Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(pl Slaveikov; dawn-dusk; 10)
Dozens of bookstalls crowd this square daily, selling
mostly Bulgarian novels, but plenty of books on Bulgarian history, culture and cuisine are
available in foreign languages, as well as some secondhand English novels, maps and dic-
tionaries.
Ladies' Market
(ul Stefan Stambolov; dawn-dusk; 20)
Stretching several blocks between ul Ekzarh
Yosif and bul Slivnitsa, this is Sofia's biggest fresh-produce market. Fruit and vegetables,
cheap clothes, shoes, car parts, kitchen utensils and pretty much anything else you can
think of can be bought here. It does get very crowded, so watch your belongings.
MARKET
Information
Dangers & Annoyances
The main danger you are likely to face in Sofia comes from the often dreadful traffic; ped-
estrian crossings and traffic lights don't mean much to many drivers, so be extra careful
when crossing roads. Note that traffic lanes and pedestrian areas are marked only by faint
painted lines on the cobbles around pl Aleksander Nevski and pl Narodno Sabranie, and
although the central section of bul Vitosha, between ul Alabin and bul Patriarh Evtimii, is
now pedestrianised, you should still watch out for vehicles zipping out of the side streets.
Sofia has a large, and increasing, population of stray dogs - it is estimated that as many
as 10,000 animals roam the city's streets, and there have been instances of people being
attacked, seriously injured and even killed. You are unlikely to encounter packs of stray
dogs in the city centre, but exercise caution and do not approach feral dogs.
As always, be careful with bags, wallets and purses on crowded public transport and
particularly in busy areas such as the Ladies' Market and around pl Sveta Nedelya.
Emergency
Ambulance
( 150)
Fire
( 160)
Mountain Rescue
( 0886 404122, 926 5112)
Police
( 166)
Traffic Police
( 982 2723)
