Exploring Sofia, Bulgaria: Our Travel Adventure
So, we visited Sofia Bulgaria and loved it! Both of us did! I knew I was going to like it even before we visited. As a long-time lover of B movies, some of my favorites have been filmed there, including the original Hitman with Timothy Olyphant and it’s one of those movies I watch repeatedly :-).
We’d wanted to visit ever since there was a direct flight offered from Valencia but then you know, Covid happened and it went on the back burner. We finally made the trip. What a wonderful surprise.
Where is Sofia?
Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, is a vibrant city with lots of history and culture. Nestled at the foot of the Vitosha Mountain, it offers a beautiful mix of historical landmarks, scenic views, and modern conveniences.
The flight from Valencia, Spain, with a low-cost airline, was just three hours, It was our first visit to Bulgaria, and we were immediately struck by its charm, affordability, and warm atmosphere.
The cab fare into the downtown area from the airport was about 12 U.S. dollars as long as you take one of the official yellow taxis.
Where to Stay in Sofia:
We stayed close to Vitosha Boulevard, which proved to be the perfect location for our trip. The area is insanely convenient for sightseeing, and being in the center of it all meant we could walk to most attractions.
There are plenty of accommodation options in the area, ranging from boutique hotels to budget-friendly apartments, all offering great value due to the favorable exchange rate. We had a two-bedroom apartment for just under 50 dollars a night that we found online.
What to See in Sofia:
Sofia is rich in historical and cultural sights, most of which are conveniently located near Vitosha Boulevard, the heart of the city. This pedestrian street is about a mile long and bustling with life and shopping which makes it easy to explore the city’s highlights.
I had no idea Bulgaria was famous for its flowers, tulips especially. They were everywhere and so beautiful. Fede must have taken 1000 pictures!
From the intricate beauty of the National Palace of Culture to the quirky street art and hidden gems along the way, we never be bored walking around.
For me, the main draw was seeing the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, one of the most iconic symbols of the city. The sheer scale and grandeur of this cathedral, with its stunning golden domes, were awesome.
Seeing the backdrop of so many films in person was surreal. Walking through these streets made me appreciate Sofia’s versatility as a filming location, which added a unique layer of excitement to the visit.
The only sad part for me was not being able to visit a huge studio where they filmed movies like Expendables 2, 3, and the upcoming 4th. Nu Boyana Studios is where they film them, but unfortunately, there’s a minimum number of ten people to be able to tour the grounds. Can I get eight people to go with us? ☺️
Where to Eat in Sofia:
Sofia offers an amazing eating experience. We found that most restaurants had extensive menus filled with local and international options. We were a bit cautious seeing all the restaurants with such a gigantic number of offerings, but everything we ate was wonderfully prepared. All you have to do is walk down Vitosha Boulevard and you’re spoiled for places. I am not even going to bother with the names :-).
One thing that stood out was the value for money, again thanks to the favorable exchange rate with the euro, so, eating out in Sofia was incredibly affordable for us.
Whether we were enjoying traditional Bulgarian dishes with weird names that I can’t remember or indulging in international cuisine, the quality of the food was always high, and the prices were more than reasonable.
The variety of options and the affordability made dining one of the highlights of the trip for us as foodies. Vitosha Boulevard is home to many fantastic cafes and restaurants, but even venturing off the main street led us to hidden gems with authentic local flavors.
The hospitality was excellent, and we felt welcomed everywhere we went. I have to admit I had been a little apprehensive about visiting as a black woman. A few curious stares were in order but nothing malicious and we did see a few other black people.
Staying central made it easy to get a feel for the city’s vibe, and we never felt far from anything we wanted to see or do. We had some truly excellent Bulgarian wine too.
Don’t tell anyone, but I had gelato that was even better than in Italy :-). Even Fede had to admit that.
Bang for the Buck:
The exchange rate was 1: 1.95 so we rounded to 1:2 which made things easier to calculate. That meant we could experience all the city had to offer without worrying too much about overspending. I bought a lovely handmade leather bag for one of my sisters at a great price.
It truly felt like a trip that delivered a great bang for our buck, and it’s a destination we’d highly recommend for anyone looking for a mix of culture, history, and affordability.
You might like: ULTIMATE GUIDE TO BUDAPEST
The Perfect April Weather and Future Plans:
We visited Sofia in April, and the weather was fantastic, cool, and pleasant, perfect for exploring the city without the crowds of peak tourist season. The fresh air and sunny skies made our time in Sofia very enjoyable.
We’re already thinking of returning in the fall to experience a different season and explore more outside of the city, maybe that studio. The surrounding areas, like Vitosha Mountain and nearby historical towns including the famous Rila Monastery, are calling our names for the next trip.
Sofia surprised and delighted us in so many ways and our four nights there were just perfect. I can’t wait to revisit, especially for the food :-). With such reasonable prices, we might splurge and stay in a fancy hotel. In a lot of ways, it reminded me of Bucharest, another city we loved.
Have you visited Sofia? If not, would you care to?