You seem to approach life with an open minded and bohemian attitude, this personalised route is for you. Have fun, mix up and make memories in Sofia:
In Sofia,you can never get bored.
If you are a food lover, a social life junky, a wine connoisseur, a passionate dancer, or a music enthusiast, you have a long list to fulfil. In your personalised #soSofia route you will find the most authentic culinary, social, cultural, artistic, shopping, urban and natural experiences, recommended by Mastercard®.
Restaurant Raketa Rakia Bar
First is first, so let’s start with the food! “Raketa Rakia bar” is actually a restaurant with traditional Bulgarian dishes prepared with a twist and served by smiling people in a nostalgic, socialist – inspired interior. There, you will taste the most delicious meatballs and kebabs, typical “snezhanka” and “shopska” salad, gypsy banitsa, and hundreds of types of rakia.
Fabrika Daga
For the late sleepers brunch culture in Sofia is a cure and the first thing to do on a weekend. Make sure to try the local “mekitsy”, “buhty” or “banitsa” with a fresh yogurt drink or a nice cup of cappuccino. One of the oldest and pioneer brunch places in Sofa is the “Rainbow Factory”. The place is usually packed, but the team is super fast and will always welcome you with a smile. The only problem is how to choose what to try when you want to try everything!
Bar K.E.V.A.
Get ready for a perfect combination of good location, bohemian appeal, great drinks, unique bartenders and alternative music in the “Artist’s Aesthetic Education Club” or K.E.V.A. for short. The bar is located in the courtyard of the National Academy of Theatre and Film Arts and is characterised by the mix of people communicating in an “urban” language and tolerating different, interesting, and niche events.
Women’s Мarket
Dive into the largest open-air market in the city and the only one preserving the old “charshiyas”, dating back to Ottoman rule. Here you can buy from hummus, olives, nuts, and tahini from Arabic stalls to fresh fish, fruit and vegetables, cheese and sausages from local producers. Craftsmanship adds traditional ceramics, carpets, textiles, clothes, souvenirs and Arabic barber shops. Before you go, stop by the many second-hand shops around.
Toplocentrala
From an old heating plant to a modern centre for contemporary art and culture. Toplocentrala was founded by a group of artists from the independent scene and is now one of the most visited venues for contemporary performing arts, festivals, exhibitions, concerts, seminars and urban events. Guaranteed unforgettable memories, especially if you visit the beautiful terrace bar.
Gifted Sofia
If you want to see the character and identity of Sofia through the modern eyes of Bulgarian designers and artists, we have the perfect place for you – Gifted Sofia. It is both a shop and a gallery and has been developing as a contemporary place for urban culture for years. Gifted is home to local artists, collectives, and brands and is the right place to get something original to remember Sofia.
KvARTal
One of the most colourful places in Sofia is the old Jewish quarter situated in the centre and known as “kvARTal district”. It gathers many modern shops, restaurants, and cafes in a Venetian Secession style with beautiful houses and streets. The district is also famous for having been inhabited by many intellectuals and poets and today attracts modern craftsmen, contemporary galleries and Bulgarian design artists.
Vitosha Мountain
Few capitals can name a big mountain to be practically a neighbourhood of the city, just 30 min. away from the centre. Vitosha mountain awaits you with unique sights, eco-trails, waterfalls and huts in a quiet, peaceful and extremely beautiful setting. Visit the new generation huts – September, The Composers and Balkanity, proposing workation conditions together with amazing views and tasty homemade food.
Check out your route on the map:
