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The cave is in the north part of Bulgaria – 11 km west far away from the small city of Yablanitca and 2 km south from from the village of Brestnica. In short, it is around 85 km away from Sofia which makes it a perfect one-day trip.

Since it is one of the most beautiful caves in our country, it is also known as “The pearl of the underground”. It is said that the cave is old 3,5 million years.
The temperature inside is constant and during the whole year it is 12 degrees centigrade.

It has 3 halls with great acoustics which inspired famous musicians to record their tracks there.

During the summer it is open from 9 a.m. till 5.30 p.m while during the winter – from 9 a.m. till 4.30 p.m.
Entrance: 3 Leva (1.5 Euro), also if you want to take pictures inside, you have to pay 2 Leva (1 Euro) for a photo camera and 5 Leva (2.5 Euro) for a video camera.

Bankya is a small city, around 15 km far from Sofia. Its one of the country’s best and most frequently visited spa resorts.

It is situated in the foot of the sunny Liulin mountain and its climate is mild which makes it an attractive place during all the seasons.

Apart from the many mineral springs there are several museums, a jazz festival during the summer and a race course.

Bankya can be reached either with the public transport or with a car.

You take the metro train from Serdica metro station, which is opposite the Sheraton Hotel, and travel till the last but one stop – these are 6 or 7 stops from the center. When you get there you have to take bus line number 42 which will take you directly to the center of Bankya.

If you are with a car – you have to take the circular way that goes around Sofia. After you pass by the exit for Suhodol, you have to take the one that leads to Bankya.

The history of this place is long – founded in 1928, initially it consisted of three departments – museum, library and archive.
The gallery itself comes relatively later – in 1941 Bulgaria’s first permanent exhibition is made there.

The gallery houses one of the most prominent collections of Bulgarian works – more than 8000 items from different periods.

Inside, you will find 4 separate spaces exposing either collections from the gallery’s archive or temporary exhibitions of foreign or native artists.

Visit the gallery, the address is 1 General Gurko street, at the beginning of the garden where the National Theatre “Ivan Vazov” is.

Open: Tuesday to Saturday – 10.00 a.m. to 19 p.m.
Sunday – 11.00 a.m. to 18 a.m.
Closed on Mondays

Tel: (+359 2) 944 11 75

The gallery occupies 3 floors of the building on 6 Shipka street, right next to Sofia University.
Actually it belongs to the Bulgarian Artists Association and exhibitions of prominent Bulgarian artists are done there.

Open from Monday to Saturday – 10.00 a.m. to 6 p.m
Tel: (+359 2) 846 71 13

This place is different at any time of the day.
Suitable for various kinds of purposes – morning coffees with fresh juices, outside, in the garden or evening cocktails with stylish electronic music in either of the two halls.
Plus, an excellent Bloody Mary is served there.

Open everyday from 9 a.m. till the party is over.

For two people, the evening drinks would cost around 40 leva (20 euro).
Toba&co is situated at the back of the National Art Gallery on 6 Moskovska street.

Yes, this place deserves a special attention.
It is a perfect start for the evening – cool electronic music, party atmosphere and nice people. At times it seems that everybody knows each other.

During the day it is a great spot for an afternoon coffee and a raffish meeting.
There is a wireless connection as well, so go ahead at any time.

Drinks for two in the evening would be around 30 leva (15 euro).
The parking matter is problematic during the day but in the evening you might succeed.

Blaze is on 36 Slavyanska street.
Open every day from 10 a.m. to 3 a.m.

On this market you will find curious things – from antiquarian watches, clocks, jewellery to paintings, tablecloths and traditional artifacts.

There in no way to miss it once you get to Alexander Nevsky cathedral and St. Sofia church.

Underpasses in the center of Sofia are well lighted and usually there is a security guy around.

Otherwise, it is not a good idea to use them because there’s hardly any light, most of the time they stink and are full with junk. An example of an underpass of this kind you will find around the area of the Central Railway Station, so be careful when you decide to go under.

As a whole – avoid public restrooms. They are not many, neither are they modern.

In any case, there is one in the underpass which is under the junction of Patriarch Evtimii boulevard and General Gurko street.

Every fair, every celebration, every occasion is supported by these two inseparable parts of the Bulgarian cuisine.
They can be found in every restaurant that serves traditional Bulgarian food.
Both are made in a similar way, only the spices and the shape differ – minced meat, finely chopped onions, parsley for the kyufte which is round and caraway for the kebapche which has the shape of a hot dog. Then, they are grilled at high temperatures until thin crust is made.

Trying them is a must.

They go very well with tomato puree (aka Lyutenica), hot peppers and beer.

Enjoy!