Cheap flights to Sofia

There is a Yellow Brick Road in Sofia. Really. The bricks were a wedding gift to a Bulgarian Tsar from an Austro-Hungarian Emperor and they line a road that runs through the administrative centre of the Bulgarian capital, near most of the tourist landmarks.

One of the most important landmarks is the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. This enormous neo-Byzantine church (it is one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world), all green and gold domes, was built in memory of the Russian soldiers who died wresting Bulgaria from Ottoman rule in 1878.

Between Turkish and Russian influences (Bulgaria was a contented Soviet state for 50 years) and a dash of European Union “connectedness” (since 2007), Sofia is a fascinating place to visit.

At about 7,000 years old, it is one of the oldest cities in Europe. Long before there were cheap flights to Sofia, the Thracians, Greeks, Romans, Macedonians and Turks all flocked there for its life-giving mineral springs – there are seven independent springs in the city. It’s no exaggeration to say that this stylish city is one of the jewels of Eastern Europe.

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Sofia climate

Summers are balmy with temperatures usually in the low-20s (Celsius) and low humidity, although July and August can reach the high-20s. Winters are cold with below freezing temperatures December through February.Rain is typical any month of the year, especially in April and May. In winter, Sofia gets snow instead, most of it falling from December to February.

Getting around Sofia

Sofia’s public transport network of buses, trolleys and trams reaches all corners of the city from early morning to late evening. Buy tickets from street kiosks. Fares are cheap, but one-day and multiple-day tickets will save you even more money. The metro doesn’t hit tourist attractions or hotels. Be prepared and travel with a map, and don’t be afraid to ask locals for help. Despite public transit system’s extensive coverage, stops aren’t well-marked and contain little if any information. For a bit more money, you can travel in a private minibus, which is faster than a regular bus. Don’t worry about buying tickets ahead of time, just pay the driver when you board. Calling for a taxi can get lost in translation. Most dispatches don’t speak English, but the fares are reasonable as long as you’re not overcharged. Make sure the meter is running and know where you’re going. Drivers expect you to know where you’re going and often need you to give directions. 

Don’t drive in Sofia. With public transport and taxis available, battling the horrible traffic isn’t worth it.

What is good to know if travelling to Sofia?

• The main sights of the city are concentrated around Aleksander Batenberg Square, Narodno Sabranie Square and Tsar Osvoboditel Boulevard. The area is paved with yellow bricks, which were a wedding present from an Austro-Hungarian Emperor to a Bulgarian Tsar.
• If you like places of worship, Sofia is the place for you. The city has several, with the best known the Alexander Nevski Memorial Church. It was built in the early 1900s to honour the Russian soldiers who died trying to liberate Bulgaria from Ottoman rule during the War of Liberation in 1878. The interior is gorgeous with frescoes and woodcarvings by Bulgarian and Russian artists.
• Next to it is the church of Saint Sofia. The Russian church, St. Nicholas, is beautiful with gilded domes. There are also the Orthodox Church of St. Nedelia, the Central Synagogue and Banya Bashi Mosque. Finally, St George Rotunda is said to be the oldest building in Sofia. It dates back to the 4th century. It’s a museum and is listed by Unesco as is medieval Boyana Church, whose interior is covered with scenes from the bible and paintings of saints.
• Zhenski pazar or “women’s market” is to be found between Slivnitsa Boulevard and Ekzarh Yosif Street on Stefan Stambolov Boulevard. A daily market selling food, flowers, clothes and more. The Tsentralni Hali (Central Food Halls) is beautiful with impressive 20th-century ironwork. It underwent a three-year renovation fairly recently and offers a modern version of the bazaar-shopping experience. A nice place to shop for foodstuffs, have a coffee and soak up the atmosphere.
• Borissovata Gradina is Sofia’s central park. The Ariana Lake, Vassil Levski National Stadium and Bulgarian Army Stadium is there. There are also open-air swimming pools. Yuzhen Park (the Southern Park) is Sofia’s second-largest park, and has several children’s playgrounds.