City Break, Sofia
Discussion
Going to have an opportunity to head out on a city break with the missus in mid/late September for 3 nights, we looked through a few lists of countries on websites and quite fancy Sofia. Any tips on accommodation in terms of where to stay i.e what part, looking for good places to eat that are more local than touristy, any obvious things to avoid or do.
The Sofia Hotel Balkan is lovely. https://www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/soflc-sof...
As is the Grand Hotel Sofia: https://www.grandhotelsofia.bg
Sofia is a small city - the smallest in Europe I believe. But a lovely place to go see.
There's a fabulous restaurant up the mountain called the Riverside Brewery. Well worth a taxi ride one evening.
Enjoy.
As is the Grand Hotel Sofia: https://www.grandhotelsofia.bg
Sofia is a small city - the smallest in Europe I believe. But a lovely place to go see.
There's a fabulous restaurant up the mountain called the Riverside Brewery. Well worth a taxi ride one evening.
Enjoy.
Just as a follow up in case anyone searches..
We picked the Rosslyn Thracia Hotel, just off blvd Vitosha and it was perfect, reasonable price, clean rooms, and literally 30 seconds walk to the main centre. We got there 11pm and went out and had a drink in one of the many bars.
Over a few days we did...
Free Walking Tour, starts by the police station building at the top of Blvd Vitosha and is pretty popular. It runs three times a day and is free, you give a small donation at the end. Takes about 2 hours and the guides give you some amazing info.
Got a metro and bus to mount vitosha which is one of the mountains around the city. The metro is small but only 20 years old and immaculate, brilliant way to get around. We then jumped the 66 bus (it seemed to be free the bus driver didnt take money!) which takes you up to hotel Moreni up the mountain which is a ski resort in winter. You can then either take a long winding hiking path up to the very top or a red route 'clambering' path where you are literally climbing rocks, we did the latter! Was good fun and amazing views.
We also visit whats calld 'the red flat' which is an apartment which has been completely done out in 1980s communist era stuff, very cool, old TV, chairs, furniture etc. You are allowed to touch every which is quite cool. And you get an audio guide of about 1 hour long telling the story of the inhabitants and how they lived under communist rule.
Food was amazing, we tried to always eat bulgarian, but central Sofia is very cosmopolitan, loads of far eastern, italian, pizza kiosks etc. We found just off the main drag a restaurant called The Hadjidragana Tavern which was very cosy decked out bulgarian style and sold a wide range of bulgarian classics, really nice. Second night we booked a place called Moma which was next door to our hotel, again highly recommended.
Beer was generally cheap, in the main strip with the pricey bars a lager would be around £2.50 a pint or a pale al around £3.50. Drinking off the main strip got a bit cheaper still.
Overall a brilliant city break, we literally stuck a pin in a map and it came up, and we went for it. Pretty easy to get around, small city, we did 21km walking on day 1! 2-3 days is enough before you need to start venturing out on day long trips out the city etc.
We picked the Rosslyn Thracia Hotel, just off blvd Vitosha and it was perfect, reasonable price, clean rooms, and literally 30 seconds walk to the main centre. We got there 11pm and went out and had a drink in one of the many bars.
Over a few days we did...
Free Walking Tour, starts by the police station building at the top of Blvd Vitosha and is pretty popular. It runs three times a day and is free, you give a small donation at the end. Takes about 2 hours and the guides give you some amazing info.
Got a metro and bus to mount vitosha which is one of the mountains around the city. The metro is small but only 20 years old and immaculate, brilliant way to get around. We then jumped the 66 bus (it seemed to be free the bus driver didnt take money!) which takes you up to hotel Moreni up the mountain which is a ski resort in winter. You can then either take a long winding hiking path up to the very top or a red route 'clambering' path where you are literally climbing rocks, we did the latter! Was good fun and amazing views.
We also visit whats calld 'the red flat' which is an apartment which has been completely done out in 1980s communist era stuff, very cool, old TV, chairs, furniture etc. You are allowed to touch every which is quite cool. And you get an audio guide of about 1 hour long telling the story of the inhabitants and how they lived under communist rule.
Food was amazing, we tried to always eat bulgarian, but central Sofia is very cosmopolitan, loads of far eastern, italian, pizza kiosks etc. We found just off the main drag a restaurant called The Hadjidragana Tavern which was very cosy decked out bulgarian style and sold a wide range of bulgarian classics, really nice. Second night we booked a place called Moma which was next door to our hotel, again highly recommended.
Beer was generally cheap, in the main strip with the pricey bars a lager would be around £2.50 a pint or a pale al around £3.50. Drinking off the main strip got a bit cheaper still.
Overall a brilliant city break, we literally stuck a pin in a map and it came up, and we went for it. Pretty easy to get around, small city, we did 21km walking on day 1! 2-3 days is enough before you need to start venturing out on day long trips out the city etc.
coldel said:
Just as a follow up in case anyone searches..
We picked the Rosslyn Thracia Hotel, just off blvd Vitosha and it was perfect, reasonable price, clean rooms, and literally 30 seconds walk to the main centre. We got there 11pm and went out and had a drink in one of the many bars.
Over a few days we did...
Free Walking Tour, starts by the police station building at the top of Blvd Vitosha and is pretty popular. It runs three times a day and is free, you give a small donation at the end. Takes about 2 hours and the guides give you some amazing info.
Got a metro and bus to mount vitosha which is one of the mountains around the city. The metro is small but only 20 years old and immaculate, brilliant way to get around. We then jumped the 66 bus (it seemed to be free the bus driver didnt take money!) which takes you up to hotel Moreni up the mountain which is a ski resort in winter. You can then either take a long winding hiking path up to the very top or a red route 'clambering' path where you are literally climbing rocks, we did the latter! Was good fun and amazing views.
We also visit whats calld 'the red flat' which is an apartment which has been completely done out in 1980s communist era stuff, very cool, old TV, chairs, furniture etc. You are allowed to touch every which is quite cool. And you get an audio guide of about 1 hour long telling the story of the inhabitants and how they lived under communist rule.
Food was amazing, we tried to always eat bulgarian, but central Sofia is very cosmopolitan, loads of far eastern, italian, pizza kiosks etc. We found just off the main drag a restaurant called The Hadjidragana Tavern which was very cosy decked out bulgarian style and sold a wide range of bulgarian classics, really nice. Second night we booked a place called Moma which was next door to our hotel, again highly recommended.
Beer was generally cheap, in the main strip with the pricey bars a lager would be around £2.50 a pint or a pale al around £3.50. Drinking off the main strip got a bit cheaper still.
Overall a brilliant city break, we literally stuck a pin in a map and it came up, and we went for it. Pretty easy to get around, small city, we did 21km walking on day 1! 2-3 days is enough before you need to start venturing out on day long trips out the city etc.
It's a nice place and glad you enjoyed it.We picked the Rosslyn Thracia Hotel, just off blvd Vitosha and it was perfect, reasonable price, clean rooms, and literally 30 seconds walk to the main centre. We got there 11pm and went out and had a drink in one of the many bars.
Over a few days we did...
Free Walking Tour, starts by the police station building at the top of Blvd Vitosha and is pretty popular. It runs three times a day and is free, you give a small donation at the end. Takes about 2 hours and the guides give you some amazing info.
Got a metro and bus to mount vitosha which is one of the mountains around the city. The metro is small but only 20 years old and immaculate, brilliant way to get around. We then jumped the 66 bus (it seemed to be free the bus driver didnt take money!) which takes you up to hotel Moreni up the mountain which is a ski resort in winter. You can then either take a long winding hiking path up to the very top or a red route 'clambering' path where you are literally climbing rocks, we did the latter! Was good fun and amazing views.
We also visit whats calld 'the red flat' which is an apartment which has been completely done out in 1980s communist era stuff, very cool, old TV, chairs, furniture etc. You are allowed to touch every which is quite cool. And you get an audio guide of about 1 hour long telling the story of the inhabitants and how they lived under communist rule.
Food was amazing, we tried to always eat bulgarian, but central Sofia is very cosmopolitan, loads of far eastern, italian, pizza kiosks etc. We found just off the main drag a restaurant called The Hadjidragana Tavern which was very cosy decked out bulgarian style and sold a wide range of bulgarian classics, really nice. Second night we booked a place called Moma which was next door to our hotel, again highly recommended.
Beer was generally cheap, in the main strip with the pricey bars a lager would be around £2.50 a pint or a pale al around £3.50. Drinking off the main strip got a bit cheaper still.
Overall a brilliant city break, we literally stuck a pin in a map and it came up, and we went for it. Pretty easy to get around, small city, we did 21km walking on day 1! 2-3 days is enough before you need to start venturing out on day long trips out the city etc.
I always enjoyed a few Shumensko's along with a Shepherd's salad & Kavarma.
StevieBee said:
As is the Grand Hotel Sofia: https://www.grandhotelsofia.bg
That's the hotel that Concur used to default to when I was travelling there for work. The bar in the basement is very interesting 
If you liked Sofia, try Plovdiv next. A great city, and the oldest in Europe.
https://www.oldest.org/geography/cities-in-europe/
https://www.oldest.org/geography/cities-in-europe/
Thanks for the update, Coldel, it was quite timely as we'd been looking for a long weekend away. I'd wanted to go to Sofia but covid came along and put paid to that. Seeing your recommendation for the hotel was useful and we've booked it too; flying out next week!
What are shops/cafes/restaurants like with card payments or is it mainly cash?
What are shops/cafes/restaurants like with card payments or is it mainly cash?
Planet Claire said:
Thanks for the update, Coldel, it was quite timely as we'd been looking for a long weekend away. I'd wanted to go to Sofia but covid came along and put paid to that. Seeing your recommendation for the hotel was useful and we've booked it too; flying out next week!
What are shops/cafes/restaurants like with card payments or is it mainly cash?
Nice! You will have a great time. Apparently the weather is back up warm this week, our week was a bit chilly but dry which is all that matters really as you want to be out and about walking around. What are shops/cafes/restaurants like with card payments or is it mainly cash?
Card payments are available everywhere, even for low amounts. Obviously check with your bank for any costs you get per payment. There are loads of ATMs around and they take cash too, most ATMs seem to work except the PostBank ones.
You will be quite surprised just how cosmopolitan and modern the city is in the centre. If you are getting in to the airport at a reasonable time, definitely try the metro, its fast, clean, very spacious and each station has a stunning contemporary design. Takes about 40 mins on metro then you would walk effectively south/down blvd vitosha to the hotel takes about 8-10 mins, google maps is useful here. The line you would take is line 4 (yellow) and get off at Serdika (Centre). Its 1.60 bulgarian Lev which is about 80p. The taxi is around 25-30 Lev depending on what time it is.
The Rossyln hotel when you come out of its doors on the corner, walk towards blvd vitosha and on the right on the corner is a juice bar called Vit C we went in there every morning for a fruit smoothie then wandered along the boulevard and picked out somewhere for breakfast, much nicer than the hotel.
BTW On the first night in the hotel (we arrived at 11pm!) the room we were given had two singles pushed together (seems to be the norm nowadays!) we mentioned it the next morning to the reception, they got on their systems and found us a room with a double in it, and the room was bigger! They had no problem switching us over. They honestly couldnt do enough for us, from recommending restaurants to what to do tourist wise, very friendly.
Edited by coldel on Wednesday 28th September 09:53
Edited by coldel on Wednesday 28th September 09:56
Edited by coldel on Wednesday 28th September 09:56
coldel said:
Nice! You will have a great time. Apparently the weather is back up warm this week, our week was a bit chilly but dry which is all that matters really as you want to be out and about walking around.
Card payments are available everywhere, even for low amounts. Obviously check with your bank for any costs you get per payment. There are loads of ATMs around and they take cash too, most ATMs seem to work except the PostBank ones.
You will be quite surprised just how cosmopolitan and modern the city is in the centre. If you are getting in to the airport at a reasonable time, definitely try the metro, its fast, clean, very spacious and each station has a stunning contemporary design. Takes about 40 mins on metro then you would walk effectively south/down blvd vitosha to the hotel takes about 8-10 mins, google maps is useful here. The line you would take is line 4 (yellow) and get off at Serdika (Centre). Its 1.60 bulgarian Lev which is about 80p. The taxi is around 25-30 Lev depending on what time it is.
The Rossyln hotel when you come out of its doors on the corner, walk towards blvd vitosha and on the right on the corner is a juice bar called Vit C we went in there every morning for a fruit smoothie then wandered along the boulevard and picked out somewhere for breakfast, much nicer than the hotel.
BTW On the first night in the hotel (we arrived at 11pm!) the room we were given had two singles pushed together (seems to be the norm nowadays!) we mentioned it the next morning to the reception, they got on their systems and found us a room with a double in it, and the room was bigger! They had no problem switching us over. They honestly couldnt do enough for us, from recommending restaurants to what to do tourist wise, very friendly.
Cheers for the info. I won't get too much cash then if they accept cards. Already checked out the metro system as our way to get from the airport but thanks for confirming which station etc.Card payments are available everywhere, even for low amounts. Obviously check with your bank for any costs you get per payment. There are loads of ATMs around and they take cash too, most ATMs seem to work except the PostBank ones.
You will be quite surprised just how cosmopolitan and modern the city is in the centre. If you are getting in to the airport at a reasonable time, definitely try the metro, its fast, clean, very spacious and each station has a stunning contemporary design. Takes about 40 mins on metro then you would walk effectively south/down blvd vitosha to the hotel takes about 8-10 mins, google maps is useful here. The line you would take is line 4 (yellow) and get off at Serdika (Centre). Its 1.60 bulgarian Lev which is about 80p. The taxi is around 25-30 Lev depending on what time it is.
The Rossyln hotel when you come out of its doors on the corner, walk towards blvd vitosha and on the right on the corner is a juice bar called Vit C we went in there every morning for a fruit smoothie then wandered along the boulevard and picked out somewhere for breakfast, much nicer than the hotel.
BTW On the first night in the hotel (we arrived at 11pm!) the room we were given had two singles pushed together (seems to be the norm nowadays!) we mentioned it the next morning to the reception, they got on their systems and found us a room with a double in it, and the room was bigger! They had no problem switching us over. They honestly couldnt do enough for us, from recommending restaurants to what to do tourist wise, very friendly.
We're arriving early afternoon, thankfully, so should be able to drop off the bags and go wandering straight away. Pleased to hear the hotel is customer focused; I'm sure we'll have a great time - and I have taken note of your suggestions in the previous post!
Planet Claire said:
Cheers for the info. I won't get too much cash then if they accept cards. Already checked out the metro system as our way to get from the airport but thanks for confirming which station etc.
We're arriving early afternoon, thankfully, so should be able to drop off the bags and go wandering straight away. Pleased to hear the hotel is customer focused; I'm sure we'll have a great time - and I have taken note of your suggestions in the previous post!
There is a cash point by the suitcase belts as you leave sofia airport, I got out 50 Lev (about 25 quid) and that was plenty to have stashed.We're arriving early afternoon, thankfully, so should be able to drop off the bags and go wandering straight away. Pleased to hear the hotel is customer focused; I'm sure we'll have a great time - and I have taken note of your suggestions in the previous post!
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