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Studentski Grad – a city within the city – it has its own rules. Life there seems to be marked by never ending dynamics enveloped with lots of contrasts. Indeed, the contrasts are numerous, starting with the buildings, the places for fun, the people who inhibit this land. Lots could be said.

Studentski Grad, as the name suggests, is mainly occupied by students who come from all over Bulgaria and other countries to study in different Sofian universities. Coming there is like a new phase in the life of the inhabitants since they meet new people, live with new people (very often 3 in a single room) and have fun with these new people or fight with them. One thing is sure – it is a lifetime experience which includes an array of emotions and a set of strange living conditions.

The nightlife does not know weekends or acts as if it is always Saturday night – the discos, the pubs, the cafes are brimming with youths who never get enough. That is why accidents with drunk people occur, sometimes with a fatal end. Remember, having fun in Students’ city could be both amusing and risky. Still, it is fun.

A place worth visiting is Stroezha, in the building of block 23. It gathers people with alternative music tastes who listen to rock, hardcore, metal, drum and bass or underground hip hop. Another place that deserves our attention is Viper Rooms which pretends to be a club. The sound systems inside are impressive and the setting is nice. The concept stresses on electronic music, though there might be some deviations from it. Otherwise, Pop-folk/Chalga clubs are not missing at all, in fact they are dominant.

Visit Students’ City by taking bus lines # 280 or #94 from Sofia University or Eagles’ Bridge. They run almost throughout the whole night.

Sofia is unique for the presence of mineral waters running here and there, underneath the whole city. Even in ancient times this was considered a great asset, bearing in mind the lack of personal bathrooms, so hot and healing water is never to be missed.

Of course, the public bath is now closed with ambitions to become a gallery one day, so we are left with the possibility only to fill in our bottles with water. And why not? The most central springs are right behind Banya Bashi Mosque and TZUM.

Personally, I prefer the sources in Gorna Banya because the way to there is always accompanied with a visit to Liulin Mountain – the sunsets from there are amazing, the tranquility is inspiring and I become recharged.

I imagine myself living in this building which is actually another closed public bath – the one of Gorna Banya. The mineral taps are on its sides, so don’t forget the bottles.

The water is hot and it flows also in all the fountains around. It has low mineralization which makes it suitable for everyday.

The fastest way to reach Gorna Banya is by car, however, you can take bus line 260 from the Five Corners (Pette Kiusheta) and travel up to its last but one stop. There is no way to confuse it, I hope. Just follow the people with plastic containers.

From there you can reach the mountain by foot – it is like a 20 minute walk.

The kifla is our type of croissant. However, I believe that it is bigger than its French counterpart, thus the pleasure from eating it is longer. The marmalade kifla could be considered classic or at least I consider it such since it has been present in every stage of my development – from my childhood to nowadays. In short, it has always been pretty popular for me and the surrouning world.

I recently rediscovered the chocolate-filled kifla as a more modern deviation of the marmalade one. It is by no means less delicious and it reminds me of kozunak.

I came to think that kiflas are a kind of food you can live on and after I post this, I am going to Rakovski str., just opposite the British council to get one.

What I like about Yalta club is that its design allows movement. Of course, movement when it is not crammed which happens often but this is because of the DJs. They are the main reason for lack of space. Otherwise, one can freely move up and down, out and in as the club is on two floors and has a garden in the front. So, this movement may be a result of your mood. If you feel like chilling out, then you would prefer the second floor which is equipped with huge stools, almost like beds. From there a beautiful view opens, allowing you to secretly watch what’s going on outside and inside. However, my observations show that people rarely relax. When seen from above, they are a colourful and lively unity that changes its form all the time – hands wave, heads nod, legs strech in a wild dance which ends with the dawn.

The garden has different appearance during the day. Apart that the designer chairs are more visible, it does not hints for wild people dancing. Instead it imprints calmness and timelessness which is not affected by the dynamics of the busy work hours. So cool.

Check Yalta’s event list on http://www.yaltaclub.com/

A really nice place to hit a cup of coffee on the run and then continue with the errands. The coffee offered is strong, served with a glass of water in beautiful cups. There is an option to sit under the white umbrellas while observing the busy atmosphere around you. People seem in a hurry when you are still for a moment. This contrast gives me food for thought – how much in a hurry look I when roaming the streets? I guess there are several degrees, however, I prefer the calmest state possible, still I imagine myself literary running with the winds. Like a horse.

Anyways, Colours & Favours is a cafe, accompanied by a shop which sells countless types of coffee, tea and all the accessories that complement the prosedure for preparing them. In short, you can find good presents for the coffee adicts.

The cafe offers also salads and sandwiches which look so European to me, though it sounds funny.

Find the place at the junction of General Gurko street and Solunska street – right across Sofia’s Central Post Office.