What to do in Sofia, Bulgaria. Travel advice please

[Frankie]

Hello, I am heading to Sofia in a few days on a BA tier point run. Staying three days to try to see the place and make the most of the trip. Has anyone please got any tips or advice on what to see and do there, and any local restaurant or bars tips? Would really appreciate any help. Staying at the Hyatt and not paid for any breakfast or meals there. I have already read the helpful tips and hints on the forums previously provided for Sofia but posting to see if anyone has any other tips or hints. I’m not into fine dining but would like local food and just would like to see the sights and any hidden gems of anything worth seeing on or off the beaten track. Thank in advance HFPers.

[Froggee]

See if you can spot @JDB carrying out some form of espionage. I’m increasingly thinking his whole legal eagle act is just a cover for him being a modern day Brooke James Bond

[Frankie]

@JDB do you recommend any particular walking tour company? Also I see that The School restaurant is 10km from The Hyatt. Is there an easy way to get to it? Thanks in advance grateful for any response.

[JDB]

Frankie wrote:

@JDB do you recommend any particular walking tour company? Also I see that The School restaurant is 10km from The Hyatt. Is there an easy way to get to it? Thanks in advance grateful for any response.

I’m not sure about that restaurant – it wasn’t me that mentioned it and it is a long way out of town. At a guess, taxi would be best and they are very cheap and easy to find. The guide I used was Diana

– https://bulgaria-balkan-guides.com/about-us/

I’m sure she isn’t the cheapest but she is a historian and very personable, interesting and knowledgeable guide as much about the story of Bulgaria which puts everything you see on the tour and on your own into a context that brings it alive. On the morning we did the walking tour we also went to Boyana Church and Vitosha mountain. Others have mentioned a free walking tour, just a tip to pay.

I don’t like recommending restaurants as you never know what others like but I went twice to Egur Egur and would go back. It’s Armenian, reasonably priced and an easy walk from the Hyatt. I don’t know if they are open in the winter but in the parks/squares that are roughly en route there are two nice bars!

[meta]

The School (which seems to be now rebranded as The School 2 as there is now another branch) is close to Boyana church hence why I recommended it.

[Frankie]

Thank you so much to you both for this intel