In Your Pocket - Bulgaria Gateway

Hotels Restaurants Cafés Nightlife Sightseeing Events Maps 

No 13 

www.inyourpocket.com 

SOFIA 

Including 

BOROVETS 

Enjoy your 

COMPLIMENTARY 

COPY 

of Sofia 

In Your Pocket 

January-March 2009 

Winter Fun 

Down the slopes of 

Vitosha and Borovets 

Metal Winter 

Headbang till springtime

In Your Pocket guides and mini-guides are published in more than 50 cities across the 

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Europe’s City Guide 

inyourpocket.com 

ESS ENT I A L C I T Y GUID E S

ESSENTIAL CITY GUIDES 

Contents 

Arriving in Sofia 5 

Touching down 

The Basics 6 

Essential reading for those not sure where 

they are 

History 8 

How the past has shaped the present 

Introducing Sofia 9 

Mayor of Sofia 

Keeping in touch 10 

Let your Mum know how you are 

Culture & Events 12 

This winter, mostly heavy metal! 

The Bulgarian symbol - Tsarevets 

Famous Bulgarians – Khan Krum and Ralitsa 

Vassileva 

Pablo Picasso’s paintings are in town 

Where to stay 18 

Places to recharge the batteries and catch up 

on your beauty sleep 

Dining & Nightlife 

Restaurants 25 

Where to wine and dine 

Cafés 34 

Feed the addiction 

Nightlife 35 

Enough to keep any pub crawlers on their hands 

and knees 

Contents 

Message from the Mayor 

Dear visitor, 

Welcome to Sofia. 

Our city has ancient and intriguing 

history. It is a capital, rich in 

cultural monuments, dating from 

antiquity to present day. The 

constantly renewed face of the 

city is true to its motto: “It grows, 

but never ages”. 

If you are visiting our capital for 

the first time, you will certainly 

enjoy seeing the Church of St. Sofia, the Alexander Nevski 

Memorial Church, the Rotunda of St. George and the 

Boyana Church from the 11 th century. 

You can explore the collections of the National History 

Museum, the Archeological Museum, the National 

Art Gallery, as well as other museums and galleries, 

throughout the city. 

Most of Sofia’s main sights are centrally situated and 

can easily be visited on foot. 

If you have already been here before, now you will discover 

new and exciting places to visit; great restaurants, 

clubs, shops and galleries, which will undoubtedly enrich 

your stay in Sofia. I sincerely wish you a wonderful time 

in our capital city. 

Boyko Borisov 


What to see 43 

Essential Sofia 

Sofia districts - Boyana and Dragalevtsi 

Mount Vitosha 

Getting around 54 

Making sense of transport 

Directory 

Shopping 58 

Go on a spree 

Health & Lifestyle 62 

Prevention is better than cure 

Sports 65 

Get this six-pack 

Business 68 

Oligarchs anonymous 

Borovets 71 

Bulgaria’s oldest winter resort 

Maps & Index 

Street index 74 

Index 74 

City map 75 

City centre map 76 

Bulgaria map 78 

Sofia In Your Pocket sofia.inyourpocket.com 

3

4 foreWord 

Basically people are two types: chilling and freezing. To know 

them, you just need a winter, some snow and free time. You 

have all these, so you are either: Type “A” - you have aching 

pains, as well as a pair of skis, or a snowboard up on the 

wardrobe and you are happy to eagerly spend most of your 

holiday money just to go up the darn mountains; And type ”B” 

– with a closet, filled with bear-skin thick coats and scarves 

and thinking of ice only in terms of cooling the booze? 

All type “A-s”, who have already taken this issue out of their 

pockets, can jump right to page 71 and learn some very 

useful information about Bulgaria’s oldest winter resort 

Borovets. It happens to be quite close to Sofia and offers 

good accommodation, cool places to eat and party, as well 

as long ski-runs, with a several degrees of difficulty, known 

as one of the best in the land. Vitosha Mountain, Sofia’s 

extinct volcano also offers some thrills and rides, including 

a superbly lit night ski-run for all those who hate “early to 

bed, early to rise”. 

Of course, winter fun is not just for mountain slope fanatics, 

you can shred some ice on the skate-rinks in Sofia (see more 

on page 66), or, being the “B”-type, as in “I think I need a quick 

shot to warm me up”, “boozing and partying” or just “bar fly”, 

you can look around for some indoor amusement. 

This winter, Sofia will host some furious metal shows and 

if names like Sepultura, Sodom, Kreator, Lordi and even 

softer sounding Marillion and The Rasmus, are somewhere 

in your play list, then you will have the chance to meet them 

in person, on stage (see more on page 16). 

For all those art fans, or even for all human beings, a close 

encounter with an artist as brilliant as Picasso can be pretty 

mind-bending. An exhibition of his works is in the National 

Gallery of Foreign Art until the middle of March (see more on 

page 17). You can also catch a last glimpse at the projects 

of some of the biggest stadia and theatres in Communist 

Russia. 

As usual, we keep you informed about everything new and 

interesting in Sofia. You can learn about the suburban neighbourhoods 

Boyana and Dragalevtsi, known for their huge 

mansions and big shiny cars, or find out about the Tsarevets 

fortress in Veliko Tarnovo, which used to be the heart of the 

Second Bulgarian Kingdom. 

Speaking of history, our famous Bulgarians are Khan Krum, 

the merciless ruler and Ralitsa Vassileva – long time news 

presenter on CNN. 

And of course, on the First of March all Bulgarians and their 

welcomed guests should put on their martenitsas, so we 

can all celebrate the long awaited Springtime! 


Sofia In Your Pocket 

Mladost 4, bl. 473, vh. 2-3, 

pristroika, parter 

(opposite the Business Park) 

1715 Sofia, Bulgaria 

tel.: + 359 2 881 01 02 

fax: + 359 2 881 53 32 

sofia@inyourpocket.com 


ISSN 1312-742X 

© Discover Bulgaria Ltd. 

Printed by Delta High Print EAD 

Published 4 times per year 

15 000 copies 

Editorial 

Editor-in-chief Steven MacAulay 

Assistant Editor Vesela Lyudskanova, Mitko 

Nikolov 

Research Mitko Nikolov, Vesela 

Lyudskanova, Maya Kozareva 

Layout & Design Krassimir Apostolov 

Photos Veronica de Boer, Nikola Apostolov, 

Vladimir Hadzhiev 

Cover Veronica de Boer 

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Sofia In Your Pocket sofia.inyourpocket.com

Relax. There seem to be more signs, written in the 

English language on major roads, and there are more and 

more Bulgarians, who feel confident to speak “English”. 

After all, they have been watching American subbed 

movies for years, and even some gas-pumping people 

have university degrees. The more you get stuck in traffic 

jams and the harder it is to park, then you must be in the 

city centre. 

By plane 

Sofia International Airport (Letishte Sofia), 10km east 

of the city centre, is divided into two terminals - the aging 

Terminal 1 and the recently opened Terminal 2. The arrivals 

halls at both terminals boast cafés, car-hire and taxi 

counters, information desk, ATMs and exchange bureaux 

(although beware that rates here are not particularly 

generous, so it’s best to only change enough cash for immediate 

survival). 

Getting to town: avoid the taxi touts, thronging the arrivals 

halls and head instead for the official ranks of yellow taxis 

parked outside (OK Supertrans and Taxi S Express). The 

fare into town shouldn’t cost more than 16Lv (E8). 

Alternatively, you can catch the bus - No 84 from Terminal 

1 or No 284 from Terminal 2. Both run to Orlov Most (C-5) 

on the eastern fringes of the city centre, departing roughly 

every 10-15 minutes between 05:00 and 23:00. Tickets 

cost 1Lv from the kiosks beside the bus stop, or from the 

driver. You also have to buy a separate ticket for each bulky 

piece of luggage; otherwise, you run the risk of being fined 

by ticket inspectors. 

By train 

Sofia’s Central Station (Tsentralna gara), open 05:00 

- 24:00, is an unwelcoming concrete hangar 20-minute 

walk north of the city centre. Facilities include left-luggage, 

money exchange kiosks, ATMs, bars and fast-food outlets. 

Beware of pickpockets who hang around the station and the 

adjoining underpass. There are coin-operated left-luggage 

lockers in the basement (2Lv for 24hrs), and a left-luggage 

office (garderob) just off the eastern side of the main ticket 

hall (open 06:00 - 23:00; 2Lv per item). 

Cheapest way of getting to town is to hop on tram No 1 

or 7 (buy ticket from kiosks or from the driver - 1 Lv) from 

opposite the station forecourt - head for the subterranean 

underpass to find the platform. Either of these will take 

you to pl. Sveta Nedelya, well placed for central Sofia’s 

amenities - get off when you see the Sheraton Hotel looming 

up on your left. 

The taxi drivers hovering outside the station are an unpredictable 

bunch; check that their meters are switched on 

or agree a flat fare before setting off; otherwise walk 200 

metres east to the bus station (see below) where the taxi 

firms are more reputable. 

By bus 

Most international and domestic buses arrive at the 

spanking new Central Bus Station (Tsentralna Avtogara), 

200m east of the Central Railway Station. Compared to 

other points of arrival the bus station is comfortingly 

civilized, with clean toilets, plenty of shops and cafés, a 

pharmacy, and an ATM. There is a 24-hour left-luggage 

office (2-3Lv depending on size of bag) in the main ticket 

hall. 

To get into the centre of town from here, stroll either south 

down bul. Maria Luiza (15-20 min), or walk 200m west to 

pick up tram No 1 or 7 outside the train station (see above). 

There is a taxi booking office just beside the main exit. 

sofia.inyourpocket.com 

arrIvInG In sofIa 

Street smarts 

Street Улица (ул.) Ulitsa (ul.) 

Square Площад (пл.) Ploshtad (pl.) 

Boulevard Булевард (бул.) Boulevard (bul.) 

Highway Магистрала Magistrala 

Bridge Мост Most 

Some international buses arrive at the Trafik-Market terminal 

mid-way between the main train and bus stations. As this 

is nothing more than a parking lot bordered by ticket offices 

and café kiosks, you’ll have to walk to the main stations on 

either side to find any facilities. 

By car 

Regardless of your point of entry, you deserve plaudits for 

being so brave. The first thing you need to do is reduce your 

speed to avoid the many police checks on incoming roads. 

Follow the lead of other cars (not the ones who overtake 

and temporarily drive on the wrong side of the road) and 

get patiently in line should you encounter a traffic jam, 

which are unfortunately becoming more and more frequent, 

especially during rush hour. Parking can be difficult to find 

in the city, and you should be aware that the blue zones 

cost 1Lv per hour. Failure to pay can lead to clamping and 

your car being towed away after 2 hours. Parking vouchers 

are sold on the spot by parking attendants or you can 

just send SMS to 1302 with your registration number (for 

Bulgarian and transit license plate numbers), and you will 

be notified when the time is up, giving you the chance to 

pay for the next hour. 

BOOK ON: +359 2 981 46 26, 

reservations@europcar.bg, www.europcar.bg 

Free delivery / collection 

� The Sofia 

telephone code is: 02 

January - March 2009 

5

6 BasICs 

Alcohol 

The archetypal national tipple is rakiya, which usually comes 

as either grozdova rakiya (grape brandy) or slivova (plum). 

It’s usually served up in 50g or 100g shots and is consumed 

alongside salad or some other form of nibble – wait-staff will 

consider you peculiar if you don’t order at least something to 

snack on while you’re slugging down spirits. As far as beer is 

concerned, Bulgaria produces several palatable if unexciting 

lagers – Zagorka, Shumensko and Kamenitsa are the most 

reliable of the big brands. Much more impressive are the dry 

red wines, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon from Svishtov and 

Oryahovitsa, Merlot from Stambolovo, Gumza from Novo Selo, 

Mavrud from Asenovgrad, and Melnik from the village of same 

name. The Chardonnays and Traminers from Veliki Preslav are 

among the best of the whites. 

Customs 

If you are travelling within the EU, those over 18 can now take 

10L of spirits, 90L of wine and 110L of beer. Most countries 

will not allow more than 200 cigarettes from Bulgaria. 

You’re not allowed to export antiques, artworks or coins 

of numismatic value unless you have a permit issued by 

the Ministry of Culture. Due to fears about child trafficking, 

travellers with small children may be asked for documentary 

evidence of their parental relationship before being allowed 

to leave the country. 

Electricity 

Bulgaria runs on a 220 volt electricity supply (so some 

visitors will need to bring a transformer). Standard continental 

two-prong plugs are used, so others will need to 

furnish themselves with an adaptor, if they want to use their 

hairdryer/phone/ charger/laptop. 

Smoking 

Cafès, bars and restaurants are required by law to provide an 

area for non-smokers. In practice however this will probably 

consist of one or two tables, surrounded on all sides by 

nicotine addicts happily puffing away. 

Tourist information 

The National Tourist Information Centre B-3, 

pl. Sveta Nedelya 1, tel. 933 58 45, fax 989 69 

39, info@bulgariatravel.org, www.bulgariatravel. 

org. The Tourist Information Centre has undergone 

a far-reaching facelift in the past few months, and 

now constitutes an inviting and altogether quite chic 

info-boutique, equipped with designer bar-stools for 

tourists to perch on while helpful staff distribute free 

maps or search their databases for the answers to all 

sorts of queries. They aren’t authorized to make hotel 

reservations on tourists’ behalf, but they do distribute 

well-informed locally-published guides like this one. 

QOpen 09:00 - 17:00. Closed Sat, Sun. 

Zig Zag Holidays B-2, bul. Aleksandar Stamboliyski 

20B (entrance from ul. Lavele), tel. 980 51 02, fax 

980 32 00, info@zigzagbg.com, www.zigzagbg. 

com. The staff at this private travel agency, specializing 

in individual and alternative holidays are a mine of invaluable 

information - be aware however that they charge a 

5Lv consultancy fee (which is deducted from the cost 

of any arrangements you book through them). QOpen 

08:30 - 19:30. Closed Sat, Sun. 

Visas 

Citizens of the EU, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the 

USA can stay in the country visa-free for 90 days. Nationals 

of other countries should contact the Bulgarian embassies or 

consulates in their home countries about visa arrangements. 

Note that visas cannot be obtained at the border. 

If you wish to extend your stay beyond the 90-day period you 

should apply for a residence permit from the Immigration 

Office, bul. Maria Luiza 48, tel. 982 37 64. Open 09:00 – 

17:00. Closed Sat & Sun. 

Key phrases 

The following is a list of some of the most common words 

and phrases a person is likely to need. 

Hello Zdravei 

Goodbye Dovizhdane 

Please Molya 

You’re welcome Pak zapoviadaite 

Thank you Blagodarya 

Excuse me Izvinete 

Yes / No Da / Ne 

Cheers Nazdrave 

I don’t understand Ne razbiram 

I don’t know Ne znam 

Do you speak English? Govorite li angliiski? 

What’s up? Kakvo stava? 

Good morning! Dobro utro! 

Good afternoon / evening! Dobur den / vecher! 

Good night! Leka nosht! 

Have you got…? Imate li…? 

Where can I buy…? Kude moga da kupya…? 

How many / how much? Kolko / Kolko struva? 

Good / bad Dobro / losho 

Expensive / cheap Skupo / evtino 

New / old Novo / staro 

Hot / cold Toplo / studeno 

Forgive me! Prostete mi! 

You are a very pretty girl Vie ste mnogo krasivo 

momiche 

You are a very attractive man Vie ste mnogo 

privlekatelen mazh 

May I have the bill? Mozhe li smetkata? 

No offence, but it’s too Ne se obizhdayte, no 

expensive for me 

Days of week 

e tvarde skapo za men 

Monday Ponedelnik 

Tuesday Vtornik 

Wednesday Sryada 

Thursday Chetvurtak 

Friday Petuk 

Saturday Subota 

Sunday 

Numbers 

Nedelya 

1 edno 

2 dve 

3 tri 

4 chetiri 

5 pet 

6 shest 

7 sedem 

8 osem 

9 devet 

10 deset 

100 sto 

1000 hilyada 


Roads & Traffic police 

Most Bulgarians turn into psychopaths as soon as they get 

behind the wheel of a car, although given the state of the road 

network one can hardly blame them. Cow-sized potholes, 

suicidal pedestrians and drunken cyclists riding on the wrong 

side of the road are just some of the things to look out for – 

and with hazards like these you need to swerve around like 

a stunt driver in order to stay in one piece. 

Streets in central Sofia can be clogged with traffic. Road 

signage is haphazard and street names are almost exclusively 

in Cyrillic, so you need to research your route on a map before 

you set off. Finding a place to park can be a nightmare. A lot socalled 

blue-zone parking areas are run by private companies. 

Parking vouchers (1Lv/hour) are sold on the spot by parking 

attendants. In order to drive on Bulgarian roads outside Sofia 

you’ll need to purchase a vignette which must be displayed in 

the windscreen. You can get these from border crossings, all 

post offices and OMV and Shell gas stations. For a car or SUV 

vignettes cost 10Lv for one week, 25Lv for one month, and 

67Lv for a year. Speed limits are 120km/hr on main highways, 

90km/hr on minor roads and 50km/hr in urban areas. 

Talking on a mobile phone while driving is strictly forbidden, 

as is driving under the influence of more than 0.5/1000 of 

alcohol. Foreigners are well advised to obey the rules of the 

road even if they see locals behaving otherwise: the police 

rarely speak English and are unlikely to show any lenience. 

Police checks on major highways are common, especially 

when entering or leaving Sofia at the weekend. Policeman are 

allowed to charge on-the-spot fines up to 50 Lv. 

Basic data 

Territory: Bulgaria takes up 110, 550 km2 of land. It 

shares borders with Turkey, Greece, Macedonia, Serbia 

and Romania. The country is bordered to the east by a 

354km-long stretch of Black Sea coastline. 

Rivers: The main rivers in the country are Danube, 

Maritsa, Mesta, Strouma, Iskar, Yantra. There are more 

than 600 warm and cold mineral springs. 

Highest Point: Musala (2925m), south of Sofia in the 

Rila mountains. 

Population of Bulgaria: 7,385,367 (July 2006 est.) 

Population of Sofia: 1,377,531 (July 2006 est.) 

Foreigners in Bulgaria: 60 000 (July 2006 est.) 

Foreign tourists per year: approximately 6,5 million. 

Local time: Bulgaria is part of the Eastern European Time 

Zone (GMT +2); when it is noon in Sofia it is 11:00 in Berlin, 

10:00 in London and 05:00 in New York City. 

Religion: Traditional religion in the Republic of Bulgaria 

is Eastern Orthodox Christianity. Orthodox 85%, Muslim 

8%, others 7%. 

Market values 

How do costs compare to back home? Here is handy list 

of local prices to give you an idea. 

Leva Euro 

Loaf of white bread 1.00 0.50 

Snickers bar 0.80 0.40 

Litre of vodka 40.00 20.00 

Bottle of local beer 2.00 1.00 

20 Marlboros 5.00 2.50 

Exchange rates (as of January 2009): US$1 - 1.40Lv; 

€1 – 1.95Lv; £1 – 2.08Lv 


The Cyrillic Alphabet 

BasICs 

Аа a as in arm 

Бб b as in bath 

Вв v as in van 

Гг g as in go 

Дд d as in dog 

Ее e as in let 

Жж zh as ’s’ in measure 

Зз z as in zoo 

Ии i as in bit 

Йй y as in yoke 

Кк k as in keep 

Лл l as in like 

Мм m as in map 

Нн n as in not 

Оо o as in opera 

Пп p as in pen 

Рр r as in run 

Сс s as in sit 

Тт t as in tap 

Уу u as in rule 

Фф f as in fan 

Хх h as in hand 

Цц ts as in cuts 

Чч ch as in church 

Шш sh as in short 

Щщ sht as in smashed 

Ъъ a as in but 

Ьь softens ’o’ as in yoga 

Юю yu as in you 

Яя ya as in yard 

National holidays 

January 1: New Year’s Day (Nova godina) 

March 3: Liberation Day (Liberation from the Ottoman 

rule) (Denyat na osvobozhdenieto) 

April 19: Easter (Velikden) 

May 1: Labour Day (Denyat na truda) 

May 6: St. George’s Day (Gergyovden; Day of the Bulgarian 

Army) 

May 24: St. St. Cyril and Methodius (Sveti Sveti Kiril 

i Metodyi; Day of the Cyrillic Alphabet and Bulgarian 

Education and Culture) 

September 6: Unification Day (Saedinenieto; marking 

the unification of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia in 

1885) 

September 22: Independence Day (Denyat na nezavisimostta) 

December 24,25,26: Christmas (Koleda) 

Important phone numbers 

Fire: 160 / 112 

Ambulance: 150 / 112 

Police: 166 / 112 

Road assistance: 146 

Anti-corruption unit: 982 22 22, www.nocorr.mvr.bg 

Telephone information: 11800 

Breakdown Service: 91146 or 146 if you’re calling from 

a Bulgarian mobile 


7

8 HIstory 

History 

Antiquity In antiquity, Bulgaria, the land of Orpheus and 

Spartacus, belongs to the Kingdom of Macedonia. 

4 th century BC The territory of contemporary Bulgaria is 

conquered by the Macedonians, lead by Philip II and his son 

Alexander the Great. During the first century AD these lands 

become Roman provinces. 

632 The History of Bulgaria as a separate country begins 

with the establishment of Old Great Bulgaria (also known 

as Onoguria). 

681 First Bulgarian Kingdom is established by Khan 

Asparuh. 

865 Bulgaria becomes a Christian country. Tsar Boris I accepts 

Orthodox Christianity. 

9 th -10 th centuries “The Golden Age” period under the rule of 

Tsar Simeon the Great. The Slavic writing is officially accepted 

throughout the country. Literature schools, imposing temples 

and monasteries are built. Bulgaria has an outlet on three 

seas - the Black sea, Aegean Sea and the Adriatic. The capital 

is moved to Veliki Preslav, which during that period could be 

compared with the beauty and glory of Constantinople. 

1018 Bulgaria falls under Byzantine rule until 1185. 

1185 The Second Bulgarian Kingdom (1185-1396) is founded 

after two brothers, Asen and Peter. The capital city of the new 

kingdom becomes Veliko Turnovo. 

12 th -13 th centuries Under the rule of the Tsar Kaloyan (1197- 

1207) and Tsar Ivan Asen II (1218-1241), Bulgaria becomes 

a dominant power in the Balkans. 

1393 The Ottomans occupy the Bulgarian capital Veliko 

Turnovo after a three-month siege. 

1396 The Kingdom of Vidin is occupied, bringing the Second 

Bulgarian Empire and Bulgarian independence to an end. 

14 th -18 th centuries By the end of the 14 th century, the 

Turks control all of Bulgaria. Ottoman rule continues for five 

centuries. 

18 th century The Age of the Bulgarian National Revival begins. 

In spite of the resistance of the central Turkish authorities and 

the Greek clergy (the so-called phanariots), the struggle for an 

independent church, the publication of books and, later on, of 

periodicals in the Bulgarian language, the establishment of lay 

Bulgarian schools and the official recognition of the language 

and culture, become real steps to the revival of the nation. 

One important landmark was the writing of the Slav-Bulgarian 

History (1762) by monk Paissi of Hilendar. 

1876 Bulgarian revolutionaries launch the April Uprising at 

Koprivshtitsa. The Turks suppress it with unprecedented 

brutality. About 15,000 Bulgarians are massacred at Plovdiv 

and 58 villages destroyed. Outraged European allies come to 

Bulgaria’s rescue in the late 1870s. Russia, the chief saviour, 

suffers 200,000 casualties in the conflict. 

1877-1878 The Russian-Turkish war leads to the liberation 

of Bulgaria from the Ottoman Empire. 

March 1878 The Treaty of San Stefano provides for an 

independent Bulgarian state, which spans the geographical 

regions of Moesia, Thrace and Macedonia. 

July 1878 The Treaty of Berlin, under the supervision of Otto 

von Bismarck of Germany and Benjamin Disraeli of Britain, 

splits Bulgaria into three parts: an independent Principality of 

Bulgaria based in Sofia, the autonomous Ottoman province 

of Eastern Roumelia; and Macedonia, which remains under 

direct Ottoman rule. 

April 1879 The Turnovo Constitution is passed by the First 

Grand National Assembly. 

June 1879 Alexander Battenberg becomes prince of Bulgaria, 

and Sofia becomes the capital of the new Bulgarian state. 

September 1885 Eastern Rumelia declares union with 

Bulgaria. 

1887 A coup replaces Alexander Battenberg with Ferdinand 

of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. 

Recent History 

In June 2001, the Bulgarian monarchy makes an 

unprecedented comeback when former king Simeon II is 

elected prime minister. Unable to ease economics hardships 

for the majority, however, he too sees his popularity 

plummet after a few months in power. In the same 

election, the country’s Turkish minority is represented 

in the government for the first time, and the president 

encourages Bulgarians to be more tolerant of Turkish- 

Bulgarians. Progress continues under President Georgi 

Parvanov, albeit slower than most hope. Membership of 

NATO is granted in 2004, and entry into the European 

Union follows in 2007. 

July 27, 2005 the Bulgarian Parliament chose Sergey 

Stanishev of the Bulgarian Socialist Party as the new 

Prime Minister in a coalition government with the Movement 

for Rights and Freedoms. August 15, 2005 the 

BSP and National Movement Simeon II formed a stable 

government, along with the Movement for Rights and 

Freedoms. This grand coalition comprises the three 

largest parties. This coalition has a large majority in 

parliament with 169 of the 240 deputies. 

September 1908 Ferdinand upgrades Bulgaria from principality 

to kingdom and declares himself Tsar. 

1912-1913 The Nationalist Prime Minister, Ivan Geshov, 

forms an alliance with Greece and Serbia to attack the 

Ottomans and to drive them out of Macedonia and Thrace. 

The Balkan Wars are sparking. The alliance soon fall out, 

with Greeks and Serbs expelling Bulgarian forces from 

Macedonia, and then dividing up the spoils. 

1915-1918 Bulgaria joins the German side in World War I. A 

Serb-French-British offensive in Macedonia causes Bulgaria’s 

collapse. Ferdinand abdicates in favour of son Boris III. 

1919 Elections are won by the Peasant party of Aleksandar 

Stamboliyski promising widespread social change. 

1923-1934 Democratically elected governments are 

toppled via coups that bring authoritarian regimes to 

power. 

1941 Bulgaria enters World War II on the side of the 

Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis. The country is the only ally of 

Hitler’s Germany which did not allow the killing of its Jewish 

citizens. It was thanks to king Boris III and to the Bulgarian 

governments that no hostilities are waged in the country’s 

territory. 

1944 After World War II, as a result of the Yalta agreements 

between the Great Powers, Bulgaria ends up in the field of 

influence of the Soviet Union. 

1953-1989 Years of the communist rule of Todor Zhivkov 

who headed both the party and the state. 

10 November 1989 Under pressure from domestic and 

international circumstances Todor Zhivkov is forced to 

resign. Bulgaria once again takes the road of democratic 

development. 

7 December 1989 The Union of Democratic Forces (SDS) is 

formed as a unification of 13 opposition organisations. 

June 1990 First free parliamentary elections. 

12 July 1991 A new democratic Constitution is passed. 

13 October 1991 First free local authorities elections. 

1992 First free presidential elections. Zhelyu Zhelev is 

elected head of state. 

3 November 1996 Petar Stoyanov, proposed by the SDS, 

is elected with President of the Republic of Bulgaria with a 

landslide majority. 

19 April 1997 The Parliamentary elections are won by the 

Democratic Forces United. A government is formed headed 

by Ivan Kostov as Prime-Minister. Bulgaria starts on the road 

of genuine democratic reforms. 


The history of Sofia, 

Bulgaria’s capital and largest 

city, spans thousands 

of years from antiquity to 

modern times. Throughout its 

existence, the city has always 

been a commercial, industrial, 

cultural and economic centre 

of the Balkans region. Sofia 

has always been well known 

for its mineral resources, 

neighbouring mountains and 

historical sights. 

Antiquity 

Sofia is originally a Thracian settlement called Serdica, 

named after the Thracian tribe Serdi that had populated it. 

4 th century BC For a short period the city is possessed by 

Philip of Macedonia and his son Alexander the Great. 

29 AD Sofia is conquered by the Romans and renamed Ulpia 

Serdica. It becomes a municipium, or centre of an administrative 

region, during the reign of Emperor Trayan (98-117). 

447 The city is destroyed by the Huns, but is rebuilt by Byzantine 

Emperor Justinian and renamed Triaditsa. Although 

also often destroyed by the Slavs, the town remains under 

Byzantine dominion until 809. 

Middle Ages 

809 Sofia becomes part of the First Bulgarian Kingdom during 

the reign of Khan Krum. 

1018 The city again falls to the Byzantine Empire. 

12 th -14 th centuries Sofia is a thriving centre of trade and 

crafts. It is renamed Sofia (meaning “wisdom” in Greek) in 

1376 after the Church of St Sophia. However, it is called both 

“Sofia” and “Sredets” until the 16th century, when the new 

name gradually replaced the old one. 

Ottoman rule 

1382 Sofia is conquered by the Ottoman sultan Murad I. 

Many Ottoman buildings emerge during the period. Very 

few of them have survived, including only a single mosque, 

Banya Bashi. The Ottoman rule saw a major demographic 

growth, as the city grew from a total population of 6,000 

(1620s) through 55,000 (middle 17 th century) to 70-80,000 

(18 th century data from foreign travellers, albeit possibly 

exaggerated). 

16 th century Sofia is a thriving trade centre inhabited by 

Turks, Bulgarians, Romaniote, Ashkenazi, and Sephardic 

Jews, Armenians, Greeks and Ragusan merchants. During 

the next century the city’s population included even Albanians 

and Persians. 


IntrodUCInG sofIa 


Mr. Boyko Borissov is the leader of Sofia City and also unofficial 

leader of of the GERB party “Citizens for European 

Development of Bulgaria”. A no-nonsense figure hardly 

ever spotted with necktie. He today is without doubt the 

most popular person in Bulgarian politics. We owe him 

special thanks for the speedy reconstruction of the over 

trafficked Sofia ring road, soon to be THE place where 

local Porsche and Ferrari owners will put their pedal to the 

metal if no firm speed control measures are built-in. 

17 th century The Vatican establishes the Bishopric of Sofia 

for Ottoman subjects belonging to the Catholic millet in 

Rumelia, which existed until 1715 when most Catholics had 

emigrated to Habsburg or Tsarist territories. 

1878 Sofia is liberated by Russian forces in 1878, during the 

Russian-Turkish War (1877-1878) 

1879 The city becomes the capital of the autonomous 

Principality of Bulgaria, which becomes Kingdom of Bulgaria 

in 1908. 

1900 The City Council approves the emblem of Sofia and 

the motto “It Grows but Does not Age”. 

1925 The gravest act of terrorism in Bulgarian history, the 

St Nedelya Church assault, is carried out by the Bulgarian 

Communist Party, claiming the lives of 150 and injuring 

another 500. 

World War II 

Sofia is bombed by Allied aircraft in late 1943 and early 1944, 

as well as later occupied by the Soviet Union. 

Bulgaria’s regime, which has allied the country with 

Nazi Germany, is overthrown and Sofia becomes capital 

of the Communist-ruled People’s Republic of Bulgaria 

(1944–1989). 

Totalitarian regime 

(9 September 1944-10 November 1989) During the 

years of communism, Sofia becomes the nation’s major 

economic, academic and cultural centre. From its years 

of socialist growth, however, the capital inherited a great 

deal of problems, which are at present the priorities of the 

democratically - elected council of Sofia. 

1992 In honour of the celebration of St. Sofia the Martyr, the 

Government chose September 17 th as the Day of Sofia. The 

flag of Sofia Municipality is also consecrated on that day. The 

Day of Sofia is also celebrated like the Day of saints Vyara, 

Nadezhda and Lyubov. 

According to non official information nowadays Sofia has a 

population about 3 million people. Most of them come to the 

capital for work and business opportunities. 


9

10 KeePInG In toUCH 

Couriers 

City Express C-3, ul. Gladston 58, tel. 912 12, www. 

city-express.com. QOpen 09:30 - 20:00. 

DHL G-9, ul. Prodan Tarakchiev 10, tel. 070 017 700., 

sofcustcare@dhl.com, www.dhl.bg. QOpen 09:00 - 

17:30, Sat 10:00 - 14:00. Closed Sun. 

Direct F-7, ul. Rayna Knyaginya 7, tel. 928 98 98, direct@direct.bg, 

www.direct.bg. QOpen 09:00 - 17:30. 

Flying Cargo Bulgaria Ltd. (FedEx) G-9, ul. Nedelcho 

Bonchev 10, tel. 080 011 000, fax 973 13 66, www.flyingcargo-bg.com. 


In Time /UPS/ G-9, ul. Nedelcho Bonchev 41, tel. 960 

99, fax 960 98 99, intime@intime.bg, www.intime.bg. 

QOpen 08:00 - 19:00, Sat 08:00 - 14:00. Closed Sun. 

Speedy D-3, bul. Cherni vrah 67, tel. 0 7001 7001, 

www.speedy.bg. QOpen 09:00 - 18:30, Sat 09:00 - 

14:00. Closed Sun. 

Tip Top F-7, bul. Lomsko shose 35, tel. 936 99 99, fax 

936 98 10, tiptop@courier.bg, www.courier.bg. QOpen 

09:00 - 17:30, Sat 09:00 - 16:00. Closed Sun. 

TNT G-9, ul. Nedelcho Bonchev 35, tel. 070 011 666, 

fax 933 91 44, tnt.sales.bg@tnt.com, www.tnt.com/ 

country/bg_bg.html. QOpen 00:00 - 24:00. 

Internet cafes 

Garibaldi C-3, ul. Graf Ignatiev 6, tel. 989 42 85, info@ 

garibaldicafe.net, www.garibaldicafe.net. Eighteen 

computers plus scanning, printing and low-rate international 

phone calls. QOpen 00:00 - 24:00. Price: 2Lv/hr. 

Matritsata C-2, ul. Neofit Rilski 70, www.ma3x.net. 

QOpen 00:00 - 24:00. 2Lv/hr. 

Site C-2, bul. Vitosha 45, tel. 986 08 96, info@siteout. 

net, www.siteout.net. Quiet, comfortable spot in a courtyard 

just off the street. Coffee and other drinks. QOpen 

00:00 - 24:00. Price: 2Lv/hr. 

Virtus C-2, ul. Han Asparuh 53, www.virtus.hit.bg. 

QOpen 00:00 - 24:00. 2Lv/hr. 

ISPs 

Bitex D-2, ul. William Gladstone 39, tel. 980 02 38, 

info@bitex.com, www.bitex.com. Dial-up services, wireless 

Internet, leased lines, hosting, web design. 

CableTEL G-7, zh-k Lozenets, bul. Nikola Vaptsarov 51A, 

tel. 480 01 11/0700 11 011, info@cabletel.bg, www. 

cabletel.bg. LAN and cable internet, IP telephony, cable and 

digital TV. QOpen 08:00 - 22:00, Sat, Sun 09:00 - 21:00. 

Digital Systems B-3, ul. Triaditsa 4, tel. 981 13 01, 

fax 980 68 89, office-sofia@digsys.bg, www.digsys.bg. 

Wireless network, cable internet, virtual private networks, IP 

telephony, web services. 

Megalan Network H-8, ul. Yordan Yosifov 4, Business 

cenre Mania, fl.1, tel. 0800 18 400/0800 20 400, info@ 

megalan.bg, www.megalan.bg. 

Power Net B-1, ul. Ovche pole 122, fl.3, tel. 987 65 

43/0878 125 880, info@powernet.bg, www.powernet. 

bg. LAN and cable Internet, free dial-up, web services. 

Spectrum Net G-8, bul. G.M.Dimitrov 36, tel. 489 06 

00, info@spnet.net, www.spnet.net. All kinds of Internet 

services. 

Mobile phones 

Globul Mladost-4, Business Park, building 6, tel. 

942 80 00, fax 942 80 10, CustomerCare@globul.bg, 

www.globul.bg. One of the main mobile operators. You 

can buy their b-connect pre-paid cards. For information tel. 

089 123. 

Free Wi-Fi zones W 

Sofia may not be the best place in the world, in terms of 

communication, but still the days of carrier pigeons are 

long gone. There are several free Wi-Fi zones in town: 

The park ”Gen. Vladimir Zaimov”, B-5 

The park “Doktorskata Gradinka”, B-5 

Central Bus Station, F-8 

Shopping Center “Tsentralni hali”, A-2 

NDK “Mostat na vlyubenite” (Lover’s Bridge), D-2 

Postal rates 

Bulgaria Europe USA & Others 

Postcards 0.35 Lv 1.00 Lv 1.40 Lv 

Letters 0.55 Lv 1.00 Lv 1.40 Lv 

Bulgarian main city codes 

Blagoevgrad 73 

Burgas 56 

Dobrich 58 

Gabrovo 66 

Haskovo 38 

Yambol 46 

Kyustendil 78 

Lovech 68 

Pazardzhik 34 

Pernik 76 

Pleven 64 

Plovdiv 32 

Ruse 82 

Silistra 86 

Sliven 44 

Sofia 2 

Stara Zagora 42 

Varna 52 

V. Tarnovo 62 

Vidin 94 

Vratsa 92 

The above codes should be prefixed with 0 if dialing 

from inside Bulgaria. 

International country codes 

Austria 43 

Belgium 32 

Bulgaria 359 

Croatia 385 

Czech Rep. 420 

Denmark 45 

Finland 358 

France 33 

Germany 49 

Greece 30 

Hungary 36 

Ireland 353 

Israel 972 

Italy 39 

Japan 61 

Macedonia 389 

Netherlands 31 

Norway 47 

Poland 48 

Portugal 351 

Romania 40 

Russia 7 

Serbia 381 

Slovenia 386 

Spain 34 

Sweden 46 

Switzerland 41 

Turkey 90 

UK 44 

USA/Canada 1 



Bulgarian resort codes 

Albena 579 

Balchik 579 

Bansko 749 

Borovets 750 

Golden sands 52 

Nessebar 554 

Pamporovo 3095 

Sozopol 550 

St. St. Konstantin 

and Elena 52 

Sunny beach 554 




MTel ul. Kukush 1, tel. 0888 088 088, fax 0888 500 

885, customerservice@mobiltel.bg, www.mtel.bg. Another 

major mobile operator. They sell prepaid cards for the 

Prima network, available at most kiosks and shops. 

Vivatel C-1, bul. Totleben 8, tel. 087 123, www.vivatel. 

bg. Bulgaria’s third mobile phone operator, started in 2005. 

Phone rental 

Intrafonica Bulgaria near Sofia International Airport, 

tel. 49 13 330, customer.service@intrafonica.com, 

www.intrafonica.com. Short- to mid-term GSM cell phone 

rentals, local SIM cards and Mobile Internet services delivered 

via GPRS, thus avoiding inflated roaming rates and incoming 

call charges. Rental packages are delivered either to your 

hotel or to alternative address of your choice. Orders online 

available. QOpen 09:30 - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun. 

Post 

Central Post Office B-3, ul. Gurko 6, tel. 980 12 

25, www.bgpost.bg. QOpen 07:00 - 20:30, Sun 08:00 

- 13:00. 

T Post H-8, Mladost 4, Business Park Sofia, tel. 489 

81 60, www.tpost-bg.com. First Bulgarian private post. 


Pre-paid mobile service 

Frog mobile , www.frogmobile.bg. Take your starter pack 

and vouchers at a kiosk near you or from a store from the 

trade network of Globul. By dialing 1212 from your mobile 

number or +359891212 from any fixed or mobile telephone 

you get connected to the Customer Care Center. 


KeePInG In toUCH 

Petrol mobile. Take your starter pack and vouchers at 

Petrol oil stations all over the country. For more information call 

333 (for Petrol mobile owners only) or 098 8733333 . 

Public telephones 

BTC Centre B-3, ul. Gurko 4. You can make international 

calls from the metered cabins and pay the cashier on the 

way out. Also Internet access available. QOpen 00:00 - 

24:00. 

Planetphone B-3, ul. Stefan Karadzha 18B, tel. 980 28 

75, planetphone@planetphone.net, www.planetphone. 

net. Cheap international calls. QOpen 9:30 - 22:00, Sun 

10:00 - 20:00. 


11

12 CUltUre & events 

If you can manage to tear yourself away from the fashion 

and sport channels to which the TVs in Sofia’s cafes and 

bars seem permanently tuned, there is a huge amount of 

high-quality culture awaiting your enjoyment. Tickets for 

all events are extremely affordable by western standarts, 

so there’s really no excuse for giving such a rich cultural 

menu a miss. 

Art galleries 

Art Gallery Paris B-4, ul. Parizh 8, tel. 980 80 93, info@ 

gallery-paris.com, www.gallery-paris.com. Charming little 

gallery representing younger-generation Bulgarian artists, 

especially those working in expressive, figurative styles. 

QOpen 11:00 - 18:30. Closed Sat, Sun. A 

Galeria Akademia B-4, ul. Shipka 1, tel. 987 81 77. 

Prestige group shows in the gallery of the Bulgarian Academy 

of Fine Arts. QOpen 11:00 - 19:00. 

Goethe-Institut Sofia B-4, ul. Budapeshta 1, tel. 939 

01 00, fax 939 01 99, info@sofia.goethe.org, www. 

goethe.de/sofia. Challenging and off-beat contemporary 

art shows, in the German cultural centre. QOpen , Mon, 

Fri 10:00 - 14:00, Tue, Wed, Thu 14:00 - 19:00. Closed 

Sat, Sun. 

GreenCat Gallery C-5, ul. Varbiza 6, tel. 0886 154 

526, n.maneva@greencatgallery.com, www.greencatgallery.com. 

Krug + B-4, ul. Budapeshta 5, tel. 988 25 79. Cuttingedge 

work in one of Sofia’s coolest spaces. QOpen 10:00 

- 19:00, Sat, Sun 10:00 - 18:00. 

Lessedra D-3, ul. Milin kamak 25, tel. 865 04 28, 

georgi@lessedra.com, www.lessedra.com. Dealership 

with contemporary Bulgarian and international art 

on show. Specializes in prints and graphics, with a good 

selection of items for sale. QOpen 15:00 - 19:00. 

Closed Sat, Sun. 

Maksim B-2, ul. Lom 11, tel. 988 10 62. Contemporary 

work by leading Bulgarian painters and sculptors, in a 

beautiful split-level space. QOpen 11:00 - 18:30. Closed 

Sat, Sun. 

Rakursi C-3, ul. Han Krum 4A, tel. 981 26 17, gallery@ 

rakursi.com, www.rakursi.com. Small private gallery 

specializing in contemporary Bulgarian art, representing sizeable 

stable of established and emerging artists. Extensive 

collection of paintings, graphics, photographs and sculptures 

at all prices. QOpen 11:00 - 19:30, Sat 11:00 - 18:00. 

Closed Sun. 

Sculpture park G-8, ul. Aleksandur Zhendov 2, tel. 

948 20 36, culturalinstitute@mfa.government.bg, 

www.sic.mfa.government.bg. In the Sculpture park outside 

the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, over 90 works created 

by Bulgarian sculptors from the 1930’s until the present 

days, are displayed along with other monuments. QOpen 

Sat, Sun 11:00 - 17:00. 

Shipka 6 B-5, ul. Shipka 6, tel. 846 71 13, fax 946 02 

12, info@sbhart.com, www.sbhart.com. Located in the 

upper storeys of the Bulgarian Artists’ Union building, this 

hosts a wide variety of shows by artists from Bulgaria and 

beyond. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00. Closed Mon. 

Sibank Galeria B-3, ul. Slavyanska 2, tel. 939 92 80. 

Tucked away behind the National Theatre in the headquarters 

of a major bank, this gallery concentrates on big names 

from the contemporary Bulgarian art world. Expect the kind 

of head-scratching installations and conceptual works that 

are in short supply elsewhere. QOpen 11:00 - 19:00, Sat, 

Sun 15:00 - 19:00. 

Tea E-2, ul. Dimitar Hadzhikotsev 10, tel. 865 84 26. 

Contemporary paintings for sale, and frequent one-off exhibitions 

by the more off-the-wall artists. QOpen 10:00 - 20:00, 

Sat 11:00 - 15:00. Closed Sun. 

The Bulgarian symbol 

Tsarevets - Kings On The Hill 

The hill of Tsarevets is a famous landmark in Veliko Tarnovo 

and one of the Bulgarian symbols. It holds the memory for 

the capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom and the great 

Tsar Kaloyan. Within its stone walls used to be the castle 

of the Bulgarian kings, his “bolyari” (who were the nobles, 

next to the king) and the patriarch, who was the head of 

the Bulgarian church. Only one of its towers remains to this 

day. It is called the Tower of Baldwin the First (no connection 

with the notorious brothers) because the Latin Emperor 

was held prisoner there and found his death, by jumping 

from it, as the legend says. He fell captive after the big 

battle of Adrianople in 1205 when Tsar Kaloyan defeated 

the knights of the Fourth Crusade. 

The ruins of Tsarevets reveal a densely inhabited medieval 

city with numerous buildings of various purposes. 

Some parts of it have been restored, including the church 

“Ascension of Christ”, which crowns the top of the hill. 

To commemorate the glory of the Bulgarian Kingdom, a 

spectacular “Sound And Light” show with colourful lights, 

lasers and music is held on a regular basis. It presents 

the different periods in the history of Bulgaria and is a 

unique experience for tourists and locals. 

The Hill of Tsarevets is open for visitors from 08:00 to 

19:00 from April to September and from 09:00 to 17:00 

from October to March. The local historical museum offers 

guided tours in English, French, German, Russian, Spanish 

and Greek Language. For Information and reservations 

call: 062 638 841, 0885 105 282, 0885 105 275. Admission 

fee is 6Lv, the guided tour is 30Lv. 

photo Regional Historical Museum V.Tarnovo 


The Red House (Chervenata kashta) C-4, ul. Lyuben 

Karavelov 15, tel. 988 81 88, info@redhouse-sofia.org, 

www.redhouse-sofia.org. An early twentieth-century mansion 

now serving as a cutting-edge cultural centre for Sofia’s 

arty set. There’s a meaty menu of exhibitions, small-scale 

concerts, video screenings and drama. QOpen 15:00 - 

19:00. Closed Sat, Sun. 

Cinemas 

Arena Zapad F-7, bul. Todor Aleksandrov 64, tel. 920 

99 99, www.kinoarena.com. Biggest of the multiplexes, 

with 15 screens, on-site pizzeria, ice cream parlour and more. 

Near the Vardar metro station. Another branch at H-8, Mladost-4, 

Business Park Sofia. Q (7-12Lv). PK 

Cinema City B-1, bul. Aleksandar Stamboliyski 101, tel. 

981 19 11, fax 981 57 77, marketing@cinemacity.bg, 

www.cinemacity.bg. State-of-the-art multiscreen in the Mall 

of Sofia shopping complex, surrounded by fast-food outlets 

and other places to spend your money. Also includes the Mtel 

Imax cinema, where you can sit back in your 3-D spectacles 

and have your brain scrambled by the twenty-four-metre-wide 

screen. Q (7-12Lv). P 

Cineplex D-2, bul. Arsenalski 2, tel. 964 30 07, www. 

cineplex.bg. Nine-screen cinema on the top floor of the City 

Center Sofia shopping mall. Not too far from the city centre, 

and with loads of eating and drinking opportunities in the mall 

itself. Q (6-12Lv). P 

Euro Cinema B-2, bul. Aleksandar Stamboliyski 17, tel. 

980 41 61, fx_cin@hotmail.com. Well-chosen menu of classy 

European flicks and non-mainstream choices. Q (4-5Lv). 

House of Cinema (Dom na kinoto) A-3, ul. Ekzarh 

Yosif 37, tel. 980 39 11. This is the place for the real movie 

buffs. If it won a prize at an obscure European festival, it will 

probably be shown here. Q (6-7 Lv). 


CUltUre & events 

Ticket offices 

National Palace of Culture D-2, pl. Bulgaria 1, tel. 

916 63 69. QOpen 8:00 – 19:00 

Orange music store B-3, Orange Center, 2nd floor, 

ul. Graf Ignatiev 18, tel. 985 41 41, orangemusic@ 

netbg.com. Qopen 9:00 – 21:00 

Ticketstream B-2, ul. Tsar Samuil 50, tel. 981 38 

59, www.ticketstream.bg. QOpen: 9:30 – 18:00 

Kino Vlaykova C-5, ul. Tsar Ivan Asen 11, tel. 944 39 

23. An old-fashioned, single-screen cinema in the leafy Ivan 

Asen district, screening a mixture of art films and Hollywood 

flicks. The cinema’s bar also serves as local pub and snooker 

hall. Q (3-5Lv). 

Odeon C-1, bul. Patriarh Evtimiy 1, tel. 989 24 69. Showing 

old movies and nothing else, this is a great place to sit 

back and enjoy a big-screen nostalgia-fest. Q (4-6 Lv). 

Music, opera and ballet 

Bulgaria Hall (Zala Bulgaria) B-3, ul. Aksakov 1, tel. 

987 76 56. Home of the Bulgarian philharmonic, this is the 

top place in the country for symphonic concerts. QOpen . 

Closed Sat, Sun. Open 10:30-13:00, 15:00-18:00 Closed 

Sat, Sun. 

Music Centre Boris Hristov B-2, ul. Tsar Samuil 43, 

tel. 987 35 92, boris_chrisoff@abv. The house of the 

famous Bulgarian opera singer is an art centre housing a 

rich museum collection as well as a stage for young talents - 

musicians, opera singers, artists, actors. A spacious concert 

hall is arranged with a gorgeous grand piano. QOpen 11:00 

- 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun. 


13


National Musical Theatre B-5, ul. Panayot Volov 2, 

tel. 944 50 85, fax 944 13 42, operetta@otel.net, www. 

musictheatre.bg. Best known for operetta and musicals, 

but occasionally features dance performances too. QOpen 

08:30 - 18:30. Closed Sun. Tickets: tel. 943 19 79 

National Opera and Ballet B-4, ul. Vrabcha 1, tel. 

987 13 66, fax 980 91 22, sfopera@geobiz.net, www. 

operasofia.bg. The jewel in Sofia’s cultural crown, featuring 

the best local artistes and guesting prima donnas from 

abroad. QOpen 09:30 - 18:30, Sat, Sun 10:30 - 18:00. 

Tickets: tel. 987 13 66 

National Palace of Culture (Natsionalen dvorets 

na kulturata - NDK) D-2, pl. Bulgaria 1, tel. 916 68 

30, fax 865 70 53, drumev@ndk.bg, www.ndk.bg. 

Mammoth-sized cultural centre with a 3800-seater main 

hall and numerous smaller concert spaces. Hosts all kinds of 

high-profile musical events. QOpen 09:00 - 19:00. Closed 

Sun. Tickets: tel. 916 63 69 

National Opera and Ballet 

January 

08.01 19:00 Giacomo Puccini opera La Boheme 

09.01 19:00 P. Tchaikovsky ballet The Nutcracker 




23.01 19:00 Sergei Rachmaninoff opera Aleko 

19:00 Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov ballet 

Scheherazade 



Scheherazade 



Scheherazade 

29.01 19:00 M.Theodorakis ballet Zorba the Greek 




Scheherazade 

February 

13.02 19:00 100 years from the establishment of 

the Bulgarian Opera Fellowship 

14.02 19:00 In the embrace of the cello concert 

of Svetlozar Radukanov 

15.02 16:00 P. Tchaikovsky ballet Swan Lake 

Theatres 

Aleko Konstantinov Satirical Theatre (Satirichen 

teatar) B-3, ul. Stefan Karadzha 26, tel. 987 66 06, satirata@slovo.bg. 

Comedies both classical and modern. 

Beyond the Canal (Malak gradski teatar “Zad 

kanala”) G-8, bul. Madrid 1, tel. 846 20 20, mgt@abv. 

bg, www.theatreoffthechannel.org. Studio theatre offering 

anything from small-scale contemporary productions to film 

projections and jazz gigs. 

Bulgarian Army Theatre (Teatar Bulgarska 

armiya) B-4, ul. Rakovski 98, tel. 987 23 03, tba@ 

art.bg, www.art.bg/tba. High quality classical and contemporary 

drama. 

Ivan Vazov National Theatre (Naroden teatar) 

B-3, ul. Dyakon Ignatiy 5, tel. 811 92 19, fax 987 70 

66, info@nationaltheatre.bg, www.nationaltheatre.bg. 

Sofia’s grandest thespians tread the boards. 

17.02 19:00 Gala performance - 75 years from 

the birth of the singer Stoyan Popov 

18.02 16:00 Coppélia ballet in two acts 

19.02 19:00 Coppélia ballet in two acts 

26.02 19:00 P. Tchaikovsky ballet Swan Lake 

March 

07:03 19:00 Jules Massenet opera Don Quichotte 

08.03 16:00 Jules Massenet opera Don Quichotte 


12.03 19:00 P. Tchaikovsky ballet The Sleeping 

Beauty 



20.03 19:00 G.Verdi opera Nabucco 



25-28.03 10:00, 11:30, 19:00 

Shegobishko on the Wonders Island 

(Child education program) 

29.03 16:00 Miroslav Danev ballet Legend for 

Sibin, the knyaz of Preslav 

Performances take place at National Opera and Ballet 

B-4, ul. Vrabcha 1, tel. 987 13 66. More info at www. 

operasofia.bg 


Famous Bulgarians 

Khan Krum-The Sober And The Merciless. The 

name of Khan Krum evokes national pride and fear in the 

delinquent ones. He started his rule in the year 803 with a 

serious territorial enlargement, adding Transylvania to the 

lands of the First Bulgarian Kingdom. Feeling threatened 

by the ambitious neighbours, the Byzantine Emperor 

Nicephorus I started two consecutive campaigns against 

Khan Krum. Declining all peace offers by the Bulgarian 

Khan, he conquered and pillaged Krum’s capital Pliska, 

drowning Bulgarian lands in blood. However, his triumph 

was pretty short, because on the way back to Constantinople 

in the summer of year 811, Bulgarians and Slavs, 

led by Khan Krum himself, ambushed and vanquished 

the Byzantine army. The Bulgarian ruler spared all prisoners 

and sent them back to their families. Nicephorus 

I was not as lucky, because he died at the beginning of 

the battle and ended up on the kitchen shelf, as Khan 

Krum made a cup of his skull, and used it extensively for 

proposing toasts at glorious court parties. What did he 

pour into the cup is unknown, as he was a really mean 

sobriety activist - he destroyed all the vine plants in his 

lands. He also cut the tongues of liars and broke the 

shinbones of the thieves. These rules were carved in 

stone and obeyed by both Slavs and Bulgarians, and are 

recognized as the first written legislation in the Bulgarian 

Kingdom and also the first serious step in the unification 

of the two major Bulgarian ethnic groups. Khan Krum 

also made a new administrative division of the kingdom 

and took away Thracia’s sovereignty. Krum died from a 

heart attack in 814 under the walls of Constantinople, 

but first he pillaged the European part of the Byzantine 

Empire and tortured the capital’s citizens with all types 

of siege weapons and the good old shock of public and 

pagan human sacrifices. 

Ralitsa Vassileva-Those Blue 

Bulgarian Eyes. If you have 

ever watched CNN, you know for 

sure who Ralitsa Vassileva is. The 

blue-eyed news reporter with a 

name too hard to pronounce, has 

been on air for seventeen years 

already. Most of you may not know 

it, but she is from Sofia and started 

working as a news anchor in 1992, 

two years after she started working 

as a reporter for Bulgarian National 

Television. She has interviewed numerous celebrities and 

important politicians, among which Mikhail Gorbachev 

and Henry Kissinger. Watching a Bulgarian present the 

world news has always made us Bulgarians feel a little 

better and important. 

Sfumato Theatre Workshop (Teatralna rabotilnitsa 

Sfumato) G-8, ul. Dimitar Grekov 2, tel. 944 01 

27, fax 943 39 35, sfumato@mbox.contact.bg, www. 

sfumato.info. On-the-edge experimental theatre from an 

internationally renowned company. 

Tears and Laughter (Salza i smyah) B-4, ul. Rakovski 

127, tel. 987 58 95, fax 987 36 14, office@salzaismiah. 

com, www.salzaismiah.com. Quality, often challenging work 

from Sofia’s oldest drama company. 

Theatre 199 B-4, ul. Slavyanska 8, tel. 987 85 33, fax 

988 53 19, theatre199@infotel.bg, www.theatre199. 

org. Top place for contemporary studio performances. Gets 

the name from its 199 seats. 



The Martenitsa – Celebrating 

Spring In Red And White 

The first day of March marks 

the beginning of the colourfull 

Bulgarian tradition of 

wearing martenitsas. These 

decorative tassels are worn 

by old and young, men and 

women and even animals. 

It is believed that they bring 

good health and Bulgarians 

wear them from the first of March, until a stork or a swallow 

is seen, and then the martenitsa should be tied to a blossoming 

tree. They are traditionally red and white, as the 

colour white symbolizes purity and the soul and red stands 

for life and passion, but all other additional colours are fully 

acceptable as a further decoration. Generally, even a Mickey 

Mouse pin with the red and white tassels is considered 

a martenitsa, but the traditional one is just with the two 

tassels, named Pizho and Penda. The legend traces the 

origins of the martenitsas to the founder of Bulgaria, khan 

Asparuh and his brothers and sisters, who communicated 

with threads, tied to the legs of falcons. As Asparuh’s brother 

Bayan was sending a bird, he got mortally wounded and his 

blood stained the white thread, making it the first ever martenitsa, 

which was given by the khan to his soldiers. 

As usual, all friends, relatives and colleagues present 

each other martenitsas on March 1 st by saying“ Chestita 

Baba Marta”, as the first month of spring is believed 

to be a grumpy old woman with wild mood swings, just 

as the weather in March. Bulgarians wear them all over 

the world and you can wear them too, if you want to be 

healthier this spring. 

Name days 

In Bulgaria, one’s name day is considered as important as 

a birthday. It is customary to buy treats for family members 

and colleagues. Take note of the dates below and ingratiate 

yourself with any Bulgarians you meet by buying them a 

shot of rakia on their name day. Either that, or exploit your 

own by getting lashings of free drinks from your friends and 

acquaintances. When in Rome and all that. 

• 1st January – Vasilyovden - Vasil, Vasilena, Veselin, 

Vasko, Vesela 

• 6th January – Yordanovden (St. Jordan’s day) – Yordan, 

Yordanka, Dancho, Danka, Bozhan, Bozhana, Dana, 

Bogdan, Bogdana. 

• 7th January – Ivanovden - Ivan, Ivanka, Vanya, Yoan, 

Yoana, Yova, Zhan, Zhana 

• 17th January – Antonovden – Anton, Andon, Antoniya, 

Toncho, Tonka 

• 18th January – Atanasovden - Atanas, Atanaska, 

Tanas, Naso, Nasya 

• 1st February – Trifonovden - Trifon, Trifonka 

• 10th February- St. Haralampi – Haralampi, Valentin, 

Valentina 

• 13th February – Evlogi, Zoya 

• 1st March – Marta, Martin, Evdokia 

• 4th March – Gerasim 

• 9th March -The Holy 40th Martyrs - Mladen, Mladenka 

• 10th March – Galya, Galin, Galina 

• 19th March – Daria, Nayden, Nayda 

• 25th March – Blagoveshtenie (the Annunciation) – Blagovest, 

Blagovesta, Blagoy, Blaga, Evangelina, Vangel 

• 28th March – Albena, Boyan, Boyko, Boyka 


15


Rock and pop 

Turn up the heat with some blistering guitar riffs and 

pounding thrash metal drums. The biggest names of 

extreme metal music are coming our way, along with some 

pop, love and progressive rockers… 

31.01 Samael, Keep of Kalessin, Noctiferia 

Sofia, club Blue Box tickets: 30-35Lv 

Discover the darkest essence of evil music with these cult 

Black Metal Bands from Switzerland and Norway. Just don’t 

go burning churches, because in Sofia they are made of 

stone and are well guarded. 

06.02 Live From Buena Vista 

The Havana Lounge – Sofia, NDK Hall 1 

tickets: 20-70Lv 

We really doubt that any of the original Buena Vista Social 

Club is still alive, but the name, or should we call it “a 

brand” still sells, so if you are a sucker for Cuban music, 

it is your show. 

Sveti Trifon (St. Trifon) 

Sveti Trifon (St. Trifon) is known as the patron of the vineyards 

all over the Balkans . The holiday originates from the 

Dionisian Celebrations in ancient Greece. Early in the 

morning every wine-grower goes to his vineyard, turns to the 

east and makes the sign of the cross. Afterwards he cuts 

three sprigs from three different vines and waters the spot 

with wine, holy water and ash, kept from the Christmas fire. 

It is done for ensuring a rich harvest. These sprigs are kept 

in front of the icon in the house. In the evening all the men of 

the village sit together around the ritual table in the vineyards 

06.02 Sepultura 

Sofia, club Blue Box tickets: 35Lv 

Anyone who has ever listened to metal music knows this 

name. The titans from Brazil are still strong, even without 

the Cavalera Brothers, who left the band to do whatever 

they want. We don’t care. The two new guys, along with 

the two original guitar players are still too good and heavy 

to be true. Tickets are limited… 

07.02 Sodom and Grave Digger 

Sofia, Hristo Botev Hall tickets: 30-40Lv 

These ancient German thrash metallers have been torturing 

our ears and touring the world for almost 30 years. They 

sur vived hard trends and hard times, but will you survive 

their show along with the heroic power metal band Grave 

Digger? 

08.02 Kreator, Caliban, Eluveitie, Emergency Gate 

Sofia, Universiada Sports Hall tickets: 35-45Lv 

Not enough Metal? Finish the triple thrash metal treat with 

the German veterans Kreator, who are as old as the Creator 

himself. See them play some classic German headbanging 

tunes along with the powerful youngsters Caliban. Then go 

sleep or see the doctor for your pierced eardrums. 

12.02 The Rasmus 


These platinum-selling Finnish pop-rockers will show you the 

sensitive side of playing heavy music. Especially suitable 

for girls in black make up who love boys in black make up. 

And eagle feathers… 

21.02 Marillion 


This classic progressive rock band from Britain will spread 

its artful sounds and messages in our capital. Although 

their enigmatic leader Fish is no longer in the band, they 

still can play tight and good. 

22.02 James Blunt 

Sofia, NDK Hall 1 tickets: 40-70Lv 

See if you are more beautiful than this best selling 

breakthrough artist. His sensitive songs will melt even the 

coldest hearts, so if anyone had any “love problems” around 

Christmas, then a ticket for this show should straighten 

them out for good. 

06.03 Lordi 

Sofia, Hristo Botev Hall tickets: 30-40Lv 

After winning the Eurovision, these monstrous masked rockers 

from Finland will try to scare or please you with their metal 

sound. Just don’t bring little kids and grannies at this show. 

and celebrate the day with lots of wine. In some regions the 

men dig a hole in the middle of the the vineyard and bury a 

bottle of holy water in it for prevention of hailstorms. 

Nowadays the feast is also known as “Trifon the Drunkard” 

because of the large quantity of wine being drunk that day. 

It is celebrated mainly on 14 th February, although some 

people celebrate it on 1 st February according to the old 

calendar. But, of course, there are people celebrating the 

drinkers’ holiday on both of the days – the more holidays, 

the better. 


Exhibitions 

The exhibition “The Cultural Revolution – A Road To 

Socialism, Russian Architectural Avant-garde in the 

1920s – 1930s” is in the National Gallery of Foreign 

Art from 05.11.2008 to 20.01.2009 

Until the 20th of January, you will have the last chance 

to see a very interesting exhibition in the National Gallery 

of Foreign Art. It consists of 119 different projects, 

blueprints, sketches, paintings and pictures, presenting 

the avant-garde of Russian Soviet architecture from the 

beginning of the 20th century, namely the twenties, just 

after the October revolution. Although the purpose of 

such megalomaniac building was to praise communism, 

some ideas and concepts are timeless and important, 

outside the political doctrine. Some of these projects 

remained on the architect’s desk, but others were built 

and will be there in the next two thousand years. 

The exhibition, named “I do not seek, I find - Pablo 

Picasso” is in the National Gallery of Foreign Art from 

17.11.2008 to 15.03.2009 

Some painters have become a symbol and an epitome 

of art, becoming immortal with their work. Such a symbol 

of modern art is Pablo Picasso, who is among the best 

and most famous people to pick a brush (and not only 

since he used all types of art expression). You can never 

be mistaken if you visit an exhibition of his works and fortunately, 

here in Sofia, the National Gallery of Foreign Art 

hosts a display of 86 works by this enigmatic superstar 

artist. 44 of these are graphics, 18 are ceramics and 24 

are paintings and prints. The most famous is the “Portrait 

of Paul” – his first born son. These works of art, being it 

crooked, strange to grasp, or just pure genius come from 

museums and private collections in Spain and will be on 

display until the 15th of March. 




17

18 WHere to stay 

Sofia’s accommodation scene has been transformed by 

a rash of hotel building in recent years, and there is now 

a big choice in all categories. The advertised star ratings 

are reasonably accurate guide to quality in most cases, 

although they don’t always mean that all the rooms in 

particular establishment are up to the stated standard. 

Hotels invariably list their prices in euros, although you can 

pay the equivalent rate in leva if you wish. 

Cream of the crop 

Grand Hotel Sofia B-3, ul. Gurko 1, tel. 811 08 00, 

fax 811 08 01, reservations@grandhotelsofia.bg, www. 

grandhotelsofia.bg. Quality writ large. It is bang in the middle 

of town - on the doorstep of the National Theatre, the City Art 

Gallery, within walking distance from the Bulgaria Concert Hall 

and the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. The staff are professional 

from top to bottom, the rooms are huge, and the classy 

furnishings are built to last rather than just look good. The 

spacious bathrooms come with both bathtub and shower. The 

ground-floor Grand Cafe, facing out towards the City Garden, 

serves up some spectacular cakes. Q122 rooms (52 singles 

€150 - 235, 53 doubles €180 - 265, 17 suites €230 - 585). 

PTHARUFLEGKDW hhhhh 

Hilton D-2, bul. Bulgaria 1, tel. 933 50 00, fax 933 51 

11, reservations.sofia@hilton.com, www.sofia.hilton. 

com. Enduringly popular choice with visiting businessfolk, 

with a handily central location and the attention-to-detail 

service that you would expect from the chain. Rooms come 

in a soothing combination of blues, yellows and greens, and 

the generously-proportioned bathrooms feature both shower 

cabin and bathtub (so you can wash yourself twice at the 

same time!). Guests have free use of pool and gym, and all 

rooms come with coffee and tea-making facilities. Q245 

rooms (singles €168 - 312, doubles €310 - 332, suites €486 

- 1200). PHAUFLGKDCW hhhhh 

Holiday Inn Sofia H-8, bul. Aleksandar Malinov 111, 

tel. 807 07 07, fax 807 07 08, info@holidayinnsofia. 

bg, www.holidayinnsofia.bg. Dependable standards of 

5-star comfort and service from an experienced chain. 

Rooms feature flat-screen TVs, wireless internet and 

bathrooms with separate bath and shower. Located near 

the Mladost business park it’s a popular choice for business 

folk, and the centre of town is only a 20-minute taxi 

ride away. International cuisine in the all-day Brasserie and 

InCanto restaurant provide excuses to linger on-site, as do 

the fully-equipped gym and 19-metre swimming pool. The 

range of conference facilities on offer make this a choice 

venue for hard-headed get-togethers. Q130 rooms 

(singles €70 - 115, doubles €90 - 135, suites €160 - 175). 

PHAUFLGKDCW hhhhh 

Kempinski Hotel Zografski G-7, bul. Dzheims 

Baucher 100, tel. 969 22 22, fax 969 22 23, kempinski.zografski@kempinski.com, 

www.kempinski.bg. 

Five-star comforts can be taken for granted here, although 

the hulking, high-rise nature of the place will not suit those 

who want a cosy intimate retreat. Rooms are currently 

decorated in onyx-blue and green, although some floors 

are being gradually refitted in beige. Now part of a German 

chain, the Zografski was originally built by Japanese investors 

in the 1980s, and you’ll still find a few uniquely oriental 

touches here - notably the Japanese garden centered on 

the pavilion-style Sakura restaurant. Q442 rooms (90 

singles €260, 90 doubles €280, 15 suites €410 - 430, 1 

Presidential apartment €1920 - 1940, 2 Vice Presidential 

apartments €970 - 990, 244 Double delux €300 - 320). 

PHARFLKDC hhhhh 

Symbol key 

P Air conditioning A Credit cards accepted 

O Casino H Conference facilities 

T Child friendly U Facilities for the disabled 

R Internet L Guarded parking 

F Fitness centre G Non-smoking rooms 

K Restaurant M Nearest metro station 

D Sauna C Swimming pool 

6 Animal friendly W Wi-Fi connection 

Radisson SAS Grand Hotel B-4, pl. Narodno sabranie 

4, tel. 933 43 34, fax 933 43 35, info.sofia@radissonsas. 

com, www.sofia.radissonsas.com. Occupying the prime 

site opposite Bulgaria’s parliament and the Aleksandar Nevski 

Memorial Church, the Radisson offers the kind of understated 

luxury that the chain is famous for: soothing colours, deepmattressed 

beds, classy marble-floored bathrooms (featuring 

both bathtub and shower), and electric kettles in every room. 

Standard rooms on the south side of the building are perfectly 

adequate, but it’s the business class doubles and junior suites 

on the north side that come with fabulous views of Narodno sabranie 

square. Notwithstanding the surrounding nightlife (both 

Flannnagans Pub and the London Casino are on the ground floor 

of the same building), the hotel itself is nicely quiet. Q133 

rooms (singles €130 - 205, doubles €156 - 220, suites €260 - 

290). POHARUFLGKDW hhhhh 

Sheraton Sofia Hotel Balkan B-3, pl. Sveta Nedelya 

5, tel. 981 65 41, fax 980 64 64, sofia.reservations@ 

luxurycollection.com, www.luxurycollection.com/sofia. 

Sofia’s longest-established luxury hotel, and part of the 

Sheraton chain for a decade and a half, this urban landmark in 

the heart of downtown Sofia combines traditional five-star frills 

with high-tech amenities. The building itself is a showpiece of 

1950s architectural style, featuring sweeping staircases, long 

and spacious corridors, and chandeliers on every floor. “Classic” 

rooms are contemporary in style with blue and orange decor 

and classy bathrooms. “Executive” rooms boast near-antique 

furniture, flat-screen TVs and coffee-and-tea-making facilities. 

Spacious ground-floor lobby areas and a chic cafe-restaurant 

provide the icing on the cake. Q188 rooms (singles €310 

- 355, doubles €320 - 370, apartments €420 - 435). PO� 

HARUFLGKDW hhhhh 

Upmarket 

Anel B-2, bul. Todor Aleksandrov 14, tel. 911 99 00, fax 

911 97 61, hotelanel@hotelanel.com, www.hotelanel. 

com. if you want to stay in a top-class hotel, which has more 

character than the international chains, then this modern 

building on the fringes of downtown Sofia just about fits 

the bill. It’s stuffed to the gills with contemporary Bulgarian 

paintings and sculptures and has the feel of a top international 

gallery when you first cross the threshold. The rooms 

themselves come in bold blues and browns, and there’s an 

exotic on-site Spa centre with a water-surrounded café-bar approached 

by bridge. Q58 rooms (8 singles €270, 31 doubles 

€290, 18 apartments €320 - 370, 1 Presidential apartment). 

PTHARUFGKDCW hhhhh 

Art ‘Otel C-2, ul. Gladston 44, tel. 980 60 00, fax 981 19 

09, office@artotel.biz, www.artotel.biz. A joint Bulgarian- 

Spanish project occupying a re-vamped 1930s apartment block. 

Fine textures, unusual shapes, leather furniture, fireplaces and a 


smattering of contemporary paintings justify the hotel’s name. 

Just a block away from bul. Vitosha, the location is as central as 

they come, and some rooms on the upper storeys come with 

excellent roof-level views of the surrounding cityscape. Q22 

rooms (5 singles €105 - 145, 10 doubles €110 - 150, 3 suites 

€155 - 160). PHARLKD hhhh 

Best Western Hotel City B-4, ul. Stara planina 6, tel. 

915 15 00, fax 986 20 00, info@sofiacityhotel.com, 

www.sofiacityhotel.com. Relatively new structure with spacious 

modern rooms, and the range of services that you would 

expect from a four-star. Rooms are smart and shipshape and 

the staff members are eager to please. And it couldn’t be 

better placed for Sofia’s historical centre. Q61 rooms (10 

singles €119, 42 doubles €130 - 150, 9 suites €180 - 240). 

PTHARLGBKDW hhhh 

Best Western Hotel Europe G-8, ul. Liditse 1, tel. 970 15 

00, fax 970 15 11, info@hotel-europe-bg.com, www.hoteleurope-bg.com. 

Contemporary building in a suburban street 

offering rooms decorated in cheerful citrus-fruit colours. Some 

have large bathrooms with bathtubs, although you can’t always 

bank on getting one of these. The top floor Sky Bar has fantastic 

views west towards the city and south towards Mount Vitosha. 

Q42 rooms (18 singles €110 - 125, 18 doubles €130 - 145, 6 

suites €160 - 185). PTARFLBKW hhhh 

Best Western Hotel Expo G-8, bul. Tsarigradsko shose 

149, tel. 817 81, fax 974 30 90, reservations@hotelexposofia.com, 

www.hotelexposofia.com. Located mid-way 

between the airport and the city centre, this is an elegant 

business hotel with a state-of-the-art interior and impeccable 

staff. Expect modern design touches and arty pictures in 

the rooms. The only problem is that it’s located in a rather 

non-descript part of town, so don’t expect a beautiful view. 

Q99 rooms (singles €98-127, doubles €108-138, suites 

€177 - 197). POHARLGKW hhhh 

Casa Boyana G-6, ul. Ivanitza Dantchev 23, Boyana, 

tel. 805 08 00, fax 805 08 05, hotel@casaboyana.com, 

www.casaboyana.com. Brand-new boutique-style hotel in 

the mountain-side suburb of Boyana, close to the National 

History Museum and with great city-facing views from the 

windows of its restaurant. Rooms come with Italian furniture, 

bold colours and swanky bathrooms, and the attention-todetail 

staff are as helpful as can be. Q16 rooms (7 singles 


PAUFLKDW hhhh 

Central B-2, bul. Hristo Botev 52, tel. 981 23 64, fax 

986 45 61, central@central-hotel.com, www.centralhotel.com. 

A relatively new hotel in a convenient downtown 

location, this is reasonably good value for the facilities on 

offer. Rooms are decorated in modern, functional style; most 

have showers rather than full-size bathtubs. Q28 rooms 

(12 singles €65 - 95, 13 doubles €80 - 110, 3 apartments 

€120 - 175). PJHAREGKDW hhh 

Central Forum G-7, bul. Tsar Boris III 41, tel. 954 44 44, 

fax 954 33 33, central@central-hotel.com, www.centralhotel.com. 

Recently renovated block in a part-residential, 

part-commercial area about 1km southwest of the downtown 

action. The rooms are not all that spacious but come in stressreducing 

creamy colours. Unusually for what claims to be a four 

star, most rooms come with shower, so you’ll need to fork out 

for a “luxury” room if you need to soak in a real bathtub. On the 

plus side we were rather excited to see electric kettles in some 

of the rooms - something of a first for Bulgaria. Q51 rooms 


€120 - 140). PHARLKD hhhh 


WHere to stay 

Еlate Plaza Hotel 

Mladost 1, So� a 

corner of Aleksander Malinov Blvd 

& Andrey Sakharov Blvd 

phone 974 4948, 0886 83 12 82 

sales@elateplaza.com, 

www.elateplaza.com 

Central Park Hotel C-2, bul. Vitosha 106, tel. 805 88 

88, fax 805 87 87, reservations@centralparkhotel.bg, 

www.centralparkhotel.bg. This newish 4-star hotel enjoys 

an enviable city-centre location right in front of the National 

Palace of Culture and a stone’s throw from the main shopping, 

eating and drinking areas. The rooms are comfortable and 

well-equipped, most coming with views of the nearby park 

and (in some cases) Mount Vitosha in the distance. The 

restaurant does a good line in modern European cuisine, 

complemented by a strong selection of wines. A full range of 

business services and secretarial assistance is offered by 

the business center. Q77 rooms (37 singles €165 - 170, 37 

doubles €170 - 185, 3 suites €240 - 260). PJHAR� 

LGKW hhhh 

Crystal Palace Boutique Hotel B-5, ul. Shipka 14, 

tel. 948 94 88, fax 948 94 90, reservations@crystalpalace-sofia.com, 

www.crystalpalace-sofia.com. The 

Crystal Palace emerged somewhat controversially from the 

conversion of a nineteenth-century apartment block, which 

involved mounting a huge glass-and-steel superstructure 

on top of the historic building. Conservation issues aside, 

it’s one of the best hotels in the city as far as service and 

elegance are concerned, offering sunny, spacious rooms 

with repro furniture and all the creature comforts. The 

health-and-fitness club, moodily lit and decorated in coffee 

and cinnamon shades, is the ideal place to wind down after 

a hard day spent closing deals. Q63 rooms (singles €160, 

doubles €180 - 200, suites €240 - 260). PHARF� 

GKDW hhhh 

Dedeman Sofia Princess F-7, bul. Maria Luiza 131, tel. 

933 88 88, fax 933 87 77, sofia@dedeman.com, www. 

dedeman.com/Sofia.aspx. If you’re the kind of person for 

whom size matters then the Princess is probably your kind of 

place. It’s the biggest hotel in Sofia, it also boasts the biggest 

casino in the Balkans - so it’s the perfect place to throw your 

money away in lavish style. Rich colours, tasseled curtains 

and fluffy cushions give the rooms a satisfyingly luxuriant 

feel. Q 601 rooms (singles €87 - 96, doubles €107 - 116, 

apartments €152 - 230). POHARUFLGKCW 

hhhh 

Greenville Hotel & Apartment Houses G-7, ul. 

Atanas Dukov 36, tel. 819 19 19, fax 819 19 18, hotel@greenville-sofia.com, 

www.greenville-sofia.com. A 

3-building complex set in leafy parkland south of the centre, 

offering a mixture of standard rooms and studio apartments. 

The rooms are light and luxurious, with flower bouquets 

and oil paintings adding a homely touch. Q113 rooms 

(singles €160 - 180, doubles €180 - 200, suites €240). 

PTHARUFLGKDCW hhhh 

Les Fleurs Boutique Hotel B-2, bul. Vitosha 21, tel. 

810 08 00, fax 810 08 01, office@lesfleurshotel.com, 

www.lesfleurshotel.com. A style-conscious boutique hotel 

in a prime downtown position, Les Fleurs looks as if it has 

jumped straight from the pages of an Italian interior design 


19


magazine. Artistic flair extends to every detail, from the floral 

motifs inlaid into the hardwood floorboards to the glass-bead 

table lamps, flat-screen TVs, and swish bathrooms with cylindrical 

shower cubicles. Balconied top floor rooms have great 

views of the city centre. All rooms are irregularly shaped, and 

the corridors bend their way across the building rather than 

leading directly from A to B. The dodgy-looking black uniforms 

worn by the front-of-house staff make up the only element 

of the hotel that doesn’t quite fit. Q31 rooms (14 singles 


PJAGKW hhhh 

Light A-3, ul. Veslets 37, tel. 917 90 90, fax 917 90 10, 

sofiahotel@light.bg, www.hotels.light.bg. Classy modern 

hotel in a quiet cobbled street that seems miles away from the 

bustle of central Sofia. The public areas are boldly contemporary 

but the rooms themselves have a chintzy cosiness - note 

however that some come with a shower cabinet while others 

have a nice big bathtub. Q31 rooms (10 singles €90 - 110, 

18 doubles €115 - 130, 2 suites €140 - 210, Studio: €170). 

PJHARFLKDW hhhh 

Maxi Park Hotel & Spa H-8, bul. Simeonovsko shose 

110, tel. 892 00 00, fax 892 00 50, reservations@ 

maxisofia.com, www.maxisofia.com. If you want to 

stay in the middle of a fully-equipped leisure complex 

then you can’t go far wrong with the Olymp, plunked in the 

middle of a landscaped park dotted with swimming pools 

and gazebos. The rooms come in fresh colours and brave 

modern shapes, and many of them have good views of 

Mount Vitosha to the south. It’s a 15-minute drive to the 

city centre from here, but with a restaurant decorated in 

the style of a nineteenth-century Russian parlour, and a 

glass-roofed cafe area stuffed with potted plants, there’s 

plenty to explore on-site. Q62 rooms (singles €96, doubles 

€126, suites €180 - 220, studios €126 - 156). PHAR� 

FLGKDCW hhhh 

Park Hotel Vitosha H-8, ul. Rosario 1, tel. 816 88 88, 

fax 962 29 25, reservations@vitoshaparkhotel.com, 

www.vitoshaparkhotel.com. Brand-new Scandinavianstyle 

designer hotel full of light colours and nice wooden 

surfaces. Rooms are fitted with cooking facilities, and the 

on-site wellness amenities are perfect if you’re in need of 

a bit of pampering. In park-like surroundings on the southeastern 

edge of the city. Q170 rooms (60 singles €89, 80 

doubles €119, 24 suites €119 - 139, 6 Vip studios €100). 

PHARFLGKDCW hhhh 

Residence Oborishte G-8, ul. Oborishte 63, tel. 814 

48 88, fax 846 82 44, contact@residence-oborishte. 

com, www.residence-oborishte.com. Supremely comfortable 

and relaxing establishment made up almost entirely of 

two-room apartments, with warm rich colours predominating 

throughout. The just-married apartment with an inviting bathtub 

by the wide double bed almost had us rushing to the registry 

office. An informal make-yourself-at-home atmosphere 

adds to the welcoming feel. Q9 rooms (singles €90, doubles 

€100 - 120, suites €130 - 160, Junior Suite €120 - 150, King 

Suite €140 - 180). PARW hhhh 

SkyWay Hotel H-8, bul. Simeonovsko shose 166A, tel. 

819 21 00, fax 819 21 99, sky@skywayhotel.com, www. 

skywayhotel.com. Brand-new hotel in a freshly-renovated 

building, located in the middle-class-dream neighbourhood of 

Simeonovo, close to Mt Vitosha. Connections to the airport 

are reasonably speedy, and the city-centre is a 15-minute taxi 

ride away. The social areas combine ultra-modern straight 

lines with ethnic garden furniture and house plants. Rooms 

are decorated in bold colours and are almost spacious 

Hotel Avalon 

El Tepe No. 4, 

Bansko 2700 

Bulgaria 

Tel (00359) 74988399 

Fax (00359) 74988398 

www.avalonhotel-bulgaria.com 

enough to play a round of golf in. There’s a cosy on-site 

restaurant and a business centre with PCs and free internet 

connection. Q85 rooms (79 doubles €115 - 130, 5 apartments 

€170 - 190, 1 Presidential apartment €220 - 240). 

PHAUFGKW hhhh 

Sofia Plaza F-7, bul. Hristo Botev 154, tel. 813 79 

79, fax 813 79 12, office@hotelsofiaplaza.com, www. 

hotelsofiaplaza.com. It’s about time there was a comfortable 

mid-price hotel in the vicinity of Sofia’s main railway 

station, and Sofia Plaza seems to fit the bill. Its 50 rooms 

have been squeezed into what is essentially a tall thin building, 

but the result is cosy rather than cramped. The rooms 

themselves feature blue carpets, peachy furnishings and 

fabrics, TV, minibar, and enough desk-space on which to park 

the average laptop. Apartments come with kitchenettes and 

extra fold-down beds. Q50 rooms (46 doubles €80 - 110, 

suites €200, 2 apartments €210 - 250, 2 Studio: €130). 

PHARFKDW hhhh 

Sveta Sofia A-2, ul. Pirotska 18, tel. 983 50 33, fax 

983 17 23, marketing@hotelsvetasofia.com, www. 

hotelsvetasofia.com. A recently renovated nineteenthcentury 

building on a characterful, pedestrianized shopping 

street, this is as pleasant a downtown location as you’ll find. 

The rooms are decorated in bright blue and yellow, with light 

and comfortable bathrooms. Note that regular doubles have 

showers, “luxury” rooms come with proper bathtubs. Q76 

rooms (singles €90 - 130, doubles €100 - 140, triples €120, 

suites €160 - 170, Vip apartment €250). PJHAR� 

UFEKDW hhhh 

Triada G-8, ul. Venera 5, tel. 970 67 67, fax 970 67 10, 

info@hoteltriada.com, www.hoteltriada.com. Relatively 

new building offering big, light rooms decorated in different 

nuances of blue. The top-floor sky bar has excellent views of 

Sofia’s mountainous surroundings. The hotel offers perfect 

conditions for business meetings and seminars. Q62 rooms 

(9 singles €89 - 99, 48 doubles €119, 5 apartments €140 - 

150). PHARUFLKDW hhhh 

Tsarsko Selo bul. Simeonovsko Shose, tel. 816 01 

01/0899 914 493, www.tsarskoselo-bg.com. Found 

on the busy Ring Road at the foot of Vitosha mountain and 

about 20 min by car from the centre and from the cabin lift 

(depending on the traffic), this hotel complex is built on 50 

000 sq. m. featuring 3 apartment blocks and 8 villas among 

lush green areas with artificial lake with fish, tennis court, 

football field, outside swimming pool and even a chapel. The 

rooms and apartments, with kitchenette, are not too big, 

except for the Suite De Luxe which is huge. They are decorated 

in beige, green or crème colours and hold a king size 

or twin beds. The bathrooms are either with shower cabins 

or bathtubs and some hold a bidet. The junior suites come 

with private sauna for two or more... The hotel complex has 

a SPA centre with inside swimming pool, Jacuzzi, Finish and 

Herbal sauna, Turkish and steam bath, relax room, ice room, 

solarium, fitness hall, massage and cosmetic shops. This is 


a preferred place for sports teams. Q156 rooms (singles 

€54 - 62, 132 doubles €67 - 75, 24 apartments €87 - 103, 2 

Presidential apartments €154). POTHAUFLB� 

KDW hhhh 

Vega Sofia Hotel G-8, bul. G. M. Dimitrov 75, tel. 

806 60 00, fax 806 60 09, sales@hotelvegasofia. 

bg, www.hotelvegasofia.bg. This swanky modern 

4-star lies 4km south of the centre, although its location 

at the intersection of broad boulevards ensures that you 

can speed in and out pretty effectively. Rooms feature 

coffee-coloured decor, neat modern bathrooms with tub, 

flat-screen TVs, and desks offering a reasonable amount 

of work space. Superior rooms and suites have small 

terraces and tea-and-coffee-making facilities. The spiral 

staircase, linking the lobby area to café and restaurant, 

adds style and sociability to the hotel’s public spaces. The 

state-of-the-art solarium, fitness centre, and massage 

facilities are an additional major plus. Q77 rooms (singles 

€115 - 135, doubles €135, apartments €165 - 195). 

PHAUFLGKDW hhhh 

Mid-range 

Alexander Palace H-7, ul. Nartsis 1, Dragalevtsi, 

tel. 967 11 84, fax 967 31 46, alexader_office@abv. 

bg, www.svetasofia-alexanders.com. A small-sized 

modern building in the mountainside suburb of Dragalevtsi, 

a 20-minute drive from the centre. Rooms are spacious and 

the staff seem like a cheerful, helpful bunch. If you want a 

relaxing, secluded out-of-town location, then this fits the 

bill. Q18 rooms (singles €26, doubles €26, suites €44). 

AFLKD hhh 

Arte B-3, bul. Knyaz Dondukov 5, tel. 402 71 00, 

fax 402 71 09, reception@artehotelbg.com, www. 

artehotelbg.com. Opened towards the end of 2006. Arte 

occupies an excellent position on a central boulevard, 

but is well enough sound-insulated to ensure that Sofia’s 

notoriously screechy tramcars are unlikely to disturb your 

beauty sleep. The owner is a bit of an art collector, and 

the selection of modern Bulgarian paintings adorning the 

hotel hallways and restaurant pretty much justify the establishment’s 

name. Rooms are contemporary in style, with 

white walls, flat-screen TVs, and terracotta- or chocolatecoloured 

accessories. Note that breakfast costs an extra 

€10 per person. Q25 rooms (3 singles €110, 10 doubles 

€120, 2 apartments €150 - 160, 10 double de-lux €130). 

PAGKW hhh 

Atlantic H-8, ul. 19-a 2, Simeonovo, tel. 961 34 00, 

fax 961 21 32, atlantic@mail.orbitel.bg, www.atlanticbg.com. 

Located in the relative seclusion of Simeonovo, a 

suburb on the lower slopes of Mount Vitosha, this extremely 

plush place braced by a pair of fancy turrets makes for an 

ideal out-of-town retreat. Bathrooms are on the small side 

but rooms are otherwise extremely cosy. The top-floor restaurant 

offers great views towards the city. Q17 rooms (6 

singles €50 - 55, 6 doubles €64 - 69, 8 apartments €75 - 95). 

HARFLKD hhh 

Bulgari A-2, ul. Pirotska 50, tel. 831 00 60, fax 931 

14 77, bulgarihotel@yahoo.com, www.bulgarihotel. 

net. Small and friendly spot in a picturesque, cobbledstreet 

quarter of old Sofia. The tangerine-coloured rooms 

are on the small side, but feature TV and, in most cases, 

a tiny desk too. Some bathrooms boast a bathtub, others 

have a Bulgarian-style non-partitioned shower. If you 

can, try and reserve the ‘Melnik’ room on the top floor: its 

glass-covered balcony has the feel of a conservatory but 


WHere to stay 

comes with skyline-level views. Breakfast is served on glasstopped 

tables filled with seashells. The hotel is gay-friendly. 

Q13 rooms (12 doubles €85, 1 apartment €160 - 210). 

PJARGW hhh 

Casa Ferrari Bed and Breakfast C-1, ul. Lulin 

Planina 16, tel. 0898 43 67 00, fax 980 84 14, info@ 

casaferrari.com, www.casaferrari.com. This centrally 

located small hotel is situated on a quiet street within walking 

distance of Sofia’s main tourist attractions. Decorated 

with classic Italian furnishings, an atmosphere is produced 

combining luxury with relaxed charm. In addition to the three 

tastefully styled guest rooms, is a large, bright breakfast 

room, an ideal place for getting the day off to a good start, or 

reminiscing about your trip’s highlights. The married couple, 

who serve as your hosts, are congenial and very helpful in 

planning the most effective way to see the sights in Sofia. 

All-in-all, the Casa Ferrari is a very pleasant home away from 

home. Q3 rooms (singles €60, doubles €85, triples €95). 

PTJARG hhh 

Diter C-3, ul. Han Asparuh 65, tel./fax 989 89 98, 

hotel@diterhotel.com, www.diterhotel.com. Located in 

a sensitively-restored nineteenth-century house in a quiet 

but superbly central street, this is a real find. Rooms come 

in mood-enhancing blues and oranges and are equipped with 

minibar, TV and safe. Generous provision of desk space is a 

major plus, as is the provision of state-of-the-art massage 

nozzles in the shower cubicles. The T-shaped room no. 302 

(a single) will suit the idiosyncratic travellers down to the 

ground. Q21 rooms (7 singles €72 - 88, 12 doubles €98, 2 

suites €98 - 108). PARK hhh 

Elate Plaza 

Elate Plaza H-8, Mladost-1, corner of bul. Aleksandar 

Malinov and bul. Andrey Saharov, tel. 974 49 48, 

sales@elateplaza.com, www.elateplaza.com. Five 

minutes drive south from the airport in a residential neighbourhood 

this is a smallish comfy and charming hotel. 

Rooms come in different shapes and sizes, contemporary 

in style, decorated in wine-red, with light bathrooms. 

Suites have bathtubs. An informal make-yourself-at-home 

atmosphere and attentive staff complete the picture. 

The fitness centre is an additional plus. Q19 rooms 


€90 - 120). PHARUFLGKDW hhh 

Kapri G-8, ul. Han Omurtag 76, tel. 843 50 73, fax 944 

27 72, kapri@fog-bg.net, www.kapri-hotel.dir.bg. Mediumsized 

and rather intimate hotel in a quiet neighbourhood 2km 

east of the centre. Rooms are nicely kitted out in soothing pale 

greens and light brown furniture, but they’re a bit on the small 

side - the hotel is in a converted family house and everything 

seems a tight squeeze. Q20 rooms (8 singles €50, 11 

doubles €65, 1 apartment €80). PARKW hhh 


21


Kolikovski Hotel C-2, ul. Hristo Belchev 46, tel./fax 

980 95 69, hotel@kolikovski.com, www.kolikovski.com. 

Located on a cobbled street barely seconds away from bul. 

Vitosha, the Kolikovski makes an immediate impression with 

its sensuous colours and twenty-first-century-baroque design 

deatails. With dark purples and matt surfaces predominating, 

it makes a nice change from the pastel colours on offer 

elsewhere. Although primarily intended as a business hotel, 

it’s definitely the kind of place you would want to end up at 

after a successful date. Rooms are reasonably spacious 

and feature TV, minibar and desk space. The superior 

rooms also have an electric kettle. Q33 rooms (14 singles 


PTJHARUFLKW hhh 

Latinka G-8, ul. Latinka 28A, tel. 870 08 48, fax 870 08 

56, office@hotel-latinka-sofia.com, www.hotel-latinkasofia.com. 

Sleek and modern outside, comfy and charming 

within, this is an exceedingly good mid-range choice indeed. 

About 3km southeast of the centre, it’s only 5 minutes’ walk 

away from the huge expanse of greenery that is Borisova 

Gradina park. Rooms are decked out in mood-enhancing 

primary colours and come with telephone, cable TV, internet 

connection and mini-bar. Ask for one of the top-floor rooms 

with attic ceiling if you want a bit of atmosphere. Q26 rooms 

(10 singles €50 - 55, 15 doubles €70 - 75, 1 apartment €80). 

PALGKW hhh 

Legends G-7, bul. Cherni vrah 54-56, tel. 961 79 30, fax 

961 79 33, info@hotel-legends.bg, www.hotel-legends. 

bg. Situated in the Hladilnika district 4km south of the centre, 

Legends offers all the business-class comforts but has 

the added advantages of medum-sized-hotel intimacy and 

medium-range prices. The bronzy-brown rooms come with 

desk space and bath-tubs. An internet connection for your laptop 

costs an extra €5 per day. Despite the neighbourhood’s 

relative lack of decent bars and restaurants, transport links 

are good: trams no. 9 and no. 10 will whisk you into town, 

while bus no. 66 powers its way up to Aleko on Mt Vitosha. 

Q49 rooms (3 singles €64 - 74, 40 doubles €76 - 86, 2 

apartments €94 - 104, 4 Apartment houses €104 - 114). 

PALK hhh 

Lion A-3, bul. Maria Luiza 60, tel. 917 84 00, fax 917 

84 01, office@hotelslion.bg, www.hotelslion.bg. This 

stately nineteenth-century building overlooks a major road 

intersection mid-way between the train station and the centre, 

and is a great place from which to observe the constant 

pulse of pedestrians and traffic if you get a front-facing room. 

Many of the rooms have characterful architectural touches 

you won’t find elsewhere, with bay windows in some, arched 

windows in others. Décor is a bit hit and miss though: some 

rooms are inoffensively yellow, others have boldly stripy 

wall coverings. Q33 rooms (12 singles €65, 13 doubles 

€80, 1 apartment €110, 3 single luxury, 4 double luxury). 

PJARKW hhh 

Lozenetz E-3, bul. Sveti Naum 23, tel. 965 44 44, fax 

965 44 45, info@lozenetzhotel.com, www.lozenetzhotel. 

com. A contemporary building in a residential area just south 

of the city centre. Rooms are light and spacious, although 

some of the bathrooms are a tight squeeze. There is a small 

but relaxing garden attached to the restaurant. Q31 rooms 

(singles €62 - 74, doubles €85, suites €85, superior €68 - 80). 

PHARLGK hhh 

Meg Lozenetz D-3, ul. Krum Popov 84, tel. 965 19 70, 

fax 965 19 71, reservation@meg-lozenetz.com, www. 

meg-lozenetz.com. Inviting mid-sized hotel in residential 

streets just south of the centre, near the City Center Sofia 

Out of town 

SPA Hotel Bankya Palace bul. Varna 70, Bankya, 

tel. 812 20 20, fax 997 70 64, hotel@bankyapalace. 

com, www.bankyapalace.com. The Bankya Palace 

was renovated in 2005 and some parts of it are really 

state-of-the-art. Rooms are not too spacious, but are 

light and decorated in fresh colours. Most bathrooms 

are with bathtubs. The on-site Spa centre offers a large 

number of superb remedial, recuperation and relaxation 

programs (including aromatherapy, chocolate or honey 

massage, wine-therapy and thalasso-therapy). The complex 

has its own bowling hall and a big outdoor swimming 

pool with mineral water. Q73 rooms (19 singles €42 

- 53, 41 doubles €53 - 69, 14 apartments €84 - 111). 

PHARUFLBKDCW hhhh 

shopping mall. The deep carpeted rooms are decorated in 

warm colours and come with a lot of desk space. They also 

come in irregular shapes, which makes a nice change from the 

perfect rectangles on offer elsewhere. The hotel restaurant 

looks semi-tropical with its rattan chairs, wooden decking 

and house-plants - appropriately enough, it is home to an 

enormous green parrot. Q17 rooms (4 singles €75 - 90, 5 

doubles €85 - 100, 4 triples €95 - 110, apartments €135 - 

150, 4 luxury €100 - 110). PARGKW hhh 

Renaissance B-2, pl. Vazrazhdane 2, tel. 957 11 12, fax 

957 18 52, renaissance@online.bg, www.renaissance. 

yes.bg. If you don’t mind a bit of kitsch you’ll quite like this 

place, with its loud colours, copper engravings of renaissance 

paintings and retro furniture. Panoramic view of Sofia from the 

top-floor terrace. Q29 rooms (14 singles €55, 14 doubles 

€65, 1 apartment €90). PHAKW hhh 

Scotty’s Boutique Hotel A-3, ul. Ekzarh Yosif 11, tel. 

983 67 77, fax 983 32 29, scottyshotel@yahoo.com. 

Small, intimate but superbly central hotel in a renovated 

house with 16 individually-decorated, colour-coordinated 

rooms - the one with zebra-print bedspreads being one of 

our particular favourites. Bathrooms are roomier than most, 

although some come with showers rather than full-size tubs. 

Relaxed atmosphere and attentive staff complete the picture. 

Gay-friendly. Q16 rooms (2 singles €55, 14 doubles €65 - 

95). PTARW hhh 

Budget 

Aris F-7, ul. Knyaz Boris 203, tel. 931 31 77, fax 931 

00 19, info@hotel-aris.com, www.hotel-aris.com. Tucked 

away in a quiet leafy street but perfectly placed for the train 

and bus stations, Aris is a welcome addition to Sofia’s growing 

range of civilized but cost-conscious hotels. Rooms are 

functional but comfortable, with soothing colour schemes, 

reasonably high ceilings, TVs and hairdryers. Apartments 

featuring fold-down sofa-beds are perfect for those travelling 

as a group or a family. Q18 rooms (12 doubles €55, 4 triples 

€66, 1 suite €66, 1 apartment €77). PJALW hhh 

Brod H-8, Simeonovsko shose 66, tel. 968 19 80, fax 

968 19 84, hotelbrod@yahoo.com, www.hotelbrod.com. 

A suburban hotel of recent construction offering excellent 

value in this price range. All rooms are neatly kitted out in 

a mixture of pastel and terracotta shades - “luxury” rooms 

have good-sized bathtubs, while others come with a simple 

shower unit. Simeonovsko shose itself is hardly Sofia’s most 

inspiring street, but you’ll feel quite at home here once the 

friendly and helpful staff have told you where the local cafés, 

shops and bus-stops are. And taxis to/from here aren’t going 


to break the bank. Q44 rooms (13 singles €45, 27 doubles 

€55 - 70, 4 suites €80). PHALGK hhh 

Harmony E-1, bul. Arsenalski 4, tel. 866 53 77, fax 

866 25 37, sofia@hotels-harmony.com, www.hotelsharmony.com. 

You won’t be drowned in luxury here but you’ll 

certainly find everything necessary for a pleasant and restful 

stay, and the small scale of the place makes you feel looked 

after. It’s right next door to one of Sofia’s most popular indoor 

and outdoor swimming pools, which you can use free of charge 

the first time, after which a small entrance fee comes into 

operation. Q16 rooms (singles €55, doubles €75, suites 

€85 - 95). PHALK hhh 

Madrid G-8, ul. Dragovitsa 12, tel. 944 89 52, fax 943 

31 44, hotel@madridbg.com, www.madridbg.com. Intimate 

hotel in a quiet area just east of the city centre, offering 

simply furnished en-suite rooms and little in the way of extras. 

Difficult to beat at this price. Q15 rooms (2 singles €20, 10 

doubles €28, 2 triples €33, 1 quad €40). PJAW h 

Niky C-2, ul. Neofit Rilski 16, tel. 952 30 58, fax 951 

60 91, office@hotel-niky.com, www.hotel-niky.com. This 

superbly located and friendly place has a lot of admirers, 

so be sure to book in advance. The handful of single and 

double rooms come with modern furnishings, minibar, TV 

and WC/shower. However the majority of rooms are roomy 

apartment-style affairs featuring kitchenette and bathtub. 

The garden restaurant, famed for its grills, comes into its own 

in spring and summer. Q22 rooms (3 singles €40 - 45, 3 

doubles €45 - 50, 16 apartments €60 - 105, 1 double luxury 

€50 - 55). PARUGKW hhh 

Pop Bogomil A-4, ul. Pop Bogomil 5, tel. 983 11 65, 

fax 983 70 65, hotelpopbogomil@dir.bg, www.bulgariabedandbreakfast.com. 

Welcoming and intimate place in 

an area of cobbled residential streets a few minutes’ walk 

from the city centre. Rooms are on the small side and feature 

mix-and-match furnishings that might not quite make it into 

the pages of a design magazine, but everything else about 

this hotel seems tidy and comfy. Some rooms have bathtubs, 

some have showers, so ask in advance if you’ve got a preference. 

Breakfast costs a few leva extra. Q10 rooms (doubles 

€30 - 33). LW hhh 

Red Bed and Breakfast C-4, ul. Lyuben Karavelov 

15, tel./fax 988 81 88, info@redbandb.com, www. 

redbandb.com. An early twentieth-century villa houses the 

Red House cultural centre as well as this charming B&B. The 

rooms come in a variety of different styles: some feature 

soothingly pale decor while others are kitted out in sensuous 

reds and greens. Toilet and bathroom are located in the 

hallway, but you do get breakfast delivered to your room. 

The top-floor terrace is a great place to hang out when the 

weather gets warmer. Q6 rooms (singles €25 - 35, doubles 

€40 - 50). RKW hh 

RotasaR G-8, ul. Liditse and Kosta Lulchev (at the 

corner), tel. 971 45 71, fax 971 45 74, hotel@rotasar. 

com, www.rotasar.com. Smallish hotel with a cosy feel, in 

a residential neighbourhood 2km east of the centre on the 

way to Sofia airport. Rooms come in different sizes and colour 

schemes but are all equipped with a small TV, minibar and 

bathroom. Colourful contemporary prints in the rooms and 

hallways add a bit of character. Breakfast in the downstairs 

restaurant costs an extra €3. Q18 rooms (8 doubles €42 - 

49, 7 apartments €62 - 82, 3 studios. PARKW hh 

Shipka G-7, bul. Totleben 34A, tel. 915 14 87, fax 

953 12 30, shipka_hotel@abv.bg, www.hotel-shipka. 


WHere to stay 

Borovets 

Tel.: +359 750 3 20 45 

Fax: +359 750 3 26 07 

reservations@iceangelshotel.com 

www.iceangelshotel.com 

com. Twenty minutes’ walk southwest of the centre, this 

Defence Ministry-owned establishment is a bit care-worn 

and institutionalised at first glance, but it’s far from being a 

boot camp. Rooms are adequate and come with TV, fridge 

and WC/shower: those in the ‘lux’ category have the added 

benefits of plush carpets and jolly colour schemes. The fab 

subterranean fitness complex looks like a training centre for 

special agents: saunas, steam baths and gym are free for 

hotel guests, while a plethora of wellness treatments come 

at an extra charge. Q135 rooms (singles €34, doubles €43, 

apartment vip €92). PHRFLKD hhh 

Sofia Garden Bed and Breakfast C-3, ul. Angel 

Kanchev 21A, tel. 987 05 45, art-hostel@art-hostel. 

com, www.art-hostel.com. Located in the same centrallylocated 

nineteenth-century building as the ever-popular Art 

Hostel (see “Hostels” below), Sofia Garden offers simplyfurnished 

but characterful rooms with wooden floorboards, 

distressed chairs and wardrobes, and high ceilings. Toilet 

and shower are across the hallway. There’s a communal hall 

with homely ceramic stove, and a small kitchen complete 

with kettle and toaster. Room price includes breakfast 

coupons, which you can cash in at the excellent “Kuhnyata 

na mama” canteen-restaurant just down the street. Q9 

rooms (4 doubles €26 - 36, 2 Private rooms €14, 3 Dorm 

rooms €10). ARW h 

Apartment hotels 

Apartment House Dunav A-4, ul. Dunav 38, tel. 983 

30 02, fax 983 38 04, reception@dunavapartmenthouse.com, 

www.dunavapartmenthouse.com. A range 

of delightfully light and spacious apartments with parquet 

floors, neutral colours, kitchenette, TV and WC/shower. 

The 2-bed family apartments on the top floor come with 

attractive attic windows. Breakfast can be delivered from 

the nearby Tabiet restaurant if you’re too lazy to cook your 

own. Handily located in a downtown area characterized 

by quiet cobbled streets. Q14 rooms (14 apartments 

€58 - 88). Rates fall dramatically the longer you stay. 

PTAR hhh 

Apartment House Iztok G-8, ul. Atanas Dalchev 6, tel. 

970 01 00, fax 970 01 28, aphouse_iztok@yahoo.com, 

www.apartmenthouseiztok.bg. Fully serviced apartment 

block on the southeastern fringes of the centre. The smallest 

studio apartments are no different to a mid-price hotel 

room, but providing you steer clear of these you should have 

no complaints. Expect lam floors, warm colours, and modern 

bathrooms with tubs. Breakfast is brought to your room, and 

there’s a strip of garden complete with kids’ play area out the 

back. Q32 rooms (4 singles €110, 4 doubles €120, 5 apartments 

€190, 8 business studios €135, 6 family apartments 

€150, 5 big family apartments €170). Rates fall in proportion 

to length of stay. PTARLKW hhh 

Apartment House Sofia G-7, ul. Golo bardo 2-4, tel. 

960 28 88, fax 960 28 60, info@aphouse-sofia.com, 


23


www.aphouse-sofia.com. Tidy new block in a residential 

area just south of the centre, offering comfy apartments 

ranging in size from 2-person studios to 2-bedroom family 

flats. All have laminated floors, pastel-coloured furnishings, TV, 

kitchenette, and bathrooms with full-sized tubs. Apartments 

are serviced daily. If you don’t fancy self-catering, you can eat 

very well at the Carrera restaurant on the ground floor. Q (28 

apartments €120 - 180). Long-stay rates are substantially 

cheaper. PTARLK 

Apartment rental 

City Hotels Ltd C-5, bul. Evlogi Georgiev 85, tel. 0888 

509 199, office@rentinsofia.com, www.rentinsofia.com. 

This firm have around 30 apartments at their disposal, of 

varying sizes and at various locations around town. Judging by 

the one we saw, furnishings are tasteful, colour schemes are 

soothing, and kitchens and bathrooms are fully equipped with 

modern gear. Apartments are serviced on a daily basis. Q 

The prices range from €40 for one bedroom apts, to €60-80 

for a 3-bedroom family dwelling. Prices decrease according 

to how long you stay. 

Variety E-3, ul. Yoan Ekzarh 20, tel. 963 31 51, fax 866 15 

57, office@variety-bg.com, www.variety-bg.com. Variety 

offer well over 20 properties in central Sofia and the inner-ring of 

suburban districts, with short- or long-term apartments ranging 

in size from 2- to 4-bedroom. Interiors are neat and tasteful, 

some feature a very high standard of interior design indeed. 

The apartments are fully serviced and secure. Q Prices vary 

between €40 and €70 depending on the size of the apartment, 

with discounts for long term stays. ALW 

Hostels 

Art-Hostel C-3, ul. Angel Kanchev 21A, tel. 987 05 45, 

art-hostel@art-hostel.com, www.art-hostel.com. The 

original idea behind this little place was that it would be a 

hostel-cum-art gallery where people could meet and exchange 

ideas. It doesn’t always live up to its cultural mission but it’s 

quirky, friendly and central all the same. There are two dormitories 

equipped with double-decker bunks, and a communal 

sitting room with soft furnishings and occasional exhibitions. 

The weirdly decorated downstairs cafe-bar is reason enough 

to stay. Price includes a modest breakfast (served at a nearby 

cafe-restaurant, not on the premises). Q Dorm bed €11, 

mattress on the floor without breakfast €5. W 

Be My Guest C-4, ul. Ivan Vazov 13, tel. 989 50 92, 

bemyguest@mail.bg, www.bemyguest-hostel.com. 

Centrally-placed hostel with a rambling collection of rooms 

and a cosy if cramped living room. The dorms and doubles 

are functional in the extreme but funky ethno furnishings will 

make you feel at home. The 5-bed split-level apartment, 

decorated with kooky paintings, is well worth getting hold of 

if you’re travelling as a family or with friends. A basic breakfast 

is included. Q €10 -12-15per bed. PLW 

Hostel Mostel B-2, bul. Makedonia 2A, tel. 0889 223 

296, info@hostelmostel.com, www.hostelmostel.com. 

Lurking behind an unlikely-looking metal doorway, Hostel 

Mostel is one of Sofia’s hidden treasures, occupying a reconstructed 

nineteenth-century inn which plonked surreally 

in a city-centre courtyard. The simple, mattress-on-the-floor 

accommodation is neat and clean: individual dorms can be 

booked as private rooms by twosomes or threesomes for a 

few extra euro during the low season. The spacious groundfloor 

social area, including pool table, internet terminal, 

kitchen, and oriental, cushion-strewn divan, is a major feature. 

Q €10-15 per person. W 

Hostel Sofia B-2, ul. Pozitano 16, tel. 989 85 82, 

hostel-sofia@yahoo.com. Sofia’s first-ever backpackerfriendly 

hostel is still going strong, with two floors of pinefloored, 

bunk-filled dorms (ranging in size from 12-bed to 

4-bed) in a central apartment block. It still has the feel of a 

cosy private flat, with teddy-bear wallpaper in some of the 

dorms, lounge furniture stuffed into the hallway, and a small 

but fully-equipped kitchen. Breakfast included. Q €10 per 

person. PIKW 

Internet Hostel B-3, ul. Alabin 50A, 2nd floor, tel. 0889 

138 298, fax 989 94 19, interhostel@yahoo.co.uk. A 

place that always seems to be full of nice and friendly young 

travellers. Clean and tidy rooms ranging in size from a single 

to a six-bed dorm. It’s a bit difficult to find at first: enter the 

shopping arcade at Alabin 50, look for the plain white door 

on your left, then head up the stairs. Q From €9-10 per 

person - dorm room, €25-30 double room, €30-35 for studio, 

€35-40 triple room. R 

Sofia Guesthouse C-3, bul. Patriarh Evtimiy 27, tel. 

403 01 00, info@sofiaguest.com, www.sofiaguest. 

com. Spacious and relaxing hostel with fresh-smelling, airconditioned 

dorms, a healthy number of toilets and showers 

on each floor, and a big sitting-room-cum-socializing area near 

the reception desk. Plus there’s a basement breakfast room 

and TV room. Use of internet terminal and washing machine 

for a small extra fee. Breakfast included. Q €10-18 per 

person. PAW 

The Rooms A-5, ul. Pop Bogomil 10, tel. 0898 260 

316, fax 983 35 08, theroomshostel@yahoo.com. 

Quiet little place offering individual single and double 

rooms, most of which have an en-suite WC/shower. The 

charmingly odd furnishings include some genuine antiques. 

The cupboard-sized socializing area (really just a corner 

of the hallway) features a lovely crimson sofa that is very 

easy to sink into but is virtually impossible to get out of. 

Breakfast (often featuring the typically Bulgarian banitsa 

cheese pastry) is available for a small extra fee. Q €10- 

15 per person. R 

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New restaurants are opening all the time in Sofia, but 

there aren’t enough good chefs to go round and standards 

tend to yo-yo as a result. Service is traditionally on the 

slow side, but things are picking up in this department. 

The prices in brackets refer to the average cost of a main 

course. 

Symbol key 

P Air conditioning A Credit cards accepted 

E Live music S Take away 

T Child friendly U Facilities for the disabled 

G Non-smoking areas L Guarded parking 

O Casino M Nearest station 

R Internet 6 Animal friendly 

Armenian 

Egur, Egur B-4, ul. Dobrudzha 10, tel. 989 33 83, 

egur@abv.bg. Armenian food, superbly prepared and 

presented with old-school elegance, in a restaurant, owned 

bys Bulgarian-Armenian jazz singer Hilda Kazasyan. No-holdsbarred 

carnivores should plump for the Caucasian flame-grilled 

kebabs, although there’s plenty by way of subtly-spiced 

stews and loads of vegetarian options involving aubergines, 

peppers, courgettes and other tasty fresh things. There’s 

an extensive list of both Bulgarian and international wines, 

expensive vintage tipples included. QOpen 12:00 - 24:00. 

(20-30Lv). PJA 

Bulgarian 

Bulgari B-5, bul. Knyaz Dondukov 71, tel. 843 54 19, 

fax 846 84 46, bulgarians@abv.bg, www.restaurantbulgary.com. 

For an elegant dining experience, head for 

this historic house crammed full of sepia photographs of 

old Sofia. The menu focuses mainly on classic Bulgarian 

dishes although there’s a number of modern European 

choices too. The bow-tied waiting staff seem to know 

their business, and the upstairs no-smoking rooms are 

genuinely secluded from the rest. QOpen 12:00 - 23:30. 

(10-25Lv). PAGW 

Divaka C-3, ul. Gladston 54, tel. 989 95 43. The 

“Savage” is extremely popular among younger locals for 

its relaxed informal atmosphere and good, inexpensive 

food. There’s a big choice of huge salads, the grilled pork 

and chicken dishes are dependably delicious, and even 

the vegetarian shish-kebab is surprisingly tasty. There 

are other branches at C-3 ul. Hristo Belchev 16 (a bright, 

minimalistically-decorated place that looks like a smart 

canteen for yuppies); and at C-3, ul. 6-ti septemvri 41A. 

QOpen 10:00 - 23:30. (7-12Lv). P 

Etno B-3, ul. Alabin 35, tel. 988 75 75, etnoegur@ 

abv.bg. Spread out in a large basement in the heart of the 

downtown shopping area, this is a rather elegant take on a 

familiar down-on-the-farm rustic theme. Starched napkins 

and fancy cutlery adorn the tables, while garlic and corn 

cobs hang on rough whitewashed walls in the background. 

The menu aims to provide down-to-earth home cooking 

from around Europe (I’m sure we saw a Wiener Schnitzel in 

here somewhere), although the accent is on Bulgarian meat 

favourites - it’s a nice change to see Bulgarian grill-snacks 

given the serious cuisine treatment. QOpen 12:00 - 23:00. 

(5-15Lv). PJAIG 


restaUrants 

Hadzhidraganovite kashti F-7, ul. Kozloduy 75, 

tel. 931 31 48, info@kashtite.com, www.kashtite. 

com. Hugely enjoyable theme restaurant located mid-way 

between the town centre and the train station, consisting 

of four large rooms, each designed in the folk style of a particular 

region of Bulgaria. Traditional musicians drift from 

room to room during the course of the evening, ensuring 

that no-one misses the show. The lengthy menu covers 

just about everything in the Bulgarian culinary repertoire, 

and the list of rakias will have you scratching your head 

wondering which to try next. QOpen 11:30 - 02:00. (10- 

15Lv). PAIE 

Halbite C-3, ul. Neofit Rilski 72, tel. 980 41 47. One of 

central Sofia’s most enduringly popular beer hall-cum-eateries, 

with a predominantly Bulgarian menu - but without the 

kitsch touches you get in some of the more self-consciously 

touristy places. Expect instead a relaxing jumble of roughand-ready 

wooden tables and chairs, a generous choice of 

domestic and international beers, and rock or blues on the 

sound system. Very popular, so be sure to reserve at weekends. 

There’s another branch at C-1, bul. Praga 18. QOpen 

10:00 - 24:00. (5-15Lv). PGBS 

Chevermeto E-3, bul. Cherni vrah 31, tel./fax 963 

03 08, chevermeto@chevermeto-bg.com, www. 

chevermeto-bg.com. Despite it’s location in the basement 

of the greying Hotel Hemus, an evening at the “Spit-Roast 

Lamb” comes across as an entertaining journey into Bulgarian 

rural ethnography. Traditional textiles are draped across 

every surface, and folk groups perform nightly after 8pm. 

The sizeable menu includes just about everything in the 

Bulgarian culinary repertoire, so there should be something 

here to suit all tastes and pockets. QOpen 12:00 - 24:00. 

(9-22Lv). PAILE 


25

26 restaUrants 

Magdanoz (Parsley) B-1, ul. Damyan Gruev 28, tel. 

981 14 30. A friendly restaurant furnished with wooden 

sitting and beautiful garden. The chef prepares delicious 

salads, soups, meat and vegetarian dishes, desserts. They 

offer also a nice lunch menu. Try the bolyar meat balls or the 

mushrooms filled with cream and yellow chese. QOpen 

08:30 - 23:00. 6B 

Manastirska magernitsa C-3, ul. Han Asparuh 67, tel. 

980 38 83/0899 94 94 00, www.magernitsa.com.. Sheltered 

in an elegantly decorated nineteenth-century house, the 

restaurant offers an imaginative approach towards traditional 

Bulgarian cuisine - the owners have collected traditional 

recipes from Bulgarian monasteries and reproduced here. Although 

the menu is so long that it takes an eternity to decide 

what to eat, it features a lot of things you won’t find elsewhere 

and has plenty of choice for vegetarians. Service can be slow, 

but you won’t find many finer settings for a long leisurely meal. 

QOpen 11:00 - 02:00. (12-18Lv). PJAB 

Pod lipite D-5, ul. Elin Pelin 1, tel. 866 50 53, www. 

podlipitebg.com. One of Sofia’s longest-established and 

most enjoyable traditional restaurants, with a suite of rooms 

done out in the style of a timber-beamed small-town tavern. 

The menu is extensive and doesn’t really have any weak 

points - the succulent shashlik-style skewer-grilled kebabs 

constitute one particular treat. Vegetarians can assemble 

a handsome feast from the courgette-, aubergine- and 

pepper-based dishes listed as starters. Service is brisk and 

enthusiastic, and live folk music is a feature at weekends. 

The place gets packed out even at lunchtimes, so it’s wise 

to reserve in advance. QOpen 12:00 - 01:00. (8-20Lv). 

PILGBSW 

Pri Yafata B-2, ul. Solunska 28, tel. 980 17 27, www. 

pri-yafata.com. Traditional Bulgarian cuisine served up in 

a suite of rooms decked out in folk textiles and nineteenthcentury 

domestic nick-nacks. It’s an excellent place in which 

to sample the standard Bulgarian repertoire of grilled meats, 

backed up by an array of healthy salads and some superb 

spicy bob (baked beans Balkan-style). Some of the cheaper 

wines are a bit rough though. QOpen 10:00 - 12:00. (6- 

12Lv). PAEW 

Czech 

Cheshki klub B-5, ul. Krakra 15, tel. 944 13 83. With 

its plain wood furnishings, plain tablecloths and busy waiters, 

the Czech Club is one of those reassuringly old-fashioned 

places that seems to occupy its own bubble in space and 

time - Ruritania in the 1950s being the most likely coordinates. 

The prices are stuck in the 1950s too - you can eat 

handsomely here for the price of a salad in some other Sofia 

restaurants. The menu is vaguely central European padded 

out with Bulgarian grills. For something authentically Czech 

order the goulash or pork served with knedliky - fantastically 

filling sliced dumplings. The well-kept Staropramen beer is 

another reason to make the trip. QOpen 12:00 - 22:30. 

Closed Sat, Sun. (6-10Lv). JGBW 

French 

L’Etranger A-3, ul. Tsar Simeon 78, tel. 983 14 17/0887 

523 376, bistrot_letranger@hotmail.com. Homely bistro 

offering very reasonable food - good place for a quick lunch or 

a more leisurely three-course meal. The chef is a Frenchman 

who owns the place together with his Bulgarian wife, so it’s a 

real family restaurant. Good service and meals that live up to 

expectations. What more can you say? QOpen 12:00 - 22:00, 

Sat 18:00 - 22:00. Closed Sun. (14-22Lv). PA 

Fun 

Happy Bar & Grill B-3, pl. Sveta Nedelya 4, tel. 980 73 

53. If you’re the kind of person who likes bright neon lights, 

laminated menues and electric guitars on the walls, then this 

is most emphatically the place for you. Expect to dine on grilled 

chicken and pork dishes, followed by an array of excellent 

sweets. The large choice of alcoholic substances ensures 

that this is a popular venue in which to spin out an evening. 

It’s a huge place that’s constantly busy, so be prepared 

to squeeze in wherever the wait-staff can find you a place. 

QOpen 00:00 - 24:00. (6-12Lv). PJABSW 

Greek 

Kumbare B-3, ul. Saborna 14, tel. 981 17 94/0897 806 

390, office@kumbare.com, www.kumbare.com. Pretty 

much everything you would expect from a Greek restaurant is 

here in abundance, with a succulent repertoire of grilled lamb 

and fish dishes accompanied by luxuriant salads - all prepared 

under the watchful eye of the head chef. The loud and exuberant 

music will soon put you in the right mood to dive into the 

selection of ouzos and retsinas. Chandeliers, flowers, and 

Ionian columns create a winning Mediterranean ambience, an 

impression enhanced by the sharp-looking team of young men 

in starched white shirts that make up the wait-staff. Kumbare’s 

position on central Sofia’s main tourist route ensures a constant 

stream of diners - so you’d better make a reservation. 

Oh, and just in case you were wondering, “Kumbare” means 

“best man”, and is also the name of a traditional Greek dessert 

prepared from cake fingers, mascarpone and nuts. QOpen 

11:00 - 23:00. (7-34Lv). PJAEBS 

Hungarian 

Pri Latsi B-5, ul. Oborishte 18, tel. 846 86 87. Authentic 

Magyar cuisine, prepared under the watchful eye of Laszlo 

Sendi, former manager of the legendary (but no longer standing) 

Restaurant Budapeshta. With no more than eight tables spread 

over two floors, it’s a delightfully cozy and intimate setting in 

which to enjoy some truly excellent food - try the rich, creamy, 

paprika-laden Szekely goulash, followed by shamloi galushki 

(fried dough balls covered in syrup). Folksy Hungarian embroidery 

on the walls and cheerful wait-staff provide the finishing 

touches. QOpen 11:00 - 23:00. (7-13Lv). PGBS 

Chinese 

Devette drakona B-4, bul. Tsar Osvoboditel 8A, tel. 981 

88 78. Ignore the gaudy signs advertising the “Gentlemen’s 

Club” on the ground floor of the building and head upstairs to find 

one of Sofia’s better oriental eateries. The excellent, if familiar 

repertoire of pork, beef and duck dishes has never disappointed, 

and the décor’s quite nice too: soothing shades of Burgundy 

prevail, and apart from a pair of enormous vases each big enough 

to house a fair-sized panda, there’s a reassuring absence of fareastern 

kitsch. The no-smoking corner is relatively well secluded. 

QOpen 11:00 - 23:30. (4-12Lv). PJGS 


Kitayski Drakon (Chinese Dragon) B-2, ul. Ivailo 

19, tel. 0899 006 061/983 60 34, vel@vel-bg.com, 

www.vel-bg.com. The food is of course Chinese and they 

have lots of spicy dishes. The menu is impressive with more 

than 200 dishes, most of which have the choice of small or 

large portion. For delivery you can order by phone or online. 

They have another restaurant on ul. Slavyanska Beseda 3. 

QOpen 11:00 - 24:00. (4-10Lv). PB 

Magnolia B-2, ul. Tri ushi 2, tel. 987 11 20. Bare-topped 

tables and a minimum of décor provide a suitably functional 

environment in which to feast upon cheap, filling and wellprepared 

food. The menu sticks to tried-and-trusted pork and 

chicken favourites - with the welcome addition of some fiery 

Sechuan dishes you won’t find elsewhere in town. Last time 

we were here the staff were playing a sequence of pounding 

techno tracks that seemed to be on a permanent loop - if 

this was intended as a digestional aid it was certainly a new 

one on us. QOpen 10:30 - 24:00. (6-12Lv). PS 

Indian 

Kohinoor C-2, ul. Han Aparuh 3, tel. 0882 53 25 41, 

info@kohinoor.bg, www.kohinoor.bg. 1st street off Hristo 

Botev at the Five Corners lies the Kohinoor. And, like its 

namesake it’s a real diamond. The menu is as predictable 

as most Indian menus and the food is great. Huge portions 

too. Nice spacious downstairs restaurant with great space 

between the tables and an excellent bathroom. The bathroom 

alone is worth a visit. The food is brilliant. Service comes 

with a real smile. And, with a bill that is actually a pleasure 

to pay, all in all it’s worth a visit. QOpen 11:00 - 23:00, Sat 

17:00 - 23:00. Closed Sun. (8-15Lv). PJ 

Taj Mahal B-4, ul. 11-i avgust 11, tel. 987 36 32, tajmahal.bg@gmail.com, 

www.tajmahal.bg. Very good tikka 

masalas, rogan joshes and other familiar dishes in a relaxing 

three-storey location. There are plenty of vegetarian options, 

great samosas, decent naan bread and other authentic extras. 

Although the soothing orangey interior doesn’t go overboard 

with theatrical touches, the same cannot be said for the 

background music, with sitar versions of rock classics looping 

through the meal. Most expats agree that the food and service 

are some of the best in town, although the bill can be a little 

difficult to swallow. QOpen 12:00 - 24:00. (15-18Lv). PA 

International 

Bistro Zita A-5, ul. Iskar 86, tel. 846 43 23/0899 190 

586, bistrozita@abv.bg. This small restaurant is one of the 

few in the neighbourhood. It has two rooms, each with 4-5 

tables and 2 tables outside. The seating is wooden and the 

chairs have pretty cushions. The music is chill-out, there is a 

TV and the bathroom is clean. The staff are English speaking, 

welcoming and fast. They offer salads, grilled meat (try the 

ribs or the banski starets), fish, spaghetti, pizza and toasts. 

They have an interesting choice of alcoholic and non-alcoholic 

cocktails and milk shakes. QOpen 8:30 - 23:00. Closed Sun. 

(4.20 - 10.00Lv). JGBSW 

Butchers C-5, ul. Sheynovo 4A, tel. 0887 104 378. This 

place does indeed look like a butchers’ shop at first glance, 

with a bloke in an apron standing behind a counter stocked 

with Spanish hams, Mediterranean delicatessen goodies and 

fine wines. Behind the counter a private-looking passageway 

leads through to a back room filled with distressed furniture 

and bohemian-looking wine-quaffing patrons. The menu is 

composed of whatever the chef feels like cooking that day: 

expect gourmet cold meats, exquisite quiches, and other 

Franco-Hispanic treats. QOpen 11:00 - 01:00. (5-12Lv). 


restaUrants 

Decoding the menu 

Starters and salads (предястия и салати) 

Shopska salata (шопска салата) – sliced tomato, 

cucumber, sweet pepper, onion and grated white sheep’s 

cheese 

Ovcharska salata (овчарска салата) – tomatoes, 

cucumbers, peppers, onions, mushrooms, ham, egg 

and cheese 

Snezhanka (снежанка) – made of strained yoghurt, 

cucumber and garlic 

Kyopolu (Aubergine puree) (кьопоолу) – salad of mashed 

baked eggplant, peppers, loads of garlic, parsley, 

vinegar and sunflower oil 

Sudzhuk (суджук), lukanka (луканка), pastarma 

(пастърма) – traditional Bulgarian dried salami with 

various spices, salt and pepper 

Soups (супи) 

Tarator (таратор) – cold soup with yoghurt, cucumber, 

walnuts and dill. Especially popular in hot summer 

Bob chorba (bean soup) (боб чорба) – well soaked dried 

beans, a variety of vegetables and plenty of herbs 

Shkembe chorba (шкембе чорба) – tripe soup cooked in 

milk with garlic, vinegar and chilli 

Zelenchukova supa (зеленчукова супа) – vegetable 

soup 

Meat dishes (ястия с месо) 

Kebapche (кебапче) – grilled minced meat rolls 

Kyufte (кюфте) – grilled minced meat balls 

Shish Kebap (шиш кебап) – grilled skewered meat, onion 

and paprika 

Meshana skara (мешана скара) – a Bulgarian version 

of mixed grill 

Sarmi (сърми) – cabbage or vines leaves stuffed with 

meat 

Kavarma (кавърма) – meat and vegetable stew, usually 

served in individual pots 

Banska kapama (банска капама) – chicken, pork, veal, 

cabbage, and rice 

Gyuvech (гювеч) – a dish of vegetables and meat baked 

in an earthenware pot 

Lamb in oven (St. George’s way) (агнешко на фурна) – 

lamb stuffed with pluck and rice, cooked in the oven, 

served with green salad 

Vegetarian dishes (постни ястия) 

Sirene po shopski (сирене по шопски) – white sheep’s 

cheese baked with eggs 

Chushki byurek (чушки бюрек) – fried peppers stuffed 

with egg and cheese 

Kashkaval pane (кашкавал пане) – fried, breaded 

yellow cheese 

Banitsa (баница) – flaky pastry filled with white cheese 

Kiselo mlyako (кисело мляко) – world famous Bulgarian 

yoghurt 

Deserts and sweets (десерти) 

Crem caramel (крем карамел) – dessert prepared from 

fresh milk, eggs and caramelized sugar, similar to the 

classic French crème brulee 

Baklava (баклава) – flaky pastry stuffed with pistachio 

nuts in syrup 

Kadaif (кадаиф) – shredded wheat stuffed with nuts 

in syrup 


27


Cactus C-3, ul. Hristo Belchev 20, tel. 986 74 31/0888 

801 452, www.restaurant-cactus.com. Despite the distinct 

lack of desertson the menu, Cactus earned our seal of 

approval with its mainstream European mix of well-prepared 

steaks, chicken dishes and pan-fried fish. Low-key lighting and 

solid wooden furnishings give the place a relaxing pub-like feel, 

and there’s additional seating in a bright covered yard out 

the back. Good-value all-you-can-eat buffet for Sunday lunch. 

QOpen 11:30 - 24:00, Sun 11:30 - 15:00 & 17:00-23:00. 

(9-24Lv). PJAW 

Comercial C-4, ul. Ivan Shishman 27, tel. 0897 931 

291/0899 845 085. Modern European cuisine in a modern 

European setting: think whitewashed walls, moody lighting, 

minimal furnishings and comfy cushioned benches. The fresh 

pasta is very good, but main courses are a bit more hit-and-miss 

- let’s just say that the duck with orange sauce will get to your 

taste buds more quickly than their not-quite-there-yet attempt 

at British-style fish and chips. Oh, and portions are on the small 

side too. However service is excellent and the location on trendy 

Shishman street means that it’s the perfect place for a bite to eat 

after shopping for frocks - or before hitting the downtown bars. 

QOpen 11:30 - 23:00. (10-15Lv). PTJA6GW 

Cookies bar & dinner cafe C-3, pl. Slaveykov, tel. 

488 17 22. A stylish place, where you can have either lunch 

(they offer daily lunch menu) or just drink a cup of coffee. It 

is a French-style place, with small tables for two and 3 comfortable 

bars. The café is airy enough; the staff is a little bit 

bored, but beautiful. There’s a large choice of dishes, good 

Mediterranean meals, soups, salads and, of course, cakes 

and cookies for dessert. You can just sit here, listening to 

Italian music and observe the crowds and the trams outside, 

without hearing them - the place is situated at the corner of 

a very busy area - just in front of Slaveykov square. QOpen 

09:00 - 00:00, Sat, Sun 10:00 - 00:00. PJ 

Elate Plaza H-8, Mladost-1, corner of bul. Aleksandar 

Malinov and bul. Andrey Saharov, tel. 974 49 48, www. 

elateplaza.com. Glass-fronted bar & diner, stylishly designed 

in white and dark red colours, with comfortable modern 

furniture. Alongside the traditional Bulgarian specialties, 

the restaurant offers a huge international menu of salads 

and starters, well-prepared steaks and chicken dishes. The 

service is helpful and friendly. It’s a superb place for a relaxed 

drink in the evening with its wide range of wines and spirits. 

QOpen 17:00 - 24:00. (8-25Lv). PALBW 

Checkpoint Charly C-4, ul. Ivan Vazov 12, tel. 988 03 70, 

check_charly@abv.bg. With pictures of cold-war Berlin on the 

walls, and copies of Rabotnichesko delo (Bulgaria’s communistera 

daily newspaper) used as place-mats, you’d be forgiven for 

thinking that this was just another ironic post-communist theme 

bar. It’s actually a great restaurant, offering superbly prepared 

chicken, duck and steak dishes, and some delicious vegetarian 

concoctions on the starter menu. There’s live jazz at the weekends, 

and few diners leave here disappointed. QOpen 10:00 

- 00:30, Fri, Sat 10:00 - 02:00. (15-25Lv). PJAEGW 

Kushtata s chasovnika B-4, ul. Moskovska 15, tel. 

987 56 56/932 75 95, reservations@clockhousebg. 

com, www.clockhousebg.com. Occupying the ground floor 

of a historic nineteenth-century home (which does indeed 

have a clock tower), the “House with the Clock” is probably 

the most elegant place you’re likely to eat in downtown Sofia. 

Expensive china, liveried wait-staff and an ambitious hautecuisine 

menu have made the place popular with Bulgarian 

celebrities and the foreign business community - you won’t 

get in here clad in jeans unless you’re a supermodel. QOpen 

12:00 - 24:00. (20-25Lv). PJALB 

Mediterraneo B-5, ul. Oborishte 9B, tel. 944 95 82. 

Hidden in the courtyard, in what looks like a cosy garden 

shed, is this very suave and comfortable eatery specializing 

in southern European cuisine. There’s a generous choice of 

pastas, veal-cutlet dishes and fish on the menu, backed up 

by an attractive range of desserts. Also, it’s one of the rare 

restaurants in Sofia where they automatically put a bottle of 

real olive oil on the table. QOpen 12:00 - 24:00. (7-25Lv). 

PJAEGBSW 

Moderato G-8, ul. Atanas Dalchev 6, tel. 970 01 11. A 

couple of kilometres southeast of the centre, Moderato is 

worth the trip if you want to savour some of the best pasta 

in Sofia, and a top-quality choice of Mediterranean chicken 

and fish courses. The second floor seems to be the better 

choice in terms of interior - light colours, enough space 

between the tables and relaxing atmosphere. The service 

was extremely attentive. QOpen 09:00 - 24:00. (12-20Lv). 

PTALSW 

Otvud aleyata zad shkafa A-3, ul. Budapeshta 31, 

tel. 983 55 45, www.beyond-the-alley.com. If we were 

to give prizes for atmosphere, this restaurant would be the 

undisputable winner. The eccentric name, which literally 

means “beyond the alley, behind the cupboard”, is indicative 

of the place’s quirky nature. The combination of art-nouveau 

interior design and friendly informal service has made Otvud 

a firm favourite with Sofia’s artistic elite. The menu is sometimes 

a touch over-imaginative for its own good, and you’re 

advised to stick to mainstream meat and fish dishes if you 

want to get the best out of the place. QOpen 12:00 - 24:00. 

(10-20Lv). PA 

Seasons D-2, Hilton, bul. Bulgaria 1, tel. 933 50 62. As 

you’d expect from an expensive restaurant in an international 

hotel chain, standards here are consistently high. The modern 

European cuisine is as well prepared as they come, the 

service is flawless, and the setting strikes the right balance 

between comfort and elegance. QOpen 06:30 - 23:30. 

(20-30Lv). PAL 

Trikrakoto pile B-2, ul. Denkoglu 3, tel. 986 26 

53/0884 587 418. Situated on a quiet street, not far from 

the bustle of bul. Vitosha, this tightly packed suite of rooms 

with no-nonsense wooden furniture is a relaxing and informal 

venue for lunch or dinner with friends. The name means 

‘three-legged chicken’ which explains the strong presence of 

chicken dishes on the menu. QOpen 11:30 - 23:00. Closed 

Sun. (8-12Lv). PJAW 

Troyantsite B-5, ul. Shipka 46, tel. 944 19 34, www. 

troyancite.com. Relaxing restaurant on two storeys with 

soothing creamy-brown décor and eager-to-please staff. 

An international menu of steaks, grilled chicken and freshwater 

fish dishes is augmented by a well-chosen selection 

of Bulgarian specialities - the dzholan (leg of beef baked 

in a pot) and grilled buffalo meat balls are hard to fault. 

Vegetarians should opt for the zapekanka (tasty cheese 

and spinach bake). QOpen 11:30 - 24:00. Closed Sun. 

(6-12Lv). PJABW 

Uno Enoteca C-3, bul. Vasil Levski 45, tel. 981 

43 72/981 46 13, enoteca@uno-sofia.com, www. 

uno-sofia.com. Modern European cuisine of the highest 

order, served in elegant surroundings and backed up 

by a truly international selection of quality wines. With 

irreproachable standards of service and a conveniently 

central location, this ranks as one of the best restaurants 

in the city. QOpen 11:00 - 24:00. (12-35Lv). PJA 

LGBW 


Vishnite D-4, ul. Hristo Smirnenski 45, tel. 963 49 

84/0899 866 730. This tiny, four-table restaurant, located 

in a residential area just south of the centre, is a firm favourite 

with Bulgarians who know a thing or two about food, so it’s 

wise to book before heading out. Expect flawless service, 

elegantly-laid tables piled with classy cutlery and glassware, 

and a small but well-chosen menu of modern European dishes, 

prepared with flair and imagination. QOpen 12:00 - 23:00. 

(18-30Lv). PA 

Vratata (The Door) D-3, ul. Kokiche 13, tel. 0889 

235 866/866 90 05, vratata@restaurant-vratata. 

com, www.restaurant-vratata.com. The restaurant 

is situated in a 100-year old house. Very elegant, cozy 

and stylish place where, as the owners say, “East meets 

West”. Varied cuisine such as game dishes, different kinds 

of European, Greek and Turkish meals and a number of 

sophisticated salads and desserts. The wine list is rich 

with Argentinean, Italian, Spanish and Bulgarian wines. 

The staff are polite, without being slavish. An interesting 

and intimate detail is the key. Each client puts their key for 

The Door over the fireplace. There are different keys varied 

from big and old to small and ordinary. The atmosphere 

reproduces the aristocratic, bohemian face of old Sofia. 

Among the clients of the restaurant is His Majesty Simeon 

Saks - Koburg -Gotha, of the Bulgarian royal family. This is 

a place, where you can find elegance, personal treatment 

and good cuisine. For sure you will be back. QOpen 11:00 

- 24:00. (15-60Lv). PAIGB 

Zhadnata lamya D-3, ul. 13-ti mart 2, tel. 964 06 40. 

The name means “Thirsty Dragon”, which we took as an immediate 

invitation to down several flagons of the excellent 

Czech Starobrno beer which is served on tap here. The food 

is a mixture of Bulgarian and central European meat dishes, 

but the real pleasure of dining here comes from the friendly 

service and homely décor (note the fabulously eccentric 

picture gallery lining the walls), all of which adds to a highly 

enjoyable atmosphere. Some of the Mexican dishes on the 

menu are a bit disappointing, so its best to stick to the 

mainstream meat offerings and the Bulgarian salads. QOpen 

12:00 - 24:00. (6-24Lv). PB 

Italian 

Alga B-2, ul. Lavele 11, tel. 980 24 89/0888 81 19 80, 

alga@abv.bg, www.alga.free.bg. Somewhat hidden behind 

the BulBank building at the bottom of Vitosha Boulevard, this 

cute little Italian restaurant is well worth a visit. It’s run by 

Georgio & Russistza, a man and wife team and their Sardinian 

chef. They will give you a very homely reception before 

you tuck into the complimentary olive pesto and homemade 

bread. There are only 20 seats, so booking is highly advised. 

The restaurant has a very romantic air and would be a lovely 

place for a special occasion. The food is superb and the 

service is excellent. They have a fantastic wine list to go with 

the simple yet exciting menu. There is a garden for the summer 

months which quickly removes you from the downtown 

hassle. All in all, a lovely place and well worth a visit. Prices 

are slightly above average. QOpen 12:00 - 24:00. (8-12Lv). 

PJALBS 

Gioia B-2, ul. Tsar Samuil 60, tel. 986 08 54, festaitaliana@abv.bg, 

www.festaitaliana-bg.com. It is 

the perfect place to enjoy Italian cuisine with ingredients 

imported directly from Italy and desserts, prepared on the 

spot. It has a decade of serving clients, behind their backs. 

They have both a Bulgarian and Italian menus and the staff 

speaks English, Bulgarian and Italian. It seems the owner 

is quite concerned if his clients are satisfied by food and 


restaUrants 

service. The restaurant has 60 seats and is calm, with a 

friendly atmosphere. The menu offers fresh pasta, fish and 

seafood specialties and the wine list ranges from 30 to 

70 Lv. Gioia is definitely on the leading spot in Sofia, when 

thinking of Italian food. QOpen 11:00 - 24:00. pasta (14- 

35Lv). PAGB 

Japanese 

Sakura G-7, Kempinski Hotel Zografski, bul. Dzheims 

Bauchar 100, tel. 969 24 20. This rather charming place 

is located in a pavilion in the garden of the Kempinski hotel. 

It’s approached over a very picturesque bridge that you might 

expect to see adorning a set of willow-pattern crockery. Paper 

partitions, low tables (you can kneel on cushions or sit on a 

stepped depression under the table) and nimble waitresses 

swishing around in kimonos help to set the mood. Assuming 

that you haven’t the time to fly to Tokyo and dine out there, 

the impressive range of sushi and main courses is authentic 

enough. A full meal with sake will set you back a small 

fortune by Sofia standards, but for a great evening out with 

a difference, it’s money well spent. QOpen 12:00 - 22:30. 

(15-30Lv). PALGW 

Sushi Bar B-2, ul. Denkoglu 18, tel. 981 84 42. Conveniently 

situated just around the corner from the fashionable 

shops of bul. Vitosha, this smart but affordable oriental eatery 

offers a lengthy menu of different types of sushi, all excellently 

prepared and accompanied with portions of fresh ginger and 

wasabe paste. Ordering a set menu will allow you to sample 

a broad range of what they offer. Noodle soups and teriyaki 

dishes also available. QOpen 10:30 - 23:30. (3.50-37Lv). 

PAGW 

Lebanese 

Tazka C-1, bul. Makedonia 48, tel. 951 54 29. We took 

both a vegetarian and a carnivore to this friendly restaurant 

and both came away very happy indeed. The animal lover 

feasted on starters like houmous, baba ganouj, a delicately 

spiced aubergine and tomato salad, and fatayer (spinach 

pies), while her companion’s bloodlust was more than satiated 

by the fatteh (chicken, chick peas and herbs covered in 

yoghurt). The arak (an aniseed-flavoured spirit which turns 

cloudy when you add water) went down very well indeed. Live 

music and belly dancing pulls in the crowds at weekends, so 

be sure to book ahead. QOpen 11:00 - 23:00. Closed Mon. 

(18-20Lv). PG 

Moroccan 

Annette C-3, ul. Angel Kanchev 27, tel. 980 40 98/088 

513 9676, www.annette.bg. A combination of North African 

music, flickering candlelight and star-shaped lanterns should 

lull you into the perfect frame of mind to enjoy an authentic 

Moroccan menu which takes in tajini, couscous and some lush 

healthy salads. Finish off with Moroccan mint tea with cedar 

nuts, or a lengthy puff on the narghile. QOpen 11:00 - 23:00. 

(8-18Lv). PJAGBSW 

Pizza 

Classic B-3, ul. Serdika 14, tel. 0878 656 401, classicpizza1@abv.bg, 

www.pizzabg.com. Classic’s simple 

recipe of serving palatable pizzas, fresh salads and a handful 

of Bulgarian dishes has already proved a hit with locals who 

don’t want challenging cuisine, but still expect a bit of finesse 

as far as service and presentation are concerned. Reasonable 

prices, friendly service and dependable standards. 

QOpen 11:00 - 24:00. (6-20Lv). PJA6GBW 


29


Fast food 

Bakehouse B-4, ul. Ivan Vazov 12. Bright and clean 

bakery-cum-cafe serving up banitsa and byurek (Bulgarian 

flaky pastries) filled with cheese, spinach and other 

savouries. Wash them down with a carton of airyan (salty 

drinking yoghurt). QOpen 07:00 - 20:00, Sat 09:00 - 

18:00. Closed Sun. S 

KFC B-2, bul. Aleksandar Stamboliyski 28, www. 

kfc.bg. For delivery call 933 99 99. Also at B-3 ul. Angel 

Kanchev 2, B-3, bul. Dondukov 5. QOpen 10:00 - 24:00, 

Sun 11:00 - 24:00. PJLB 

Kuhnyata na mama C-3, ul. Racho Dimchov 3. 

Queue up at the counter for tasty dollops of home cooking 

from “Mum’s Kitchen”. Slightly pricier than the other fast 

food places, but usually worth it. QOpen 09:00 - 21:30, 

Sat 10:00 - 16:00. Closed Sun. G 

McDonald’s Rock’n’Roll D-2, bul. Bulgaria 1, 

next to NDK, tel. 0884 000 305/960 40 20, www. 

mcdonalds.bg. Restaurant with Juke box, McDrive, found 

just next to NDK (National Palace of Culture), under the 

Lover’s bridge. On the 14th of Feb they organize 24 hour 

Rock’n’Roll marriage with McDonald’s certificate, a Cadillac 

drive and surprise present. QOpen 00:00 - 24:00. 

PTJAGBS 

Mimas C-4, bul. Vasil Levski 68. Sofia’s first real 

takeaway burger joint and still the best. It’s packed at 

lunchtimes and remains the venue of choice for after-club 

munchies. Burgers come with a wad of deliciously greasy 

French fries stuffed inside. Doner kebabs and felafel fill 

out the menu. QOpen 00:00 - 24:00. JS 

Trops Kushta C-4, ul. Gurko 38, www.tropshouse. 

bg. If you want a crash course in Bulgarian cuisine 

then this ever-reliable order-at-the-counter canteen will 

have mass-catering versions of most Balkan dishes on 

display. It may be lukewarm, but it’s cheap. QOpen 

08:00 - 21:00. JG 

Tsentralni hali B-3, bul. Maria Luiza 28. Head to the 

top floor of this covered market to find an array of counters 

serving sandwiches, pizza slices, basic grills, and Chinese 

noodles. There is no quicker and easier way of stuffing 

your face. QOpen 07:00 - 24:00. PG 

Don Domat C-2, ul. Tsar Asen 34, tel. 984 12 70, 

don_domat@abv.bg, www.dondomat.com. The name 

of the restaurant comes from one of the characters in “The 

Adventures of Lukcho” by Gianni Rodari. This small chain 

of restaurants all have a cozy and relaxing atmosphere, 

careful service and a varied menu. The owners have taken 

care to suit all tastes. In the “Don Tomato travel” section 

you can find dishes from around the world,”Don Tomato 

weakening” is for clients undergoing a diet. They also offer 

a wide variety of beer and wine. QOpen 11:30 - 24:00. 

(8-12Lv). PJGBW 

Krivoto D-2, bul. Bulgaria 1, in subway of NDK, tel. 

0885 878 485, krivoto1@abv.bg, www.krivoto.com. 

The newest pizzeria of the Krivoto chain is located in a key 

position in the subway of the NDK. Here you can enjoy lovely 

music and good food. On the menu there is a rich choice of 

pasta, pizza and other main courses. The staff are polite, 

smiling and uphold the standards of the Krivoto chain. The 

pizzeria has outside seating for 50 and inside seating for 

150. The interior is quite simple and clean. QOpen 10:30 - 

24:00. pizza ( 4-8Lv), pasta (6-7Lv), main courses (6-18Lv). 

PJAGB 

Miss Kapriz B-3, pl. Garibaldi, info@misskapriz.com, 

www.misskapriz.com. Bright and breezy city-centre pizzeria 

popular with lunching shoppers. The pizzas are ordinary in the 

extreme, but if your priority is to stuff yourself with low-cost 

food in a pleasant environment, you can’t go far wrong. For 

delivery you can order by phoning 9 12 60 or online. QOpen 

10:30 - 24:00. (6-15Lv). PJA 

Mon Ami Hipodruma, ul. Bulair 1, tel. 850 60 60/0888 

71 88 77, cgs@abv.bg, www.pizza-monami.com. The 

main salon for 50 is arranged with wooden tables and bench 

seating. The garden area for 70 has wooden seating, a 

fountain and big parasols. There is a barbeque and a show 

kitchen. They serve pizza and international dishes. Try the 

sach (vegetables or meat roasted on hot plate) or the Veal Oso 

Buko specialty. No English menus and the staff have limited 

English. The cuisine is good and the atmosphere is pleasant. 

Order using sign language or use decoding the menu section 

on p. 27.QOpen 10:00 - 24:00. (5-16Lv). PABS 

O! Shipka B-5, ul. Shipka 11, tel. 944 92 88, oshipka@ 

oshipka.net, www.oshipka.net. Rich and varied choice of 

pizzas and salads with a few grilled meats and Mexican dishes 

fill out the menu. Reasonably pleasant staff, fun surroundings, 

and a satisfyingly tangy lasagne that had us coming back a 

second time. For delivery you can order by phone 988 87 88. 

QOpen 00:00 - 24:00. (5-10Lv). PAEGS 

Ugo C-2, bul. Vitosha 45, tel. 988 18 92, ugo_@abv. 

bg, www.ugo.bg. With matt black tables illuminated from 

designer lampshades this is as groovy a place to tuck into 

pizzas as you’ll find in Sofia. The pizzas themselves aren’t 

any better than elsewhere though; they might have Italian 

names but that’s as near to the Mediterranean as it gets. 

Huge salads provide lots of veggie options. Other branches 

at C-3, ul. Neofit Rilski 68; and C-3, ul. Han Krum 2. 24 hr 

home deliveries at 986 40 00. QOpen 00:00 - 24:00. 

(5-17Lv). PAGW 

Victoria B-4, bul. Tsar Osvoboditel 7, tel. 986 32 00, 

www.victoria.bg. This is many people’s favourite pizzeria in 

Sofia due to its generously proportioned pizzas and reasonably 

high standards (the dough tastes sort-of Italian even 

if the toppings don’t). Soups, pastas and grilled Bulgarian 

staples help to fill out the menu. Tends to get crowded, and 

you might have to wait for a table. Also at G-8 ul. Ivan Asen II 

66. City-wide deliveries on tel. 911 00 and tel. 0887 911 000. 

QOpen 00:00 - 24:00. (6-27Lv). PJAB 

Russian 

Moskva B-3, ul. Lege 2, tel. 980 24 24/0896 860 340, 

moskva_@abv.bg, www.moskva.bg. This is the sort of 

place which will make you feel totally decadent almost as 

soon as you walk in to be welcomed by a crimson carpet, 

cherry curtains, elegant staff and live music being played on 

a grand piano with violin accompaniment. The music, posh 

surroundings, first-class service, and excellent food all combine 

to create an atmosphere that will transport you back in 

time to imperial Tsarist Russia. You are only to be reminded of 

the present by the latest bathroom technology and a waiter 

hinting the tip is not included in the bill. Expensive, but not 

excessively so, and although some of the wine costs far 

more than a main course your “nazdrave” will produce a dull 

sound, definitely not the cling of crystal glasses. QOpen 

11:00 - 24:00. (6-35Lv). PE 


Ruski klub E-3, ul. Lozenska planina 22, tel. 866 50 

74/0888 626 994. An unpretentious doorway on a quiet 

residential street leads through to this cosy little place where 

you’ll be soothed by friendly service and lilting Russian 

melodies. Embark on a round of vodkas accompanied by 

selyodka (marinated fish) before moving on to the gorgeous, 

home-made pelmeni (meat-filled dumplings). Whether you 

have any space left for classic Russian dishes like Beef 

Stroganoff or the excellent range of sweets is up to you. 

QOpen 12:00 - 23:00, Sat 19:00 - 23:00. Closed Sun. 

(8-30Lv). AGBS 

Vagabond G-8, ul. Svetoslav Terter 5, tel. 944 14 65. 

This is one of those warm and intimate places where you feel 

as if you are dining in someone’s living room while a family 

friend busies themselves in the kitchen. Sashed velvet curtains 

and curious murals of balloons in flight provide added 

atmosphere. The menu is European-meets-Bulgarian with 

a healthy number of Russian favourites thrown in: a round 

of vodka with marinated herrings on toast is the obligatory 

way to kick off the evening. The pelmeni are excellent too. 

Recommended main courses include Chicken Kiev and 

Moscow Cutlets (cheese and ham wrapped in pork then 

breadcrumbed), although there’s a lot more besides. Mains 

are served with an optional variety of weird and wonderful 

sauces such as a delicious green sauce flavoured with 

spinach and basil. QOpen 17:00 - 24:00. Closed Sun. 

(8-26Lv). JIGBS 

Seafood 

Captain Cook C-1, bul. Pencho Slaveykov 12-14, tel. 

954 90 98/0888 181 068, www.captaincook.bg. Fish 

dishes in Sofia’s mainstream restaurants generally leave 

a lot to be desired, so it’s nice to have specialist places 

like Captain Cook’s around. It’s in a slightly out-of-the-way 

location, but the delicious range of grilled and pan-fried fish 

- both fresh- and saltwater varities - should make the trip 

worthwhile. Fish is priced by the 100g - so don’t rush to order 

until you’ve inspected what’s available in the chiller cabinet 

and asked a member of staff to plonk it on the scales. Rather 

pricy, but absolutely superb quality. QOpen 11:00 - 01:00. 

(10-35Lv). AGB 

Tambuktu B-4, ul. Aksakov 10, tel. 988 12 34, info@ 

tambuktu.com, www.tambuktu.com. A concrete firstfloor 

cabin stuffed with palm trees and fish tanks, this is a 

flamboyantly kitsch setting in which to enjoy good-quality fish 

and seafood. The food is prepared in front of the customers 

and you can choose the fish from a special window display. 

The service is adequate and helpful. QOpen 12:00 - 24:00. 

(25-30Lv). PAW 

Serbian 

Pri Miro G-8, ul. Murphy 34, tel. 943 71 27/889 

512 964, www.restaurantmiro.com. Both Serbia and 

Bulgaria share a similar culinary repertoire of grilled meats 

- it’s just that the Serbians do it with more style. The 

cevapcici (grilled meat rissoles) and pleskavice (minced 

meat patties) on offer at Miro’s are infinitely more succulent 

and spicy than anything you’ll find in a traditional 

Bulgarian joint. Ajvar (a relish made from aubergines 

and hot peppers) makes the ideal accompaniment, and 

there’s an irresistible range of fiery plum brandies to wash 

it all down. Both service and atmosphere are classy, and 

an extra personal touch is provided by chef and owner 

Miro himself, who likes to circulate among diners to see 

who is enjoying what. QOpen 12:00 - 24:00. (10-12Lv). 

PLGBS 


restaUrants 

Out of town 

Boyansko hanche H-6, pl. Sborishte, Boyana, tel. 

856 30 16, fax 955 04 61. Situated in the heart of 

the mountainside suburb of Boyana, not far from the 

historic Boyana Church, Boyansko hanche is a longstanding 

favourite among visitors, not least because 

it’s one of the handful of places in the capital where 

you can enjoy a reasonably authentic programme of 

folk songs and dances. Performances usually start 

at 9pm but not necessarily on every night of the 

week - so phone beforehand if you’re going specifically 

because of the music. The menu of traditional 

Bulgarian fare with international-looking steaks doesn’t 

pull too many surprises, but doesn’t inspire many 

complaints either. QOpen 12:00 - 24:00. (8-15Lv). 

PTRILEB 

Chepishev H-6, ul. Ivanitsa Danchev 27, Boyana, 

tel. 959 10 10/0889 051 115, chepishev@netissat. 

bg, www.chepishev.com. Consistently good food and 

no-expense-spared interior design have helped make 

Chepishev one of the city’s landmark restaurants. 

Traditional-style fireplaces and natural materials such as 

stone, wood and wrought iron lend an air of cosiness and 

originality to the main dining room. There’s a panoramic 

summer terrace too, although proximity to the road 

detracts slightly from the desired romantic effect. The 

menu changes frequently, but always includes a choice 

of traditional Bulgarian dishes based on old family recipes, 

and a well-chosen selection of modern European 

fare. The home-made bread is a must. The wine list is 

one of the best in the city, and the restaurant famously 

claims to possess the biggest whisky collection in 

Eastern Europe - with over 800 brands listed, we’re 

not going to argue. QOpen 12:00 - 24:00. (9-48Lv). 

PAILEW 

Lebed ul. Samokovsko shose 83, Pancharevo, tel. 

992 30 45, fax 992 34 65, info@restaurantlebed. 

com. Five kilometers south of the Coral Swimming 

Complex, Lebed (“The Swan”) was opened in 1961 as 

part of the preparations for that year’s World Student 

Games, and has enjoyed near-legendary status ever 

since. Once the place where Bulgaria’s top pop stars 

used to entertain diners, it fell into decline until recent 

refurbishments provided the old bird with a new lease 

of culinary life. The menu (providing you can negotiate 

your way through the spelling mistakes) features a 

lot of seafood and freshwater fish, although prices 

are on the steep side and staff are not noted for their 

speed of service. QOpen 12:00 - 24:00. (10-40Lv). 

PALGBW 

Vodenitzata Dragalevtsi (next to the chairlift), tel. 

967 10 58/0888 818 518, fax 967 50 07, info@ 

vodenizata.com. Housed in an old mill near the Dragalevtsi 

chairlift, Vodenitsata is one of those restaurants 

that’s a destination in its own right. The stone clad 

interior is crammed with folksy ornamentation, and the 

cuisine consists of superbly prepared and presented 

Bulgarian classics. The breezy garden, complete with 

water features, turtles and fish, is a great place to while 

away a hot summer afternoon. Every night a folklore ensemble 

provides a thrilling repertoire of traditional songs 

and dances, occasionally featuring nestinari dancing 

on live coals - don’t try and join in no matter how many 

rakiyas you’ve had. QOpen 12:00 - 24:00. (10-20Lv). 

ALEB 


31


Wine, beer, rakia or boza… 

what to drink in Bulgaria 

Bulgaria has some typical drinks which can be found 

only here, and some that have a similar (but not the 

same) equivalent abroad. If you come to Bulgaria, we 

recommend you to try some of these: 

Alcoholic drinks: 

• Bulgarian wine, which is exported to many European 

countries. It is very tasty, with various sorts, some of 

which are typical only for this region. We recommend 

Mavrud (this sort of wine cannot be found anywhere 

else) – a strong dark wine, suitable for red meat and cold 

winter evenings. Despite the good quality, Bulgarian wine 

is not expensive and is very appropriate for a present 

from a holiday in Bulgaria. 

• Bulgarian beer: many regions have their local beers, 

most of them with a typical genuine taste, so we suggest 

you choose from: 

Blagoevgrad Strumsko pivo 

Burgas Burgasko pivo, Slavena 

Lom Almus, Shopsko, Sofia 

Mezdra Ledenika, MM, Varna, Haberman 

Pleven Storgozia, Ataman, Pleven 

Plovdiv Kamenitsa (Light, Extra, Dark, Red and 

Soft), Astika 

Shumen Pirinsko, Shumensko 

Sofia Kmetsko (Light, Wheat, Red, Dark) 

Stara Zagora Zagorka, Ariana, Stolichno 

Veliko Tarnovo Nashensko, Balkan, Bolyarka 

• Rakia is often compared to brandy or tequila, but its 

not like anything else. Usually most Bulgarians drink it 

in the evening, before or during the meal, accompanied 

by salad or pickles. It SHOULDN’T be drunk like tequila, 

but slowly, sipping, with delight. Most common types 

are grape and plum rakia. We recommend you also try 

the fig and pear rakia, if you have the chance, which is 

unusually aromatic. 

• Almond liquer (which is slightly similar to amaretto, 

but different). It is quite sweet and is recommended 

unlimited consumption; however reasonable drinking is 

extremely pleasant. 

• Mastika (similar to ouzo and absinthe, but should be 

drunk in a different manner: either with ayran or tarator 

(see Bulgarian food section), or with mint liqueur (VERY 

good cocktail for sea evenings, however very strong and 

can be dangerous for inexperienced drinkers. Actually it 

doesn’t give you a feeling that you’re getting drunk; you 

just suddenly realize that this is a fact.) This drink contains 

anise and has a sweet flavour. 

Soft drinks: 

• Boza (actually with Turkish origin, but the Bulgarians 

drink it for so many years that it can be considered local). 

It is prepared from fermented wheat or millet. Its colour is 

beige and its taste is sweet-sour taste (some foreigners 

find it quite peculiar). 

• Bulgarian yogurt (this is different from any other yogurt; 

people have tried to export the world famous lactobacillus 

bulgaricus (named so because it was discovered in 

Bulgaria); the result was a different taste.) 

• Ayran (traditional local drink prepared from yogurt, salt, 

water, sometimes pepper). This is a very refreshing drink 

good both for heat and chill. 

Swiss 

Chalet Suisse G-9, bul. Botevgradsko shose 50, tel. 

0884 249 450, info@chaletsuisse.eu, www.chaletsuisse. 

eu. A must visit place for all cheese lovers. In case you are new 

to this kind of cuisine, no worries, the friendly staff will help you 

out and maybe even the Swiss owners themselves. They offer 

traditional Swiss cheese-fondue, Kirschli, swiss salads, Beundnerfleisch, 

deer steak, baked apples and more. The restaurant 

indeed looks like a Chalet with wooden seating. Once inside you 

will forget the surrounding neighbourhood blocks. Not far from 

the centre, on the road to Varna. After the Eko Petroleum gas 

station turn right, you can not miss it. QOpen 19:00 - 24:00. 

Closed Mon, Tue, Sun. (8-25Lv.). 

Vegetarian 

Dream House B-3, ul. Alabin 50A, tel. 980 81 63, 

dreamhouse_bg@yahoo.com, www.dreamhouse-bg. 

com. This bright and cheery first-floor restaurant is initially 

a bit difficult to find: once you’ve entered the small shopping 

mall at ul. Alabin 50 you need to pass through the white door 

on your left and proceed up the murky stairwell. Dishes range 

from a deliciously delicate bamboo soup to savoury spinach 

balls, and tofu in various sauces. Flavours are on the bland 

side - our biryani needed a jug-full of chilli sauce to help it go 

down. On Sunday afternoons there’s an all-you-can-eat buffet 

for 7 leva. QOpen 11:00 - 22:00. (7Lv). PAGW 

Kibea C-3, ul. Dr. G. Valkovich 2A, tel. 980 30 67, www. 

kibea.net. There’s always at least one meat dish on the 

menu at this upmarket healthfood restaurant, but its the 

exquisitely prepared vegan and macrobiotic dishes that get 

top billing. The cool minimalism of the interior provides the 

perfect environment in which to focus on the classy concoctions 

which have made head chef Elliot Prag something of a 

local celebrity. QOpen 12:00 - 23:00. Closed Sun. (7-40Lv). 

PAG 

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34 CafÉs 

Art Club Museum B-3, ul. Saborna 2, tel. 980 66 64, museum2006@abv.bg. 

Hidden away in a semi-submerged annexe 

of the archaeological museum, this is the ideal place to take a 

breather between bouts of sightseeing. Alongside coffee and 

cakes there’s a full menu of salads, snacks and alcoholic drinks, 

making it a good spot for a leisurely lunch. Don’t leave without 

taking a look at the downstairs no-smoking area - with comfy 

chairs positioned beside artfully-lit Roman gravestones. It looks 

like a cross between a lounge club and a recently excavated 

tomb (although whether any wait-staff ever make it down here is 

another question). QOpen 00:00 - 24:00. PABW 

Before & After C-3, ul. Hristo Belchev 12, tel. 981 60 

88/0889 966 689, beforeandafter@abv.bg, ba.clubcabaret.net. 

With art-nouveau wall decorations, and furniture 

that wouldn’t look out of place in nineteenth-century 

Paris, this place is a world away from central Sofia. Expect 

coffee strong enough to give an elephant heart palpitations, 

luxuriant hot chocolate, and an appetizing range of salads and 

snacks. The place is frequently taken over by tango lessons 

in the evening, which helps explain the alluring photographs 

of buttock-waggling dancers adorning the walls. QOpen 

10:00 - 24:00. (3.50 - 7.00Lv). PTJAR 

Bulgaria B-4, bul. Tsar Osvoboditel 4, tel. 988 53 07. Taking 

up most of the ground floor of the Grand Hotel Bulgaria, this 

is a comfortable and rather stately place in which to overdose 

on caffeine and sweets. Slightly more expensive than average, 

but well worth bearing in mind if you’re planning a posh citycentre 

rendezvous. QOpen 08:00 - 22:00. PTJAW 

Coffee House B-4, ul. 6-i septemvri 1, tel. 986 66 12. 

Modern-style coffee-shop with a decent line in drink-in or 

takeaway espressos, lattes, mochas and the rest. Mouthwatering 

cakes and freshly-made sandwiches are superior 

to the standardised fare on offer at some of Sofia’s other 

high-street coffee shops. Vivid comic-book murals by graphic 

artist Yasen Zgurovski give the Coffee House an absolutely 

unique vibe. Also at H-8, Business Park Sofia. QOpen 07:30 

- 20:00. PJBW 

Costa Coffee B-3, ul. Aleksandar Batenberg 10B. This 

lovely place located close to the entrance of the City garden 

and Ivan Vazov National Theatre is part of the world famous 

coffee shop chain. Excellent coffee, cakes, easy listening music 

and the usual set of cafe snacks. QOpen 07:30 - 21:30, 

Sat, Sun 08:00 - 21:30. PJABW 

Fix Mix C-3, bul. Vasil Levski 24, tel. 987 31 71, fixmix. 

culture@gmail.com, www.fixmix-culture.com. City-centre 

juice bar boasting over 30 different fresh-fruit concoctions. Drinks 

with names such as Berry White, Macy Grapefruit and Tangerine 

Cream should appeal to the music obsessives among you. The 

interior is as fresh and funky as the drinks, with citrus colours 

predominating, and a mixture of house and break-beat music 

provide a suitable snazzy soundtrack. You can choose to rotate 

on one of the silver swivel-stools at ground level or flop in one of 

the sofas situated on a raised platform. QOpen 08:00 - 22:00, 

Sat, Sun 10:00 - 22:00. PJGSW 

Jimmy’s (Sladoledena kushta) C-3, ul. Angel Kanchev 

11, tel. 980 30 99, daskalova@jimmys.bg, www.jimmys. 

bg. This stylishly furnished little spot is the best place in town 

for grossing out on fresh, well-made ice cream. Some of the 

fancier items on the menu feature ambitious flavour combinations 

that don’t really come off, so it’s best to stick to the 

scoops you can see in the chiller cabinet. The mouth-watering 

range of cakes and hot drinks will not leave you disappointed. 

Home deliveries at tel. 854 88 88. QOpen 07:30 - 24:00, 

Sun 10:00 - 24:00. PTGBS 

Laguna (Vienski salon) C-3, ul. Hristo Belchev 13, tel. 

980 30 01, www.laguna-bg.com. Welcoming two-tier café 

whose in-your-face kitsch furnishings will leave you grasping 

for words fit to describe them. Our editor compared this place 

to a mid-seventies Dr Who set, but his glamorous assistant 

was too busy screaming to take any notice. This is a great 

place to come and pig out on pancakes but not everything in 

the picture-book menu is quite as it seems: the non-alcoholic 

fruit cocktail drinks taste as if they’ve been poured straight 

out of a carton (but then with names like “Virgin Sex on the 

Beach” they seem destined to leave you unfulfilled). QOpen 

10:30 - 24:00. (4-10Lv). PJG 

Lavazza Club B-2, bul. Vitosha 13, tel. 987 34 33/0887 

979 890, www.clublavazza.com. Situated in downtown 

Sofia this place is already crowded since early in the morning. 

Its two floors, charming garden and young pretty waitresses 

obviously make it a preferred location by everybody from 

young couples to business people and foreigners alike. The 

menu list offers a big selection of coffee, cappuccino, cocktails, 

sandwiches and fresh pastries and creams. Yummy. 

QOpen 07:30 - 23:00. PABW 

London Minute B-2, ul. Pozitano 7. International-styled 

coffee and juice bar that’s perfect for jump-starting your day. 

Ciabatta sandwiches, muffins, cookies and more. QOpen 

07:00 - 20:00. Closed Sat, Sun. 

Lucky (Vienska sladkarnitsa) C-5, bul. Tsar Osvoboditel 

21, tel. 943 33 44/0889 506 251. Bright, roomy 

and rather elegant café with a generous choice of fancy 

cakes and other sinful goodies. Floor-to-ceiling windows 

make this a good vantage point from which to observe the 

traffic pulsing across the Orlov bridge. Waitresses dressed in 

fetching Bulgaro-Tyrolean dirndls help to complete the picture. 

QOpen 08:30 - 22:00, Sun 10:30 - 22:00. PJAW 

Onda Coffee Break B-4, bul. Tsar Osvoboditel 8, tel. 

987 49 20. This coffee bar is a bright, comfortable and really 

quite groovy place offering order-at-the-counter lattes, 

macchiatos, muffins, cookies, and other comfortingly familiar 

concoctions. Surprisingly for Bulgaria, the sandwiches in the 

chiller cabinet are actually edible. The upstairs lounge comes 

with a great view of the Russian Church and its pimply bouquet 

of domes. QOpen 07:00 - 21:00. (5-10Lv). PJGW 

Starbucks café C-4, Corner of ul. Gurko and bul. Vasil 

Levski, tel. 986 32 94. When you enter the newly opened 

Starbucks café you may forget that you are in Sofia - it looks 

exactly the way it looks all over the world and what you expect 

it to be - coffee aroma, young staff and loads of delicious cakes. 

There are seven tables outside, where even in winter you 

can enjoy your coffee break, despite the awful traffic around. 

QOpen 07:00 - 22:00, Sat 08:00 - 22:00. PJGBW 

The Bookies C-1, ul. Dospat 37, tel. 851 90 87. Great 

little place directly across from the NDK, off Vitosha Boulevard. 

One of, if not the, finest gardens in Sofia. Beautifully 

enclosed just off the boulevard, the garden was designed 

by the owner and she has created a real beauty. Wooden 

2 seater swing, a couple of trees, plenty of sundry flora 

and greenery augment the directors chairs and sofas. It’s a 

beautiful sun trap too with some great shade. They knock 

up a fabulous Mojito, amongst other cocktails, and they do a 

really top coffee. The garden seats about 40. The bar inside 

is a lovely little place. It seats about 20 and has a real coffee 

house atmosphere with bookshelves on the walls. The locals 

will greet guests with open arms, and much fun has apparently 

been had down The Bookies. QOpen 09:00 - 24:00, Sat, 

Sun 09:30 - 24:00. JBW 


Sofia is simply swarming with quirky watering holes, cool 

designer bars and dance-till-you-disintegrate clubs. Just 

try not to get carried away. 

Bars 

Adams Bar A-5, ul. Vrabcha 28. This is a small heavy 

metal pub in the centre of the capital. The heavy sound of 

thrash, death and black metal makes the stay there a real 

feast for the connoisseurs. Friendly staff, extensive variety 

of cold beer, foosball and darts guarantee the great mood 

of the guests. Usually between 20 and 22h it gets quite 

overcrowded. 

Adams restaurant B-2, Tsar Samuil 103 (The corner of 

ul. Pirotska ). This is a bar-restaurant with heavy metal music. 

Its location is very central - in the middle of Pirotska street 

market. The cuisine is very good, especially Tripe in butter. 

The atmosphere is friendly and cozy and food and beverages 

are not expensive. Just the opposite of luxurious. 

Apartament 52 C-3, ul. Parchevich 52, tel. 0896 652 

087. Sinking into the comfy corner sofas of this lounge bar is 

a pleasant way to end a hard day pacing the mean streets of 

central Sofia, although there never seems quite enough going 

on here to keep you for more than a couple of drinks. A good 

place to kick-start the evening before moving on elsewhere. 

QOpen 10:00 - 02:00. JAGBW 

Apartment C-3, ul. Neofit Rilski 68, tel. 0886 655 093. 

There’s nowhere else quite like this spacious, high-ceilinged 

nineteenth-century flat, each room of which is decked out with 

the kind of artworks and furnishings that you’d expect to find in 

the home of a slightly wacky friend. There’s an internet terminal 

in one lounge, play-your-own-vinyl DJ decks in another, and a 

space devoted to film projections too. If you want a drink, head 

for the kitchen to see who’s in charge of the fridge. There’s 

usually some form of exotic daytime snack food on offer: recent 

choices have included houmous with pitta bread, and platters 

of sushi. Be sure to try the delicious homemade chocolate 

desserts. QOpen 12:00 - 02:00. JGBW 

Barabar B-5, ul. Shipka 43A, tel. 0886 787 982. This small 

but perfectly formed café-bar may well be a 15-minute walk 

east of the centre, but its cosy-living-room atmosphere makes 

it well worth seeking out. The vintage Bulgarian film posters 

on the walls make a great change from the beer adverts and 

commercial logos cluttering up other establishments of this 

ilk. The Bulgarian-Scottish bar crew serve up excellent toasted 

sandwiches too. On Fridays there is live music. QOpen 09:30 

- 24:00, Sat 17:00 - 24:00. Closed Sun. PE 

Basic C-3, ul. Neofit Rilski 55, tel. 986 36 72. The welcoming 

array of deep white sofas will lure you into this stylish 

little spot just off ul. Rakovski - just make sure you don’t end 

up squatting on one of the cube-sized pouffes otherwise you’ll 

have backache come the morning. There’s an appetizingly 

wide range of cocktails and spirit shots, and the designer 

toilet is cool enough for even the sassiest of supermodels 

to feel proud to drop their pants in. QOpen 09:00 - 02:00, 

Sat, Sun 10:00 - 02:00. AP 

Baskerville B-2, ul. Denkoglu 16, tel. 986 60 62, anipink@mail.bg. 

Take it easy, there are no mysterious dogs 

in this friendly and tastefully furnished small bar. We can 

imagine, though, Holmes and Watson sitting here and having 

tea while looking at the retro pictures hanging on the walls. 

Not the best place for a raucous Friday night out, perhaps, 

but perfect for a cosy intimate drink. QOpen 08:00 - 01:00. 

PJGBW 


nIGHtlIfe 

Bilkovata C-4, ul. Ivan Shishman 22, tel. 986 49 05. 

Hardly anyone remembers the herbal pharmacy which once 

stood here (Bilkovata means “The Herbal”), but the basement 

bar on this spot is one of the most frequented places 

in Sofia. It’s sparsely furnished, smoky, and overcrowded at 

weekends, but a combination of off-the-wall background music 

and gregarious drinkers lurching around help make it one of 

those cult Sofia locations that you have to visit at least once. 

QOpen 10:00 - 02:00. PJBW 

Blaze C-4, ul. Slavyanska 36, tel. 0888 354 004. This 

brash, tight squeeze of a DJ bar has been around for years 

and never seems to be in danger of going out of fashion. If you 

are dying to meet young trendy locals then you’re in the right 

place here. Getting a drink at weekends can require superhuman 

patience, and waiting for the toilets can take some times 

so long that you’re on first-name terms with everyone else 

in the queue by the time you finally penetrate the porcelain 

sanctuary. QOpen 10:00 - 03:00. PW 

By The Way C-3, ul. Rakovski 166, tel. 980 38 36, 

bytheway@faria.bg. If you really care about the quality of 

your cocktails then this split-level bar is the place to come. 

The setting is stylish and cosy, and the high proportion of 

beautiful young things among the clientele makes it the 

perfect place for people-watching. QOpen 09:00 - 01:00, 

Sat, Sun 10:00 - 01:00. PAW 

Cappuccino bar & dinner B-2, ul. Pozitano 8, tel. 

0896 645 362, www.barcappuccino.net. Despite its 

short life, Cappuccino seems destined to become one of the 

most crowded new additions to Sofia. Preferred for business 

lunches, dinners, parties or just for a cup of coffee or excellent 

cappuccino, the interior is a mixture of expensive Italian 

furniture with a classical combination of midnight black and 

crisp white, delicate lighting and enviable sound system. The 

long menu specializes in Italian dishes, complemented by an 

excellent selection of wine from all over world and a variety 

of cocktails, among the well-founded reasons this place will 

be sure to please even the most capricious visitors. QOpen 

08:00 - 02:00, Sun 10:30 - 24:00. PAGW 

Cargo B-3, ul. Saborna 11, tel. 986 46 46. A relatively 

recent addition to the Sofia lounge-bar scene, offering pretty 

much what you would expect from the genre: moody lighting, 

furnishings straight out of a lifestyle magazine, and a pair of 

DJ decks standing proudly in the corner. The dark tones of the 

décor and impressive range of spirit bottles behind the bar 

make this an excellent place to sink into a sofa for a couple 

of hours. QOpen 08:30 - 05:00. PAW 

Casa de Cuba E-2, ul. Tsvetna gradina 1, tel. 963 22 

97/0885 455 633, casa.de.cuba@gmail.com, www. 

casadecuba.bg. Cuban and other Latino music bursts out of 

every single loudspeaker this bar invested in, making it practically 

impossible to have a four way conversation around a 

small round table. The interior aims to provide an atmosphere 

of pre-Cuban revolution with hundreds of miniature B&W 


35

36 nIGHtlIfe 

pictures showing the ‘hero’s’ of these days. Seats are from 

comfortable to the wake me up when the bar closes category. 

Cocktails like Mojito and Cuba Libre could be mixed to the 

more traditional recipes with a little more alcohol. The place 

is spiced up by the cigar smoke picked from the “pura menu” 

list. The waitresses serve at pace the 60 in- and 20 outside 

places. QOpen 08:00 - 01:30. PJABW 

Club 703 C-4, ul. Ivan Shishman 23, tel. 981 97 75. With 

its dim lighting, wine-red walls and hypnotically revolving ceiling 

fans, 703 has long been one of the best spots in the centre 

for a relaxed, leisurely drink. Black-and-white photographs of 

mid-twentieth-century events and personalities add an air of 

class to the place, although the vintage Lucky Strike posters 

overlooking the non-smoking section seem to be a deliberate 

challenge to ex-addicts - who will probably be biting the 

furniture in frustration. QOpen 09:00 - 23:00. PJ 

Chillout Bar & Dinner B-3, ul. Triaditsa 5, tel. 980 02 

03, diner@chilloutbg.com, www.chilloutbg.com. A large 

lofty space with matt black walls, slender silver pillars and 

soft-cushion sofas, Chillout’s new city-centre venture looks 

like an inviting cross between medieval khan’s reception 

chamber and twenty-first century living room. With the same 

menu as its sister bar on ul. Baba Nedelya, Chillout is a good 

spot for downtown lunch, although it’s the prospect of evenings 

spent gurgling one’s way through the cocktail list that 

holds out most promise. QOpen 08:00 - 04:00. PAW 

Chillout Lounge D-6, ul. Baba Nedelya 6, tel. 953 35 

04, club@chilloutbg.com, www.chilloutbg.com. Drinking 

in Chillout’s black, red and blue interior is a bit like living 

inside an abstract painting. The place certainly lives up to its 

name, however, thanks to the moody sounds emanating from 

the CD player and the laid back, glamorous-without-puttingtoo-much-effort-into-it 

clientele. The drinks menu includes 

some potent and inexpensive cocktails, and food (including 

toasted sandwiches and savoury wraps) is served until about 

10pm - at which hour DJs turn up and start upping the tempo. 

QOpen 08:00 - 04:00. PJABW 

McCarthy’s B-3, ul. Alabin 50A, tel. 0878 666 130, 

info@mc-carthys.com, www.mc-carthys.com. Finally an 

Irish bar run by authentic Irish men. Just 10m from Mc’Donalds 

(on bul. Vitosha), turn right into the arcade, the first door to 

the left - you will see the sign. Climb the stairs and you will 

dive right into the clamour of the cheerful crowd. It seems 

that time has stopped here - laughter, dancing and singing 

replace the hectic life outside. The place is cosy, decorated, 

the owners claim, as an old style Irish pub from the 70’s, 

no annoying TV-sets to keep you from singing along. Large 

windows present you with a “spy” view to the Court House 

and the busy Alabin street. Pints of beer, great atmosphere, 

cool people, live music on Sundays. This place is simply a 

must experience. QOpen 08:30 - 24:00, Sun 11:00 - 24:00. 

PJEW 

Mediterrani C-4, ul. Ivan Shishman 37, tel. 0897 931 

291. We’re not sure what they have to do with the Mediterranean, 

but the combination of whitewashed walls, black 

couches and mellow music put us in the right mood to embark 

on a relaxing evening of alcohol-oiled conversation. Initially 

a bit difficult to find: head into the courtyard of the Mamma 

Mia pizzeria and dive down the stairs to your immediate left. 

QOpen 11:00 - 01:00. PAGW 

Motto B-4, ul. Aksakov 18, tel. 987 27 23, motto_bg@ 

hotmail.com, www.motto-bg.com. The red-brick walls, 

comfy sofas and designer lampshades of this roomy bar and 

diner attain just the right mixture of snazziness and comfort. 

There’s a huge menu of cocktails and spirits, and a selection 

of light dishes if you’re hungry. The service lags, especially 

when the place fills up with Sofia’s fashionable set, but then 

you’ll never be short of beautiful people to look at. QOpen 

10:00 - 02:00. PAW 

Nero E-1, bul. Vitosha 180, tel. 953 10 01, fax 952 04 

39, nero@nerosofia.com, www.nerosofia.com. The übercool 

black and white interior looks a bit cold and unwelcoming 

at first sight, but once you’ve settled into your designer chair 

you’ll find this place as comfy and relaxing as style bars 

come. It’s certainly the only place in Sofia that has a huge 

vinyl-upholstered foot inside the door. The food menu includes 

some excellent pastas and risottos, although portions are on 

the teeny side. QOpen 09:00 - 01:00. PALGBW 

Opera B-4, ul. Rakovski 113, tel. 988 21 41, opera@ 

mail.bg, www.opera-bg.info. This classy designer bar in the 

basement of the National Opera is well worth looking in on at 

the weekends, when DJs spin plastic and revellers flock round 

the bar. At other times it looks like a furniture showroom, with 

rigid lines of fancy chairs and couches and not many people 

sitting in them. QOpen 10:00 - 24:00. PAW 

Orisha bar & dinner B-2, ul. Solunska 50, tel. 953 32 

94/0886 31 88 91. This is a warm and welcoming place 

situated in the city center, near bul. Hristo Botev. The menu 

offers a wide range of cocktails from all over the world with 

vodka, whisky, rum, gin, tequila and champagne. Most popular 

of them are Bronx Perfect, Alabama Slammer, Original Singapore 

Sling and a favourite of the American writer, Hemmingway 

Special. The names of the food from the menu are long and 

descriptive, with exotic sounding words. Seafood and chicken 

dishes are predominant. The bar’s name is interesting. An 

Orisha (orixa) is a spirit reflecting a particular aspect of God 

in the belief systems of Candomble in Brazil, and Santeria and 

Luccumi in Cuba and Puerto Rico among others. A friendly 

owner as well as house and chill out music add to the cozy 

atmosphere. An excellent place for business meetings and 

private parties. QOpen 08:00 - 24:00. PW 

Tea House (Chay vav fabrikata) B-4, ul. Georgi 

Benkovski 11, tel. 0887 051 080. Located behind an 

unlikely-looking metal door (look for the sign hanging above), 

this combined café and art gallery is the perfect place to wind 

down over a brew. Yogi tea, of which innumerable varieties 

are available, seems to be the house favourite, although 

there are several beverages of a more alcoholic nature to 

get acquainted with too, Antique furniture and oil paintings 

combine with post-industrial design touches to produce a 

slightly distressed, bohemian vibe. There’s usually some form 

of non-mainstream music on the CD system (world music, jazz 

or similar), and an irregular programme of off-beat musical 

events. Indian-influenced vegetarian food makes a welcome 

appearance on Thursday evenings. QOpen 10:00 - 23:00, 

Sun 11:00 - 18:00. PE 

Toba&Co B-3, ul. Moskovska 6A, tel. 989 46 96. Head 

round the back of the National Art Gallery and you’ll come 

across this curious little café-bar, occupying the cast-iron 

pavilion in which the mercurial Tsar Ferdinand once kept his 

butterflies. The cocktails aren’t that great but who cares; everything 

else on the menu is perfectly drinkable, the wooden 

chairs add a dash of Parisian-café charm, and when DJs turn 

up they usually spin something more interesting than Top-40 

teen fodder. QOpen 09:00 - 06:00. PB 

Tunka Chervena Linya (Thin Red Line) B-1, ul. 

Vladayska 27. This bar named after the movie Thin Red 

Line used to be on ul. Graf Ignatiev close to bul. Vitosha. 


They moved to a bigger place on two floors. One floor is up 

the stairs and has a rectangular bar. The other floor is down 

the stairs where most of the action takes place. The place 

is murky and is decorated with movie posters from the Lord 

of the Rings, The Abyss, The Raven and others. This bustling 

bar offers all kinds of alcohol and entertainment. There is a 

pool table, table football and a flat-screen TV always tuned to 

a sports channel. The music is alternative and rock from the 

90ies, sometimes they play hip hop, but you will definitely not 

hear MTV hits. The service is good and the stuff is friendly. 

QOpen 18:00 - 02:00. PG 

Upstairs C-2, bul. Vitosha 18, tel. 989 96 96, upstairs@ 

uno-sofia.com, www.uno-sofia.com/upstairs. First-floor 

bar overlooking Sofia’s busiest downtown shopping street, 

with comfy lounge-bar furniture inside, and a line of stools 

along the verandah providing the perfect vantage point from 

which to observe the goings-on below. There’s a menu of 

fancy food, and a list of cocktails that runs to several pages. 

Glamorous without making too big a deal out of it, this is just 

what boulevard Vitosha needs. QOpen 09:00 - 02:00, Sun 

10:00 - 02:00. AW 

Pubs 

Amsterdam C-3, ul. Hristo Belchev 38. A small metal 

club of 6 tables in a quiet street in the centre of the capital. 

In summer outdoor tables are also available. Varity of beers 

is offered at normal prices. However the menu is available 

only in Bulgarian, but the owner of the place (usually residing 

there) speaks English and enjoys communicating with the 

clients. If clients are hungry, they can order grill dishes, or at 

lunch time they can try the lunch menu (soups and cooked 

meals). QOpen 10:00 - 22:30. 


nIGHtlIfe 

Bitburger C-3, ul. Stefan Karadzha 20, tel. 981 96 65, 

fax 980 87 99, bitburger@einet.bg, www.bitburgerclub. 

com. German-designed beer-hall with German beers on tap 

and a loyal clientele of German-speaking expats. It’s also 

popular with the rest of Sofia’s international community, 

not least because it’s one of the best places in town for 

watching big-screen sporting events. There’s a good choice 

of international food on offer ranging from würst (German 

sausage) to big juicy steaks. Weekends are traditionally live 

music events. QOpen 11:30 - 24:00, Fri, Sat 11:30 - 03:00. 

PAEGW 

Flannagans B-4, Radisson SAS Hotel, pl. Narodno sabranie 

4, tel. 933 47 40, flannagans.sofia@radissonsas. 

com. Unusually for an establishment located on the ground 

floor of an international hotel, Flannagans succeeds in being 

a lively and welcoming venue, even if the prices are a touch 

more expensive than elsewhere in town. The draught Guinness 

and Kilkenny are well-kept enough to keep you coming 

back, and the menu of quality pub food is better than the 

fare offered by many of Sofia’s “international” restaurants. 

Major international sporting events are given the big-screen 

treatment. QOpen 12:00 - 01:00. PAW 

Irish Harp B-2, ul. Sveta Sofia 7, tel. 989 92 26, www. 

irish-harp.biz. Smart but slightly lived-in, and with friendly staff 

always ready to ask whether you need a refill, this is the kind of 

pub that you’ll find yourself drifting back to whether you’re eager 

for ex-pat chit-chat or simply in need of a relaxing drink. Murphys 

and Guinness on tap, and the fancy drinks and cocktails aren’t 

bad either. With several TV screens tuned to sports channels, 

this is an ideal place to catch live matches, or simply nervously 

await the incoming football results on Saturday afternoons. 

QOpen 10:00 - 24:00. PJALEW 


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38 nIGHtlIfe 

J. J. Murphy’s B-2, ul. Karnigradska 6, tel. 980 28 

70, fax 980 08 60. Restrained lighting, lots of dark-brown 

wooden furniture, and a variety of environments (you can 

either prop up the bar, watch football on the big screen, or 

sit in a quiet corner) all help make this place a comfortingly 

familiar home-from-home. They pull a mean pint of Murphy’s, 

and if Bulgarian cuisine has left you pining for Sheperd’s 

Pie, this is the place to tuck in. QOpen 12:00 - 24:00. 

PEGBW 

Magelan B-4, ul. Parizh 10. A very small rock pub (about 

3-4 tables) hidden in a basement of a building, just opposite 

to a noisy former restaurant called Barbeque COOP (reminding 

to us for the communist times). Quite a rich menu in Bulgarian 

is available in the pub, with a surprising variety of skillfully prepared 

and tasty at quite low prices. Nevertheless the lack of 

ventilation, the atmosphere is cosy and friendly, maybe due to 

the guitar, narghile, extravagant interior and mainly the young 

English-speaking staff. QOpen 20:00 - 02:00. IB 

Clubs 

4km Party Centre G-9, bul. Tsarigradsko shose 111, 

tel. 870 07 75, office@jetcat.bg, www.4-km.com. Cavernous 

club in a renovated military installation on the way 

to Sofia airport, with a huge main dance-floor and a smaller 

lounge-like bar. Attracts international house and techno DJs 

at weekends when admission fees rise accordingly. However 

it’s miles away from anywhere and there are no other bars 

or clubs in the vicinity - so you’d better check what’s on here 

before forking out for a taxi and waving goodbye to the rest 

of your wallet at the entrance. QOpen 22:00 - 05:00. Admission: 

10-30Lv. PLB 

Alcohol B-4, ul. Rakovski 127, tel. 0888 655 500. An 

unmarked passageway on ul. Rakovski leads down to this 

vast barn of a place, regularly filled to bursting with adrenalinecharged, 

hedonistically-inclined Sofians. An anything-goes DJ 

policy keeps the dance floor constantly packed. If it gets too hot 

and crowded you can always head for the chill-out room (to the 

right of the coat-check), where you can sprawl on oriental divans 

and puff away on a hookah pipe. QOpen 18:00 - 05:00. 

Babbles C-4, ul. Ivan Shishman 22, tel. 980 65 79, www. 

babblesclub.com. Ultra-fab designer bar which looks like a 

space-ship, a children’s cartoon or a kooky Sixties’ film set, depending 

on how many drinks you’ve had already. It’s the brainchild 

of owner Kremena Halvadzhian, who also happens to be one of 

Bulgaria’s top stylists. The lively atmosphere is backed up with 

house music supplied by popular Bulgarian DJs. If the cheerful 

colours aren’t enough to cheer you up, you can resort to a classical 

cocktail or straight drink. QOpen 17:00 - 00:00. 

Black Box B-2, ul. Pirotska 5. Boasting three dancefloors, 

chillout area and V.I.P. lounge, Black Box is something of a 

haven for hard-core techno and drum & bass freaks - so 

if an after-work dance around the handbag is what you’re 

after then you’d be better off heading elsewhere. Most of the 

clientele appear to be under 20, but then Black Box’s sanitychallenging 

sound system and light show are something that 

you have to be in the flush of youth to endure. The club is only 

open when a specific DJ event is scheduled, so you really need 

to interrogate your in-the-know Sofia friends before making 

tracks. QOpen 22:00 - 06:00. 

Brilyantin B-3, ul. Moskovska 3, tel. 986 31 12, www. 

briliantin.com. The name of this club is a tribute to the 

dancing skills of Travolta and Newton-John, as Brilyantin 

(“Brilliantine”) is the name by which Seventies’ musical 

Grease is known in Bulgaria. However you’re unlikely to 

see any latter-day hep-cats jiving away in their best rockand-roll 

frocks - Brilyantin is actually one of Sofia’s prime 

hang-outs for stylish young professionals, wannabe media 

types and expensive-cocktail conoisseurs. Matt black surfaces, 

the odd mirror-ball and a crowd-pleasing mixture of 

retro, house and dance-pop are the order of the day. Hard 

to get into at weekends - when you might have to reserve 

a table or arrive soon after opening time. QOpen 17:00 - 

04:00. PJA 

Casinos 

Casino Hawaii D-3, bul. Cherni Vrah 31 Hemus Hotel 

Sofia, tel. 963 37 63. Located in the Hemus Hotel, this 

casino offers table games - roulette, black jack, Caribbean 

poker, and slot machines. The staff speaks English and 

alcohol is free. QOpen 00:00 - 24:00. P 

Casino London B-4, Radisson SAS, pl. Narodno 

sabranie 4, tel. 980 70 75, fax 980 30 66. Roulette, 

black-jack, poker and more. QOpen 00:00 - 24:00. 

A 

Casino Princess F-7, Sofia Princess Hotel, bul. 

Maria Luiza 131, tel. 933 87 00, fax 931 00 61. 

Southeast Europe’s answer to Las Vegas. Just don’t go 

crazy. QOpen 00:00 - 24:00. A 

Casino Rila B-3, Rila Hotel, ul. Kaloyan 6, tel. 981 

80 67, fax 981 82 48. 10 total table games, restaurant. 

QOpen 00:00 - 24:00. AK 

Casino Viva B-3, Sheraton Hotel, pl. Sveta Nedelya 

5, tel. 986 35 01. Good choice of slot machines and 

table games. QOpen 00:00 - 24:00. A 

Palms Merkur Casino F-9, Botevgradsko shose, 

bl. 2, tel. 0884 684 830, botevgradsko@lip.bg. Good 

choice of slot machines and electronic roulette. QOpen 

00:00 - 24:00. PO 


Buddha Bar B-3, ul. Lege 15A, tel. 989 50 06. There 

are so many Buddha bars around the world these days that 

the cross-legged sage is beginning to look more like the logo 

of a multinational leisure business than founder of one of the 

world’s great religions. The Sofia version offers just as much 

oriental kitsch as its namesakes but still succeeds in being 

a relaxing drinking spot - especially if you choose the chillout 

room with the hookahs. The DJ parties held here feature 

ethno, house and dance music. QOpen 00:00 - 24:00. 

PJALGB 

Cabaret C-3, ul. Hristo Belchev 12, tel. 981 60 88. The 

club is snugly sheltered in the basement of an old Art-Nouveau 

building which lends a particular old-time atmosphere reinforced 

by the stylish furniture and lighting. Musical styles 

include latino and retro-pop, drawing in a slightly older crowd 

than some of the techno-temples elsewhere. QOpen 19:00 

- 04:00. Closed Mon, Sun. PJAGW 

Club Liqueur B-3, ul. Pirotska 5 (corner with George 

Washington), tel. 0888 888 358, www.clubliqueur. 

com. The place plays retro, rock, evergreen, R&B and dance 

music. The decoration is modernistic with columns wrapped 

in silver, the bar and bar plots are illuminated, the high chairs 

are with leather seating. The overall luminous effects are 

state of the art in red, green and yellow. Occasionally there 

is live music. There are also special alcohol promotions for 

each day of the week. Just ask. QOpen 22:00 - 06:00. 

Admission: 3-5Lv. The club offers:on Monday Students’ 


nIGHtlIfe 

party, on Tuesday - Black party and on Wednesday - BG 

music party. Sunday no admission fee, Thursday ladies go 

in for free. PJEW 

Club Sugar C-4, ul. Graf Ignatiev 1, tel. 0899 103 617, 

www.sugarclub.eu. Sugar is maybe the only “exclusive” Fri 

& Sat R&B and hip hop club in town. It has two rooms, with 

different DJ playing but sometimes, you never know when, there 

will be only the main room open. The crowd is quite young, so 

you might feel either in kindergarten or in heaven. There are 3 

video walls projecting all night movies or documentaries about 

R&B stars. The 2 bars are aways full and hard to get to, since 

the drinks are quite cheap and this certainly inspires drinking. 

People are definitely there to dance and show off their new MTV 

moves or if you are lucky electric and break dance style. Wear 

your party or “gangsta” style clothes to make sure you catch 

the eye. Excellent and welcoming surrounding for people of all 

races, fun is guaranteed. QOpen 20:00 - 05:00. PJA 

Escape B-3, ul. Angel Kanchev 1, tel. 0889 990 000, 

www.clubescapebg.com. Escape boasts a huge dancefloor, 

four bars on two levels, a bone-grinding sound system 

and an energized, foxy clientele. Thursday is retro-disco night, 

while top-ranking house and techno DJs twiddle the knobs at 

weekends. QOpen 22:00 - 04:00. Closed Mon, Tue, Wed, 

Sun. Admission: 10Lv. PJAL 

Chervilo B-4, bul. Tsar Osvoboditel 9, tel. 981 66 33, 

maria@chervilo.com, www.chervilo.com. Ten-year-old 

Guidelines to Bulgarian lifestyle, bars, clubs and discos 

1. Try not to stare at women that are accompanied by their 

boyfriends, no matter how beautiful they are, it might be 

taken as an insult. 

2. Try to avoid conflict if you notice Bulgarian people stare 

at your wife/girlfriend, or at yourself, usually they will be 

just curious. Don’t forget some 19 years ago the majority 

of people didn’t even meet foreigners from beyond the iron 

curtain, so you are still new and exciting. Bravo! 

3. Don’t try to act overly macho, particularly in more provincial 

towns or cities. Unless of course you are Mike Tyson. 

4. When in a bar do not shout or insult the waiters or other 

staff members, it may be taken very deeply. 

5. If you feel that someone is in some way being threatening 

or intimidating to you, it is often best to befriend 

them. In many cases locals feel threatened by foreigners 

and try to show themselves as tough but when you act 

as equals and friends they will often almost immediately 

drop this façade. 

6. If however a conflict situation rises, leave immediately. 

Do not stay around and add on to the fire. Bulgarians are 

very social and family driven and under a common goal a 

big group of people is summoned very fast. 

7. Good icebreakers are compliments on the country: The 

food, the football, the women, the inventions created by 

Bulgarians such as the Cyrillic alphabet and so on. As additional 

benefit you might get an interesting story or two. 

Make them talk, they love it. 

8. Strong drinks (vodka, whisky etc.) come in quantities 

of 50ml for a small and 100ml for a large. In some places, 

unless you specifically ask for small you will be handed a 

large by default. 

9. Rakia must only be drunk with shopska salad. Don’t ask 

us why, it just should. If you order one without salad you 

may well be looked at as if you are from Mars. 

10. The Bulgarian for “cheers” is nazdrave, which literally 

means “to your health”. If someone proposes a toast (and 

this could happen innumerable times during the course of 

the evening) you have to clink your glass with absolutely 

everyone, no matter how many are sitting round the table, 

making sure to look in the eye at the point of clinking. If you 

fail to make eye contact, they will think you are disrespectful 

(or just an uninformed foreigner). The custom comes 

from ancient times. In days gone by kings, khans and 

other important figures would look deep into the eyes of 

the person they cheer to guess his intentions. Then they 

would bang their glasses so hard, so that a drop of each 

drink gets into the other (mixing the drinks would guarantee 

they are not poisoned). 

11. Be prepared to mix your own drinks. Whilst in England 

a “vodka and coke” means a nice mixed drink from the bar, 

in BG it means 1 vodka (most likely large) and 1 coke. Mix it 

yourself to your own perfect proportions. Cheers. 

12. Bring a gas mask. Many Bulgarians are heavy smokers 

although this becomes less with new generations. 

Some bars can be closed in and stuffy places. Combine 

this with a crowd of 40 a day hardcore smokers and you 

get quite a fog. 

13. Take advantage of the hospitality of the Bulgarian soul. 

You might be invited to dinners, parties, cocktail parties, 

promotions, etc. Generally Bulgarians love foreigners. 

14. In bars you can not bring drugs, guns or other forbidden 

substances. Pretty much like most places you have 

been in your life. 

15. Big fat silver chains that you could anchor a boat with 

are an absolute must. That is if you want to appear young, 

cool, like a gangster or simply need to anchor a boat. 

16. If you are going out on a Friday night to a bar and 

want to blend in like a local, it is essential that you 

haven’t shaved for at least 3 days. Dressing entirely in 

black is a bonus. 

17. Girls, for you to catch the attention of Bulgarian men, 

just act natural and dress sexy. 


39

40 nIGHtlIfe 

Gay and lesbian Sofia 

There are now several centrally-located gay venues in 

Sofia. Most are friendly places catering for a wide clientele 

rather than special interests. Up-to-date listing of parties 

in bars and clubs can be found at www.gay.bg. 

One characteristic of Sofia’s gays and lesbian community 

is that many prefer to visit mixed clubs which are known 

for attracting a tolerant, open-minded crowd: Chervilo, 

Escape and Yalta (see our main “Nightlife” listings for 

details) are good examples of these. 

Adonis B-2, ul. Knyaz Boris 122, tel. 0898 305 

932. Cute little place specializing in Balkan folk-pop, 

popular with transvestites and a younger crowd. QOpen 

22:00 - 06:00. 

Club 18+ C-2, bul. Vitosha 18, tel. 846 82 54. Newish 

club on central Sofia’s main street with different DJ 

styles on different nights. QOpen 20:00 - 04:00. 

Essence B-2, bul. Aleksandar Stamboliyski 29, tel. 

0899 998 666. Lesbian club with a wide spectrum of 

music. QOpen 21:00 - 06:00. Closed Mon, Tue, Sun. 

PGX 

Exit Club B-6, ul. Lavele 16, tel. 0888 140 133, 

www.exit-club.com. Bar & Diner. Cosy place with a 

variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails and a 

DJ-party every evening. Not to be confused with the Exit 

Club on ul. Suborna, which is completely straight. QOpen 

08:00 - 02:00. J 

Chillout Bar & Dinner B-3, ul. Triaditsa 5, tel. 980 

02 03, diner@chilloutbg.com, www.chilloutbg.com. 

One of those mainstream but gay-friendly places that 

attracts a mixed tolerant crowd throughout the week. 

Dedicated gay DJ party every 2nd Saturday. QOpen 

08:00 - 04:00. PABW 

In Da Club C-2, ul. Samuil 33. Dedicated gay club with 

3 floors of music. QOpen 00:00 - 24:00. 

Vital B-2, ul. Alabin 5, tel. 987 19 67. A key meeting 

point of long standing, functioning as a cool café in the 

daytime and transforming itself into a DJ bar from about 

8pm onwards. Club nights on Fridays and Saturdays 

frequently involve strip shows, cabaret and DJ-driven fun. 

Nice garden courtyard. QOpen 08:00 - 02:00. 

veteran of the Sofia clubbing scene that shows no sign of 

going out of fashion. Alongside leading Bulgarian techno DJs, 

the club frequently hosts star guests from abroad, and attracts 

a correspondingly hip crowd. It is divided into three halls 

and though the major club nights are held in the Main Room, 

some infectiously off-beat DJ events take place in a smaller 

space, the cute Baby Box. QOpen 22:30 - 06:00. Closed 

Mon, Sun. Admission: 5-20Lv. PJAEBW 

Life House B-2, bul. Vitosha 12, tel. 0888 241 016, 

www.clublifehouse.com. The name says it all - this is one 

of the top venues for house music in Sofia, with top local 

and international DJs doling out the beats. Design is postindustrial 

and service is of the kind usually experienced in 

Sofia clubs - slow but genial. QOpen 23:00 - 06:00. Closed 

Mon, Tue, Wed, Sun. Admission: 2-15Lv. PA 

PR G-8, ul. Cherkovna 87, tel. 0895 500 500, www. 

prclub-bg.com. Only a few months old and already seen 

as something of a jewel in Sofia’s night-life crown, PR offers 

stylish interior, six bars and an amazing lighting rig. Enjoyable, 

all-inclusive mix of house and retro-disco rhythms, enhanced 

by the presence of some of Sofia’s most cheerful and friendly 

staff. QOpen 23:00 - 07:00. Closed Sun. 

Pulse Club A-2, ul. Tsar Samuil 50, tel. 089 852 01 50. 

This small and cozy night club offers a nice environment in 

which to escape from the outside world. Designed to keep 

you on the dance floor, the club consists of one bar and tables 

facing the dance floor. At the entrance of the club there are 

three bed - like sofas, where you can chill out on soft cushions. 

Make sure you don`t leave your drink unattended ( even on the 

bar ), as your half full beer bottle will be gone in no time and 

of course the bartenders will know nothing of its mysterious 

disappearance. The cloakroom is tiny, so don`t rely on having 

your coat hanging nicely. There are theme parties every 

Friday and they not only fill the place with a pleasant crowd, 

but they are also an atmosphere and experience you should 

not miss. For more information check our culture section. 

QOpen 22:00 - 08:00. Closed Sun. 

Retro club Gramophone B-3, ul. Budapeshta 6, tel. 

981 14 10/0878 146 353, retroclubgramophone@ 

gmail.com, www.retroclubgramophone.com. One of the 

most popular Sofia’s downtown clubs, opened again with a 

new interior and a new program. The long bar is loaded with 

different brands of imported alcohol, including Johnnie Walker 

blue label. Lighting is with grade colours, fires burn down at 

the level of your legs and large white wings are spread high on 

the walls. From the DJ desk, already located next to the front 

door, you can hear different genres of music, depending on 

what day of the week you have chosen, for visiting the club. 

Overall, things look like this: hypnotized Monday, evergreen 

Tuesday, retro Wednesday & Thursday, light house Friday 

& Saturday, retro Sunday. QOpen 00:00 - 24:00. PJB 

Salsa plus B-4, ul. Aksakov 31, tel. 980 40 80/0888 50 

80 80, salsaplus@abv.bg. Somewhat appropriately hidden in 

an alley and down in a basement, this alternative dance club 

is a must for anyone who likes something different. Boasting 

a simple and bright decor, a small bar area, a clientele that 

varies in age and ethnicity and an open space for them to strut 

their stuff, at times you will actually feel like you are in South or 

Central America. There is a joyous spirt here that is infectious, 

thanks to the welcoming customers, many of whom sport traditional 

dress, who are here to express themselves to the sexy 

latino rhythm. You’ll possibly find someone to teach you a few 

steps or you can just sit back and enjoy what often turns into a 

real show. QOpen 17:30 - 04:00. Closed Sun. P 

The Black Lodge B-2, bul. Aleksandar Stamboliyski 34, 

tel. 0887 425 400. Named after the famous fictional place 

of the cult TV serial Twin Peaks, the club is brand new and the 

only heavy metal club in Sofia. In front of the club there’s a big 

red sign which you can’t miss. Downstairs you will find a rather 

crowded, smoky place, divided into four parts. The rooms are 

in dark grey and black, with tattoo designs painted on the walls, 

all in the spirit of the classic heavy metal atmosphere, done 

professionally and with style. Prices are not the lowest, but you 

can be sure, that there will be no degenerates, who come here 

just to get drunk, but real fans of heavy metal music. If that’s 

you - this is your lodge. QOpen 16:00 - 02:00. P 

The Blue Box F-7, bul. Maria Luiza 106. Blue Box -- Once a 

cinema, this hall can become a sweaty nightmare, when a show 

is attended by more than 50 people. If you are used to sauna 

temperatures and headbanging drunks, you will probably survive 

it…and become much stronger. QOpen 20:00 - 04.00. E 

Yalta B-4, bul.Tsar Osvoboditel 20, tel. 980 12 97/0897 

870 230, office@yaltaclub.com, www.yaltaclub.com. 

Sofia’s longest-running dance venue is still the best place to 

catch international DJs - there’s usually at least one big name 

jetting in every weekend. The recently revamped main chamber 

is closed on quiet weeknights, although the ground-floor bar 


(open daily) is always worth a visit: anyone who remembers 

the space-station cafe scene from 2001: a Space Odyssey will 

find it curiously familiar. QOpen 20:00 - 06:00. 

Folk clubs 

Folk in Bulgaria means chalga – the semi-oriental, shakeyour-booty-and-waggle-your-hands-in-the-air 

ethno-pop 

which is indigenous to the Balkan peninsula. 

Help B-2, ul. Hristo Botev 61, tel. 810 88 88, bgcinematrade@abv.bg. 

Housed in the Sin City entertainment 

complex, an expensively renovated former theatre, Help is 

the biggest and flashiest of the folk venues. There’s a lobby 

bar playing western dance-pop and an enormous main hall 

crammed with tables (reserve in advance if you want to be 

sure of one), with a mix of DJs and live musicians laying down 

chalga beats. Attracts dressed-up ladies and mean-looking 

macho types, so attire yourself accordingly. QOpen 22:30 

- 07:00. Admission: 5-30Lv. PALGBW 

NAI-klub B-4, pl. Narodno sabranie 10, tel. 981 27 47, 

dani_nai@abv.bg. Prepare for visual and aural overload in his 

cavernous subterranean space, with cave paintings on the 

walls, leopard-print tablecloths, and four giant feet holding up 

the ceiling. A foundation-shaking selection of Bulgarian and 

Serbian chart hits will have your hips swaying convulsively 

after a few drinks. QOpen 22:00 - 07:00. Admission: 3Lv. 

Ladies go in for free. 

Planeta B-3, ul. Graf Ignatiev 6, tel. 987 94 94, planetaclub@abv.bg, 

www.planeta-club.com. Not much in the way 

of fancy decor but hugely enjoyable nevertheless, with a house 

band moving room table to table, and belly-dancers shaking 

their assets in the direction of anyone who looks like a generous 

tipper. QOpen 20:00 - 06:00. Admission: 3-10Lv. 

Karaoke 

Backstage Karaoke Bar C-4, bul. Vasil Levski 100. A 

spacious club with wide variety of songs. Live concerts are 

also organized there. The style is predominantly rock. Prices 

are not very low but the entrance fee is modest. The club 

is divided into 2 halls, one of them with a pool table. Food is 

not available, except for nuts. 

Yesterday Karaoke Bar B-3, ul. Rakovski 82, tel. 981 

23 46, pianobar@mail.bg, www.pianobar-vchera.com. A 

nice small place underground in a noisy central street. The 

list of songs is quite rich and various: people can choose 

from MTV hits to French chansons, Russian chastushki, 

Bulgarian pop music etc. However drinks are not very cheep 

and Bulgarian alcohol is not available. Sometimes it is far too 

overcrowded. An entrance fee of 2 lv is included in the bill at 

the end. You can sing karaoke there all nights except for Friday 

and Saturday. QOpen 18:00 - 04:00. PW 

Live music clubs 

8th Ball A-4, Sv. sv. Kiril i Metodiy 27, tel. 0876 107 

722. This underground basement cavern is a place for hardcore 

punks, hooligans and all types of tattooed weirdos. It is 

the place where fast, noisy, unknown and mostly young bands 

play with fierce passion. Don’t mess with the bartenders, 

they are as local and as tough as you will never be. QOpen 

20:00 - 04.00. Admission: 4-5 BGN. 

B29 Piano Bar B-1, ul. Vladayska 29, tel. 952 06 65, 

b29@abv.bg, www.b29pianobar.com. A piano bar which 

really is a bar with a piano in it, featuring regular live perfor- 


nIGHtlIfe 

mances by distinguished Bulgarian ivory tinklers. Music ranges 

from relaxing cocktail-bar jazz to stomping R’n’B covers, when 

it’s time to cast your inhibitions aside and hit the dance-floor. 

QOpen 10:00 - 03:00. Admission: 7Lv. PAEG 

Back Stage B-5, bul. Vasil Levski 100. Sizeable club with 

a huge oblong bar, pool tables in the adjoining room, and a big 

stage at one end that hosts the big names of Bulgarian rock 

and pop. Wednesday night is blues night. QOpen 20:00 - 

04:00. Closed Mon, Tue. Admission: 3-10Lv. EG 

Biblioteka Cool House - Piano Bar B-5, bul. Vasil 

Levski 88. This is a luxurious karaoke bar in the basement 

of the National library building. The list of songs offers mainly 

pop, rock, chill out and retro. Beverages are quite expensive. 

QOpen 12:00 - 01:30. PAE 

Fans B-5, bul. Vasil Levski 114, tel. 0896 061 315, rockbarfans@abv.bg. 

Getting to Fans is an adventure in itself: go 

through the yard of the Chinese restaurant at bul. Vasil Levski 

114, down the spiral stairs, through the heavy curtain used 

instead of a door, and pay a man dressed as a cowboy to gain 

admittance. Once inside the semi-darkened interior you’ll find 

an enthusiastic beer-swilling crowd, and nightly performances 

by Bulgarian rockers, bluesmen and pop-rock cover bands. 

QOpen 19:00 - 04:00. PALE 

Social Jazz Club C-3, pl. Slaveykov 4, tel. 0884 622 

220. Buried beneath Sofia City Library is one of Sofia’s 

coolest music venues, offering a regular menu of live jazz 

including some top names from Bulgaria and the Balkans. 

Although there is standing space in front of the stage, it’s 

best to reserve a table if you want to watch the gig in comfort. 

The bar serves imported drinks only and prices are on the 

high side, so do remember to visit the cash point before you 

arrive. QOpen 22:00 - 04:00. 5-15Lv. 

Swingin’ Hall D-5, bul. Dragan Tsankov 8, tel. 963 06 

96, galswing@abv.bg. Currently the best place in town to 

catch local rock, blues, jazz and world-music acts, with a sixday-a-week 

programme of live music. With three bars, two 

stages, and a brick-lined, cellar-like interior, it’s a great place 

for a night out whoever is on the bill. Friendly party-inclined 

atmosphere draws musically-inclined Sofians of all ages, and 

a generous sprinkling of ex-pats. QOpen 21:00 - 04:00. 

Closed Mon. Admission: 5Lv. 

The Club G-8, Nicolaus Copernicus 2, tel. 872 09 46, 

http://theclub-bg.com/. Once a cult rock club, this cozy 

2-store hut is where all good and professional Bulgarian musicians 

play. Close to the audience and with booze flowing from 

the bar. The owner is a respected Bulgarian alternative rock 

musician and producer, so sound quality is indisputable. Q 

Admission: 10 BGN. 

Adult entertainment 

Angels Club B-3, Sheraton Hotel, pl. Sveta Nedelya 5, 

tel. 987 15 30. Lots of nice dancing girls. QOpen 22:00 - 

05:00. Admission: 7Lv. PJAL 

Dolls G-7, bul. Dzheyms Bauchar 100, tel. 963 39 64, 

www.sofianights.com. Classy club with a long tradition, with 

a sizeable cast of dancing girls and a programme of erotic 

shows. QOpen 22:00 - 04:00. Admission: 7Lv. PA 

Taboo Club B-4, pl. Narodno sabranie 12, tel. 987 08 70, 

www.sofianights.com. Plush environment in which to enjoy an 

array of lovely dancers. Fruit salad - served on a woman’s body - 

is the speciality of the house. QOpen 21:00 - 06:00. A 


41

42 nIGHtlIfe 

Studentski grad 

Over 10,000 of Bulgaria’s brightest young things live in the 

grey and windswept blocks of Studentski grad (“Studentville”), 

a purpose-built suburb located some 7km southeast 

of the centre. Despite its housing-estate-at-the-end-of-theworld 

appearance, Studentski grad is one of the fastest 

changing places in the whole country, with flashy new bars, 

clubs and fast-food joints springing up almost daily to satisfy 

the voracious leisure-time appetites of Sofia’s hormonefuelled 

student community. If you feel like partying 24 hours 

a day, seven days a week, then this is the place to do it. 

If your mind is more focused on passing your exams and 

becoming a responsible member of society, however, you’re 

best advised to steer clear of the place altogether. 

To get to Studentski grad, take bus No. 280 from ul. Shipka 

(B-4) to the end of the line. A taxi back to town won’t break 

the bank. 

Avenue H-8, ul. Atanas Manchev 1A, tel. 0898 553 

086, complexavenue@abv.bg, www.complexavenue. 

com. Minimal decor, throbbing music and a wide selection 

of cheap alcohol help make this place something of a 

laboratory of scholarly self-destruction. One floor is devoted 

to western dance music, while the other concentrates on 

Balkan chalga-pop, so at least you get to sample both sides 

of the Studentski grad experience in one place. QOpen 

00:00 - 24:00. Admission: 3Lv. PLNW 

Bacardi Box H-8, ul. 8-mi dekemvri, tel. 968 19 11, 

i_sergeeva@abv.bg, http://bacardibox.com. Despite a 

sparse interior whose huge rectangular bar and numerous 

compartments leave little room for a dancefloor, Bacardi 

box has no problem packing in the booty-shaking, boogiehappy 

drinkers. With a winning formula that ranges from 

top-forty sounds to retro disco and chalga in the early hours, 

semi-naked dancers on the bar and really affordable prices, 

it’s no wonder this place is currently one of Studentski 

grad’s liveliest corners. QOpen 00:00 - 24:00. PLN 

Bar na kraya na vselenata H-8, Studentski grad, 

bl. 34B, tel. 962 55 41, office@vselenata.com, www. 

vselenata.com. The aptly-named “Bar at the End of the 

Universe” is on the northern fringes of Studentski grad 

and as such makes the perfect place to start or finish 

your intrepid crawl through Sofia’s outer reaches. Centred 

on a big circular bar surrounded by yellowy-orange walls 

perforated with holes, it looks a bit like a spaceship built 

out of Swiss cheese. Relaxed, friendly, and with a long 

list of cocktails and light meals. QOpen 08:00 - 02:00. 

PLNGXW 

Jim Beam Club H-8, ul. Atanas Manchev 3, tel. 0895 

433 708, www.minimaxcomplex.com. Ultra modern interior, 

all red and black design, even down to the waitresses 

tight costumes, the spacious dance floor, state of the sound 

system and two enclosed bar areas all combine to make this 

a hopping nightclub. By 00:30 the place is packed. QOpen 

22:30 - 04:00. Admission: 3-5Lv. PA 

Marseille H-8, ul. Prof. Dr. Ivan Stranski 5, tel. 968 19 

79, fax 968 19 78, marsilia@sakar-marsilia.com, www. 

sakar-marsilia.com. This spacious, glass-fronted cafe-bar 

is guaranteed to fill up with slinky young creatures whatever 

the time of day or night. QOpen 08:00 - 02:00. 

Maskata H-8, Studentski grad, bl. 19, tel. 868 80 

79. This candle-lit post-industrial cattle shed of a place 

exudes a relaxing unpretentious vibe, although the disco 

hits emanating from the muddy sound system sometimes 

leave a lot to be desired. Maskata’s main selling point is the 

regular diet of live pop-rock. The size of the party depends 

on who is playing and how many fans they’ve managed 

to drag along. QOpen 21:30 - 05:00. Admission: 3-5Lv. 

PALEGX 

Orient 33 H-8, ul. Atanas Manchev 1, tel. 0895 433 

702. Despite non-descript decor and unfriendly staff, the 

ear-splitting selection of Balkan folk-pop ditties at this 

popular chalga club keeps the public coming in droves. 

QOpen 22:00 - 04:00. Admission: 3-5Lv. 

Stroezha H-8, Studentski grad, bl. 23B, tel. 962 59 

77, stroeja@abv.bg, www.stroeja.com. A warren of 

nooks and crannies and plenty of lived-in furniture make 

this one of Studentski grad’s more laid-back drinking holes. 

If you like alternative rock, punk, ska and Britpop you’ll feel 

so at home here that you’ll probably never leave. Closed 

in August. QOpen 10:00 - 03:00. 

The Net H-8, Studentski grad, bl. 38. With its brownbeige 

colour scheme and comfy geometrical furnishings the 

Net is one of those places that draw you in and keep you 

contentedly sipping away whether a quiet afternoon coffee 

or a raucous odyssey of nocturnal entertainment is on your 

mind. Good list of cocktails, and the shot menu comes 

highly recommended. QOpen 00:00 - 24:00. 

Toucan Bluzz & Rock H-8, ul. Akademik Boris Stefanov 

4, tel. 0887 098 164. Can white men sing the bluzz? 

If you like the idea of a subterranean beer hall combining 

live music with pool tables, a huge bar and a wide range of 

beers, then it’s well worth heading to Studentski grad to 

find out. Regular programme of rock and blues, and maybe 

the best karaoke in Sofia every Thursday night. QOpen 

21:00 - 04:00. Admission:3-10Lv. PNW 


Sofia may not have the grandeur of a great world city, but 

its tree-lined, frequently cobbled streets are chock full of 

absorbing oddities. As you’d expect for a town that’s over 

2,000 years old, the centre of Sofia is like a walk-through 

history lesson, with Romans, Byzantines, Bulgarians, Ottoman 

Turks and Soviet-inspired communists all having left 

their architectural imprint. 

Essential Sofia 

Alexander Nevski Memorial Church (Hram-pametnik 

Aleksandar Nevski) B-4, pl. Aleksandar Nevski, 

tel. 988 17 04. Built by Russian architects, inspired by the 

glories of ancient Byzantium, this multi-domed ecclesiastical 

monster has been Sofia’s visual trademark ever since its 

completion in 1924. It was built in memory of the Russia’s 

nineteenth-century contribution to Bulgaria’s liberation, 

although the Aleksander referred to in the title,s is actually a 

medieval prince of Novgorod, who battled Teutonic Knights. 

Decorated from floor to ceiling with frescoes and illuminated 

by flickering candles, the vast interior is as atmospheric as 

they come. QOpen 07:00 - 19:00. Daily Liturgy - 08:00 and 

17:00; Vigil - Sat 18:30; Mass - Sun 09:30 

Archaeological Museum (Arheologicheski muzey) 

B-3, ul. Saborna 2, tel. 988 24 06, fax 988 24 05, aim. 

sofianet.net. Housed in a beautifully restored fifteenthcentury 

mosque, this attractive display of Thracian, Greek, 

Roman and medieval Bulgarian artefacts is by far the most 

eye-pleasing museum that Sofia has to offer. Imposing chunks 

of Greek and Roman masonry are strewn around the main 

hall, while upstairs lie many of the headline-grabbing Thracian 

treasures, unearthed by Bulgarian archaeologists in recent 

years. Most mesmerizing of all is the solid gold burial mask of 

a fourth-century-BC Thracian ruler, excavated near the central 

Bulgarian town of Shipka in summer 2004. A series of Orthodox 

church paintings depicting the life and martyrdom of St George 

run around the first-floor gallery, while a room full of exquisite 

medieval Bulgarian jewelry looks contemporary enough to 


WHat to see 

provide today’s designers with a rich seam of inspiration. The 

bilingual Bulgarian-English labeling is unusually thorough, and 

the collection is just the right size to be easily digestible in one 

trip. QOpen 10:00 - 17:30. Admission: 10Lv. 

Boyana Church (Boyanskata tsurkva) H-6, ul. Boyansko 

ezero 1-3, tel. 959 09 39, fax 959 29 66, nmbc@ 

nmbc.orbitel.bg, www.boyanachurch.org. If medieval 

church art turns you on then the UNESCO-listed Boyana 

church will have you foaming at the mouth with excitement. 

Just about every square inch of the interior is covered with 

bible scenes and saintly portraits, rendered by thirteenthcentury 

artists. Nobody knows the identity of the painters, 

but their mastery of realistic depiction and sophisticated use 

of colour puts them on a par with Italian artists of the early 

Renaissance. It is a tiny church consisting of two parts: the 

oldest dates from the 10th century, when it served as the 


43

44 WHat to see 

chapel of Boyana fortress. A second floor was added in 1259 

by the Sevastokrator (or local governor) Kaloyan, who used 

the church as his family chapel. It was Kaloyan, who commissioned 

the frescoes for which Boyana church is famous. 

Restored in various stages over the past forty years, the 

main body of the church was never open to the public in its 

entirety until December 2006. Highlights include portraits of 

Kaloyan and wife Desislava dressed in sumptuous robes, and 

the earliest known portrait of the white-bearded St John of 

Rila, Bulgaria’s national patron saint. QOpen 09:00 - 17:30. 

Admission: 10Lv. Combined ticket including National History 

Museum: 12Lv. Visitors are admitted to the church six at a 

time, at ten-minute intervals, so be prepared to wait. 

National Museum of History (Natsionalen istoricheski 

muzey) G-6, ul. Vitoshko Lale 16, Boyana, 

tel. 955 76 04, fax 955 76 02, nim.pr@abv.bg., www. 

historymuseum.org. Located in a park-shrouded former 

government palace on the northern side of the Okolovrusten 

put (Sofia’s main ring road), Bulgaria’s National History Museum 

offers a highly enjoyable chronological journey through 

at least eight millennia of human civilization on the Balkan 

peninsula. The building itself is a fascinating oddity, having 

served Bulgaria’s communist leaders as an official residence 

until 1989. If anybody ever launched a lifestyle magazine for 

would-be dictators, the marble halls and ornate ceilings in evidence 

here would make ideal front-page material.A sweeping 

staircase leads to the display areas, where the circular-shaped 

Neolithic Hall harbours vividly-decorated jugs and clay figures. 

Representations of the Earth Mother Goddess, dating from the 

sixth millennium BC include a fabulous pair of buttocks from 

the Sofia region. Next up is the Thracian room: unfortunately, 

many of Bulgaria’s most famous Thracian treasures are touring 

western museums at present, and it is not known quite when 

they will come home. However there is still plenty of Thracian 

gold- and silverware, fantastically decorated with mythical 

animals, to make a visit here worthwhile. Biggest disappointment 

is the medieval section, which is largely based on replicas 

of items kept elsewhere, or on photographs of ruined castles 

and churches throughout Bulgaria. It’s more of an educational 

theme-park than a serious museum display, but it certainly 

whets the appetite for further travel within the country. Upstairs 

on the second floor lies a knock-out display of brightly-coloured 

folk costumes and kilims, and a fascinating collection of posters, 

photographs and domestic nick-nacks documenting the 

social history of twentieth-century Bulgaria. QOpen 09:00 

- 17:30. Admission: 10Lv. Combined ticket including Boyana 

Church: 12Lv. English-language tours cost 20Lv and can be 

booked in advance on tel. 955 42 80. 

Rotunda of St George (Rotonda Sveti Georgi) B-3, 

pl. Sveta Nedelya 2. Hidden away in a courtyard behind the 

Sheraton Hotel, this dainty red-brick doughnut of a building 

is the oldest surviving structure in the city, which still serves 

its original purpose. Built by the Romans in the fourth century, 

but much changed since, it’s justly famous for the twelfth- to 

fourteenth-century frescoes inside the central dome. It’s a 

powerful ensemble, with an all-powerful Christ looking down 

on successive circles of white-bearded disciples and holy 

men. Painted over during the Ottoman period (when the 

building was used as a mosque), these frescoes were only 

unearthed in the twentieth century. Admission: free, but 

donations appreciated. QOpen 08:00 - 17:00. 

Russian Church of St Nicholas (Ruska tsurkva) 

B-4, bul. Tsar Osvoboditel 3, tel. 986 27 15. Of all the 

places of worship in Sofia, this is the most vivacious, its 

green steeple and five golden domes outshining pretty much 

everything else on this central boulevard. Built just before 

World War I to serve Sofia’s Russian community and modeled 

on Muscovite churches of the sixteenth century, it looks as if 

a small piece of the Kremlin has been plonked in the middle 

of the Balkans. A path to the left of the main entrance leads 


to the crypt, last resting place of Archbishop Serafim, who 

served as head of the Russian church in Bulgaria in the early 

twentieth century. An enormously popular and pious man 

during his lifetime, Serafim is nowadays accorded almost 

saintly status by the Sofians, who come here to write prayers 

on scraps of paper which are then posted into a box next to 

his sarcophagus. QOpen 08:00 - 18:30. 

Zhenski pazar A-2, A-3, ul. Stefan Stambolov. Zhenski 

pazar literally means ‘women’s market’, although people 

of all possible sexes, ages and pockets throng daily to this 

half-a-kilometre-long strip of street stalls lined on either 

side by poky shops. Fresh foodstuffs are the mainstay of 

the market, but you can also buy flowers, cheap clothes, 

household goods, ironmongery and more. There’s not much in 

the way of fancy goods or souvenirs, but the raw street-level 

vigour of the place makes it well worth a visit. It’s a location 

popular with pickpockets too, however, so take good care 

of your belongings. 

Museums 

Earth and Man National Museum (Natsionalen 

Muzey “Zemyata i horata”) D-2, bul. Cherni vrah 4, 

tel. 865 66 39, fax 866 14 57, earth.and.man@gmail. 

com, www.earthandman.org. Despite being housed in 

an impressively restored nineteenth-century arsenal, this 

geology collection is less dramatic than its title suggests, 

exhaustively cataloguing the earth’s minerals with rows and 

rows of rock-filled display cases. The outlandish, brightlycoloured 

quartz crystals on the ground floor just about make 

a visit worthwhile. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00. Closed Mon, Sun. 

Admission: 2Lv. 

Ethnographic Museum (Etnografski muzey) B-3, pl. 

Aleksandar Batenberg 1, tel. 988 41 91, fax 980 11 62, 

eim_bas@mail.bg, ethnography.cc.bas.bg. Scintillating 

displays of folk arts and crafts, drawn from the museum’s vast 

collection. Situated in the east wing of the former royal palace. 

QOpen 10:00 - 17:00. Closed Mon. Admission: 3Lv. 

Ivan Vazov Museum-House (Kashta-muzey Ivan 

Vazov) B-4, ul. Ivan Vazov 10, tel. 988 12 70, vazovmuseum@slovo.bg. 

Bulgaria’s most revered literary figure, Ivan 

Vazov (1850-1921) is best known for writing Under the Yoke 

(Pod igoto), a sprawling novel detailing small-town Bulgarian 

life at the time of the anti-Ottoman uprising of 1876. The 

house where he lived from 1895 until death is a charming 

period piece, with furnishings, crockery, bookshelves - and 

even the stuffed remains of Bobi the dog - pretty much preserved 

as Vazov left it. QOpen , Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat 10:00 

- 17:00, Thu 13:00 - 17:00. Closed Mon, Sun. Admission: 

1Lv. Lecture 3Lv. 

National Museum of Military History (Natsionalen 

Voennoistoricheski muzey) G-8, ul. Cherkovna 92, tel. 

946 18 05, fax 946 18 06, m.museum@bol.bg, www. 

militarymuseum.bg. A couple of display halls, stuffed with 

uniforms and weaponry, and a hugely enjoyable outdoor section 

featuring all manner of tanks, jet fighters and Soviet-era 

long-range missiles. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00. Closed Mon, 

Tue. Admission: 2Lv. Lecture: 10Lv. 

National Museum of Natural History (Natsionalen 

Prirodonauchen muzey) B-4, bul. Tsar Osvoboditel 

1, tel. 987 41 95, fax 988 28 94, www.nmnh.bas.bg. 

Rocks, insects, stuffed animals, creatures in bottles, and 

live reptiles slithering about optimistically in search of small 

mammals - so keep a firm grip on the kids. QOpen 10:00 

- 18:00. Admission: 2Lv. 


WHat to see 

Galleries 

Icon Gallery B-3, in the crypt of the Aleksander Nevski 

Memorial Church, tel. 981 57 75. Stunning collection of 

Bulgarian icons from the medieval period to the nineteenth 

century. Portrayals of horse-riding warrior saints such as 

George and Demetrius are particularly prominent: they served 

as potent symbols of struggle and survival during the long 

centuries of Ottoman rule. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00. Closed 

Mon. Admission: 4Lv. 

Sofia City Art Gallery B-3, ul. Gurko 1, tel. 987 21 81, 

sghg2@bgnet.bg, www.sghg.cult.bg. The Sofia City Art 

Gallery possesses some of the richest collections of Bulgarian 

art: 3500 paintings, 800 statues, 2800 graphtics and drawings. 

The Contemporary Art and Photography department was 

founded in 2004. With 1100 square meters of exposition space 

divided into four compartments the Gallery arranges some 30 

exhibitions every year. Most of the exhibitions display works 

from the Gallery’s collections. In addition visiting one-man, 

group and general exhibitions of Bulgarian and foreign artists 

are arranged. Studies on present-day art and work with young 

artists became a special focus of the Gallery’s policy in recent 

years. Sofia City Art Gallery is a museum with long-standing 

traditions. Its role is to present the facts of Bulgarian cultural 

history in an analytical and modern way and to actively intervene 

in art developments by original and impressive projects. 

We recommend you to visit also the Vaska Emanuilova Gallery, 

branch of the Sofia City Art Gallery B-5 bul. Yanko Sakuzov 15, 

tel. 944 11 75, www.veg.cult.bg. QOpen 10:00 - 19:00, Sun 

11:00 - 18:00. Closed Mon. 

National Art Gallery 

National Art Gallery (Natsionalna hudozhestvena 

galeria) B-3, pl. Aleksandar Batenberg 1, 

tel. 980 33 25, sofim@abv.bg. The country’s flagship 

collection occupies one half of the former royal palace, 

where creaky parquet floors and ornate stuccoed ceilings 

provide the perfect environment in which to peruse an 

all-embracing overview of Bulgarian painting. Strikingly, 

canvases are hung in the middle of the room rather than 

on the walls round the sides. Look out in particular for the 

works of Vladimir Dimitrov-Maistora (1882-1960), whose 

pictures of Bulgarian peasant girls surrounded by apples, 

apricots and other fruit have a timeless, spiritual quality 

reminiscent of Orthodox icons. If you have a hankering 

for more modern stuff then head for the ground-floor 

galleries, where temporary exhibitions of contemporary 

art are staged. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00. Closed Mon. 

Admission: 3Lv. 


45


National Gallery of Foreign Art 

National Gallery of Foreign Art (Natsionalna 

galeria za chuzhdestranno izkustvo) B-4, pl. 

Aleksandar Nevski 1, tel. 988 49 22/980 72 62, 

ngfa@abv.bg, www.foreignartmuseum.bg. Wideranging 

collection of work by fair-to-middling artists you 

probably haven’t heard of before. You’ll come across one 

or two famous names if you look closely enough, but much 

of the best stuff is of a small-format variety (a pastel by 

Renoir here, a lithograph by Picasso there) - so it would 

be unwise to come here with high expectations. There’s 

a fourth-century Roman tomb in the basement (labelled 

“room 19” on the museum plan), but it’s not always open. 

QOpen 11:00 - 18:30. Closed Tue. Admission: 4Lv. 

Guided tours in English: 15-30Lv (Monday free). 

Churches 

Holy Sunday Church (Tsurkva Sveta Nedelya) B-3, 

pl. Sveta Nedelya, tel. 987 57 48. The main city-centre 

church and the preferred venue for Saturday-afternoon 

weddings, this nouveau-Byzantine structure is the twentieth- 

century incarnation of a church that has stood on this spot 

since medieval times. It has long been associated with the 

miracle-working bones of Serbian king Stefan Urosh, which 

are still kept in a wooden box to the right of the iconostasis. 

It is popularly believed that certain female health problems 

can be cured by leaving an appropriate piece of underwear 

in the box for 24 hours (and if you want to test this out 

you should really contact the priest, not us). The church’s 

other claim to fame is the flamboyantly ambitious terrorist 

attack that took place here in 1925, when left-wing activists 

attempted to bomb the Bulgarian royal family while 

they were attending a funeral. A huge explosion destroyed 

much of the church and killed 100 mourners, but the royals 

escaped unscathed. QOpen 07:00 - 19:00. Daily liturgy 

08:30 and 16:00. 

Church of St Petka of the Saddlemakers (Tsurkva 

Sveta Petka Samardzhiyska) B-3, pl. Nezavisimost. 

It’s not often that you come across a fourteenth-century 

church stranded in the middle of a semi-submerged shopping 

mall, but this is the fate that befell St Petka when Sofia’s 

post-war planners decided to run a two-lane highway round 

either side of it. Incongruously surrounded by glass-fronted 

souvenir shops, it’s a delightful, cramped space that feels 

more like a damp cave than a church, and features some 

faded sixteenth-century frescoes. 

Church of St Sofia (Tsurkva Sveta Sofia) B-4, ul. 

Parizh 2, tel. 987 09 71. A church since the fifth century 

and rebuilt many times since, this was used as a mosque 

during the Ottoman period and then abandoned when an 

earthquake rendered it unsafe for services. With most of its 

medieval decorations and frescoes lost, it’s a comparatively 

plain church by Sofia standards, but the patterned brickwork 

provides the interior with enormous visual appeal. A fragment 

of original Roman mosaic flooring, preserved under a pane 

of glass in the right-hand aisle, stands in testimony to the 

church’s ancient origins. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00. 

Church of the Holy Seven (Tsurkva Sveti Sedmochislentsi) 

C-3, ul. Graf Ignatiev, tel. 987 80 23. 

One of Sofia’s most handsome neo-Byzantine churches, with 

twentieth-century towers and domes tacked on to a much 

older central core - which served as an Ottoman mosque 

(then briefly as a Bulgarian prison) before reverting to its 

original ecclesiastical function. The church honours ninthcentury 

Saints Cyril, Methodius and their five followers - who 

brought literacy to the Slavs and propagated Christianity 

throughout Eastern Europe. QOpen 07:00 - 19:00. Daily 

liturgy 08:00 and 17:00 


Mosque 

Banya Bashi Mosque (Dzhamia Banya Bashi) B-3, 

bul. Maria Luiza. The last surviving mosque in Sofia still in 

use, the building consists of a large dome and an elegant 

minaret and takes its name from the neighbouring Central 

Baths - Banya Bashi literally means ‘many baths’. Dating 

from 1576, the mosque is said to have been designed by 

Hadji Mimar Sinan, the leading Ottoman architect of the day. 

The mosque fell into disuse during Communist rule but is now 

open for worship once again - you can hear the loudspeakers 

on the minaret calling the Muslims of the city to prayer five 

times a day. The mosque is not officially open as a tourist 

attraction but visitors are welcome outside prayer times, 

including women, if modestly dressed. 

Synagogue 

Sofia Synagogue A-3, ul. Ekzarh Yosif 16, tel. 983 

12 73, fax 983 50 85, sofiasynagogue@mail.orbitel. 

bg, www.sofiasynagogue.com. Dating from 1909, this 

extravagant building is a fitting monument to the community 

that once made up one fifth of Sofia’s population. 

Jewish leaders are widely thought to have dissuaded the 

Turks from torching the city in 1878, and the respect they 

commanded among their fellow citizens probably explains 

why they felt able to erect such a joyously extrovert piece 

of architecture right beside Sofia’s main street. Viennese 

designer Friedrich Gruenanger mixed Byzantine and Moorish 

styles to produce a huge domed building flanked by 

decorous turrets. Dominating feature of the interior is the 

2250kg chandelier hanging from the cupola, surrounded by 

Art Nouveau-inspired wall decorations. The synagogue was 

originally built to accommodate around 1300 worshippers - 

nowadays attendance figures at services hover around the 

50-60 mark. The Synagogue gives certificates for kosher 

(ehsher) for food and other products and offers, on request, 

kosher and other traditional Jewish Sephardic dishes. On 

the 2nd floor the Synagogue hosts The Jewish Museum of 


WHat to see 

History, tel. 983 14 40, jewishmuseum@shalom.bg, Open 

9:00-12:30 and 13:00-16:00. Closed on Sat, Sun. Lectures 

in Bulgarian, English and Hebrew are included in the entrance 

fee - 2Lv. Displayed are two permanent exhibitions “The 

Jewish communities in Bulgaria” and “The Holocaust and the 

rescue of the Jews in Bulgaria”. QThe Synagogue is open 

08:30 - 16:30, Sat 09:00 - 13:00. Closed Sun. 

Sofia districts-Boyana and 

Dragalevtsi 

Uphill For The Riches 

Crawling all over the body of the Vitosha Mountain, the 

neighborhoods of Boyana and Dragalevtsi are getting 

bigger and more densely populated as bigger, better 

and more expensive homes are being built, almost 

overnight. They are both situated to the south of Sofia, 

after the Ring road and climb up to a considerable 

height. These living areas are occupied mostly by 

wealthier people, government officials and politicians 

and are considered as the best and most expensive to 

live in. Of course, some contradicting sights as a huge, 

expensive and modern house with a decaying street, 

spotted with gaping holes, in front of it are quite common. 

The inclination of the landscape and the mountain 

itself, present some problems for the locals, especially 

in winter, when cars slide and people are tumbling down 

the frozen streets. However, both neighborhoods exist 

above the level of the city smog and just a single look 

to the grey clouds down there would make everybody 

envious of the local citizens. Local landmarks and 

historical sights are the monastery in Dragalevtsi and 

the Boyana Church, which is a part of the UNESCO World 

Heritage List and definitely a compulsory place for all 

tourists to visit. The National Historical Museum is also 

located in Boyana, on the premises of the residence 

of the former dictator Todor Zhivkov. Boyana is also 

famous for the Film Center, which is used for local and 

many foreign film productions. 

Hopefully Boyana and Dragalevtsi will soon improve as 

infrastructure and become a modern and elite suburban 

area of Sofia. 


47


Statues 

Aleksandar Stamboliyski B-4, Corner of ul. Rakovski 

and ul. Vrabcha. Leader of the Bulgarian National Peasants’ 

Party, and Prime Minister from 1919 to 1923, Aleksandar 

Stamboliyski presided over a radical government that promised 

fair land distribution and a revival of village life. Conservative 

circles feared a peasant revolution, and Stamboliyski 

was overthrown, tortured, and chopped into several pieces by 

paid killers - it’s a shame that nothing like this ever happened 

to Todor Zhivkov. Stamboliyski’s statue now stands beside 

the Opera House (strangely, both the National Opera and the 

National Peasants’ Party share the same building). 

Evlogi and Hristo Georgievi B-5, Sofia University, bul. 

Tsar Osvoboditel 15. The Georgiev brothers made their fortunes 

in nineteenth-century Odessa, then used their wealth to 

fund the establishment of Bulgarian-language schools. Their 

place in the country’s cultural pantheon assured, they now 

bask beside the steps of Bulgaria’s biggest university like a 

pair of contented walruses. 

Monument to Holy Wisdom (Statuya na Sveta Sofia) 

B-3, pl. Nezavisimost. Once occupied by a behemothsized 

statue of Lenin, this prime city-centre site was left vacant 

throughout the 1990s, and it wasn’t until the millennium 

that this 24-metre-high bronze goddess - an allegory of “Holy 

Wisdom” - appeared on the spot. The city of Sofia originally 

got its name from the Church of Sveta Sofia (“Holy Wisdom”) 

in the centre, and this statue was intended to symbolize the 

connection. However it was far from clear how an abstract 

concept like “Holy Wisdom” could be portrayed in a sculpture 

(is it a bird? is it a plane? is it a 24-metre-high bronze woman?), 

and Sofians remain unsure whether this shiny female with a 

dove in her right hand really fits the bill. 

Monument to the Tsar Liberator (Pametnik Tsar 

Osvoboditel) B-4, pl. Narodno sabranie. This 14-metrehigh 

lump of bronze designed by Italian artist Arnoldo Zocci 

honours Russian Tsar Alexander II who, by declaring war on 

the Ottoman Empire in 1877, liberated Bulgaria in the process. 

The reliefs surrounding the pedestal represent a scene in 

which the godess of victory leads troops into battle. 

Ugly Sofia 

Monument to the Bulgarian State (Pametnik 

na balgarskata darzhava) C-2, pl. Bulgaria. Sofia 

is probably unique in Europe in being the only capital 

which can boast a decaying pile of junk as one of its 

major downtown focal points. Unveiled in 1981 to mark 

the 1300th anniversary of the founding of the Bulgarian 

state, this unimaginably shoddy memorial is an eloquent 

metaphor for much that has happened in Bulgaria in the 

intervening 25 years. It was barely a decade old when it 

started falling to bits, and the question of who should pay 

for its refurbishment (or demolition) has been the object 

of inconclusive bickering ever since. 

An angular piece of modern sculpture with statues 

emerging absurdly from its summit, the monument has 

long been the object of popular scorn - “the seven-angled 

thing with five pricks” being the most enduring of its many 

nicknames. Currently surrounded by hoardings to prevent 

bits of it from falling on the heads of passers by, its future 

remains uncertain. 

The empty space in front of the National Gallery 

B-3, pl. Aleksandar Batenbeg. The empty space 

in front of the national gallery stands in eloquent tribute 

to the vacuous posturing of Bulgaria’s post-communist 

rulers. The building that used to stand on this spot 

was one of socialist-era Sofia’s principal landmarks, a 

mausoleum, built to house the corpse of Bulgaria’s first 

communist leader Georgi Dimitrov. Dimitrov’s body was 

removed in 1990, but arguments about how it is best to 

use the building itself, dragged on for a decade. Eventually 

the right-wing government of Ivan Kostov decided 

to blow the mausoleum up, believing that such an act 

would somehow symbolize Bulgaria’s triumphant march 

towards democracy. President, prime minister and foreign 

dignitaries assembled to view the demolition in January 

2000, only to discover that repeated detonations failed to 

bring the mausoleum down. Eventually the crowds drifted 

away, and the bulldozers were brought in. 



WHat to see 

Petko and Pencho Slaveykovi C-3, pl. Slaveykov. 

Bulgaria’s foremost father-and-son literary duo perch on a 

bench beside the square that, appropriately enough, now 

hosts Sofia’s biggest book market. Educationalist, politician 

and writer Petko Slaveykov (1827-1895) did much to preserve 

Bulgarian literature’s links with its folkloric roots; while his son 

Pencho (1866-1912) took things a step further by penning 

modern verse influenced by Romanticism, Symbolism and 

other modish western currents. 

Popa C-4, corner of ul. Graf Ignatiev and bul. Patriarh 

Evtimiy. This rather unpretentious statue of a bearded 

ecclesiastic honours Patriarch Euthymius (Patriarh Evtimiy in 

Bulgarian), the fourteenth-century church leader who presided 

over the flowering Bulgarian culture before being led into 

captivity by the Ottoman Turks in 1393. It’s nowadays the 

most popular meeting point in the city - if you’re going on a 

date or a bar crawl, the chances are you’ll rendezvous here. 

“Popa” is Bulgarian slang for “priest”. 

Stefan Stambolov B-4, Corner of bul. Tsar Osvoboditel 

and ul. Rakovski. Prime Minister from 1887 to 1894, 

Stefan Stambolov was the most talented - but also the 

most controversial - politician of his generation, pursuing 

pro-western liberal policies while at the same time locking up 

opponents and silencing the press. Sacked by Prince Ferdinand 

in May 1894, he was hacked to death on ul. Rakovski 

by sword-wielding assassins 12 months later. This curiously 

egg-shaped sculpture sprouting from a corner of Kristal park 

serves as some kind of tribute. 

St St Cyril and Methodius (Sveti Sveti Kiril i 

Metodiy) B-5, bul. Vasil Levski 88. Standing proudly in 

front of the colonnaded façade of the National Library, these 


49


Socialist Sofia 

As with many authoritarian regimes throughout the 

ages, Bulgaria’s communist rulers suffered from an 

overweening desire to turn politics into a highly visible 

part of the urban landscape. Government buildings were 

conceived as grandiose statements of political order, 

while statues of socialist heroes employed simple, often 

childlike imagery to teach important ideological lessons. 

Despite the demolition of many communist landmarks 

after 1989 (notably the rotund statue of Lenin that once 

rose like a malevolent iron pig above the central pl. 

Nezavisimost), present-day Sofia still boasts a compelling 

collection of sites where you can examine socialist 

art at first hand. 

Friendship Bridge (Most na druzhbata) C-4, 

crossing of ul. Graf Ignatiev and bul. Evlogi Georgiev. 

Built in 1953 to symbolize brotherhood between Bulgaria 

and the Soviet Union (a relationship in which one brother 

was always bigger than the other), this bridge boasts an 

impressive ensemble of sculptures, with statues representing 

the peasantry, the intelligentsia and the armed forces. 

Most telling inclusion is the pair of nineteenth-century 

Russian and Bulgarian soldiers on the north-eastern pier: 

a clever piece of propaganda suggesting that the Soviet 

Union’s “liberation” of Bulgaria in 1945 was simply a repeat 

performance of the Liberation of 1878. 

Mound of Brotherhood 

(Bratska 

mogila) G-8, Borisova 

gradina. Many of 

the artists responsible 

for the Soviet Army 

Monument also worked 

on the Mound of Brotherhood, 

a 42-metrehigh 

obelisk that rises 

dramatically from a 

ridge in the south-eastern 

corner of Borisova 

gradina park. Built in 

1956, it is intended to 

commemorate those 

who fought and fell in 

various stages of the struggle against fascism - from the 

Bulgarian communist uprising of September 1923 (a badlyplanned 

affair that culminated with most of the participants 

being rounded up and shot) to the Red-Army offensives of 

World War II. A monumental statue of machine-gun-toting 

partisans stands at the base of the obelisk, while basreliefs 

on either side portray striking workers, and Soviet 

troops being greeted by Bulgarian civilians. 

Soviet-style fresco E-4, wall of a school on ul. Sveti 

Naum. Hidden from the street by a politically-prudish pair 

of trees, this is one of the few examples of agit-prop art 

still to be found in the city. The fatherly face of Lenin beams 

down from one side of the wall, while a ruggedly handsome 

cosmonaut smoulders away quietly on the other. 

Soviet Army Monument (Pametnik na Savetskata 

armia) C-5, Orlov most. Built in 1954 by a team of 

architects and artists working under Danko Mitov, this 

is one of the best examples of socialist sculpture in 

the Balkans, and also one of the most controversial. A 

skyline-dominating 34-metre-high pillar, it is crowned by a 

flamboyant statue of a Red Army soldier, leading a Bulgarian 

couple towards the Promised Land of communism. Bronze 

bas-reliefs on either side of the pillar show scenes from the 

October revolution, World War II battles, and Soviet troops 

entering Bulgaria to be greeted joyfully by the locals. In 1993 

Sofia City Council voted to destroy the monument, pointing 

out quite rightly that it symbolized Bulgaria’s subservience 

to a foreign power. Faced by opposition from the Bulgarian 

Socialist Party, and discouraged by the potential cost of 

its demolition, the Council had no choice but to leave the 

monument as it is. For much of the last decade the area 

around the monument has become the favoured meeting 

point of Sofia’s skateboarders, although construction work 

on the Sofia metro has recently encroached on their space. 

Turn up on important dates like May 9 (the anniversary of 

Germany’s surrender in 1945) or September 9 (anniversary 

of Bulgaria’s communist-led coup in 1944) and you’ll probably 

see die-hard communists gathering at the monument 

to demonstrate their undying faith in the cause. 

Statues outside Vasil Levski Stadium C-4, bul. 

Evlogi Georgiev. Authoritarian regimes have frequently 

exploited the popularity of sport to build a cult of strength, 

discipline and order. Produced by a team of sculptors in 

the mid-fifties, these idealized statues outside the main 

entrance to the stadium are perfect examples of this cult 

in action. Depicting footballers, athletes, gymnasts and 

other examples of socialist achievement and perfection, the 

statues were originally eight in number. An empty pedestal 

marks the spot where one of them went missing, presumed 

stolen, in the mid-1990s. 

The Party House (Partien dom) B-3, pl. Nezavisimost. 

Sofia may lack the bombastic baroque skyscrapers,s 

bestowed by Stalin on Moscow and Warsaw, but the 

local ruling caste did at least make an effort with this 

custard-coloured neo-classical edifice at the end of pl. 

Nezavisimost. Built to house the Communist Party Central 

Committee, it once sported a massive red star atop its 

rocket-like spire - when protesters attempted to torch the 

building in August 1990, the star was hastily removed. The 

building now provides office space for Bulgarian MPs. 


ninth-century monks from Thessaloniki are celebrated for 

their invention of an entirely new alphabet, which they used 

to translate the holy gospels into the Slav languages. Subsequently 

modified by their disciples, the alphabet is nowadays 

known as Cyrillic, and is used in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, 

Macedonia and Serbia as well as in Bulgaria itself. 

Other sights 

National Palace of Culture (Natsionalen dvorets na 

kulturata) D-2, pl. Bulgaria 1, tel. 916 68 30, www.ndk. 

bg. Opinions differ as to whether the “largest multifunctional 

complex in southeastern Europe” is an attraction or an eyesore, 

but its dominating position at the southern end of bul. Vitosha 

makes it difficult to miss. Built in the 1980s this hexagonal lump 

of concrete and glass looks like a child’s building block inflated 

to unearthly size. Inside lie thirteen concert halls of varying 

sizes, fifty-five congress rooms, and innumerable offices, The 

basement level now accommodates a cramped shopping mall 

stuffed with inexpensive clothes and accessories. 

The Central Baths (Tsentralna banya) B-3, bul. 

Maria Luiza. Built in 1911 and decorated with exquisite tile 

mosaics, this wonderful Art Nouveau-cum-Nouveau Byzantine 

bathhouse is for many people the most beautiful building 

in the capital. Derelict for many years and now undergoing 

restoration and will probably re-surface in the near future as 

a luxurious SPA and fitness center, so all this mineral water 

will not run wasted. 

The Central Military club (Tsentralen voenen klub) 

B-4, bul. Tsar Osvoboditel 7, tel. 988 17 46. This three 

storey monumental building, designed in the neo-renaissance 

style , houses a cafe, an art gallery, 2 refined halls and an 


WHat to see 

impressive concert hall. The plase looks like a palace and the 

concert hall used to be a ball room. Even though it is not a 

regular club keep your eyes and ears wide-open for any event 

which might take place there, and consider yourself fortunate 

if you have the chance to attend one. The concert hall is often 

rented out for private party events and it is guaranteed that 

each one will be prestigious. 


51


Mount Vitosha 

Vitosha Mountain is the closest to Sofia skiing 

location. It’s just about half an hour uphill. The climate is 

fairly mild, however, it can become quite cold above 1200 

meters. There are two peaks, which are more than 2000 

meters high, including Cherni Vrah – Vitosha’s champion, 

and 18 peaks are more than 1500 meters above sea 

level. There are 13 ski tracks of varied difficulty - the 

easiest are Polyana, Lale (educational) and Zelena Pista; 

the moderately difficult tracks are: ski path “Laleto”, Sinya 

pista, Cherni vrah, Laleto 3; it is difficult to ride on: Diagonala 

1, Diagonala 2, Stenata, Laleto 1 and very difficult 

on the runs Kozirkata na Bobi, and Laleto 2. The most 

hard working of you, who just can miss those morning 

hours on the job also have the possibility for practicing 

their favorite sport - there is a ski track for night skiing – “ 

Vitoshko lale”. You can get there by bus, by car and by the 

so called mini buses. 

Lift lines: 

Simeonovo – Aleko chalet – 8.30 – 16.30 (bus lines 

122 and 123) 

Dragalevtsi – Bay Krastyo – Goli Vrah – 8.30 – 16.30 

(bus line 93) 

The prices varied from 35.00Lv per day to 147.00Lv 

for 6 days lift pass. The lift passes are valid for all of 

the facilities in the Aleko ski zone, except Dragalevki lift. 

Sofia bridges 

When you walk through Sofia downtown two bridges can 

fix your eyes not with the large rivers, which runs under 

them, but with their architectural values. 

Lavov Most (Lions’ Bridge) over the Vladaiska River 

is well known with its four lions statues placed on high 

pedestals. It was built in 1889-1891 by Czech architect 

Václav Prošek, his brother Jozef and his cousins Bohdan 

and Jiří. The bridge was built from stone at the place of an 

older bridge called Sharen most (“Motley Bridge”) because 

it was decorated with red and yellow stripes. The name of 

the bridge comes from the four bronze sculptures of lions, 

its most recognizable feature. All metal elements of the 

bridge were produced by the Austrian company of Rudolph 

Philipp Waagner, and electric lights were installed in the 

early 1900s. The entire construction of the bridge cost 

260,000 golden leva which amounts to approximately 1 

433 425,97 EUR today.The Prošek family also designed 

and built the similar but eagle-themed Orlov most marking 

the city centre’s eastern border in 1891. 

Orlov most (Eagles’ Bridge) is well distinguished by its 

four bronze eagles, which are facing the four directions of 

the world and are mounted on 12-metre pylons. Perlovska 

River runs under the bridge in the city center. The bridge 

is located in the immediate proximity to the Vasil Levski 

National Stadium, the Monument to the Soviet Army and 

the park Borisova gradina. The bridge connects Sofia 

downtown with Mladost quarter and also you can go 

through it if you want to go to Sofia airport or to go out 

into the Trakia highway to Plovdiv. The entire construction 

of the bridge cost 80,000 golden leva which amounts to 

approximately 440 800 EUR today. 


The Presidency B-3, bul. Knyaz Dondukov 2. Directly 

opposite the archeological museum is the entrance to the 

suite of offices where the Bulgarian president does his 

nine-to-five job, guarded by soldiers dressed in ceremonial 

nineteenth-century uniforms. The changing of the guard, which 

takes place on the hour, involves a lot of ritualistic marching 

about, and is well worth watching. 


WHat to see 

Tsentralni hali B-3, bul. Maria Luiza 28. Built at the 

same time as the Central Baths and in similar architectural 

vein, this indoor market hall boasts some beautifully restored 

period features - notably the glass roof, cast iron pillars and 

Victorian clock tower. Delicatessen stalls at ground level and 

fast food counters upstairs ensure a constant stream of visitors. 

QOpen 07:00 - 24:00. 


53

54 GettInG aroUnd 

Public transport 

Sofia is amply covered by an interlocking network of trams, 

buses and trolleybuses, with services running from about 

05:00 to 23:30. Despite some new additions to the fleet, 

however, vehicles tend to be antiquated, filthy, overcrowded 

and above all slow: it can take half a lifetime to cross the 

city from one side to the other. An additional problem is 

posed by the lack of information concerning routes - while 

bus and tram stops in the city centre are marked with 

numbers of services and details (in Cyrillic) of destinations 

served, those in the suburbs are invariably rusty old shacks 

bearing no information whatsoever. Your only hope is to 

buy a decent city map with tram and bus lines marked on 

it - then study it for as many months as it takes to learn 

them all by heart. 

Single-journey tickets cost 1Lv and can be bought from street 

kiosks or from the driver. Once on board each ticket must 

be validated by punching it in one of the primitive pronged 

machines positioned near the doors of the vehicle. A strip 

(talon) of 10 tickets costs 7.50Lv but take care to use them 

in sequence - tickets numbered 1 to 9 are not valid unless 

you’ve still got the tenth one in your possession. Officially, 

you’re supposed to punch an extra ticket for each large item 

of baggage, but in practice this is rarely enforced - except 

on buses to and from the airport. Inspections are frequent 

and there are spot-fines for fare-dodgers - officially 10Lv, 

although unscrupulous inspectors delight in making foreigners 

pay more. 

Passes valid for one day (karta za edin den - 4Lv), or one 

month (karta za edin mesets - 50Lv), are also available - but 

they can only be bought from kiosks at major stops, not 

from the driver. 

Minibus 

Several popular cross-town routes are operated by privately 

owned minibuses (marshrutki). Rather than being limited to 

specific stops, they can be hailed at any point along their 

route, and will drop passengers off on request. There aren’t 

any tickets: simply jump in, press yourself into an available 

corner, and pass 1.50Lv forward towards the driver. 

Many people prefer marshrutki to regular buses because 

of their speed and convenience; others are turned off by 

the tendency of drivers to pack passengers in like sardines 

and then career around the city like crazed drag racers. If 

you’re in any way prone to travel sickness, don’t forget to 

take a puke bag. 

Metro 

A single metro line runs from Serdika station in the city 

centre to the western suburb of Lyulin - which is great if 

you happen to live in Lyulin, but not much use otherwise. 

If you fancy a ride just for the heck of it, tickets (1Lv) are 

different from those used in trams and buses, and can 

only be purchased from ticket counters in the underground 

stations themselves. 

Trains 

Central Station (Tsentralna gara) F-7, bul. Mariya 

Luiza, tel. 931 11 11 / 932 33 33 (information in Bulgarian 

only). English-language timetable information on 

www.bdz.bg. Despite recent renovation Sofia’s main train 

station remains a dispiritingly dingy hive, comprising two 

Domestic train schedule 

From Sofia To Sofia 

Dep. Arr. Destination Dep. Arr. 

06:30 08:27 PLOVDIV 06:00 08:37 

06:38 09:40 PLOVDIV 06:30 10:09 

08:30 10:48 PLOVDIV 07:00 09:18 

10:40 13:04 PLOVDIV 08:00 10:20 

13:45 16:05 PLOVDIV 08:30 10:50 

14:15 17:16 PLOVDIV 11:45 14:20 

15:30 17:29 PLOVDIV 12:00 15:07 

16:30 18:29 PLOVDIV 13:00 15:34 

16:55 20:20 PLOVDIV 14:10 17:30 

17:30 19:52 PLOVDIV 15:40 18:17 

18:35 20:50 PLOVDIV 17:25 20:30 

19:10 21:10 PLOVDIV 18:10 20:46 

22:40 01:10 PLOVDIV 19:40 21:55 

06:30 12:27 BURGAS 05:30 11:40 

07:10 14:00 BURGAS 06:55 14:20 

10:40 18:00 BURGAS 10:40 18:17 

13:45 20:52 BURGAS 14:20 21:15 

16:00 22:14 BURGAS 15:40 21:55 

22:20 07:07 BURGAS 22:15 05:35 

07:05 13:38 RUSE 06:00 12:34 

07:45 14:05 RUSE 08:02 14:58 

09:55 17:16 RUSE 11:15 18:54 

15:30 21:48 RUSE 13:10 20:36 

19:30 02:05 RUSE 15:20 21:33 

23:00 05:41 RUSE 21:55 06:30 

23:35 07:11 RUSE 23:30 06:00 

07:05 14:04 VARNA 07:55 14:58 

09:55 17:55 VARNA 09:20 18:17 

10:40 19:15 VARNA 10:55 18:54 

13:25 21:18 VARNA 12:40 20:36 

21:10 05:25 VARNA 21:40 06:00 

22:20 06:43 VARNA 22:30 06:30 

23:35 07:45 VARNA 23:05 07:25 

For further information call tel.932 42 80 

International train schedule 


Dep. Arr. Destination Dep. Arr. 

07:01 12:54 THESSALONICA 17:34 23:25 

17:05 22:52 THESSALONICA 23:49 06:30 

07:45 17:19 BUCHAREST 12:16 21:33 

19:30 05:44 BUCHAREST 20:04 06:00 

11:55 19:18 BELGRADE 07:50 17:40 

21:20 04:48 BELGRADE 21:15 07:15 

19:10 08:19 ISTANBUL 22:00 10:50 

For further information call tel.932 42 80 

� The Sofia 



Flight schedule 

floors of queue-clogged ticket counters, functional cafes 

and hole-in-the-wall shops. Brightening things up considerably 

is the flirty little steam engine (built by the German 

Henschel company in 1918) parked right in the middle of 

the main ticket hall. 

Always allow plenty of time to buy your tickets and board 

your train: platforms are often numbered differently to 

the tracks running either side of them, so you may find 

yourself scuttling up and down several stairways in an 

effort to locate your train. Tickets to Varna and northern 

Bulgaria are sold in the main ticket hall; tickets to Burgas 

and southern Bulgaria are sold in the basement. International 

tickets are sold by the Rila office, which is located 

at the end of a corridor leading off the main ticket hall to 

the left as you enter. 

Tickets can be bought in advance from two locations in the 

city centre: Transport Service Centre, in the basement 

shopping mall of the National Palace of Culture (NDK), tel. 

932 42 80. Open Mon - Sat 07:00 - 18:00. Closed Sun, 

and Railway Ticket Agency Rila /international lines/, 

ul. Gurko 5, tel. 987 07 77. Open Mon - Sat 07:00 - 18:30. 

Closed Sun. 


GettInG aroUnd 


Days Dep. Arr. Destination Days Dep. Arr. 

1-34-67 07:00 09:00 AMSTERDAM FB 1-34-67 10:40 14:10 

-2--5-- 09:50 11:50 AMSTERDAM FB -2—5-- 12:50 16:30 

1-3---- 07:00 08:15 ATHENS FB 1-3---- 09:00 10:15 

----567 18:15 19:30 ATHENS OA 1----67 16:10 17:25 

1234567 16:10 16:30 BUDAPEST MA 1234567 13:05 15:25 

12345-- 09:30 10:15 BUCHAREST FB 12345-- 10:55 11:40 

12-45-- 06:15 07:45 FRANKFURT LH 12-45-- 10:35 13:50 

1------ 09:20 10:50 FRANKFURT FB -234567 18:30 21:55 

----5-- 10:25 11:55 ISTANBUL FB ----5-- 12:55 14:30 

123---- 10:45 12:00 ISTANBUL TK 123---- 08:30 09:45 

1234567 07:45 09:15 LONDON FB 1234567 10:30 15:30 

1234567 14:30 15:45 LONDON BA 1234567 08:35 13:45 

-2-4-6- 12:45 13:55 MILAN WA -2-4-6- 19:35 22:35 

1234567 20:40 21:50 MILAN AZ 1234567 07:05 17:00 

-----67 07:00 08:00 MUNICH LH 1234567 09:30 12:30 

-2----- 13:10 14:10 MUNICH LH 1234567 13:00 16:00 

1-3-5-7 07:55 10:00 PARIS FB 1-3-5-7 11:40 15:30 

1234567 15:05 17:00 PARIS AF 1-345-7 10:20 14:05 

1234567 06:50 07:45 PRAGUE OK 1234567 07:25 09:00 

1234567 15:10 16:05 PRAGUE OK -2-456- 11:30 14:25 

1-3-5-7 06:10 07:10 ROME WA 1234567 13:05 16:00 

1234567 08:45 09:35 VIENA OS 1234567 10:50 13:30 

12345-- 17:50 18:40 VIENA OS 1234567 13:40 16:20 

1234567 15:20 16:05 VIENA OS 1234567 17:55 22:25 

1234567 14:40 15:35 WARSAW LO 1234567 11:00 13:55 

Airlines codes: AF- Air France, AZ- Alitalia , BA - British Airways, FB - Bulgaria Air, LH - Lufthansa, LO - Lot Polish Airlines, 

MA - Malev Hungarian Airlines , OA - Olympic Airlines, OS - Austrian Airlines, OK - Czech Airlines, RO - Tarom Romanian 

Airlines, TK - Turkish Airlines, WA – Wizz Air 

For further information call tel. 937 22 11, 937 22 12 www.flybulgaria.bg 


Bus schedule 

To Burgas - 07:00, 07:30, 08:00, 08:30, 09:45, 10:00, 

10:30, 11:00, 12:00, 12:30, 13:00, 13:30, 15:00, 15:30, 

16:00, 16:30,16:45, 17:00, 18:00, 20:30, 22:30, 23:00, 

00:00, 00:30 

To Bansko – 07:30, 08:30, 09:45,11:25, 13:15, 14:00, 

16:45 

To Ruse – 06:15, 07:00, 08:00, 08:30, 09:30, 10:30, 

12:00, 12:30, 13:00, 14:00, 14;30, 15:00, 15:30, 16:00, 

17:00, 17:30, 18:30, 19:00, 22:00 

To Varna – 06:30, 07:30, 07:45, 08:00, 08:30, 09:00, 

09:45, 10:30, 11:00, 12:30, 13:00, 13:30, 14:00, 

14.30, 15:00, 15:30, 16:00, 17;30, 18:00, 19:00, 22:30, 

00:00, 00:30 

To Veliko Turnovo – 06:15, 06:30, 07:30, 08:00, 08:30, 

09:00, 09:45, 10:30, 11:00, 12:00, 12:30, 13:00, 13:30, 

14:00, 14:30, 15:00, 15:30, 16:00, 17:00, 17:30, 18:00, 

19:00, 22:30, 00:30 

To Sandanski – 07:40, 07:55, 09;00, 10:00, 10:40, 

11:20, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 15:30, 16:00, 

17:00, 18:00 

To Melnik – 14:00 

For further information call tel. 0900 210 00 


55

56 GettInG aroUnd 

Buses 

Central Bus Station (Tsentralna avtogara) F-7, 

bul. Maria Luiza 100, tel. 0900 21 000, fax 813 31 

44, www.centralnaavtogara.bg. Opened in 2004, 

Sofia’s sparkly glass-fronted bus terminal is everything 

that the train station fails to be: bright, clean, and well 

furnished with toilets, cafes, and nappy-changing areas so 

delightful that we almost wish we still wore them. Finding 

out where to buy a ticket can be a bit of a hassle: a main 

ticket counter handles most services, but there are over 

40 smaller sales desks serving individual bus companies 

- some of these offer a wide range of popular destinations 

in Bulgaria and abroad, while others operate a once-in-ablue-moon 

service to Outer Mongolia and precious little 

else. An information desk near the entrance may direct 

you to the ticket desk you require, but only if the staff are 

in a good mood. 

There are plenty of companies here offering direct services 

to European cities: doing international trips by bus is usually 

faster and more comfortable than by train. QOpen 

00:00 - 24:00. 

Ovcha kupel G-6, bul. Ovcha kupel 1, tel. 955 53 62. 

Several domestic services to destinations south of Sofia 

(such as Dupnitsa, Rila Monastery and Melnik) leave from 

Ovcha kupel bus station, 5km southwest of the centre. To 

get there take tram No. 5 from ul. Alabin or tram No. 19 from 

the Central Station. QOpen 06:30 - 18:30. 

Trafik-Market F-7, bul. Maria Luiza, tel. 981 29 79. 

Many international bus services (including plenty to Macedonia 

and Greece) leave from this parking lot immediately to 

the west of the Central Bus Station. There’s a timetable board 

detailing departures, a confusion of kiosks selling tickets for 

individual services, and plenty of shops and cafés. There 

aren’t any other facilities on offer here, but as you’re only 

a stone’s throw away from the train and bus stations, this 

shouldn’t be a hardship. 

Yug G-8, bul. Dragan Tsankov 23, tel. 872 23 45. This 

hard-to-find bus station hidden beneath a road bridge is the 

place to catch buses to the town of Samokov southeast of 

Sofia, which is in turn the main jumping-off point for the ski 

resort of Borovets. To reach the bus station take tram No.18 

to the Hotel Moskva and walk the remaining 400m down 

Dragan Tsankov. QOpen 08:00 - 18:00. 

Airport 

Sofia International Airport (Letishte Sofia) G-9, 

bul. Christopher Columbus 1, tel. 937 22 11/937 

22 12, public@sofia-airport.bg, www.sofia-airport. 

bg. Located 10km east of the city centre, Sofia Airport 

consists of two terminals, the grotty Terminal 1 and the 

recently opened Terminal 2. Aeroflot, Alitalia, Air France, 

Austrian, Bulgaria Air, British Airways, Lufthansa etc. fly 

from Terminal 2 and the low-cost companies EasyJet, Sky 

Europe, Wizzair, My air, etc. fly from Terminal 1, so doublecheck 

which terminal you need before setting out (the 

terminals are not within walking distance of each other). 

Budget airlines 

Germanwings , tel. 0044 8702 521 250, www. 

germanwings.com. QOpen 07:30 - 20:00. 

Myair , tel. 0044 2073 651 597, info@myair.com, 

www.myair.com. 

Sky Europe , tel. 489 48 99, sales@skyeurope.com, 

www.skyeurope.com. 

Wizzair , tel. 960 38 88, www.wizzair.com. 

Both terminals have free Wi-Fi hot spot zone, limited eating 

and drinking facilities, souvenir shop on Terminal 1 and 

souvenirs, leather goods, electronics, fashion, optics and 

tobacco shops on Terminal 2, as well as business class 

lounge at the Departure hall. 

To get to the airport from the city centre, a properly metered 

taxi shouldn’t cost more than 16Lv (€8). Otherwise, head for 

Orlov Most (C-3) and take bus No 84 to Terminal 1, or No 284 

to Terminal 2. Tickets cost 1Lv, as well as each bulky piece 

of luggage. Q PAULGKW 

Airlines 

Aeroflot B-5, ul. Zlaten Rog 22 fl.1 office 2B, tel. 

962 10 01, fax 962 55 66, sofrepr@aeroflot.ru, www. 

aeroflot.ru. QOpen 09:00 - 17:00, Fri 09:00 - 16:00. 


Aerosvit A-3, bul. Maria Luiza 9-11, fl. 2, tel. 980 78 

80, aerosvit@nettisat.bg, www.aerosvit.com. QOpen 

09:30 - 17:30. Closed Sat, Sun. 

Air France B-3, ul. Frityof Nansen 9, 3d floor, tel. 

939 70 10, fax 939 70 35, mail.sofia@airfrance.fr, 

www.airfrance.com. QOpen 09:00 - 17:30. Closed 

Sat, Sun. 

Alitalia C-3, ul. Angel Kanchev 5, tel. 981 67 02/980 

69 30, fax 981 67 04, info.sofia@alitalia.it, www.alitalia.com. 


Austrian Airlines G-7, ul. Zlaten rog 12, tel. 806 00 

00, fax 962 42 40, sofia.office@aua.com, www.austrianairlines.bg. 

Sofia Airport G-9, tel. 937 31 33. Open 

07:00-18:00 QOpen 09:00 - 17:00. Closed Sat, Sun. 

British Airways C-2, bul. Patriarh Evtimiy 49, tel. 954 

70 00, fax 954 80 00, retailsales.1.sofia@britishairways.com, 

www.britishairways.com. Sofia Airport G-9, 

tel. 937 31 11. Open 09:00-17:00 QOpen 09:00 - 17:00. 


Bulgaria Air D-2, ul. Ivan Vazov 2, tel. 402 04 06, fax 

986 24 88, tickets1@air.bg, www.air.bg. Sofia Airport 

G-9, tel. 937 33 70. QOpen 08:30 - 18:00, Sat 08:30 - 

14:00. Closed Sun. 

Czech Airlines B-3, ul. Serdika 22, tel. 981 54 08, 

fax 981 13 86, ticketing.sof@czechairlines.com, 

www.czechairlines.com. QOpen 09:00 - 17:00. Closed 

Sat, Sun. 

LOT Polish Airlines B-2, bul. Aleksandar Stamboliyski 

27A, tel. 987 45 62, fax 980 32 93, a.petrov@lot.pl, 

www.lot.com. QOpen 09:00 - 17:00. Closed Sat, Sun. 

Lufthansa B-3, Platinium Business Center, ul. Bacho 

Kiro 26-30, tel. 930 42 42, fax 981 29 11, lufthansabg@dlh.de, 

www.lufthansa.com. Sofia Airport G-9. tel. 

937 31 41. Open 05:00-20:00 QOpen 09:00 - 17:00. 


Malev Hungarian Airlines C-3, bul. Patriarh Evtimiy 

19, tel. 981 50 91, fax 981 50 96, sofia@malev.hu, 

www.malev.com. QOpen 09:00 - 17:00. Closed Sat, 

Sun. 

Olympic Airlines B-2, bul. Aleksandar Stamboliyski 

55, tel. 981 45 45, fax 980 10 50, sofia@olympicair-bg. 

com, www.olympicairlines.com. QOpen 09:00 - 17:00. 


Turkish Airlines B-3, ul. Saborna 11A, tel. 988 35 96, 

fax 980 41 51, thu-sof-sat@medicom.bg, www.thy.com. 


Taxis 

There are over 15,000 taxis in Sofia: some of these are 

rusty crates driven by frustrated rally drivers; the majority 

are roadworthy vehicles operated by more-or-less reputable 

companies. Legitimate taxis are coloured yellow and 


Taxi companies 

OK Supertrans tel. 973 21 21, for mobile 1TAXI, www. 

oktaxi.net. 

Taxi S Express tel. 9 12 80, for mobile 1280, www. 

taxi91280.net/. 

Radio CV Taxi tel. 9 12 63. 

Ricars Taxi tel. 9 11 14. 

have an oval sticker on the windscreen; they also display 

a square sticker indicating the rates in BGN. Charges are 

supposed to be metered, but some drivers will switch the 

meter off and demand an inflated fare if they think you’re 

a gullible foreigner. By law a receipt should be issued for 

every taxi ride you take. The charges are cheap, ranging 

from 0.59Lv - 0.70Lv per kilometre. The agreeing of flat-rate 

fares beforehand is a common practice, even in licensed 

cabs, especially for destinations outside the city limits. A 

tip of 10-15% is common practice. Most taxis hang around 

at the big intersections, although you can order them by 

phone - just don’t expect to get through to an Englishspeaker 

(you can always ask your hotel receptionist to do 

it for you). Don’t be surprised if your driver doesn’t have a 

detailed knowledge of the city and asks you for directions. 

Few drivers speak a foreign language. 

You’d be well advised to stick to the taxi companies recommended 

below in order to keep overcharging problems to a 

minimum, although you’re unlikely to survive without being 

ripped off at least once during your stay. 

Car rental 

Avis F-6, ul. Orion 84, tel. 826 11 00, fax 827 30 57, 

reservations@avis.bg, www.avis.bg. Sofia Airport, Terminal 

2 G-9, tel.945 92 24. Open 09:00 - 21:00. QOpen 

09:00 - 18:00. 

CarRent G-9, bul. Iskarsko shose 13, tel. 960 14 

08/0888 221 600, fax 960 14 46, carrent@promobile.bg, 

www.carrent.bg. Free delivery/collection 

24hours/day, 7days/week. 

Car Rental Bulgaria H-9, bul. Tsarigradsko shose 

62, tel. 974 36 63/0889 993 663, fax 974 18 81, 

office@carrental.bg, www.carrental.bg. QOpen 09:00 

- 18:00. 

Europcar B-2, bul. Aleksandar Stamboliyski 20b, tel. 

981 46 26, fax 980 85 78, reservations@europcar. 

bg, www.europcar.com. Sofia Airport, Arrivals hall G-9, 

Terminal 1, tel. 945 92 83. Terminal 2, tel. 945 92 66. Free 

delivery / collection, 7 days / week. Hot line 0884 816 666. 

Open 09:00-21:00. 

Hertz G-7, bul. Nikola Vaptsarov 53, Seat showroom, 

tel. 439 12 22, fax 439 12 25, office@hertz.bg, www. 

hertz.bg. Sofia Airport, Arrivals hall G-9, tel. 945 92 17. Open 

08:30 - 23:00. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00, Sat 10:00 - 14:00. 

Closed Sun. 

Hire My Car G-6, , tel. 955 92 55/0888 55 92 55, fax 

955 61 22, office@hiremycarbg.com, www.hiremycarbg. 

com. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00. 

Miama rent-a-car G-6, ul. Aleksandar Pushkin 38, tel. 

0889 602 060/0888 778 866, info@miama-rentacar. 

com, www.miama-rentacar.com. Luxury rent-a-car service. 


GettInG aroUnd 

Tany 97 G-8, ul. Anton Chehov 69, tel. 970 85 00, 

reservations@tany97.com, www.tany97.com. Sofia 

Airport, Arrivals hall G-9, tel. 0889 998 998. QOpen 

09:00 - 18:00. 

Thrifty Car Rental F-8, ul. Kozlodui 4, tel. 931 60 

00/0887 503 030, fax 931 60 09, reservations@thrifty. 

bg. QOpen 09:00 - 17:30. Closed Sat, Sun. 

Top rent-a-car C-3, bul. Vasil Levski 41, tel. 981 53 

81/0888 333 548, office@toprentacar.bg, www. 

toprentacarbg.com. 

Travel agencies 

Alma Tour B-3, ul. Serdika 12, tel. 805 68 00/981 31 

38, outgoing@almatour.net, incoming@almatour.net, 

airtickets@almatour.net, www.almatournet. QOpen 

09:30 - 18:30, Sat 10:00 - 15:00. 

Jamadvice Travel Ltd. G-8, ul. Asen Zlatarov 10, 

tel. 943 30 11, fax 946 12 61, mark@btibulgaria.com. 

International airline tickets and business travel. 

Lyuba Tours D-4, ul. Tsanko Tserkovski 22, tel. 963 

33 43, fax 963 31 42, info@lyubatours.com, www.lyubatours.com. 

Small-group weekend trips within Bulgaria to 

places of historical, cultural and ethnographic interest. 

Polytours Tsar Asen 61, tel. 981 12 22, fax 980 41 

25, tours@polytours.com, www.polytours.com. QOpen 

9:00 - 18.30. Closed Sat, Sun. A 

Stars travel C-2, ul. Khan Asparuh 57, tel. 811 47 81, 

fax 811 47 82, office@starstravel.info, www.starstravel. 

info. International airline tickets and business travel 

Usit Colours C-3, bul. Vasil Levski 35, tel. 981 19 00, 

fax 981 99 91, sofia@usitcolours.bg, www.usitcolours. 

bg. Specialists in youth and student travel. 


20V, tel. 980 51 02, fax 980 32 00, info@zigzagbg. 

com, www.zigzagbg.com. Bulgarian independent travel 

specialists organizing hiking trips, B&B reservations, 

car rental, and tailor-made excursions into the great 

outdoors. 

ZIP Travel C-1, bul. Praga 8, tel. 917 59 30, fax 917 59 

49, sofia@ziptravel.bg, www.ziptravel.bg. International 

company specialised in student travel and training, exchange 

programs and low price air tickets. 

US$1 - 1.40Lv; €1 – 1.95Lv; £1 – 

2.08Lv (January 2009) 


57

58 sHoPPInG 

Sofia’s smartest shops - including any number of international 

designer outlets - jostle for attention along either 

side of bul. Vitosha, the city’s main north-south pedestrian, 

trams and police only, shopping street. Mainstream 

clothes, domestic and electrical stores can also be found 

in abundance along consumer-clogged streets like ul. Graf 

Ignatiev and ul. Pirotska. 

24hr food and drink 

Familia C-3, bul. Rakovski 147, tel. 980 71 05. QOpen 

00:00 - 24:00. 

Fantastiko B-5, bul. Madrid 8, tel. 988 65 90, www. 

ff-bg.net. QOpen 00:00 - 24:00. 

Magazin 345 B-3, ul. Veslets 4, tel. 988 98 75. QOpen 

00:00 - 24:00. PA 

Antiques & Collectables 

Antikvariat Zlatorog A-4, ul. Pop Bogomil 10, tel. 983 

35 08, vanili_@abv.bg, www.antikvariatzlatorog.com. 

Offering everything from chintzy crockery to dressing-tables, 

wardrobes and hat-stands, Zlatorog is a must-visit for retrofurnishing 

freaks. QOpen 11:00 - 18:00, Sat 11:00 - 15:00. 

Closed Sun. 

Letostrui C-3, bul. Vasil Levski 9, tel. 988 18 81. Furniture, 

porcelain and other oddments. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00. 


Strash A-3, ul. Tsar Simeon 41A, tel. 983 93 08. If 

you collect stamps, old postcards or vintage cartoons, this 

is your place. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00, Sat 11:00 - 15:00. 

Closed Sun. 

Viga Antiques B-3, ul. Alabin 50, tel. 980 54 07. Antiques 

from folk costumes to clocks. QOpen 10:30 - 19:30, 

Sat 11:00 - 19:00. Closed Sun. 

Books 

Booktrading C-3, ul. Graf Ignatiev 50, tel. 981 04 

48. One of the best of the high-street bookstores, with a 

good selection of English, French and German paperbacks, 

art books, and international guidebooks (Eyewitness, 

Rough Guides and more). QOpen 08:30 - 20:30, Sun 

10:00 - 20:00. 

Helikon C-2, bul. Patriarh Evtimiy 68, tel. 987 19 19, 

bigbookshop@helikon.bg, www.helikon.bg. Browserfriendly 

bookstore on three floors with a smattering of 

English-language titles, international guide books including 

Rough Guides, and a small cafe where readings are sometimes 

held. The other bookshop from the Helikon chain is 

on bul. Aleksandar Stamboliyski 17 B-2, tel. 988 40 29, email 

- officeeubcc@helikon.bg QOpen 09:30 - 20:30, Sun 

10:00 - 20:30. A 

Interkniga B-5, ul. Shipka 6, tel. 944 41 41/0899 973 

966. Inside the headquarters of the Bulgarian Artists’ Union, 

this bookshop has lots of full-colour art books, and some 

English-language paperbacks. QOpen 09:00 - 19:00, Sat 

10:30 - 16:30. Closed Sun. 

Ploshtad Slaveykov 

Ploshtad Slaveykov C-3, . This long rectangular 

square is home to a hugely enjoyable book market. If your 

language skills aren’t quite up to the latest in Bulgarian 

fiction then you can at least browse your way through 

lavishly illustrated books on Bulgarian culture, or pick up 

the Bulgarian-English phrasebook you always pined for. 

QOpen 09:30 - 19:00. 

Ploshtad Aleksandur Nevski 

Ploshtad Aleksandar Nevski B-4, . Open-air brica-brac 

market offering communist-era medals, stamps, 

postcards, junk from granny’s attic, and some genuine antiques. 

Lace-makers and embroiderers sell their wares at 

the eastern end of the strip on the corner of pl. Aleksandur 

Nevski and ul. 11 August. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00. 

Knigomania B-1, Mall of Sofia, bul. Aleksandar Stamboliyski 

101, tel. 980 52 14, office@knigomania.bg, 

www.knigomania.bg. Bright modern browser-friendly bookstore 

with a good selection of English-language paperbacks, 

international guidebooks, and maps. Also sells CDs and DVDs. 

QOpen 10:00 - 22:00. A 

Nissim Books C-4, bul. Vasil Levski 59, tel. 981 19 

12, boyana@nissimbooks.com, www.nissimbooks.com. 

Charming cubby-hole with a few English titles. All the staff are 

book enthusiasts and they will gladly try and seek out rare or 

unsual tomes that can’t be found elsewhere. QOpen 11:00 

- 19:00, Sat 11:00 - 17:30. Closed Sun. A 

Orange C-3, ul. Graf Ignatiev 18, tel. 980 82 07, orangegraf@pe-bg.com. 

Multi-media store with four floors of stationery, 

toys, books, CDs and games. QOpen 09:00 - 20:00, Fri 

09:00 - 21:00, Sat 10:00 - 21:00, Sun 10:00 - 20:00. PA 


20, tel. 980 51 02, info@zigzagbg.com, www. 

zigzagbg.com. This independent travel agent has a 

better selection of maps of Bulgaria than any other shop 

we’ve encountered in the capital. QOpen 09:00 - 19:00. 

Closed Sat, Sun. A 

Clothes & Accessories 

525 C-4, ul. Ivan Shishman 8, tel. 980 64 10. Snazzy, 

locally-made clothes for the slightly off-the-wall trendsetter, 

plus lots of eccentric accoutrements. QOpen 10:30 - 19:00, 

Sun 11:00 - 18:00. 

Artishock B-2, ul. Ivaylo 28, tel. 0898 826 161/0888 

091 661, office@artishock.bg, www.artishock.bg. Personal 

and home accessories. Online and offline shop. 

Atelie Mirella Bratova C-4, ul. Ivan Shishman 4, tel. 

980 71 56, www.mirellabratova.com. Stylish bohemian 

fashion creations from the inspired Ms Bratova, and auraemanating 

ethno-pendants by Daniela Andreevska. QOpen 

10:30 - 20:00, Sat 10:30 - 18:00. Closed Sun. 

Muhomorka C-3, ul. Ivan Shishman 45, tel. 958 29 85, 

www.muhomorka.biz. Aladdin’s cave of colourful clothes 

and eastern-influenced textiles. They also sell large-format 

cigarette papers but we don’t understand what these might 

be used for. QOpen 10:00 - 20:00. Closed Sun. 


Shopping smarts 

Open Отворено Otvoreno 

Closed Затворено Zatvoreno 

Push Бутни Butni 

Pull Дръпни Drapni 

Monday Понеделник Ponedelnik 

Tuesday Вторник Vtornik 

Wednesday Сряда Sryada 

Thursday Четвъртък Chetvurtak 

Friday Петък Petuk 

Saturday Събота Subota 

Sunday Неделя Nedelya 

Punto & Kanela C-3, ul. Neofit Rilski 52, tel. 0888 

413 749, mokanova@abv.bg. Small but chic collection of 

domestic designer woolens, and some imaginative necklaces 

and bracelets. QOpen 11:00 - 19:30, Sat 11:00 - 16:00. 

Closed Sun. A 

The Earth Collection C-4, ul. Ivan Shisman 20, tel. 

0885 807 764. For the first time in Bulgaria, the well known 

brand of environmentally friendly clothes made of 100% 

refined natural fabrics mixing raw silk, cotton, ramie, hemp 

and linen. Lightweight, breathable, long lasting and elegant 

clothes. Garments with versability, wearability and comfort. 


Cosmetics 

Boutique Estee Lauder-Clinique-Aramis C-2, bul. 

Vitosha 67, tel. 987 24 52, elboutique@esteelauderbg. 

com, www.esteelauder.com. Top-of-the-range fragrances. 

QOpen 10:00 - 20:00, Sat 10:00 - 19:00, Sun 11:00 - 

18:00. A 

Casyopea C-4, ul. Ivan Shishman 19, tel. 852 64 78, 

office@casyopea.com, www.casyopea.com. Natural 

cosmetics store with enough varieties of soap to keep you 

smelling sweet for several lifetimes. QOpen 10:00 - 20:00. 

Closed Sun. A 

Culinary shops 

Fontanite A-2, ul. Vranaya 34-36, tel. 931 19 65. Delicatessen 

store, importing tasty goods directly from Italy. They 

prepare tiramisu on the spot. 

QOpen 08:00 - 20:00. 

Flowers 

Bouquet C-3, ul. Rakovski 147, tel. 988 51 97. Phone 

orders taken on tel. 098 14 14. QOpen 09:00 - 23:00. 

Feite C-3, ul. Rakovski 147, tel. 980 18 10. Also at ul. 

Graf Ignatiev 41. Elegant gift packaging. 

QOpen 08:00 - 21:00, Fri, Sat 08:00 - 22:00, Sun 10:00 

- 21:00. 

Tsvetna magia B-2, ul. Knyaz Boris I 99, tel. 980 47 83, 

info@flowersmagic.com, www.flowersmagic.com. 

Gifts & Souvenirs 

Balgarski dyukyan A-2, ul. Pirotska 11. Enough folksy 

crockery, embroidered tablecloths, and Turkish-style copper 

coffee pots to decorate that designer Balkan peasant kitchen 

of your dreams. QOpen 09:30 - 19:30, Sat 10:00 - 17:00. 

Closed Sun. 

Carpet House/Tchu kilim A-4, ul. Rakovski 38, tel. 

983 66 09, sales@tchukilim.com, www.tchukilim. 


sHoPPInG 

com. Looks like a regular domestic carpet shop from the 

outside but is also Sofia’s leading outlet for authentic allwool 

kilims made in the weaving town of Chiprovtsi. With a 

selection of small rugs in stock, they also take orders for 

kilims if you have a couple of months to spare. QOpen 

10:00 - 19:00, Sat 10:00 - 14:00. Closed Sun. A 

Dar za gorene C-3, bul. Fridtyof Nansen 19, tel. 

0888 647 516, nuna76@mail.bg, www.darzagorene. 

com. In the little candle shop of Nuna and Duraid you 

can find their 100% hand made candles, decorated with 

symbols, by which they are trying to send different messages 

to the world: save the nature, discover the beauty 

of the ancient Bulgarian art motives, feel the harmony 

and love - all of these messages are the main inspirers of 

their work and life. 

Ethnographic Museum Shop B-3, pl. Aleksandar 

Batenberg 1. Folk costumes, traditional crockery, ethno 

jewellery and music CDs. It’s one of the best places to buy 

Bulgarian kilims - at 160Lv per square metre they’re probably 

more expensive here than in their villages of origin, but 

authentic and affordable handiwork nevertheless. QOpen 

10:00 - 18:00. 

Galeria Gaya C-5, ul. Krakra 19, tel. 0884 177 005, 

syana@gayabg.com, www.gayabg.com. Handmade 

greetings cards and wonderfully outlandish ceramics make 

this a great place to seek out gifts for the arty individualist 

in your life. QOpen 11:00 - 19:00, Sat 11:00 - 17:00. 

Closed Sun. 

Kikka B-5, ul. Shipka 28, tel. 0888 888 727. Contemporary 

ceramics from earnest clay-pummelling types. Affordable 

domestic items as well as more upmarket sculptural 

pieces. QOpen 10:00 - 19:30, Sat 11:00 - 19:00. Closed 

Sun. A 

Punto C-4, ul. Yuri Venelin 12, tel. 986 39 31, titi. 

ovanesova@abv.bg. Classy designer jewellery made by local 

artists, alongside a big range of affordable brooches, beads, 

earrings and other fashion trinkets. Also curious ceramics, 

small-format oil paintings and reproduction icons. QOpen 

11:00 - 19:30. Closed Sun. A 

Traditzia 

Traditzia C-3, bul. Vasil Levski 36, tel. 981 77 65, 

office@traditzia.bg, www.traditzia.bg. In terms of 

quality and variety, Traditzia is about as good as Sofia’s 

gift shops get. Founded seven years ago by volunteers 

from Sofia’s international community, it is a fair-trade 

souvenir and crafts store which stocks a diverse range 

of textiles, ceramics, hand-made greetings cards, glassware 

and jewellery. Most importantly, purchases made 

here contribute to good causes: many of the items on 

display are made by children in social institutions, people 

with disabilities and artisans in remote villages. QOpen 

11:00 - 19:00. Closed Mon, Sun. PA 


59

60 sHoPPInG 

Sports equipment 

Makalu sport B-1, ul. Vladayska 23, tel. 0878 988 

727, www.makalusport.com. Specialized climbing and 

mountaineering equipment. Information about trekking, 

hikking, climbing and caving in Bulgaria. QOpen 10:00 

- 20:00, Sat 10:00 - 16:00. Closed Sun. 

Stenata B-2, ul. Bratya Miladinovi 5, tel. 980 54 91, 

stenata@omega.bg, www.stenata.com. Everything 

you might need for hiking, camping, climbing and caving. 

Friendly advice from experts. QOpen 10:00 - 19:00, Sat 

10:00 - 18:00. Closed Sun. A 

Tera Bulgara C-5, ul. San Stefano 22A, tel. 846 88 06. 

Craft items, textiles and rugs. QOpen 09:30 - 18:30, Sat 

10:00 - 16:00. Closed Sun. 

Umbopo C-3, ul. Khan Krum 20, tel. 0887 201 673. A 

tiny, little shop for hand-made jewellery, candles, little artistic 

gifts, ceramic beads and many beautiful small trinkets. This 

is a place where you can take your time and use your creativity 

and imagination for creating your own jewellery. QOpen 

10:00 - 20:00, Sun 12:00 - 18:00. 

Hypermarkets 

HIT H-8, Mladost-2 ul. Aleksander Malinov 75, tel. 817 

51 00, hit-info@hit-hypermarket.bg, www.hit-hypermarket.bg. 

QOpen 08:00 - 22:00. 

Kaufland H-8, zh-k Mladost -3 ul. Philip Avramov 

3, tel. 0800 12 220, customer.services@kaufland. 

bg, www.kaufland.bg. QOpen 07:00 - 22:00, Sun 

08:00 - 21:00. 

Metro cash & carry G-8, bul. Tsarigradsko shose 

7, tel. 0700 100 71, info@Metro.bg, www.metro.bg. 

QOpen 07:00 - 21:00. 

Jewellery 

Avi Center B-2, ul. Vitosha 18B, tel. 930 70 70, office@ 

avi-center.com, www.avi-center.com. High quality gold, 

diamonds and platinum jewellery. QOpen 10:00 - 19:30, 

Sun 11:00 - 18:00. 

El Grado C-3, bul. Vassil Levski 61, tel. 986 24 80. Gold, 

silver, precious stones, orders of unique examples, repairs. 


Photography 

Kodak Express C-3, pl. Slaveykov 11, tel. 987 00 74. 

Develops your holiday snaps in a jiffy as well as selling film 

of all kinds and a range of professional kit. QOpen 09:00 - 

20:00, Sun 10:00 - 18:00. A 

Music shops 

0.4.3. (O.Ch.Z.) B-2, ul.Tri Ushi 3, tel. 981 72 27, 

www.Z043.org. Everything about this hell-hole screams 

of bloody metal! From the millions of skulls on the shelves 

and the thundering sounds, ravaging the stereo, to the 

metalheads, round the corner, who will always test your 

“metal-ness”, before even talking to you. CD-s, t-shirts, 

accessoires and rock memorabilia…and that Motorhead 

shirt you’ve always wanted. They just have it all! QOpen 

11:00 - 20:00, Sat 11:00 - 19:00. Closed Sun. 

SMF Music Hunter C-2, ul. William Gladstone 30A, 

tel. 981 60 76, www.smf-bg.com. The most extensive 

collection of CD-s, DVD-s and T-shirts with unreadable 

band logos. Almost every important album in rock, punk 

metal and enough bloody and satanic CD-sleeves to give 

you nightmares for the rest of your life… QOpen 10:30 - 

20:00, Sat 10.30 - 19.30. Closed Sun. A 

Vision A-3, bul. Maria Luiza 55, tel. 983 55 09, 

visiomessige@abv.bg. One of the oldest shops for 

music t-shirt and accessories in Sofia. They offer spraycans 

for graffiti and can dress you up as a street maniac 

from head to toe. There is also a tattoo parlour in the 

basement. QOpen 10:30 - 19:00, Sat 11.30 - 17:00. 

Closed Sun. 

Markets 

Graf Ignatiev C-3, ul. Graf Ignatiev. More bananas 

than you can shake a cucumber at, and vice-versa. 

QOpen 09:30 - 19:00. 

Rimska stena D-4, ul. Hristo Smirnenski. One of 

the liveliest food markets, worth visiting for the piece of 

preserved Byzantine fortress wall which sticks up amidst 

the stalls. QOpen 09:00 - 19:00. 

Sitnyakovo bul. Shipchenski prohod. Fresh produce 

market popular with the expat community - you might well 

find the kind of exotic fruit and vegetables that doesn’t 

turn up elsewhere. QOpen 09:00 - 19:00. 

Zhenski pazar A-2, ul. Stefan Stambolov. Vast 

open-air bazaar selling flowers, foodstuffs, cheap 

clothes, broomsticks, spare parts to machines you 

never even knew existed, and kitchen sinks. QOpen 

08:00 - 19:00. 


Shopping centres 

City Center Sofia E-2, bul. Arsenalski 2, tel. 865 

72 85, pr@ccs-mall.com, www.ccs-mall.com. Glossy 

consumerist temple comprising 3 storeys of shops (including 

Bulgaria’s first Marks & Spencer), a cinema, and 

a floor of food options including sushi bar and a brace of 

Italian restaurants. The ground-floor newspaper kiosk is 

a good place to pick up English-language press. QOpen 

10:00 - 22:00. PTALK 

Mall of Sofia B-1, bul. Aleksandar Stamboliyski 101. 

Sofia’s newest shopping mecca is an enormous retail, 

business and entertainment centre boasting over 130 

shops (many selling international brand-names), fancy 

cafés and restaurants, and a 12-screen multiplex cinema. 

QOpen 10:00 - 22:00. PTAK 

TZUM B-3, bul. Maria Luiza 2, tel. 926 07 00, tzum@ 

tzum.bg, www.tzum.bg. Three floors of expensive 

fashion, accessories and cosmetics, and a first-floor 

café where young ladies like to sit and pout after a tiring 

day looking at clothes. QOpen 10:00 - 21:00, Sun 

11:00 - 20:00. PK 

Supermarkets 

Billa G-7, ul. Sofiyski Geroy 4, tel. 951 52 66, 

billa@bg.billa.co.at, www.connect.bg/directory/ 

BGSF000111/. Aisle upon aisle of international food and 

drink. Pile your trolley high. QOpen 08:00 - 22:00, Sun 

09:00 - 21:00. 

Piccadilly E-2, City Center Sofia, bul. Arsenalski 2, tel. 

819 45 67, fax 819 45 55, www.piccadilly.bg. Pretty 

much everything you need for your weekly shop is in here 

somewhere. Big deli counter, freshly baked bread, and aisle 

upon aisle of alcohol. Another at B-1, Mall of Sofia. QOpen 

09:00 - 22:00. 

Tobacco & Drinks 

100 grama sladki C-3, ul. Angel Kanchev 18A, tel. 980 

40 62, www.100gr-sladki.com. The name of this treasure 

trove of a shop literally means ‘one hundred grams of sweets’, 

although you’ll probably be drawn into buying more once you 

catch sight of the riches behind the counter. Custards, tarts, 

cakes and hand-made chocolates will appeal to the sweettoothed, 

while mini-quiches are perfect for a more traditional 

lunch-snack. There’s a small sit-down area for those who want 


sHoPPInG 

to linger over a cup of tea or coffee, but do be warned that the 

longer you spend hanging around here, the more things you 

will be tempted into buying. QOpen 08:00 - 21:00. 

Cheers B-4, bul. Tsar Osvoboditel 14, tel. 986 18 56, 

office@cheersgroup.bg, www.cheers.bg. Finest tobacco 

and cigars, pipes and smoking accessories, brand alcohol, 

selected wines. QOpen 09:00 - 22:00, Sun 10:00 - 21:00. 

A 

Loza C-3, ul. Angel Kanchev 19, tel. 980 28 00. Great 

selection of fine Bulgarian wines and brandies. QOpen 

08:30 - 22:30, Sat, Sun 09:30 - 22:30. PA 

Magazin za vreme i chay B-2, ul. Knyaz BorisI 65, 

tel. 0887 968 748, vremechai@gmail.com. Shelf upon 

shelf of speciality teas from all over the world, including 

seductive long-leaved green varieties from China, and plenty 

of traditional Bulgarian herbal infusions. There’s also a small 

selection of oriental spices including ginger, cardamom, and 

a few things we couldn’t quite identify -judging by the aroma 

it would be 100% safe to throw them in a curry. QOpen 

10:00 - 22:00, Sat, Sun 11:00 - 22:00. 

Poeschl Tabak B-2, ul. Solunska 23, tel. 981 18 49. Fine 

tobacco for pipes and cigarettes, cigars, snuff, accessories 

for smokers. QOpen 10:00 - 23:00. 


61

62 HealtH & lIfestyle 

24hr pharmacies 

Adonis G-7, jk Hipodruma, bl. 121, ul. Urvich 

1, tel. 0800 16626/859 21 82, fax 958 14 70, 

hipodruma@adonis.bg, www.adonis.bg. Also in jk 

Lozenets, ul. Zlatovrah 4, Elemag, tel. 9620569, 0885 

832 680. Q A 

Ana D-1, bul. Vitosha 95, tel. 953 41 57. 

Aronia 2001 G-7, bul. Pencho Slaveykov 6, tel. 

953 13 08. 

Saldzhi C-2, bul. Vitosha 35, tel. 980 58 96. Q 

A 

Babysitting and Homecare 

Detegledachki , tel. 0888 816 309, info@detegledachki.com, 

www.detegledachki.com. Recruitment 

agency for babysitters and homecare services. 

Mery Poppins D-4, ul. Milin Kamak 40, tel. 865 48 

10/0878 621 936, info@marypoppins-bg.com, www. 

marypoppins-bg.com. Recruitment agency for babysitters 

and homecare services. QOpen 10:00 - 19:00. Closed 

Sat, Sun. 

Tina V (G-8) ul. Nikolay Gogol 1, tel. 846 54 85/0889 

322 529, info@tina-v.com, www.tina-v.com. Babysitting 

and homecare recruitment agency. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00. 


United Phili C-3, ul. Angel Kanchev 28, tel. 0878 808 

568, united_ph@abv.bg. Babysitting and homecare recruitment 

agency. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun. 

Beauty salons 

Charmant C-1, ul. Sveti Ivan Rilski 15, et. 2, tel. 952 

34 30, charmant@bhc.orbitel.bg, www.charmant.bg. 

Thalasso treatments, massage, manicure and more. QOpen 

09:00 - 20:00. A 

Picasso B-3, ul. Aleksandur Batenberg 10, tel. 989 

66 99/989 06 68, picasso2@abv.bg, www.cosmelas. 

com. Studio for laser cosmetics. QOpen 09:00 - 20:00, Sat 

09:00 - 18:00. Closed Sun. W 

Visages B-2, bul. Vitosha 50, tel. 988 42 51. Cosmetic 

services, massage, manicure, tatoos and more. QOpen 

09:00 - 21:00, Sat 10:00 - 18:00, Sun 11:00 - 18:00. 

Yves Rocher Beauty Center C-2, bul. Vitosha 63, tel. 

986 31 64/987 99 10. Various cosmetic services with 

quality products. QOpen 09:30 - 20:00, Mon, Sat 10:00 - 

19:00. Closed Sun. A 

Bulgarian language courses 

Atlas-S B-3, ul. Hristo Belchev 1, et. 3, tel. 987 20 

08/980 43 92, fax 980 55 79, atlas_lc@abv.bg, www. 

atlas-s.com. QOpen 09:00 - 18:30, Sat 09:00 - 18:00. 

Closed Sun. 

Sofia University Department of Language Learning 

G-8, ul. Kosta Lulchev 27, tel. 871 00 69/872 00 

69, fax 870 53 28, office@deo.uni-sofia.bg, www.deo. 

uni-sofia.bg. The only certified centre for testing of Bulgarian 

as foreign language. QOpen 08:30 - 17:00. 

York Learning Centre D-3, ul. Rakovska 187 A, et. 

3, tel. 986 21 45/0898 457 433, info@york-bg.com, 

www.york-bg.com. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00, Sat, Sun 

08:00 - 14:00. 


Catering 

Lora Catering B-5, bul. Todor Aleksandrov, bl. 

75, ent.D, fl.1, opposite Arena cinema Liulin, tel. 

9201301/0888 800 548, lora2002@gmail.com, 

www.loracatering.com. Professional catering services 

for all occasions. 

Luxe B-3, ul. Triaditsa 5, tel. 980 02 03/0888 241 164, 

office@luxebg.com, www.luxebg.com. Catering and event 

planning. Q A 

MDM Catering F-7, ul. Strandzha 132, tel. 833 40 

83/0898 50 43 07, info@mdmcatering.com, www. 

mdmcatering.com. Business and corporate catering. 

Cleaning services 

Borivan Ltd. F-7, jk Obelia, bl. 118, vh. V, tel. 931 16 

20/0886 520 055, fax 934 66 90, service@borivan.com, 

www.borivan.com. Machine cleaning and washing, grinding 

and polishing. Contact telephone for weekends and holidays 

0885 405 610. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00. 

Vasilka Cleaning Agency G-7, ul.Kamen Andreev 

24, fl.4 ,office 404, tel. 952 34 34/0889 245 446, fax 

952 05 56, vasilkaltd@abv.bg, www.vasilka-bg.com. 

Complete cleaning services. Abonament cleaning services. 


Dentists 

Dental Clinic B-3, ul. Ivan Vazov 5, tel. 987 84 24/987 

84 23. QOpen 07:30 - 18:30. Closed Sat, Sun. 

Juniordent C-4, bul. Patriarh Evtimiy 1, tel. 988 31 

75/935 59 322, fax 988 19 92, judent@mbox.bol.bg, 

www.juniordent.com. QOpen 07:30 - 19:00. Closed 

Sat, Sun. A 

Medstom Clinic B-4, bul. Knyaz Dondukov 26A, tel. 

981 00 00/988 44 04, fax 988 31 80, medstom@abv. 

bg, www.medstom.com. QOpen 08:00 - 24:00. Closed 

Sun. A 

Nedyalkov Dental Clinics D-3, ul. Lyuben Karavelov 

90, tel. 963 15 05, info@klinikinedialkov.com, http:// 

klinikinedialkov.com. The have 3 more clinics on ul. Rakovska 

165, tel. 988 54 44, on ul. Rakovska 81, tel. 983 

36 66 and on bul. Dondukov 105, tel. 944 82 62. QOpen 

08:30 - 20:00, Sat, Sun 10:30 - 16:00. 

T. Kanchev A-5, bul. Gen. Danail Nikolaev 10, tel./fax 

843 56 58. QOpen 10:00 - 17:00. Closed Sat, Sun. 

Dry cleaners 

Mac Clean B-3, ul. Gurko 10, tel. 986 55 51/986 49 

74. QOpen 08:00 - 19:00, Sat 09:00 - 13.00. Closed 

Sun. 

Roever C-3, bul. Vasil Levski 37, tel. 980 61 07. QOpen 

08:00 - 20:00, Sat 10:00 - 17:00. Closed Sun. 

Hairdressers 

Kalo Hair Studio B-2, bul. Vitosha 12, tel. 987 01 54, 

kalohair@mail.bg, www.kalohairstudio.com. Also on ul. 

Damian Gruev 15 and bul. Vasil Levski 82 A. QOpen 09:30 

- 19:00, Sat 10:00 - 16:00. Closed Sun. A 

Stylist Kapanov C-2, bul. Hristo Botev 14, tel. 951 63 

88, fax 953 30 12, botev@kapanov.net, www.kapanov. 

net. One of the best in the business. QOpen 08:00 - 20:00, 

Sat 08:00 - 16:00. Closed Sun. A 


Hospitals 

Isul A-5, ul. Byalo More 8, tel. 943 21 70/943 21 32. 

Pirogov (Multiprofile Hospital of Active Treatment 

and Emergency Medicine) G-7, bul. Totleben 21, tel. 

915 44 11. Emergency tel. 150. Sofia’s main hospital for 

emergencies. QOpen 00:00 - 24:00. 

Tokuda G-7, bul. N. Vaptsarov 51B, tel. 403 40 00, 

fax 403 40 10, info@tokudabolnica.bg, www.tokudabolnica.bg. 

International schools 

American College of Sofia H-8, Floyd Black Lane, 

Mladost-2, tel. 434 10 08/434 10 09, fax 974 31 29, 

acs@acs.bg, www.acs.bg. Private secondary school 

founded in 1860 - the oldest American educational institution 

outside the USA. 

American English Academy G-9, Druzhba 2, 150 

School - Deliyska Vodenitsa, fl. 4, tel. 973 12 22/973 88 

81, fax 973 55 64, aeaoffice@gmail.com, www.aea-bg. 

com. Classes from kindergarten to grade 12. 

Anglo-American School of Sofia G-7, ul. Kozyak 16, 

tel. 923 88 10, fax 923 88 59, aasdirector@infotel. 

bg, www.aas-sofia.org. School founded in 1967 by the 

American and British embassies. 

Deutsche Schule Erich Kaestner F-6, Lyulin-VI, tel. 

824 48 59/826 72 80, fax 925 08 38, info@eks-bg.eu, 

www.kestnerschool.com. German language school - kindergarten, 

primary and secondary school. 

First English Language School B-5, bul. Knyaz 

Dondukov 60, tel. 944 21 81/944 83 89, aeg1@abv. 

bg, www.fels-sofia.org. Public secondary school founded 

in 1958. 

The French school E-3, bul. Sveti Naum 36, tel. 963 

21 19/963 29 64, fax 866 58 70, proviseur@vhugo. 

org, www.vhugo.org. 

Kindergartens 

International children`s creativity center H-7, 

Dragalevtsi, ul. Vaklinets 36, tel. 967 31 12/0888 940 

763, iccf@geobiz.net, www.iccf-bg.com. Accepts children 

between the ages of 2-6. 

QOpen 08:30 - 17:30. 

Uwekind G-6, Boyana, ul. 612 4, tel. 857 51 00/857 

20 00, info@uwekind.com, www.uwekind.com. A privately 

run kindergarten and school with a half day German 

programme. 

Laboratories 

Biocheck A-3, ul. Ekzarh Yosif 31, tel. 911 83/983 

33 93, www.biocheck-bg.com. QOpen 07:30 - 19:30. 


Bodimed B-2, ul. Pozitano 24, tel. 986 38 64/986 

66 76, www.bodimed.com. QOpen 08:00 - 17:00, Sat 

09:00 - 12:00. Closed Sun. 

Libraries 

British Council B-5, ul. Krakra 7, tel. 942 43 44/0887 

424 344, fax 942 42 22, bc.sofia@britishcouncil.bg, 

www.britishcouncil.org/bulgaria.htm. Up-to-date newspapers, 

magazines, and lots of lovely books. QOpen 10:00 - 

19:30, Wed 10:00 - 13:30, Sat 10:00 - 14:00. Closed Sun. 

French Cultural Institute B-3, ul. Dyakon Ignatiy 2, 

tel. 937 79 22, fax 980 94 98, ccc-cours@institutfrance. 

bg, www.institutfrance.bg. Bookstore and library. QOpen 

11:00 - 18:00, Sat 10:00 - 13:00. Closed Sun. 


HealtH & lIfestyle 

Tattoo & Piercing 

Getting a tattoo can be a life-changing experience, 

or just another cartoon on you to fight boredom with. 

In Sofia, tattooing is much cheaper and as good as 

anywhere in the world. Bring your bravery, positive 

attitude and ideas with you and leave everything to the 

tattoo artist. Tattoo people are an underground breed 

of their own and sometimes have strange ethics and 

code of life, so treat them with respect. Ignore their 

prison-style looks and remember that they are professionals 

in the ancient rituals of desecrating the flesh. 

They can also make enough piercings on your body, to 

trigger any airport metal detector! 

Artstudio “Nuance”- tattoo, piercing and airbrush 

A-1, ul. Opalchenska 78, tel. 831 58 85/0889 

398 940, www.nuanceartstudio.com. Placed in the 

calmer corners of the centre, this is not the typical hellhole 

of a studio, but an arty, colourful place. Still an occasional 

demon can always come out of the needle! 

Kravay Tattoo & Body piercing Studio C-3, bul. 

Patriarh Evtimiy 43, tel. 0885 757 819. Just across 

the ugliest monument in Sofia, there is a little window and 

a bell button. Ring on it and get some true blue ink! 

Monica Tattoo & Body piercing Studio C-3, ul. 

Graf Ignatiev 34B, tel. 0897 310 677/0888 123 

424. A spacious studio where extreme people hang out 

and get their inks done. Drink some beers, play some 

darts and table soccer and get some beauty under your 

skin! Just don’t say the name of the soccer team C.S.K.A. 

and everything will be O.K. 

Vision Tattoo & Bodypiercing Studio A-3, bul. 

Maria Luiza 55, tel. 0889 813 120. In the dark alley 

hides a basement, where the magic of color happens! 

Goethe-Institut Sofia B-4, ul. Budapeshta 1, tel. 939 

01 00, fax 939 01 99, info@sofia.goethe.org, www. 

goethe.de/ins/bg/sof/bgindex.htm. German language 

library. QOpen , Mon, Fri 10:00 - 14:00, Tue, Wed, Thu 

14:00 - 19:00. Closed Sat, Sun. 

Instituto Cervantes Sofia B-3, ul. Saborna 1, tel. 

810 45 00, fax 980 26 28, censof@cervantes.es, sofia. 

cervantes.es. Spanish cultural centre. QOpen , Mon 10:00 

- 13:00, 16:00-19:00, Sat 10:00 - 13:00. Closed Fri, Sun. 

Opticians 

Cari Optics C-3, pl. Slaveykov 7, tel. 989 21 26/989 

21 71, fax 981 84 14, caristyle@mail.orbital.bg, www. 

carioptics.bg. QOpen 10:00 - 20:00. Closed Sun. A 

Eurooptic D-2, bul. Vitosha 92, tel. 953 11 32, eurooptic2@mbox.contact.bg, 

www.eurooptik.com. Also shops 

on ul. Sveta Sofia 8, tel. 987 24 92, ul. Tsar Ivan Shishman 19, 

tel. 987 28 49, bul. Stamboliyski, Mall of Sofia, tel. 987 79 79 

QOpen 10:00 - 19:00, Sat 10:00 - 17:00. Closed Sun. A 

Fox B-4, bul. Dondukov 26 A, tel. 986 40 32, office@ 

foxoptics.com, www.foxoptics.com. Other shops on bul. 

Hristo Botev 73, tel. 981 98 93, ul. Serdika 18, tel. 980 02 55, 

jk Liulyn, bl. 443, tel. 8258673, jk Mladost 4, Business Park 

Sofia, Building 10, tel. 489 94 88. QOpen 10:00 - 19:00, 

Sat 10:00 - 15:00. Closed Sun. 

Grand Optics C-4, ul. Graf Ignatiev 48, tel. 987 23 64, 

office@joyoptics.com, www.grandoptics-bg.com. Shops 

also on bul. Vitosha 74 and 23, bul. Maria Luisa 41, bul. Kosta 

Lulchev 52, Sky City, bul. Alexander Malinov 77, Princess Outlet 

Center, Sofia Airport, Terminal 2. QOpen 09:30 - 19:30, 

Sat 10:00 - 19:00, Sun 10:00 - 18:00. A 


63

64 HealtH & lIfestyle 

Opticlasa C-2, bul. Vitosha 40, tel. 988 34 86, opticlasa@trading.bg, 

www.opticlasa.com. ul. Alabin 31, bul. 

Stamboliyski, Mall of Sofia, ul. Solunska 14 and 37, Mladost 

4, Business Park Sofia, building 8 QOpen 10:30 - 19:30, 

Sat 10:30 - 18:30, Sun 11:30 - 17:30. A 

Party organisers 

Biliana Fireworks F-8, jk Hadji Dimitar, ul. Vasil Petleshkov 

1, tel. 986 33 00/0888 906 179, bil_fire@abv.bg, 

www.bil-firework.com. Pyrotechnic performances. 

Magicland C-1, ul. Knyaz Boris I 7, tel. 952 34 94/0886 

660 100, fax 952 33 95, land@magicland.bg, www. 

magicland.bg. Carnival costumes and accessories. Organizing 

of parties and events. QOpen 10:00 - 19:00, Sat 

14:00 - 17:00. Closed Sun. 

Party House B-2, ul. Tsar Samuil 30, tel. 981 62 50, 

office@partyhouse-bg.com, www.partyhouse-bg.com. 

Corporate events, private parties, children’s shows and 

costume rental. 

Party Service G-7, ul. Bogatitsa 36, tel. 964 15 

00/964 15 01, fax 963 56 25, info@partyservice-bg. 

com, www.partyservice-bg.com. Event planners and 

caterers. Q A 

Red Devil F-7, bul. Lomsko Shose 228 A, tel. 0700 

14 700/0898 68 68 01, office@reddevilcatering.com, 

www.reddevilcatering.com. Complete organisation of all 

kinds of parties. 

Sofia Classic Catering G-9, bul. Tsarigradsko shose 

139, tel. 875 21 36/0886 499 277, fax 828 24 99, 

office@sofiacatering.com, www.sofiacatering.com. 

Catering for your office and family party. 

Private medical clinics 

Gurgulyat Clinic C-3, ul. Rakovski 148 B, tel. 912 

88/981 03 31, fax 981 02 91, gurgulyat@yahoo.com, 

www.gurgulyat.com. bul. Gen. Totleben 21, tel. 952 05 00, 

ul. 20 April 30, tel. 954 98 85. QOpen 08:00 - 20:00, Sat 

09:00 - 18:00. Closed Sun. 

Medical Center Dr. I.S.Greenberg H-8, Mladost-3 

(in the building of XXV Polyclinic), tel. 974 48 16, fax 

971 29 95, dccgreenberg@tea.bg. QOpen 00:00 - 

24:00. 

St. Pantaleymon H-8, zh-k Mladost 3 bul. Aleksandur 

Malinov 63, tel. 974 10 00, fax 974 44 50, info@sphospital.com, 

www.sphospital.com. Specializing Surgery 

Hospital. QOpen 00:00 - 24:00. A 

Thorax Clinics B-1, bul. Aleksandar Stamboliyski 57, 

tel. 912 85, mail@thorax.bg, www.thorax.bg. Thorax 2 

is on ul. Fridtjof Nansen 21, tel. 980 78 86. QOpen 00:00 

- 24:00. A 

Vita Medical Center G-8, ul. Dragovitsa 9, tel. 960 49 

50/943 43 98, fax 944 13 43, vita@vita.bg, www.vita. 

bg. QOpen 00:00 - 24:00. A 

Religious services 

Anglican church B-5, ul. Oborishte 5, the Catholic 

Chapel, tel. 872 21 30, anglicanbg@gmail.com, http:// 

www.churchoftheresurrection.eu/sofia.htm. Holy 

Communion is celebrated every third Sunday of the month 

at 9:30 am. 

Baha’i Centre G-7, ul. Boyanski Vazhod 8 A, tel. 955 58 

33/0878 986 997, nsa@bahai.bg, www.bahai.bg. 

Banya Bashi Mosque (Dzhamia Banya Bashi) B-3, 

bul. Maria Luiza, tel. 981 60 01, www.genmufti.org. 

Prayer five times a day. 

Baptist Church G-8, Interpred, bul. Dragan Tsankov 36, 

tel. 971 17 50, raychs@juno.com, www.ibcsworld.org. 

Sunday teaching sessions at 10 a.m. and worship services 

at 11 a.m. in English. 

Hram Uspenie Bogorodichno ul. Lyulin planina 5, tel. 

953 04 06/952 29 59, proykov@gmail.com, www.kaebg.org. 

Daily liturgy at 18:30, Sun 8:00 and 10:00. 

Chabad Bulgaria (Jewish Community Center) 

B-4, ul. Stara Planina 38, tel. 944 33 80, fax 944 35 

38, office@chabad-bulgaria.org, www.chabad-bulgaria. 

org. Prayer every day at 8 am, except for Friday when the 

service is held in the Synagogue. QOpen 08:00 - 17:00. 


Sofia Synagogue A-3, ul. Ekzarh Yosif 16, tel. 983 12 

73, fax 983 50 85, sofiasynagogue@mail.orbitel.bg, 

www.sofiasynagogue.com. QOpen 08:30 - 16:30, Sat 

09:00 - 13:00. Closed Sun. 

St Joseph’s Catholic Church C-2, ul. Knyaz Boris 

146, tel. 811 46 56. Daily liturgy at 08:00 and 17:30 in 

Bulgarian, Sunday and holidays at 09:00 in Polish, 10:30 in 

Bulgarian, 12:00 in Latin and 18:00 in Bulgarian. QOpen 

08:00 - 18:30. 

The Bulgarian Lutheran Church D-3, zh-k Lozenets, 

ul. Kapitan Andreev 4, fl. 2, tel. 963 42 44/963 42 48. 

Sunday service in Bulgarian at 11.45am. QOpen 09:00 - 

17:00. Closed Sat. 

Removals 

Allied Pickfords Bulgaria H-8, Business Park Sofia, 

Building 12, tel. 807 66 88, fax 807 66 89, movers@allied.bg, 

www.allied.bg. Household removals and company 

relocation. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun. 

Corstjens Worldwide Movers Group G-7, ul. Kostenski 

Vodopad 59, tel. 958 97 21, fax 858 48 29, info. 

sofia@corstjens.com, www.corstjens.com. Smooth and 

professional relocations. QOpen 09:00 - 17:00. Closed 

Sat, Sun. 

Orbit Ltd. G-9, ul. Prodan Tarakdzhiev 16, tel. 970 63 

00/970 64 00, fax 970 63 33, orbit@orbit.bg, www. 

orbit.bg. International forwarding and removals. QOpen 

09:00 - 18:00, Sat 10:30 - 15:30. Closed Sun. 

Security 

Group 4 Securitas H-8, Business Park Sofia, Building 

3, tel. 976 09 17/91 944, fax 975 18 40, office@ 

bg.g4s.com, www.g4s.bg. Provides full range of products 

and services related to safety and security. QOpen 08:30 


Ipon-1 Ltd. D-3, ul. Rakovski 209, tel. 981 45 48, 

ipon_1@abv.bg. Personal protection, encashment 

services, sites security. QOpen 08:30 - 17:30. Closed 

Sat, Sun. 

Security Group Alpha G-9, bul. Iskursko shose 12, et. 

6, tel. 979 18 86/979 06 55, fax 979 18 87, alpha_bg@ 

abv.bg, www.alphabg.com. Physical and technical security. 

QOpen 09:00 - 17:30. 

Vets 

Animo C-4, zh-k Mladost 1A, bl. 508, tel. 987 40 

74/0889 780 180, www.animobg.com. QOpen 00:00 

- 24:00. 

Avitsena Veterinary Clinic F-7, ul. Naicho Tsanov, 

block 114, tel. 822 01 49/0887 477 873, klinik@avicenavet.com, 

www.avicenavet.com. QOpen 09:00 - 19:00, 

Sat, Sun 09:00 - 16:00. 

Dr. Antov Veterinary Clinic E-3, ul. Plachkovitsa 4, 

tel. 868 95 94/0898 831 283, vetclinic@abv.bg, www. 

vetbg.com. QOpen 09:00 - 20:00, Sat 10:00 - 16:00. 

Closed Sun. 


Bowling 

Galaxy Bowling Club D-2, bul. Bulgaria 1, tel. 916 65 

90, fax 916 65 64, galaxybowling@gmail.com, www. 

galaxybowling.eu. Centrally-located club with 6 lanes. Also 

offers billiards and video games. QOpen 10:00 - 02:00. From 

3-5 leva per game. A 

Mega Xtreme Bowling Center H-8, Studentski Grad, 

ul. Akademik Boris Stefanov 12, tel. 969 26 00/969 26 

01, bowling_mega@yahoo.com, www.mega-xtreme.com. 

Popular 18-alley bowling centre, darts, table football, billiards 

and air hokey, packed with students from the nearby dorms of 

Studentski Grad, 6km southeast of the centre. QOpen 10:00 - 

04:00. From 3,50 - 5,50 leva per person per game. PA 

Snooker and Billiard club “Century” E-2, ul. Chervena 

stena 4, tel. 0899 988 376, snooker@trivex.org, 

www.snooker.trivex.org. The club is not very easy to find, 

although it is situated very close to “Kempinski -Zografski” 

hotel. There are signs to follow, so it shouldn’t be so hard to 

get there. Going downstairs, you will enter this elegant, not so 

big, but pleasant place. There are 4 professional billiard and 

snooker tables, a small separated corner with a sofa, where 

you can have a drink or two, check your email, or just have a 

rest. Nice music, plasma TV, an English-speaking staff will take 

care of your pleasant stay. Bulgarian alcohol is not available, 

but the prices are quite low for this type of club. The place 

is also used for organized billiard and snooker tournaments. 

There are only 3 more billiard and snooker clubs in Sofia, 

but that’s the only one, placed in the central part of the city. 

QOpen 11;00 - 01:00. PAW 

Carting 

Carting Speedway Krasna Polyana G-7, bul. Vardar 

3A, tel. 920 14 47, kartingsport@abv.bg, www.kartingbg.com. 

Kilometre-long circuit. During winter season they 

work from 10:00 до 18:00. 2Lv per lap, every 

11th is for free. The track can be hired also per hour or per 

day. QOpen 09:00 - 21:00. 

Dance clubs 

Alfredo Dance Studio C-2, National Stadium Vasil Levski, 

zala MDSport, tel. 0899 222 088, info@alfredostyle. 

com, www.alfredostyle.com. Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Hip 

Hop QOpen , Thu 21:00 - 22:00, Sat, Sun 18:00 - 21:00. 

Alima C-5, ul. Sheynovo 7, Fitness Central Park, Dance 

Zone, www.orientaldances.net. Oriental dances - beginner, 

intermediate and advanced levels. QOpen , Mon, Tue, 

Fri 18:00 - 19:00. 

Lira Group Dance Company bul. Yanko Sakazov 17, 

tel. 0888 678 963/0888 503 213, info@liragroup.eu, 

www.liragroup.eu. Bulgarian folk dances, Cuban salsa, Merengue, 

Bachata, Cha-cha-cha and Balroom dances. QOpen 

closed, Mon, Thu 19:00 - 21:30, Sat 17:00 - 18:15. Closed 

Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun. 

Pambos Dancing Centre B-3, pl. Garibaldi 2, tel. 0888 

354 771/0888 981 769, pambos@pambos.info, www. 

pambos.info. Salsa, flamenco and Greek dances. QOpen 

18:00 - 23:00. Closed Sat, Sun. 

Raul Torres Dance School C-3, ul. Hristo Belchev 

3, tel. 0898 971 083, raultorres@abv.bg, www.torresdance.com. 

Salsa, rumba, guaguanco, mambo, cha-cha, 

guaracha, samba and merenge, hip-hop and modern ballet. 

QOpen 18:00 - 22:00, Sun 17:00 - 22:00. 

Tanguerin ul. Krakra 15, Czech Club Ballroom, tel. 

0888 373 940/0898 817 906, fax 958 71 55, info@ 

tanguerin.com, www.tanguerin.com. Tango argentino. 

QOpen closed, Mon, Wed, Fri 19:00 - 22:00. Closed Tue, 

Thu, Sat, Sun. 


sPorts 

Vai, Dudule! G-8, ul. Alfred Nobel 5, 138 school, tel. 

0886 885 468/0889502 744. Bulgarian Folk Dances. “Vai, 

Dudule!” is an exclamaition used in a prayer, part of a bulgarian 

folklore custom, performed to the saints to send rain in times 

of very dry weather. Fri, Sat and Sun private lessons. QOpen 

, Mon, Wed 19:20 - 21:30, Thu 18:30 - 20:30. 

Extreme sports 

Air Sport Flight School B-1, ul. 20-i april 20, et.1, 

tel. 951 56 43/0888 123 123, fax 953 15 47, info@ 

airsport.bg, www.airsport.bg. Training for ultra-light, sel 

(single engine land) aircraft, multi engine land (mel) aircraft, 

private pilots and aerobatic flights. Certified flight instructors. 

QOpen 10:00 - 19:00. 

Club Adrenalin G-8, bul. Sitnyakovo 41A, bl. 1, fl. 1, 

tel. 944 44 02/0896 693 700, adrenalin@bungy.bg, 

www.clubadrenalin.com. Bungee jumping, hot-air balloon 

flights, sky diving, paragliding, rafting, off road, safari and 

air advertising. 

Cross The Line B-2, ul. Tsar Samuil 38, tel. 987 

90 89/0887 402 525, crosstheline@abv.bg, www. 

crossthelinebg.com. Alpinism, mountain climbing, caving, 

rafting, kayaking, canyoning, team building, paragliding and 

two-seater plane flights. 

Parasof F-7, Svoboda, bl. 36, vhod G, apt. 55, tel. 898 

94 42/0888 259 716, www.skydive-bg.com. Parachute 

jumps, skydiving and paragliding. You have to be above 16. 

Sky Mania H-8, Studentski grad, bl. 15, 514, tel. 868 

20 66/0888 903 536, delta_sky@hotmail.com, www. 

sky-jet.com. Paragliding and motor pargliding courses, 

flying equipment. 

Vertical World G-6, ul. 711-ta 3, Knyazhevo, tel. 

0888 484 700, vertical_world_bg@yahoo.com, www. 

verticalworldbg.com. Bungee jumping, alpinism, caving, 

trekking, biking and adventure tourism. Training and equipment 

provided. 

� The Sofia 



65

66 sPorts 

Fitness & Spa 

Atama G-8, ul. Cherkovna 86, tel. 843 53 08. Wellequipped 

gym and a wide range of beauty treatments. 

QOpen 07:00 - 22:00, Sat, Sun 08:00 - 21:00. A 

Athletic G-8, ul. Oborishte 22, tel. 489 08 71/489 

03 46, reklama@athletic-bg.com, www.athletic-bg. 

com. Group classes in ashtanga, step, pilates, and aerobics. 

Also offers sauna, solarium, massage and beauty 

treatments. Also on ul. Nikolai Kopernik 21, tel. 971 13 

01, zh-k Iztok, ul. Atanas Dalchev 6, tel. 970 01 31, bul. 

Slivnitsa 228, tel. 822 03 61, bul. Yanko Sakazov 78, tel. 

489 03 46. QOpen 08:00 - 22:00, Sat, Sun 09:00 - 

13:00, 17:00-22:00. KD 

Boyana Diplomatic Club & Spa H-6, ul. Vasil 

Chekalarov 51, Boyana, tel. 957 10 65/857 02 71, 

boyana@dclub.bg, www.dclub.bg. Indoor swimming 

pool, tennis courts, fitness hall, sauna, jaccuzi, massage. 

QOpen 07:30 - 22:00. TLK 

Fitness Central Park C-5, ul. Sheinovo 7, tel. 942 

31 10, info@fitnesscentralpark.com, www.fitnesscentralpark.com. 

Boasting a fully equipped gym and 

a variety of machines to suit all body fat percentages, 

it also calls itself a beauty club offering manicure and 

a cosmetics room, a solarium, sauna, steam bath and 

massage. There is a dance floor which offers a varied 

program, some of the more popular being MTV dance 

and street Jazz. Most of the young, healthy staff speak 

Enlish and genuinely seem to enjoy their job. There is 

also a small cafe for recuperating in afterwards. QOpen 

07:30 - 22:30, Sat, Sun 10:00 - 19:00. PA 

Maxi Club & Park Hotel Olymp H-8, bul. Simeonovsko 

Shose 110, tel. 892 00 33/892 00 00, olymp@ 

maxisofia.com, www.maxisofia.com. Hotel complex 

southeast of the centre whose gym, sauna and solarium 

are open to the general public. Also has swimming pool 

on site. QOpen 09:00 - 21:00. KDC 

Relax Center Blyasak G-8, ul.Kalimantsi 19, tel. 

973 36 68/0885 892 000, 2brelaxbliasak@gmail. 

com, www.relax.saloni-bliasak.com. A pleasant 

place which offers luxurious aromatherapy treatments 

for face and body, shiatsu massage, hot stone therapy, 

SPA procedures, solarium. Friendly staff at Relax Center 

take expert care of your look from top to toe. Try also the 

Turkish bath and Finnish sauna. QOpen 10:00 - 21:00, 

Sun 11:00 - 17:00. A 

Sparta Fitness + Spinning E-1, bul. Arsenalski 

4, tel. 963 13 37/865 6471, office@spartabg.com, 

www.spartabg.com. Popular gym offering a wide range 

of fat-unfriendly activities: pumping iron, riding stationary 

bikes, sweating in saunas. Also offers aerobics, 

aquaaerobics, pilates, tae-bo, yoga, spinning, karate, 

tennis and football. The sport centre also has 50m 

Olympic swimming pool. QOpen 07:00 - 22:00, Sat, 

Sun 09:00 - 20:00. KDC 

The red gym G-7, zh-k Strelbishte ul. Haidushka 

gora 111, tel. 818 78 11/0888 731 231, thegym@ 

abv.bg, www.theredgym.bg. Fitness, aerobics, sauna, 

steam bath, Jaccuzzi, massage, solarium, cosmetic 

studio, spa therapies, manicure, pedicure and shooting 

gallery. Q FD 

Ice-rinks 

Slavia G-8, ul. Koloman 1, tel. 856 49 75/856 91 

97, fax 855 21 37, www.pfcslavia.com. Works from 

September till March. Admission 4Lv. Skate rental 3Lv. 

QOpen , Wed, Fri 18:30 - 20:00, Sat, Sun 11:30 - 13:00, 

17:00-18:30. Closed Mon, Tue, Thu. 

Winter Sport Palace (Zimen dvorets na sporta) 

H-8, Studentski grad, tel. 868 73 34. Out amongst the 

high-rise dorms of Sofia’s “student city”, 7km southeast 

of the centre. Admission fee: 6Lv, plus a three more 

leva for skate rental. Works from September to March. 

QOpen , Wed 18:30 - 20:00, Sat 17:00 - 20:30, Sun 

17:00 - :20:30. 

Golf 

Golf Club Air Sofia B-4, Ihtiman, ul. 6-i septemvri 1(office), 

tel. 981 09 25/0888 678 144, golf@golf-bg.com, www. 

golf-bg.com. Eighteen-hole course with a Par 71 rating. A round 

here costs 50Lv per person. Equipment rental available on site. 

They might even pick you up from your hotel in Sofia. In addition: 

fully staffed riding stables with 10 horses, football and basketball 

playgrounds, fitness club, hotel and restaurant. Q AFK 

St.Sofia Golf Club & SPA C-5, bul. Tsarigradsko Shose 

9 (office), tel. 943 45 05/0889 783 888, fax 943 45 04, 

office@stsofiagolf.com, www.stsofiagolf.com. In Ravno 

Pole village - 15 minutes drive southeast of the city centre. 

Eighteen hole course with English-speaking management. 

QOpen 08:00 - 19:00. 

Horse-riding 

Equestrian Base Egida E-5, bul. Dragan Tsankov 1, 

tel. 865 71 56/0898 643 848, www.egida-sofia.bg. 

Located near the centre, on the fringes of Borisovata gradina 

park, this is a handy place to take lessons if you’re a beginner. 

20min-15Lv, 30min-20Lv, 60min-35Lv, pony ride 2Lv per 

round. QOpen 09:00 - 20:00. 

Equestrian Base Han Asparuh G-6, ul. Haidushko 

izvorche 28, tel. 955 90 72/930 07 02, nsb_ead@abv. 

bg, www.bulgariasportbase.com. 5km southwest of the 

centre near the Slavia football stadium. Lots of nice gee gees. 

You have to go on the spot to enquire about riding or tuition. 

QOpen 09:00 - 21:00. 

Nova Zvezda G-6, Knyazhevo area, villa area Kiliyte, 

tel. 944 76 52/0895 770 777, info@ezdabg.com, www. 

ezdabg.com. Horse-riding: 40 min-15Lv, 1 h-20Lv , 1 Day 

-70Lv. Equestrian tourism, bow and arrow, visiting of hunting 

forestry, 1, 2 and 3 day tours, organizing of parties and team 

buildings with horses and exotic animals. 

Indoor swimming pools 

Spartak E-1, bul. Arsenalski 4, tel. 865 64 71/963 13 

37, office@spartabg.com, www.spartabg.com. Popular 

50m Olympic swimming pool next door to the Harmony Sofia 

hotel. QOpen 07:00 - 22:00, Sat, Sun 09:00 - 20:00. 

Sport Palace C-4, bul. Vasil Levski 75, tel. 930 05 02. 

Most central of the pools, 25m, and correspondingly popular. 

Entry ticket 5Lv, ticket to pool and sauna 7Lv , 8 visits ticket 

36Lv, 12 visits 54Lv. QOpen 06:30 - 18:30, Sat 08:00 - 

16:00. Closed Sun. DC 



Open-air skating rinks Shooting ranges 

Gradska Gradina park B-3, Accross from the National 

Art Gallery. On the weekend and holidays works 

24h. Admission: 3-4Lv. Skate rental: 3-5Lv. For pupils its 

free from 08:00-09:20. QOpen 08:00 - 22:00. 

Winter Park C-5, pl. Orlov Most (Orlov bridge), 

Ariana Lake. Temporary outdoor ice-rink, snowboard 

and ski Big Air Jump, rails, fun box, big air bag, quarter 

pipe. Skates for hire. 3Lv per hour and 7Lv for the day. 

QOpen 00:00 - 24:00. L 

Paintball 

Paintball BG bul. Akademik Ivan E. Geshov 50, tel. 

952 37 05/0888 511 456, info@paintball.bg, www. 

paintball.bg. Paintball adventures in the Dragalevtsi area 

just south of the city. 15Lv per game with 100 balls, each 

additional 20 balls are 3Lv. 

Paintball Bulgaria H-8, zh-k Mladost 4, ul. 406, opposite 

bl. 469, tel. 484 01 43/0898 747 474, alex@ 

paintballbulgaria.com, www.paintballbulgaria.com. 

Paintball games on and around Mount Vitosha just south 

of Sofia. 20 Lv per game with 100 balls, 30Lv with 200 

balls, 33Lv with 250 balls, 51Lv with 500 balls. QOpen 

10:00 - 19:00. Closed Sun. 

Paintball Mania G-8, ul. 20-i april 20, et.1, tel. 0888 

123 321/489 794, info@paintballmania.bg, www. 

paintballmania.bg. Air Ball - paintball field with inflated 

bunkers; Battle Field - with real military machinery, training 

range with falling targets. Bookings for groups of min. 

10 people - at least 2 days in advance. One ball - 0,10Lv, 

equippment - 5Lv. QOpen 10:00 - 21:00. Closed Mon, 

Tue. 


sPorts 

VIP Shooting Complex G-8, bul. G.M.Dimitrov 51, 

tel. 976 60 25/0885 920 557, service@vipgunscenter. 

com, www.vipgunscenter.com. Several ranges, professional 

instructors, modern guns. Sports club, shops and gun 

workshop. QOpen 10:00 - 22:00. K 

Stadium 

Natsionalen Stadion Vasil Levski C-5, Borisova 

gradina, tel. 930 06 66/930 07 51. 

Stadion Bulgarska Armia D-5, Borisova Gradina, tel. 

963 34 77. 

Stadion Georgi Asparuhov - Gerena F-8, kv.Suhata 

reka, tel. 945 30 46. 

Stadion Lokomotiv F-7, kv.Nadezhda, tel. 936 03 56. 

Stadion Slavia G-6, kv. Ovcha Kupel, tel. 980 05 

08/980 49 87. 

Tennis & Squash 

Academic Tennis Club ul. Nezabravka 3-5, Borisovata 

gradina, tel. 870 01 36, info@utcakademic.com, www. 

utcakademic.com. Outdoor and indoor courts with professional 

trainers, sauna, massage and fitness in the park right 

in the heart of Sofia. QOpen 09:00 - 17:00, Sat, Sun 08:30 

- 14:00. JFKD 

Maleevi Tennis Club G-7/8, bul. Nikola Vapzarov 57, 

tel. 962 22 88/0878 622 282, fax 962 86 65, info@maleevaclub.com, 

www.maleevaclub.com. 09:00-19:00Tennis, 

squash, tennis school, fitness, massage, Thai massage, solarium, 

hairdresser, cosmetics, restaurant, bar, events hosting 

and shop. QOpen 09:00 - 19:00, Sat, Sun 09:00 - 15:00. 

Maxi Club H-7, bul. Simeonovsko shose 110, tel. 962 23 

04, dilieva@maxisofia.com, www.maxisofia.com. 


67

68 BUsIness dIreCtory 

Accountants & Consultants 

AFA B-5, ul. Oborishte 38, tel. 943 37 00, fax 943 37 

07, office@afa.bg, www.afa.bg. 

Andi Maks Ltd. B-2, ul. Denkoglu 12-14, tel. 980 24 

91, fax 986 29 62, office@andi-maks.com. 

Deloitte B-1, bul. Aleksandar Stamboliiski 103, tel. 802 

33 00, fax 802 33 50, www.deloitte.com. 

Ernst & Young H-8, Business Park Sofia, Building 10, 

tel. 817 71 00, fax 817 71 11, www.ey.com. 

Eurobalance Ltd. G-8, ul. Karnegi 10, tel. 980 77 47, 

eurobalance@abv.bg, www.eurobalance.net. 

Four Consult G-7, ul. Racho Dimchev 8, tel. 981 30 

82/0897 886 925, daniela@fourconsult.com, www. 

fourconsult.com. 

Grant Thornton C-3, ul.Uliam Gladston 54, tel. 980 

55 00, fax 980 48 24, office@gtbulgaria.com, www. 

gtbulgaria.com. 

KPMG D-3, ul. Frityof Nansen 37, tel. 969 73 00, fax 

980 53 40, office@kpmg.bg, www.kpmg.bg. 

Price Waterhouse Coopers B-3, bul. Maria Luiza 9-11, 

tel. 935 52 00, fax 935 52 66, www.pwc.com. 

Advertising agencies 

Huts JWT G-8, ul. Charlz Darvin 14B, tel. 971 71 

95/971 71 96, fax 971 71 78, info@hutsjwt.com, www. 

hutsjwt.com. 

Leo Burnett G-8, ul. Maragidik 6, tel. 943 44 51, fax 

943 41 65, office@leoburnett.bg. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00. 


McCann Erickson G-8, bul. Shipchenski prohod 63, 

tel. 971 96 41, fax 971 95 04, office@mccann.bg, www. 

universalmccann.com. 

Ogilvy & Mather C-1, ul. Dospat 60-62, tel. 952 34 00, 

fax 953 34 19, info@ogilvy.bg, www.ogilvy.bg. 

Banks 

BNP Paribas Bulgaria B-4, bul. Tsar Osvoboditel 2, 

tel. 921 86 40, fax 921 86 95, bulgaria_bnpparibas@ 

bnpparibas.com, www.bulgaria.bnpparibas.com. 

Bulbank - Uni Credit Group B-3, pl. Sveta Nedelya 7, 

tel. 923 21 11, fax 988 46 36, www.bulbank.bg. 

Corporate commercial bank B-3, ul. Graf Ignatiev 10, 

tel. 980 93 62, fax 980 89 48, corpbank@corpbank.bg, 

www.corpbank.bg. 

First Investment Bank ul. Stefan Karadzha 10, tel. 91 

001, fax 980 50 33, fib@fibank.bg, www.fibank.bg. 

HVB Bank Biochim B-4, ul. Ivan Vazov 1, tel. 926 92 

10, fax 926 94 40. 

ING Bank D-1, ul. Emil Bersinski 12, tel. 917 64 00, fax 

917 65 78, ing.infobg@ingbank.com, www.ing.bg. 

OBB (United Bulgarian Bank) B-2, ul. Sveta Sofia 

5, tel. 811 28 00, fax 988 08 22, info@ubb.bg, www. 

ubb.bg. 

Poshtenska banka (Bulgarian Post Bank) B-4, bul. 

Tsar Osvoboditel 14, tel. 816 60 00, fax 988 81 10, 

contact@postbank.bg, www.postbank.bg. 

Pro Credit Bank A-2, bul. Hristo Botev 131, tel. 921 

71 00, fax 921 71 10, contact@procreditbank.bg, www. 

procreditbank.bg. 

Raiffeisen Bank C-5, ul. Nikolay Gogol 18-20, tel. 919 

85 101, fax 943 45 28, www.raiffeisen.bg. 

SG Expressbank B-1, bul. Aleksandur Stamboliiski 73, 

tel. 937 04 76, fax 981 79 17, www.sgexpressbank.bg. 

Bulgarian officials 

Council of Ministers B-3, bul. Knyaz Dondukov 1, tel. 

940 27 70, fax 980 20 56, gis@government.bg, www. 

government.bg. 

Ministry of Foreign Affairs G-8, ul. Aleksandar 

Zhendov 2, tel. 948 29 99, fax 870 30 41, iprd@mfa. 

government.bg, www.mfa.government.bg. 

National Assembly B-4, pl. Narodno Sabranie 2, tel. 

939 39, fax 981 31 31, infocenter@parliament.bg, www. 

parliament.bg. 

Presidency B-3, bul. Knyaz Dondukov 2, tel. 923 93 33, 

press@president.bg, www.president.bg.. 

Business connections 

American Chamber of Commerce H-8, Business 

Park Sofia, Building 2, tel. 974 27 43, fax 974 27 41, 

amcham@amcham.bg, www.amcham.bg. 

Atlantic Club of Bulgaria C-4, ul. Slavyanska 29, tel. 

981 06 99, fax 981 57 82, natoinfo@natoinfo.bg. 

British Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce G-8, ul. 

Nikolay Haytov 2, entr.5, 1st floor, tel./fax 971 47 56, 

info@bbcc.bg, www.bbcc.bg. 

Bulgaria Economic Forum C-2, bul. Vitosha 86, tel. 

951 52 59, fax 953 29 24, info@biforum.org, www. 

biforum.org. 

Bulgarian Business Leaders Forum C-4, ul. Slavyanska 

42, tel. 986 52 02, fax 986 56 25, office@bblf.bg, 

www.bblf.bg. 

Bulgarian Dutch Business Club B-2, ul. Sofroniy 

Vrachanski 1, tel. 987 99 11, chairman@bg-nl.com, 

www.bg-nl.com. 

Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry 

A-5, ul. Iskar 9, tel. 987 26 31, fax 987 32 09, bcci@ 

bcci.bg, www.bcci.bg. 

Bulgarian Industrial Assosiation B-2, ul. Alabin 16- 

20, tel. 932 09 11, fax 987 26 04, office@bia-bg.com, 

www.bia-bg.com. 

Bulgarian International Business Association B-1, 

bul. Aleksandur Stamboliiski 55, tel. 981 95 64, fax 981 

91 69, office@biba.bg. 

Bulgarian Stock Exchange B-2, ul. Tri ushi 10, tel. 

937 09 34, fax 937 09 46, bse@bse-sofia.bg, www. 

bse-sofia.bg. 

European Commission Representation B-3, ul. 

Moskovska 9, tel. 933 52 52, fax 933 52 33, delegationbulgaria@ec.europa.eu, 

www.evropa.bg. 

German-Bulgarian Trade and Industrial Chamber 

G-8, ul. Fr. J.-Curie 25A, tel. 816 30 10, fax 816 30 19, 

ahk-office@ahk-bg.org. 

Institute for Market Economics B-5, bul. Patriarh 

Evtimii 61, tel. 952 62 66, mail@ime.bg, www.ime. 

bg. 

International Monetary Fund Representative Office 

B-3, BNB, pl. Aleksandar Batenberg 1, tel. 981 45 

06, fax 981 25 24, jroaf@imf.org. 

Invest Bulgaria Agency B-4, ul. Aksakov 31, tel. 985 

55 00, fax 980 13 20, iba@investbg.government.bg, 

www.investbg.government.bg. 

Italian Chamber of Commerce B-5, ul. Oborishte 

1B, tel. 846 32 80, fax 846 32 81, info@camcomit.bg, 

www.camcomit.bg. 

North American Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce 

C-1, ul. Petko Karavelov 1A, tel. 951 53 87, fax 951 69 

84, bulgaria@nabcc.org, www.nabcc.org. 


OJB Shalom bul. Aleksandar Stamboliyski 50, tel. 870 

163, www.shalom.bg. 

Privatisation Agency C-4, ul. Aksakov 29, tel./fax 

980 98 27, press@priv.government.bg., www.priv. 

government.bg. 

United Nations in Bulgaria C-3, ul. Han Krum 25, 

tel. 969 61 00, fax 981 31 84, info@undp.bg, www. 

un-bg.bg. 

World Bank G-8, Interpred, bul. Dragan Tsankov 36, tel. 

969 72 29, fax 971 20 45, itaushanova@worldbank.bg, 

www.worldbank.bg. 

Business facilities 

Business Park Sofia H-8, Mladost 4, tel. 489 90 81, 

fax 489 90 80, office@businesspark-sofia.com, www. 

businesspark-sofia.com. Office space accommodating over 

200 companies, restaurants, cafes, shops, banks. 

Inter Expo Center G-8, bul. Tsarigradsko shose 147, 

tel. 965 52 20, fax 965 52 30, bul-reklama@bulgarreklama.com, 

www. bulgarreklama.com. Exhibition 

and congress complex with 8 separate halls, restaurants 

and cafes. 

Interpred World Trade Centre G-8, bul. Dragan 

Tsankov 36, tel. 969 50 52, fax 971 20 06, bsc@ 

wtcsofia.bg, www.wtcsofia.bg. Rentable office space, 

conference facilities. 

Sterling Serviced Office Group B-3, ul. Suborna 2A, 

tel. 926 41 11, fax 926 41 00, sofia@sterlingoffice. 

com, www.sterlingoffice.com. The only serviced office 

centre in Sofia. 

Event organisers 

Company for International Meetings Ltd. B-3, 

ul. Hristo Belchev 18, tel. 987 74 22, fax 980 60 74, 

cim@cim-pco.org, www.cim-pco.org. Leading congress 

organizer. 

Event House G-7, ul. Topli Dol 2A, tel. 958 99 99, fax 

958 99 70, office@eventhouse.bg, www.eventhouse. 

bg. Conference halls, interpreters, catering. 


BUsIness dIreCtory 

Sterling Serviced Office Group 

Prime Locations. First-Class Environments. 

Exceptional Services 

Instant, Flexible, Affordable 

2a Saborna Street, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria 

Tel: +359 (0) 2 926 4111 

sofia@sterlingoffice.com 

www.sterlingoffice.com 

Kongresstechnik Bulgaria Ltd. E-1, bul. Arsenalski 

115, tel. 866 94 40, fax 866 94 57, office@ktbg.bg, www. 

ktbg.bg. Full range of conference equipment and services. 

Foreign representations 

Albania B-5, ul. Krakra 10, tel. 943 38 57, fax 943 30 

69, albanian@centrum-grup.com. 

Austria B-4, ul. Shipka 4, tel. 932 90 32, fax 981 05 

67, sofia-ob@bmaa.gv.at. 

Belgium E-4, pl. Velchova zavera 1, tel. 988 72 90, 

fax 963 36 38, sofia@diplobel.be, www.diplomatie. 

be/sofia. 

Canada B-4, ul. Moskovska 9, tel. 969 97 10, fax 981 

60 81, consular@canada-bg.org. 

Croatia B-5, ul. Veliko Tarnovo 32, tel. 943 32 25, fax 

946 13 55, croemb.sofia@mvp.hr, www.infotel.bg/ 

croembassy. 

Cyprus E-3, ul. Plachkovitsa 1A, tel. 961 77 31, fax 862 

94 70, cyprus@mbox.contact.bg. 

Czech Republic B-5, bul. Yanko Sakazov 9, tel. 946 

11 11, fax 946 18 00, sofia@embassy.mzv.cz, www. 

mzv.cz/sofia. 

Denmark B-4, bul. Knyaz Dondukov 54, tel. 917 01 00, 

fax 980 99 01, sofamb@um.dk, www.ambsofia.um.dk. 

Estonia B-3, ul. Bacho Kiro 26-30, tel. 937 99 00, fax 

937 99 09, embassy.sofia@mfa.ee. 

Finland A-3, ul. Bacho Kiro 26-28, tel. 810 21 10, fax 

810 21 20, sanomat.sof@formin.fi. 

France B-5, ul. Oborishte 27-29, tel. 965 11 00, fax 965 

11 20, presse@ambafrance-bg.org, www.ambafrancebg.org. 

Germany G-8, ul. Fr. J.-Curie 25, tel. 918 380, fax 963 

16 58, reg1@sofia.diplo.de, www.sofia.diplo.de. 

Greece C-5, ul. San Stefano 33, tel. 843 30 85, fax 

946 12 49, info@greekembassy-sofia.org, www.info. 

greekembassy-sofia.org. 

Hungary D-3, ul. 6-i septemvri 57, tel. 963 11 35, fax 

963 21 10, huemszof@netbg.com. 

China H-8, ul. Aleksandar fon Humbolt 7, tel. 973 38 

73, fax 971 10 81, www.chinaembassy.bg. 

Ireland A-3, ul. Bacho Kiro 26-30, tel. 985 34 25, fax 

983 33 02, info@embassyofireland.bg. 

Israel D-2, pl. Bulgaria 1, tel. 951 50 44, fax 952 11 01, 

info@sofia.mfa.gov.il. 

Italy B-4, ul. Shipka 2, tel. 921 73 00, fax 980 37 17, 

ambasciata.sofia@esteri.it, www.ambsofia.esteri.it. 

Japan G-8, Lyulyakova gradina 14, tel. 971 27 08, fax 

971 10 95, www.bg.emb-japan.go.jp. 

Korea H-8, ul. Sofiysko pole 3, tel. 975 33 40, fax 974 

55 67, saebyolk�@yahoo.com. 

Macedonia G-8, ul. Fr. J.-Curie 17, tel. 870 50 98, fax 

971 28 32, todmak@bgnet.bg. 

Netherlands G-8, ul. Oborishte 15, tel. 816 03 00, 

fax 816 03 01, sof@minbuza.nl, www.netherlandsembassy.bg. 

Norway B-4, bul. Knyaz Dondukov 54B, tel. 981 11 06, 

fax 981 90 10, emb.sofia@mfa.no, www.norvegia.bg. 


69

70 BUsIness dIreCtory 

Poland C-3, ul. Han Krum 46, tel. 987 26 10, fax 987 29 

39, polamba@internet-bg.net, www.polamba-bg.org. 

Portugal B-1, ul. Pozitano 9, tel. 921 68 68, fax 921 68 

21, embpor@sofia.dgaccp.pt. 

Romania G-8, bul. Mihai Eminesku 4, tel. 971 28 58, 

fax 971 36 19, ambsofro@vip.bg. 

Russia G-8, bul. Dragan Tsankov 28, tel. 963 09 14, fax 

963 41 03, info@rusembul.org. 

Serbia G-8, ul. Veliko Tarnovo 3, tel. 946 16 33, fax 946 

10 59, sofia@emb-serbia.com, www.emb-serbia.com. 

Slovak Republic B-5, bul. Yanko Sakazov 9, tel. 942 92 

10, fax 942 92 35, embassy@sofia.mfa.sk. 

South Africa A-3, ul. Bacho Kiro 26, tel. 981 66 82, fax 

981 57 76, saembsof@techno-link.com. 

Spain C-5, ul. Sheynovo 27, tel. 948 99 11, embespbg@ 

mail.mae.es, www.embespbg.com. 

Sweden G-8, ul. Alfred Nobel 4, tel. 930 19 60, fax 973 

37 95, ambassaden.sofia@foreign.ministry.se, www. 

swedenabroad.com/sofia. 

Switzerland G-8, ul. Shipka 33, tel. 942 01 00, fax 

946 16 22, vertretung@sof.rep.admin.ch, www.eda. 

admin.ch/sofia. 

Turkey C-4, bul. Vasil Levski 80, tel. 935 55 00, fax 981 

93 58, turksofya@spnet.net. 

Ukraine G-6, ul. Boryana 29, tel. 818 68 28, fax 955 

52 47, puvrb@mbox.contact.bg, http://www.mfa.gov. 

ua/bulgaria. 

United Kingdom B-3, ul. Moskovska 9, tel. 933 92 

22, fax 933 92 19, britembinf@mail.orbitel.bg, www. 

british-embassy.bg. 

USA G-7, ul. Kozyak 16, tel. 937 51 00, fax 937 53 20, 

irc@usembassy.bg, www.usembassy.bg. 

Lawyers 

Arsov Natchev Ganeva B-5, ul. Shipka 36, tel. 943 

40 66, fax 946 33 48, info@anglaw.com, www.anglaw. 

com. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun. 

Dia Consult C-2, ul. Uzundzhovska 16, tel. 981 91 

78, fax 980 20 26, diacon@mail.techno-link.com, 

www.diaconsult.bg. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00. Closed 

Sat, Sun. 

Dimitrov, Petrov & Co. C-3, bul. Patriarh Evtimii 36, 

tel. 987 70 96, fax 988 73 60, info@dpc.bg, www.dpc. 

bg. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00. 

Kambourov & Partners C-3, ul. Neofit Rilski 55, tel. 

986 99 99, fax 986 99 95, office@kambourov.biz, www. 

kambourov.biz. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun. 

Stoichev, Valkov & Co. Law firm ul. Damian Gruev 

20, fl.4, apt.9, tel. 852 69 99/852 49 99. QOpen 09:30 


Office supplies 

Multirama C-3, ul. Solunska 2, tel. 400 66 20, office@ 

multirama.bg, www.multirama.bg. QOpen 09:00 - 20:00, 

Sun 10:00 - 18:00. A 

Office 1 Superstore G-8, bul. Tsarigradsko shose 139, 

tel. 070 010 700, fax 070 010 701, tm@hq.office1, 

www.office1.bg. Q A 

Office Express H-9, bul. Tsarigratsko shose 135, tel. 

0800 1 80 80, offex@offex.bg, www.offex.bg. Office 

delivery service. QOpen 08:30 - 18:30, Sat 08:30 - 14:00. 

Closed Sun. 

Real estate 

Address B-5, pl. Bulgaria 1, tel. 810 33 44, address@ 

address.bg, www.address.bg. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00. 


Bokar bul. Patriarh Evtimiy 36A, tel. 910 10 10, fax 

986 60 63, bokar.imoti@dir.bg, www.bokar-imoti.com. 


Colliers International H-8, Business Park Sofia, 

Mladost 4, Bulding 7B, tel. 976 99 77/0888 372 091, 

ivan.velikov@colliers.com, www.colliers.com. QOpen 

09:00 - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun. 

Discover Bulgaria Properties H-8, Mladost-4, bl. 

473, vh.2-3, tel. 881 57 14, fax 881 53 32, properties@ 

discover-bulgaria.com, properties.discover-bulgaria. 

com. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun. A 

Elta Consult B-4, bul. Aleksandar Dondukov 13, tel. 987 

76 47/0888 601 846, office@eltaconsult.com. QOpen 

09:00 - 18:00. Closed Sat, Sun. 

Grato Investment G-7, bul. Bulgaria 102, Business 

Centre Bellissimo, office 2, tel. 428 13 08/0885 665 

730, fax 428 13 07, office@gratoinvestment.com, 

www.gratoinvestments.com. QOpen 10:00 - 18:00. 


Intertime Continental B-4, ul. G. Rakovski 146, 

tel. 0888 77 27 61, fax 987 01 13, intertime@911. 

bg, www.intertime.bg. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00. Closed 

Sat, Sun. 

Tvoyat dom (Your Home) C-3, pl. Slaveykov 7, tel. 

986 48 22/0888 65 82 81, fax 987 52 88, info@tvoyatdom.com, 

www.tvoyatdom.com. QOpen 09:00 - 18:00. 


Winslow Developments center Serdika,floor 2, office 

204, tel. 920 00 72, fax 920 17 82, info@winslowdevelopments.com, 

www.winslowdevelopments.com. 


Yavlena B-3, ul. Gen. Gurko 76A, tel. 810 50/0887 73 

10 06, office@yavlena.com, www.yavlena.com. 

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Being established back in the year 1896, Borovets is the 

oldest ski resort in Bulgaria.The name of the place used 

to be “Cham Koria”, which means “Pine forest” in Turkish. 

Since the middle of the 20th century it is called “Borovets”, 

which comes from the Bulgarian word for pine-tree – “bor”. 

There are ski paths, hotels, pubs, night bars, ski and 

snowboard schools, horse back riding schools, multiple 

souvenir and ski equipment shops and quite a lot of ice, 

covering the several asphalted streets and suitable for 

practicing your balance and falling skills. 

The altimeter reads1350 meters in the center “square”, and 

the view spans down the northern slopes of Rila Mountain. 

It is easily accessible from Sofia, which is only 70 kilometers 

away. Going by car should not be so hard if you follow the 

signs on the road and don’t get lost in the beautiful views 

of the huge Iskar dam – the biggest in Bulgaria. Getting by 

bus is also enjoyable, once you find Bus Station “South”, 

which is hidden beneath the bridge, next to the Interpred 

Trade Center (see map G-8, it is just under the letter “I” in 

“Iztok”on Boulevard Dragan Tsankov, number 36. 

Busses and mini-van shuttle buses arrive on Samokov bus 

station every half an hour. The town of Samokov is only 10 

kilometers away from Borovets and to get there you will 

need to catch another mini-bus or a taxi. The bus trip will 

cost you only 8 Lv. 

Bars, Clubs & Discos 

Bar Harps. Next to the Gondola, tel. 0898 462 757. 

This place is brand new, built and furnished with love, finesse 

and the best of materials. It is fairly big and with a nice bar, 

sound system, big plasma TV screen (with SKYSPORTS) and 

a WC with the first square seat we have ever seen. They will 

never play chalga and are definitely among the most polite 

people we met in Borovets. The place offers some classic 

English types of beer which will make you remember good 

old buddies back there in the neighborhood pub. QOpen 

10:00 - 03:00. I 

BUZZ Bar. Next to the Rila Hotel, tel. 0889 955 955, 

disco.bg/buzzbar. Something is definitely buzzing in Borovets 

and it couldn’t be anything else then the notorious BUZZ bar. 

This is the preferred fun place for all those who love late hour 


Borovets 

partying with Dance, House and mostly Hip and Hit music. 

No chalga CD-s on any of the shelves, but bottles of various 

brands and shapes, ready to push out the air of any bar glass. 

SKYSPORTS on the big plasma can give a good reason for some 

beers to end up empty. QOpen 20.00 - 04.00. P 

The Blue. Next to Rila Hotel on the street going uphill, 

tel. 0878 105 077. In the small street across the Rila Hotel, 

there is a blue magical place, called the Blue. It is actually quite 

colourfull, full of all those spiritual and cool little thingies, sold 

by hippie-style girls in the souvenir art shops. It is a little kitsch 

, but cosy and very pleasant and relaxing for the snow-tired 

eye. They serve English cuisine and all types of alcohol, play 

nice music and keep the fireplace booming. They will work as 

long as you stay there. (20-30 Lv) QOpen 10:30 - 04:00. 

IBKW 

Hotels 

Complex Alpin. tel. 32 203/32 201, office@alpin-hotel. 

bg, www.alpin-hotel.bg. Do not take Alpin Complex at face 

value. Although three star qualified, it is a neat and comfortable 

place, across the mammoth Rila hotel and close to the 

lifts. It has double, single rooms and one and two storey villas. 

Especially nice is the VIP apartment, which is romantic and 

luxurious and has a plasma TV set and a bubble bath. The 

rooms all have stereos, cable TV and WiFi, as well as bath 

tubs. Except for a swimming pool and a gym, they offer most 

“classic” hotel features: mini bars, sauna, conference room, 

and a restaurant with room service. The brown and beige 

furniture of the rooms and cozy villas is a nice break from 

the overly present gleaming white. Q22 rooms (5 doubles 

€ 17-40, 2 studios, 1 Vip apartment, 8 villas). The prices are 

for person for day. TALGKDW hhh 

Forest Star. tel. 32 021, forest_star@abv.bg. It is next to 

the lift, literally and also one of the few local tourist facilities, 

which try to break the mold. With its entrance area, resembling 

a rock cave, this place would be a refuge for younger ones, 

bored with the look-alike style of local hotels. It lacks the ever 

present pools, Jacuzzis and saunas, but still has a neat bistro, 

comfortable and tidy rooms and hospitable staff. Q20 

rooms (20 doubles €26 - 31). JAILGKSW hh 

Guest House Momina Salza. tel. 32 573, www.mominasalza.com. 

It is a beautiful hotel house, 100 meters from 

the Gondola. Do not fear the big black dog, he is a wise and 

good beast. This place has nothing to do with the stereotypical 

hotel, it’s a nice spacious house with apartments for guests 

and common big kitchen and dining room for them to use. There 

is also a bar in the basement with a booming fireplace. Guests 

can use solarium and sauna in the cold days and have patriotic 

style barbecues if the weather allows it. Q6 rooms (5 doubles 

€13 - 31, 1 apartment €21 - 46). ILBD hhh 

Hotel Deniv. tel. 32 253, hotel-deniv@diartbg.com. 

Neighboring and connected to “Forest Star” via a underground 

pass, this small hotel is still a little untidy, but will hopefully be 

ok for the tourist season. It is perfect for all budget skiers and 

travelers and offers accommodation slightly better than in a 

mountain hut. It has a huge, folklore-styled mehana. Q14 

rooms (13 doubles €13, 1 quad €13). Prices are per person, 

no breakfast included. ALGKSW hh 

� The Borovets 



71

72 Borovets 

Hotel Ela. tel. 32 271, office@hotelela.com, www. 

hotelela.com. With its classic wooden sloped outlook, 

this hotel reminds us of the “happy” years of communism. 

The restaurant and lobby bar will keep you well fed and in 

a drinking mood. For the sporty types there’s a gym, table 

tennis and billiards room. The sauna and steam bath will 

revitalize your body after a good day of skiing, but nothing 

will do better than a good sleep in the comfy rooms. 

They will take you with your dogs and even take care of 

any wild kids in their kindergarten. There is a ski school 

and even a pharmacy on their premises. Q70 rooms (19 

singles €16 - 36, 51 doubles €16 - 36). H6IFLG� 

BKDW hhh 

Hotel Lion. tel. 33 015, fax 33 030, avramov@ 

hotelslion.bg. Hidden in the forest above the “old town”, 

this hotel is a true gem. Its accommodations are luxurious, 

tastefully furnished and spacious, with mini bars and plasma 

TV sets and kitchenettes in the studios and apartments. Six 

of the rooms and the hotel itself are adapted for disabled 

persons. Silence and pine trees surround this serene location 

and I bet there is no better way to enjoy the falling snow, 

than relaxing in the superb pool of the hotel. There are many 

more things to see and experience there: the stylish lobby 

bar, the mehana, the Turkish bath, pool and tennis tables, 

solar and hairdresser studio. Although quite far from the 

lifts, the hotel has a shuttle bus, which can take you to the 

slopes in minutes. Q161 rooms (5 apartments € 90-180, 

24 studios € 75-175, 62 doubles € 60-130, 65 luxury rooms 

€ 65-150). HAUIFGBKDC hhhh 

Hotel Sokol. tel. 33 434, fax 33 444, hot_sokol@abv. 

bg. Separated from the fuss of the main street, this small, 

but stylish and comfortable hotel is a perfect alternative 

for those, detesting yelling drunks and striving for privacy 

and silence. Lying in the winter garden, watching the snow 

on the huge pine trees, you can leave all worries to their 

polite and friendly staff and enjoy the spa and massage 

center and the Finnish Jacuzzi. The rooms have mini bars 

and flat TV sets and are tastefully furnished. There is also 

a gym and a conference room, in case you are not so lazy. 

The premises and rooms are fitted for disabled persons, 

but no pets are allowed in the hotel. It has a superb view 

to the famous frozen fountain of Borovets. Q42 rooms (40 

doubles €23 - 52, 2 apartments €41 - 72). ARUI� 

FLGKD hhh 

Ice Angels Across the Rila, tel. 32 045/32 607, 

reservations@iceangelshotel.com, www.iceangelshotel.com. 

Hotel Ice Angels is the perfect vacation spot in 

Borovets, close to the lifts and all the bars and offering 

all the comforts needed for enjoying winter sports. The 

place is tastefully designed, luxurious, but not shiny and 

pretentious. The rooms are comfortable and decorated 

with style and most of them offer a splendid view of the 

mountain and the ski runways. There is a nice spa center, 

a small pool, steam and Turkish bath, massages and 

Jacuzzi. And even if you are too lazy to go downstairs, the 

rooms have bathtubs, so you can relax in private. Q 44 

rooms (14 singles € 72, 14 doubles € 105, 8 studios € 

140-150, 4 apartments € 200-210). JHARIF� 

GBKDCW hhhh 

Rila Lodge Guest House. Dospey village, ul. 8, 

house 3, tel. 66 827/0877 753 092, info@rilalodge. 

com, www.rilalodge.com. This family-run B&B is found in 

a small village, 2km from Samokov and 9km from Borovets. 

They provide pick up service from Sofia airport, transport to 

Borovets and discount rent-a-car service. The three-storey 

house offers 3 bedrooms, designed with solid wooden and 

wicker furniture, cable TV, shared living room with fireplace 

and breakfast room. The bathrooms are with showers. If you 

feel like peace and quite, away from the hassle of Borovets, 

yet, close to Samokov, this is the right place for you. Q3 

rooms (1 double €25 - 50, 1 Twin €25 - 50, 1 Family (quad to 

6) €100 - 150). A6IBKW 

Vila Park. On the buss stop, Old Center, tel. 0899 133 

837. Located in the “old center” of Borovets, next to the local 

church and the bus stop. It is a spacious apartment complex 

with a huge pool, a gym, Jacuzzi and a steam bath. The apartments 

and studios are spacious and tastefully furnished to 

make you feel home, but you can always drown the blues in 

something from the lobby bar, or the mini bar in your quarters. 

There is a children’s corner and also a stylish restaurant. Q 

86 rooms (26 apartments €40 - 120, 60 Studio €30 - 80). 

TJHAUIFLGBKDCW hhhh 

Restaurants & Cafes 

Bistro Central. tel. 0887 480 787. Being in the centre 

and international food is what this place offers and nothing 

more. Not a single attempt for fancy decorations, apart from a 

stuffed deer head and cheap looking chairs. It has a fireplace, 

but this joint is definitely still frozen in socialist times. QOpen 

10:00 - 00:00. (15-30 Lv). IGBS 

Bistro Elite. Across the Gondola Lift, tel. 32 557. This is 

a pleasant place for eating nice, genuine Bulgarian foods and to 

drink some homemade wines and rakias. The place is furnished 

with wood and is cosy and unpretentious. Combine this with the 

snow and the hunger after a day on the slopes and the homely 

smell of burning wood and homemade dishes and you’ll know 

what we felt there. QOpen 10:00 - 10: 00. (15-24 Lv). 

Bistro Forest Star. tel. 0885 612 039, forest_star@ 

abv.bg. When we entered the bistro, which also doubles as 

an entrance area for the hotel “Forest Star”, we thought of 

good old Fred Flintstone, as it resembles a rock cave. No Dino 

steaks, but everything “traditional” is present and available 

for room service and takeaway. QOpen 00:00 - 24:00. 

(14-35Lv). AS 

Chinese Restaurant Red Dragon. Next to the Gondola, 

tel. 32 617. The first and only place to offer genuine 

Chinese food, cooked by a real, “imported” Chinese cook. 

Although lacking an original Chinese atmosphere, it has two 

fireplaces, cable TV with SKYSPORTS and cool revolving 

tables for an easy access to the exotic goodies, served in 

big quantities and tasty qualities. They work only within the 

skiing season, but do it hard and also deliver food anywhere 

in Borovets. QOpen 10:00 - 00:00. (10-25Lv). IS 

Pizza Sunny. tel. 0898 462 757. It is where we had the 

best pizza ever, made in the classic “granny” style and taste. 

The place itself is cosy, comfortable and with a booming 

fireplace. The loads of football scarves hanging from the 

ceiling and the pictures of the staff, with loads of short-haired 

and tattooed tourists suggest glorious times of boozing 

and singing anthems for favourite teams. They offer superb 

pizzas, some local and international meals and takeaway 

and home deliveries in the area. QOpen 00:00 - 24:00. 

(10-20Lv). JIBS 


Pizzeria Venezia. tel. 0888 588 677. They use the best 

ever advertisement for their food - a pig on a skewer, turning 

and spreading an inviting cloud, just in front of Hotel Rila. The 

place is “mehana”-styled and offers a variety of national and 

international meals, as well as good service and a manager, 

always ready for some discount. A good place to fill up your 

stomach at. QOpen 10:00 - 00:00. (8-20Lv). JIB 

Restaurant Balkani. tel. 0888 882 234. Definitely the 

biggest and lavishly decorated eating place around. A definite 

must see location with a lot to offer. Although scandalous 

with the combination of some traditional Bulgarian decorations, 

chandeliers and animal skins with Turkish corners 

with divans and hookahs. Combine that with a seven-piece 

gypsy band, pounding furious chalga and you got a serious 

party place. They have an impressive menu of traditional, 

international and sea food and an extensive wine list. What 

we liked especially is the huge indoor barbecue, with a skewer 

big enough to spike through a bull. QOpen 11:00 - 02:00. 

(13-40Lv). IEGBS 

Restaurant Bulgarian Dish. tel. 0888 881 515, 

hotel-deniv@diartbg.com. It is a big mehana restaurant 

and a part of the Deniv Hotel. Although a little big, it still has 

a cozy air of a burning fireplace, colourful table mats and 

national pride. They serve traditional Bulgarian meals, have DJ 

and occasionally a folk music band. QOpen 10:00 - 00:00. 

(6-26Lv). IES 

Restaurant Eagles Rocks. tel. 0889 379 609. 

Quite a big space, which provokes eating and drinking to 

excess. Just do not try to fly like an eagle from any rocks 

nearby. It offers international food and a variety of booze. 

The music is mostly chalga and Serbian chalga, but it goes 

well with steaks and beers. QOpen 10:00 - 00:00. (16- 

40Lv). IGBS 

Snack bar Joy. Next to the Gondola lift. This is a nice 

place for a snack or a lunch. They offer pizzas and mostly international 

food. The wooden interior and the fireplace, along 

with some hot meals will give you relaxation and refreshment 

after an exhausting day in the snow. QOpen 07:30 - 23:00. 

7 - 15 Lv. AIGBSW 

Steak House Katina. tel. 0888 349 179. Nothing wrong, 

apart of the misspelled name on the menu. Cosy in the classic, 

post-socialistic way. A bit kitsch, but with a booming fireplace 

and colorful tablecloths. Next to the mammoth Rila and the 

quad lift and offering a big and comprehensive menu with 

pictures and prices. The small pizza is really small, so go for 

the big ones if you are really hungry. QOpen 10:00 - 00:00. 

(8-15Lv). JIBS 

Shopping 

Opticlasa. Sunsport, Royal Plaza shopping complex, 

shop 5, opticlasa@trading.bg, www.opticlasa.com. 

Souvenir and ceramics shop Ermini. tel. 0899 

133 837. Bulgarian traditional souvenirs, art ceramics and 

candles. QOpen 00:00 - 24:00. 

Winter sports 

Ski & snowboard school Snowmasters. tel. 0888 

873 789, www.snowmasters-bg.com. Ski, snowboard, 

freeride, telemark, blades, kindergarten. QOpen 08:00 - 

20:00. J 

Ski School Resmi. tel. 0889 234 830, kali_40@ 

abv.bg. Ski rentals, ski trecking, telemark. QOpen 09:00 

- 20:00. 



Borovets 

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73

74 Index 

Street Index 

11-ti avgust A/B-4 

13-ti mart D-3 

20-ti april B/C-1, C-2 

6-ti septemvri B-4, C-3/4, D-3 

Aksakov B/C- 3, C-4 

Alabin 

Aleksandar 

B-2/3 

Batenberg pl. B-3 

Aleksandar Nevski pl. 

Aleksandar 

B-4 

Stamboliyski bul. B-1/2 

Angel Kanchev B/C-3 

Antim I A-2, B-1/2 

Arsenalski bul. E-2 

Atanas Dalchev G-8 

Baba Nedelya pl. D-2 

Bacho Kiro A/B-3 

Budapeshta A-3/4, B-4 

Bulgaria bul. D-1/2 

Bulgaria pl. C-2 

Cherkovna G-8 

Cherni vrah bul. D-2/3, E-3 

Index 

4km Party Centre 38 

8th Ball 41 

Adams restaurant 35 

Adonis 40 

Alcohol 38 

Alexander Palace 21 

Alga 29 

Amsterdam 37 

Anel 18 

Angels Club 41 

Annette 29 

Apartament 52 35 

Apartment House Dunav 23 

Apartment House Iztok 23 

Apartment House Sofia 23 

Aris 22 

Art Club Museum 34 

Arte 21 

Art-Hostel 24 

Art 'Otel 18 

Atlantic 21 

Avenue 42 

B29 Piano Bar 41 

Babbles 38 

Bacardi Box 42 

Back Stage 41 

Backstage Karaoke Bar 41 

Barabar 35 

Bar na kraya na vselenata 42 

Basic 35 

Baskerville 35 

Be My Guest 24 

Best Western Hotel Expo 19 

Biblioteka Cool House - Piano 

Bar 41 

Bilkovata 35 

Bistro Zita 27 

Bitburger 37 

Black Box 38 

Blaze 35 

Boyansko hanche 31 

Brilyantin 38 

Brod 22 

Buddha Bar 39 

Bulgari 21, 25 

Bulgaria 34 

Butchers 27 

By The Way 35 

Cabaret 39 

Cactus 28 

Cappuccino bar & dinner 35 

Denkoglu B-2/3 

Dragan Tsankov bul. C/D-4, D-5 

Dunav A/B-4 

Dyakon Ignatiy B-3 

Dzheims Baucher E-3/4 

Ekzarh Yosif A-2/3/4/5 

Elin Pelin D-4/5 

Evlogi Georgiev C-4/5, D-3 

F. Z. Kyuri G-8 

Frityof Nansen C-3, D-2 

Garibaldi pl. B-3 

Georgi Benkovski A/B-4 

Gladston C-2/3 

Graf Ignatiev B-3, C-3/4 

Gurko B/C-3, C-4 

Han Asparuh C-2/3 

Han Krum C-3 

Hristo Belchev B-3, C-2/3 

Hristo Botev bul. A-2, B-2, C-2 

Hristo Smirnenski D-4, E-4 

Iskar A/B-4, B-3 

Ivailo B-2 

Captain Cook 31 

Cargo 35 

Casa Boyana 19 

Casa de Cuba 35 

Casa Ferrari Bed and 

Breakfast 21 

Central 19 

Central Forum 19 

Central Park Hotel 19 

Chalet Suisse 32 

Checkpoint Charly 28 

Chepishev 31 

Chervilo 39 

Chillout Bar & Dinner 36, 40 

Chillout Lounge 36 

Classic 29 

Club 703 36 

Club Liqueur 39 

Club Sugar 39 

Coffee House 34 

Comercial 28 

Cookies bar & dinner cafe 28 

Costa Coffee 34 

Crystal Palace Boutique 

Hotel 19 

Dedeman Sofia Princess 19 

Diter 21 

Divaka 25 

Don Domat 30 

Egur, Egur 25 

Elate Plaza 21, 28 

Escape 39 

Etno 25 

Exit Club 40 

Fix Mix 34 

Flannagans 37 

Gioia 29 

Grand Hotel Sofia 18 

Greenville Hotel & Apartment 

Houses 19 

Hadzhidraganovite kashti 25 

Halbite 25 

Happy Bar & Grill 26 

Harmony 23 

Hilton 18 

Holiday Inn Sofia 18 

Hostel Mostel 24 

Hostel Sofia 24 

Internet Hostel 24 

Irish Harp 37 

Jim Beam Club 42 

Jimmy's 34 

Ivan Shishman B/C-4, C-3 

Ivan Vazov B-3/4, C-4 

Kaloyan B-3 

Knyaz Boris C-1/2 

Knyaz Dondukov bul. B-3/4/5 

Kozloduy F-7 

Kozyak G-7 

Krakra B/C-5 

Krum Popov D-3/4 

Krastyo Sarafov D-3/4 

Karnigradska B-2 

Lavele B-2 

Lege B-3 

Lyuben Karavelov C-3/4, D-3 

Madrid bul. G-8 

Makedonia pl. B-2 

Maria Luiza bul. A-3, B-3 

Moskovska B-4 

Naicho Tsanov bul. F-7 

Narodno sabranie pl. B-4 

Neofit Rilski C-2/3 

Nezavisimost pl. B-3 

Nikola Vaptsarov bul. G-7/8 

Oborishte B-5 

Orlov most C-5 

Panayot Volov A-5, B-5 

Parchevich C-2/3 

Patriarh Evtimiy bul. C-2/3 

Pencho 

Slaveykov bul. C-1, D-1/2 

Pirotska A-1/2, B-3 

Pop Bogomil A-3/4 

Pozitano B-1/2/3 

Praga bul. C-1 

Rakovski A-4, B-4 

San Stefano C-5 

Serdika A-3, B-3 

Sheinovo C-5 

Shipka B-5 

Simeonovsko shose G-8, H-8 

Sitnyakovo bul. G-8 

Slaveykov pl. C-3 

Slavyanska B-3/4, C-4 

Sofiiski geroi G-7 

Sofroniy Vrachanski A-2, B-2 

Solunska B-2, C-3 

Stara planina B-4, A-5 

J. J. Murphy's 38 

Kapri 21 

Kempinski Hotel Zografski 18 

KFC 30 

Kohinoor 27 

Kolikovski Hotel 22 

Kumbare 26 

Kushtata s chasovnika 28 

Latinka 22 

Lavazza Club 34 

Lebed 31 

Legends 22 

Les Fleurs Boutique Hotel 19 

L'Etranger 26 

Life House 40 

Light 20 

Lion 22 

London Minute 34 

Lozenetz 22 

Magdanoz (Parsley) 26 

Magnolia 27 

Manastirska magernitsa 26 

Maskata 42 

Maxi Park Hotel & Spa 20 

McCarthy's 36 

McDonald's Rock'n'Roll 30 

Mediterrani 36 

Meg Lozenetz 22 

Moderato 28 

Mon Ami 30 

Moskva 30 

Motto 36 

NAI-klub 41 

Niky 23 

Onda Coffee Break 34 

Opera 36 

Orient 33 42 

Orisha bar & dinner 36 

Otvud aleyata zad shkafa 28 

Palms Merkur Casino 38 

Park Hotel Vitosha 20 

Planeta 41 

Pod lipite 26 

Pop Bogomil 23 

PR 40 

Pri Latsi 26 

Pri Miro 31 

Pri Yafata 26 

Pulse Club 40 

Radisson SAS Grand Hotel 18 

Red Bed and Breakfast 23 

Renaissance 22 

Stefan Kardzha B-3/4 

Saborna B-3 

Sv. Naum bul. E-3/4 

Sveta Nedelya pl. B-3 

Todor Aleksandrov bul. A-1, B-1/2 

Totleben bul. C-1 

Tri ushi B-2 

Triaditsa B-3 

Tsar Asen B-2, C-2 

Tsar Osvoboditel bul. B-4, C-5 

Tsar Samuil B-2, C-2 

Tsar Simeon A-1/2/3/4 

Tsarigradsko shose G-8, H-9 

Tulovo C-5 

Tundzha C-1, D-2 

Vasil Levski bul. A-4, B-5, C-3/4 

Veliko Tarnovo G-8 

Veslets A/B-3 

Vitosha bul. B/C/D-2, D/E-1 

Vladayska B1 

Vladimir Vazov bul. G-8 

Vazrazhdane pl. B-1/2 

Yanko Sakazov bul. B-5 

Yuri Venelin C-4 

Residence Oborishte 20 

Retro club Gramophone 40 

RotasaR 23 

Ruski klub 31 

Sakura 29 

Salsa plus 40 

Scotty's Boutique Hotel 22 

Seasons 28 

Sheraton Sofia Hotel Balkan 18 

Shipka 23 

SkyWay Hotel 20 

Social Jazz Club 41 

Sofia Guesthouse 24 

Sofia Plaza 20 

Starbucks café 34 

Stroezha 42 

Sushi Bar 29 

Sveta Sofia 20 

Swingin' Hall 41 

Taboo Club 41 

Taj Mahal 27 

Tambuktu 31 

Tazka 29 

Tea House 36 

The Black Lodge 40 

The Blue Box 40 

The Bookies 34 

The Club 41 

The Net 42 

The Rooms 24 

Toba&Co 36 

Toucan Bluzz & Rock 42 

Triada 20 

Trikrakoto pile 28 

Trops Kushta 30 

Troyantsite 28 

Tsarsko Selo 20 

Tsentralni hali 30 

Tunka Chervena Linya (Thin Red 

Line) 36 

Ugo 30 

Uno Enoteca 28 

Upstairs 37 

Vagabond 31 

Variety 24 

Vega Sofia Hotel 21 

Victoria 30 

Vishnite 29 

Vodenitzata 31 

Vratata (The Door) 29 

Yalta 40 

Yesterday Karaoke Bar 41 



streets & MaPs 


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76 streets & MaPs 



streets & MaPs 


77

78 streets & MaPs 


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