With this message, the temporary #soInfoIntoSofia infopoint in the iconic Crystal Garden opens its doors on Sofia Day 2024. For three weeks, the new urban location will welcome all curious citizens and tourists of the capital with useful tourist information, guides and recommendations about the city, educational #soSofia installations and materials, a stage for urban stories and a new series of trendy designer souvenirs. The creation of the mobile pavilion, which will also visit other locations in the future, is part of the long-term efforts of #soSofia, Mastercard, Sofia Airport, Sofia Municipality and Visit Sofia to promote the capital’s priceless stories and symbols, as well as the most characteristic places and small businesses that make the capital #soSofia.
From September 17 until 8 October, tourists and passers-by through the first info point location – Crystal – will be able to get information on what to see and visit in Sofia from the #soInfoIntoSofia team, city activists and tourism students, and through a special interactive quiz everyone will be able to get their own #soSofia itinerary by answering a few short questions. The mobile checkpoint itself was created by the fast-growing Bulgarian sustainable design architecture studio Nomad Cabins.
The new pavilion will also showcase a new series of travel souvenirs created in collaboration between #soSofia, Mastercard, JPoint and various young designers and successful Bulgarian brands created by women.
The new-generation infopoint will be officially opened with a special festive program on September 17, and in the next three weeks will serve as an open stage for various artists and activists for the city to talk about the tangible and intangible heritage and attractions of Old, Young and Green Sofia. All events are supported by VisitSofia and are part of the Sofia Celebrates 17 September programme for the city’s celebration.
The film “To Sofia, With Love” aims to increase the curiosity of future tourists to the city and is supported by Mastercard as part of the brand’s initiative to digitize the stories of Sofia and its people that have not been told around the world. It is a personal and documentary story of iconic and distinctive urban symbols of Sofia and a culmination of the #soWelcometoSofia project on the #soSofia platform, which explores 30 of the most characteristic symbols from antiquity, modernity and nature of Sofia and presents them to arriving tourists in a rough installation at Terminal 2 of Sofia Airport. The project was implemented with the support of the cultural heritage socialization program of the Sofia Municipality, Sofia Airport and Mastercard.
What makes Sofia so old?
The hundred years of history visible at the Largo and Serdika Roman Complex. The unique phenomena of four different religious temples just steps away from each other. Or the streets of the old Jewish quarter that lead to the Middle East secrets, local crafts, and products of the Women’s Market. Sofia has so many layers developing from a small oriental town to a modern European capital.
Young, wild and #soSofia!
The National Palace of Culture, where modern meets classic, Knyazheska Garden – the place of the young skaters, the National Theatre and City Garden, where music, games, and cheering sounds go until the morning. Meet the cool urban people in K.E.V.A, Raketa Rakia bar or bar Petak, and many more colourful restaurants, bars, and clubs where every evening becomes a new day.
Sofia is so green!
Green treasures are hidden everywhere — The South Park, Borisova Garden, Military Academy park and many more make you feel surrounded by nature while you are still in the city centre. Vrana Palace, Kambanite complex or the Botanical garden offer an exciting historical and natural expedition. Vitosha mountain awaits you with Boyana waterfall, Pancharevo lake, multiple eco trails, and sunny huts.
