Metro
Metro — The Sofia Metro was planned since 1960s but they officially started the construction in 1990s mainly because the city did not experience an urgent need for an underground system. Another factor was the construction works depth – being one of the oldest cities in Europe, Sofia contains many historical layers right underneath its very core (unearthed Roman ruins can be seen at the Serdika Metro Station).
Now the construction of over 16 metro stations is over and dozen other metro stations are currently being built. The current metro stations (totaling 33 – consisting of two lines) are being used by more than 300,000 people every day. Because of its late development, Sofia’s Metro system is one of the most modern ones in the former Soviet Bloc countries.
The fare for a Metro ride is 1 BGN (lev) (or .50 Euro). Pre-paid digital cards are also available (usually via vending machine at the Metro stations) with a minimum of 10 pre-paid rides (8 BGN for 10 pre-paid rides). Daily and monthly cards are also available. These Metro cards can also be used in the city’s buses & trams.
The Metro system’s map can be found on its official website: www.metropolitan.bg/en/map/
Buses
Buses — Sofia Urban Mobility Centre (tel: (02) 831 9071 or 0700 13233; www.sumc.bg) operates Sofia’s trams, buses and trolley buses. There is no night service. Plans to extend the underground system to the south of the city continue to make slow progress.
Tickets (1 BGN per ride) are sold at kiosks at the major bus stops and newsagents, and must be validated on board using the metal punchers near the windows. Passes or transit cards, valid for one day, five days or one month, are available. Karta (coupons of 10 tickets) are valid on trams, buses, metro and trolley buses. The new electronic-stored value smart cards enable users to top up and then swipe the card for each journey at the entrance to the vehicle.
Useful trams for visitors include 1 and 7, which link the central train station with bul Vitosha (near the NDK) via bul Hristo Botev and tram 10, which runs across the city from bul Stamboliyski to ul Graf Ignatiev. Buses for Boyana, Zlatni Mostove and Aleko depart from the Hladilnika bus terminal. It is near the southern terminus of Trams 2, 4, 9 and 12 from pl Sveta Nedelya. (From the final tram stop, walk through the tiny park to the bus stop on the main road.)
Sofia also has a fleet of privately run blue minibuses, known as marshrutki. These cover wider routes and can be hailed anywhere and drop passengers on request. Pay the driver on entering (1.50 BGN per ride).
Car Rentals
Car Rentals: the following are car rental agencies that operate in Sofia:
Avis: +359 (2) 826 1100
Budget: +359 (2) 945 9454
Europcar Bulgaria: +359 (2) 981 4626
Hertz: +359 (2) 945 9217
iRent: +359 (0700) 10 310
Taxis
Taxis – in Sofia, travelers should use taxis with meters and clearly marked rates displayed on a sticker on the passenger side of the windshield. Travelers should be aware that there is no official commission that sets taxi cab rates. Taxi drivers are within their full rights to charge passengers any price they want, provided that it corresponds with the price shown on the windshield sticker. It is recommended to inquire about the fare first, to avoid excessive payment if a metered taxi cannot be found. Depending on the service, initial fares can run at .70 BGN (daytime), and .90 BNG (night rate). The following are some taxi companies that operate in Sofia:
Eurolease Taxi: +359 (2) 91 888
Green Taxi: +359 (2) 810 810
M Taxi: +359 (2) 9 1050
OK Supertrans: +359 (2) 973 37 70
Omega Trans: +359 (2) 91 142
Radio CB Taxi: +359 (2) 91 263
Tsar Liberation Monument
Tsar Liberation Monument (1 Narodno Sabranie Square, Sofia) — the Monument to the Tsar Liberator is located in the centre of Sofia. It was erected in 1907 to honor Russian Emperor Alexander II (who liberated Bulgaria from Ottoman rule during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-78). The monument was made of black polished granite from Vitosha Mountain and consists of a pedestal, a middle part with figures and a massive Neo-Renaissance cornice, finished with the sculpture of the Russian Tsar on a horse. Romania donated the bronze wreath at the foot, in memory of the Romanian soldiers that died during the war.
Sveti Sedmochislenitsi Church
Sveti Sedmochislenitsi Church (25 Graf Ignatiev Street, Sofia) — looking at the pretty church that stands in the middle of the park, it is not obvious that this was once a mosque. Its current name is in reference to Sofia being liberated on the feast day of one of the Holy Seven Saints: Sveti Naum. This church was created in 1902 on base of an abandoned Ottoman mosque. Before the mosque, there previously existed a nunnery of the Rila Monastery and an Early Christian temple from the 4th-5th century, the ruins of which were excavated in 1901. Hours: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm.
St. Nicholas the Miracle-Maker church
St. Nicholas the Miracle-Maker (3 Tsar Osvoboditel Street, Sofia) — Walking down ‘Tsar Osvoboditel Street, you will see the beautiful gold domes of the so-called ‘the prettiest church in Sofia’. Its high dome, surrounded by four smaller domes, all made of gold harmonize perfectly with the roof of the church which is covered with green majolica tiles. Free admission; Hours: 7:30 am – 6:00 pm (daily).
St. George Rotunda
St. George Rotunda (32 Kniaz Dondukov Blvd., Sofia) — Hidden away in a courtyard of the Presidency and the dainty Sheraton Hotel, amid remains of the ancient town of Serdica, rises the famous Roman Rotunda, a red-brick building transformed into the present day St. George Church. The Roman Rotunda (St. George Church) is the oldest preserved structure (originally built in the 4th century AD). Originally the building was used for public purposes. After the recognition of Christianity as a religion in the Roman Empire, the rotunda became a baptistery (a building for conversion to Christianity), due to the many conversions, following the authorization of this religion. At the time of Emperor Justinian the Great (reigned 527 – 565) the Rotunda was transformed into a church. The first wall painting was made in the same period.
During the Ottoman rule and the reign of sultan Selim the 1st (reigned 1512 – 1520) the Rotunda St George was transformed into a mosque, named Gyul Dzhamasi. The Christian paintings on the walls were obliterated with white plaster and in their place were painted floral motifs. After the liberation of Bulgaria in 1878 the Rotunda was deserted, and after the death of Prince Alexander Battenberg (reigned 1879 – 1886) it was transformed into a mausoleum. Its restoration began in 1915. Nowadays the temple is operational and performs daily worships in the Eastern church singing, also known as Byzantine music. Hours: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm (daily).
Sofia City Art Gallery
Sofia City Art Gallery (1 Gen. Gurko Street, Sofia) — this is a museum with longstanding traditions. Its role is to present the facts of Bulgarian cultural history in an analytical and modern way and to actively intervene in art developments by original and impressive projects. Today the Sofia City Art Gallery possesses some of the richest collections of Bulgarian art: 3500 paintings, 800 statues, 2800 graphics and drawings. The Соntemporary Art and Photography department was founded in 2004. Admission: 2 BGN (adult), 1 BGN (children ages 7-18), 4 BGN (family), free for children under 7 years, seniors and the disabled. Free admission for all on Thursday. Hours: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm (Tuesday – Saturday), 11:00 am – 6:00 pm (Sunday). Closed on Mondays.
Presidency Building
Presidency Building (2 Dondukov Blvd., Sofia) — in the history of modern Bulgarian State, the functions of head of State have been performed by a monarch, a Regency Council and, later on, by collegial bodies like a Presidium of the National Assembly and a State Council. The institution of President of the Republic has a relatively recent history and is associated with Bulgaria’s transition to democracy and with the new structuring of institutions within the context of this transition.
