Hello friends,
I have decided to start my Steemit journey with a series called “Travel destinations in Bulgaria” and the first stop will be the one and only – Sofia.
Sofia, the capital city of Bulgaria is where I have spent my whole life. Besides the reputation that it has of an ex-communist city, it actually is a multi-cultural, fast growing, and modernizing city with a rich history. From the great (free) walking tours, historic churches, and museums, to the modern cafes, nightclubs, and restaurants Sofia is a wonderful travel destination and it is very budget friendly. Another great thing is that Sofia is walkable in the city centre where most of the landmarks are located. Otherwise, Sofia has a well-developed and efficient public system which you can use from 5 am-midnight.
Of course, the more money you can save the more places you can visit, so here are some money saving tips that can make your stay in Sofia cheaper than expected.
Get your souvenirs in the subway! While it sounds odd, great souvenirs can be bought at the many small shops in the subways. The Ethnographic Museum has a small shop tightly crammed with souvenirs of all kinds from all over Bulgaria. Antiques and souvenirs can also be found in Alexander Nevski square, in stalls just opposite the church.
Go on a free walking tour! This is a great way to learn the history behind the places you are seeing and to avoid missing any must-see stops. The “Free Sofia Tour” is a two-hour excursion offered twice a day.
Come to visit Sofia in the winter! Winters are an ideal time for Sofia budget travel when you can enjoy less-crowded destinations, plenty of scenic beauty, and good opportunities for skiing in the snow.
Eat in bakeries! The bakeries not just in Sofia but in the whole country are the cheapest way to fill yourself up during any time of the day. Snacks are as low as 1$.
To have the most interesting trip as possible you must go to a few places that are really iconic for our city.
- National Palace of Culture-Usually referred to as the NDK, this place is host to 15 separate halls—making it the largest cultural complex in the country. During the summer, there is a regular schedule of various events and a diverse range of shows to check out.
- Alexander Nevski Cathedral – Constructed in the early 20th century, this is one of the world’s largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals. Topped with the characteristic round domes of the Neo-Byzantine style, and with a beautiful Italian marble interior, this is one church that you should make sure to stop at.
- National Art Gallery – This gallery is host to one of the most comprehensive collections of Bulgarian art in all of Bulgaria. There are several displays of work from the 19th and 20th centuries. Some of the masterpieces housed here include works by Vladimir Dimitrov, Goshka Datsov, Anton Mitov, and Georgi Mashev.
- Presidency and the Guard Ceremony – The Bulgarian president’s office lies within the eastern end of the same monolithic building that houses the Sheraton Hotel. The office isn’t open for public viewing, but the changing of the guard occurs every hour here.
- National Museum of Military History – This is one of the most visited museums within Sofia. There are three floors of exhibits, all featuring detailed information on warfare in Bulgaria over the past several hundred years.
Lastly, every city, town or even a village in Bulgaria is worth-visiting. You will meet great, friendly and outgoing people and you will have fun for sure!
