Short time in Sofia advice

[LondonFly]

I will have 5-6 hours in Sofia. I will have a car, starting and returning to airport.
What can I do to fill that time? I will have young kids as well and considering the weather at end of October. Happy to drive and see sites or park and walk around, just have never been to Sofia before to any advice would be appreciated. Thank you in advance

[JDB]

As you have a car, possibly the most impressive single site in Sofia is the Boyana church on the edge of the city; very tiny but extraordinarily impressive. You would need to check the booking situation and you are only allowed around 10 minutes.

For the city itself, you might be better on the metro from the airport as although there isn’t really much traffic, parking is difficult and very strictly enforced by towing. The metro Serdika takes you directly into the remains of the Roman city of the same name. Nearby is the St George Rotunda church and you are not far from the central mosque and central market. The main axis from Serdika metro also runs up towards parliament and the main cathedral St Alexander Nevsky, not of great architectural interest but quite impressive and very bling. Next to it is the Basilica of St Sofia which is more impressive, particularly if you pay to go down into the crypt. Obviously it depends on the age of the children and whether they are good walkers, but there’s quite a bit to see which is sufficiently different and impressive plus you can do quite quickly that the children should enjoy.

[aseftel]

If the weather is good, you could go up Vitosha ski lift. Great views and should go down well with children. Check their website and social media to understand if the cable car is running.

[LondonFly]

Thank you for the advice.
I don’t think the church will interest the kids.
We will have about 6 or so hours in between flights so was thinking of ways to keep us busy/see some sights, can even be in the car

Vitosha sounds really interesting but I don’t think the ski lift is operating but it it difficult to get accurate information
Just trying to put some ideas together to enjoy the few hours we are there
Thank you

[JDB]

@LondonFly – you can drive up to Vitosha as well if the cable car isn’t working. You know your children, but the orthodox churches are remarkably exotic! Boyana is very close to Vitosha.