A short guide to Sofia's hidden places for advanced travellers and anyone looking for a trip beyond the common landmarks.

The guide includes:
✦  10+ hidden gems and unpopular destinations: cultural spots, districts and Instagrammable places
✦ recommendations for experiences and events told by а local
✦ recommendations for hidden cafes and speakeasy bars



Sofia, Bulgaria

💎Hidden gems of Sofia {Bulgaria}

The park of the Military Academy 🏕️🌲

When I was in high school, I discovered a park nearby that proved to be one of the most unique ones in the city. The park is part of the National Military Academy, but this should not scare you. Untypically for the park in Sofia, this one is secured with a fence made of old weapons.

The Water tower of Lozenets  was designed by Austrian architect and built by the French School for Construction of water towers in the 20s of the 20th century. It is distinguished by its original design and is one of the authentic architectural landmarks of the Lozenets Quarter.

Chitalnyata is yet the not-so-hidden, but definitely a gem. The small glass building is located in the City park of Sofia, just across the National Theatre. It is open every day and operates as a library and info point. You can get for free maps of the city and other info leaflets. Also, feel free to ask for additional recommnedations.

Moreover, you can donate a book and get a card for the library with which you can borrow books for unlimited time.

If you are there, you may come across some literary events or a free exhibition on the alley on the left side of the park. Quite usually there are urban city expositions there. Last but not least, on the right alley next to the library, you can see some of the best local chess players, spending hours playing in the park.

One of the cutest botanical gardens you may see is located in the centre of Sofia, close to a big boulevard, but still, a quiet place if you are looking for an escape from the urban jungle to the natural world. It is the botanical garden of Sofia University that preserves hundreds of unique plants in both outdoor and indoor area.

It works every day except Mondays and Tuesdays and the entrance fee is symbolical.

In Sofia, there is a busy junction called "Pette kyosheta", which means the five corners. But not only! Not so far there is a smaller version of it where 5 streets cross and form a mini junction where actually you can find a bunch of cute places around them. On one of the corners is located Sun&Moon restaurant, which offers mainly plant-based and vegan food. Opposite of it, is Zoya shop and bakery for bio foods and cosmetics. Around these five corners are also located local galleries and art shops, so if you find yourself there, do not skip a stroll.

G-8 is a cosy space for independent cinema and cultural events. The cinema halls are quite small, so do not expect a huge screen, but rather enjoy the artsy ambience and romantic feeling. In summer, in the yard of the place you can go for outdoor cinema nights with a glass of wine. It is personally my favourite spot for dates in the cold days, quality cinema, tasty snacks and craft beers.

The park was designed by the architect Friedrich Grünanger, who was responsible for architecturally notable public buildings and private homes in Sofia. It is indeed a place where you won't hear any city noise and you may rest in silence and under the generous shade of the trees.

In summer, you can enjoy various cultural events like ballet and theatre plays, films and operas.

Just behind the park, you can also visit the National Museum of Military History.

Named unofficially as "KvARTal", this area is secluded by four big streets and boulevards and marks where the old Jewish neighbourhood was. Nowadays, it is part of the centre of Sofia and in recent years an urban association revived it by organising annualy the so-called "Kvartal Festival". 

This festival is always taking place in mid-September, as the 17th of September is the celebration day of Sofia. The festival aims to promote the local businesses in the area - cafes, restaurants, shops and galleries, as well as to add an outstanding cultural and historical festival on the event map of Sofia.

Kvartal fastly became the cultural and artistic center of Sofia with lots of modern, urban and exquisite places to eat, drink and socialise. Combied with the rich history of the area and the graffiti, Kvartal becomes a must-visit place for every nomad and hipster passing by.

KvARTal Art District (@kv.art.al) • Instagram photos and videos

SWIMMING POOL is a newly-opened space for contemporary art and cultural gatherings. The space hosts diverse projects like exhibitions and performances and has an added value in each artistic souls' Instagram feed.

It is located in the heart of Sofia, on the last floor of a building you may easily skip.

Before visiting, check and contact them if they are open. If you have the luck to find the founder when you are there, do not feel shy to ask about the story of this place - you will hear interesting stories first hand.

SWIMMING POOL – non-profit art project space in Sofia

If they announce a contest for the most beautiful tram stop, please reach out to me as I want to nominate Vishneva.

This tram stop is small, cute and hidden in the forest. There is a small wooden house where you can stop or continue your journey by tram in the forest. It almost feels like a fairytale scene.  A legend says this house was once a hunting lodge gifted to Tsar Boris III by his wife. Built in the 1930s, it connects Lozenets residents with the municipal area of the city.

To reach it, you should take tram N.10 going to Vitosha metro station. Make sure you get a ticket for the ride, which costs 1.60 BGN.

Now, the Water Tower is operating as a cultural space for exhibitions and performances and like most of the previous places, it is a very Instagrammable and unusual spot.

You can check the program and how different it looks in every season.

You can combine the visit with Vishneva tram stop as the way to the Tower goes through the forest.

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The Catacombs of Saint Sofia church 🧱

In my Sofia guide for beginners, I marked the red church of Saint Sofia as a very common spot for tourists. However, many skip the catacombs that reveal a whole different layer of history. These catacombs are actually the foundations of ancient Serdika dating back from the 4- 5 century A.C.

Here are a few more places I am adding to the list that are experiences I recommend you try if you have extra time in Sofia.

✨ HaHaHa Impro Theatre at Toplocentrala

HaHaHa Impro Theatre | Sofia

✨ Hadzi Dimitar - the graffiti neighbourhood 

This park is situated in the outskirts of Sofia taking you to the beautiful Vitosha mountain. It includes a monument with an inscription that says “Unity, Creativity, Beauty”. The reason - the United Nations Organization declared 1979 as the Year of the Child and their Problems. As a result, Lyudmila Zhivkova, the daughter of the former communist leader of Bulgaria in those times, initiated the construction of such a monument that will be dedicated to children from all over the planet.

A visit of the park is a great way to head to Vitosha mountain for a bit of nature retreat.

⟡ Lorca: another hidden and exclusive place only locals know, famous for its walls full of quotes, drawings and signatures.

⟡ Com.bar: A bar that will give you the vibes of the communist times and Bulgaria and a rich menu of the well-known Balkan spirit drink rakia.

⟡ Hambara: A hidden bar lightened on candles for a romantic atmosphere and meetings in the dark.

⟡ Apartamental: An old apartment turned into a cosy coffee and dates place where all artistic souls meet

⟡ 5L Speakeasy Bar: a classy and outstanding hidden bar in Sofia that has without a doubt the best cocktails, service and ambience.

⟡ Secret Room Bar: This bar is more of a place for music and dances in the late hours, nevertheless at any time it brings a mysterious atmosphere and quality drinks.

⟡ 3oz Bar: a bar without a menu and with a personal approach to each client. Just think of the taste you wanna feel and they will create the magic for you.

⟡ Sterling Bar: with a few locations in the centre, Sterling feels like an antique store you can find your treasure.

♨ Altruist: if you stop in Kvartal district, make sure you try out the cakes and quality coffee in Altruist cafe, for the people with an aristocratic sense of life.

♨ Coffee Syndicate: a place for coffee and their the-one-and-only eclairs with a view to Vitosha and the yellow cobblestones of the centre of Sofia.

💎Hidden gems of Sofia {Bulgaria}

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