard, and can be reached via a 20-minute walk north of the centre of the city. To buy tickets to the northern regions, queue up on the ground floor; otherwise, head to the basement.

The A1 and A2 are the main routes heading out of Sofia. The A2 veers northeast and links up with the E772, ultimately reaching the city of Varna (5 hours) on the Black Sea. The A1 connects with Plovdiv (1 hour, 30 minutes). The E79 connects Sofia and Greece; the E80 runs to Yugoslavia, and the E871 heads for the Russian border. There is no national coach line, but international coaches, primarily Eurolines, offer services to the city of Sofia.

Public transport options include trams, buses and trolley buses, none of which offer nighttime service. There is a single metro line running into the suburbs, though little has been accomplished to extend this service.

What to see

The neo-Byzantine cathedral, Alexander Nevski, is probably Sofias most picturesque monument. Located at the heart of the city, its topped by copper and golden domes and was built in honour of fallen Russian soldiers who fought to free Bulgaria from Ottoman rule. Inside are murals and altars dedicated to some of the key saints of Bulgaria. The oldest preserved building in Sofia is the Rotunda of St George. It dates back to the 4th century, when it began as a Roman temple. This building has been renovated and restored at the hands of many changing empires and recent excavation has revealed some superb medieval frescoes dating back to the 10th century. The Banya Bashi Mosque is the last of its kind, recalling a history of Ottoman rule and some 70 mosques at the empires pinnacle. Today, this mosque still serves the Muslim minority, but it is also open to visitors outside of prayer times.

The National Archaeological Museum is worth a visit just for the remarkable 15th century building which was previously a mosque. Recently renovated, the displays depict a long and changing history stretching back to ancient Thracian religious rituals, embodied in a display of 13 decorated vessels of gold that were most likely used for these ancient rites.

Daytrips

Located 75 miles from Sofia, Rila Monastery may very well be the most significant of Bulgarias cultural monuments. It is set against a backdrop of the alpine mountains of Rila National Park, and is on the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites. The park has many hiking trails and offers much natural beauty. Those wishing to spend more than one day here can arrange to stay a night at the monastery.

Activities and leisure

Visitors are often surprised by the amount of nightlife available in Sofia. Bars host much of the activity until midnight, at which point business moves to the clubs which are scattered across town. Public transportation however, stops service at nighttime, so reaching the party can sometimes be difficult.

Safety issues

While Sofia is generally a safe place to visit, its always important to be on guard against pickpockets and petty theft. Tourists are also advised to be on guard when enjoying the late night party scene. We advise taking out a travel insurance policy that will protect you and your family as well as offering you peace of mind.