Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sofia
02 / POP 1.3 MILLION
Includes ยป
Why Go?
Bulgaria's pleasingly laid-back capital, Sofia (
So
-fia) is often overlooked by tourists head-
ing straight to the coast or the ski resorts, but they're missing something special. It's no
grand metropolis, true, but it's a largely modern, youthful city, while its old East-meets-
West atmosphere is still very much evident, with a scattering of onion-domed churches, Ot-
toman mosques and stubborn Red Army monuments sharing the skyline with vast shopping
malls and glassy five-star hotels. Sofia's grey, blocky civic architecture lends a lingering
Soviet tinge to the place, but it's also a surprisingly green city. Vast parks and manicured
gardens offer welcome respite from the busy city streets, and the ski slopes and hiking
trails of mighty Mt Vitosha are just a short bus ride from the city centre. Home to many of
Bulgaria's finest museums, galleries, restaurants and entertainment venues, Sofia may per-
suade you to stick around and explore further.
