Sofia, Bulgaria

Three bedroom apartment in the city centre with a jacuzzi. In the heart of Sofia, set within a short distance of Council of Ministers Building and Banya Bashi Mosque, Golden Pearl - jacuzzi top center luxury apartment offers free WiFi, air conditioning and household amenities such as a toaster and coffee machine. Located in the Centrum district, the property provides guests with access to a hot tub. The property is close to popular attractions like Ivan Vazov Theater, Cathedral Saint Alexandar Nevski and Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski. The spacious apartment features 3 bedrooms, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a fully equipped kitchen with an oven and a microwave, a washing machine, and 1 bathroom with a hot tub. Towels and bed linen are featured in the apartment. This apartment is allergy-free and non-smoking. Popular points of interest near the apartment include Archaeological Museum, Presidency and Sofia Central Railway Station. The nearest airport is Sofia Airport, 7 km from Golden Pearl - jacuzzi top center luxury apartment.

One of the most famous landmarks in Sofia is St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, an impressive Orthodox cathedral. Looming over the entire cityscape, it claims to be one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the region, located right in the heart of the capital city. It is one of the top 50 largest Christian churches in the world and it serves as the cathedral church of the Patriarch of Bulgaria. St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral was built at the end of the 19th century to honour the Russian soldiers who died during the Russo-Turkish War.

The City Garden is a beautiful scenic park with fountains, park benches, and greeneries, surrounded by some of the prettiest European-style buildings in the city.

If you head west via Tsar Osvoboditel Boulevard (which by the way we call “the yellow pave road” due to its surface), you will get to the very center of Sofia. It is one of the landmarks of the capital. The ensemble consists of three buildings which are considered to be the symbol of the Socialist Classicism. If you are coming from the National Archaeological Museum you will find the National Assembly of Bulgaria on your right. The building on the left is nowadays the President’s Office, but also hosts Hotel Sheraton and the Ministry of Education. The one opposite it is today accommodating the TZUM department store (a central universal store) and the Council of Ministers of Bulgaria. The last two are almost identical buildings. One of the most spectacular things is to watch the changing of the guards in front of the President’s Office. Similar to the famous ones in front of Buckingham palace, the guards have nice uniforms and are not allowed to talk to the civils while on duty. The whole area was renovated a couple of years ago and now has an European look. Following the democratic changes after 1989, the symbols of communism in the decoration of the Largo were removed, with the most symbolic act being the removing of the red star on a pole atop the former Party House and its substitution by the flag of Bulgaria.

Standing opposite the National Assembly, you will see one of the newest landmarks of Sofia. St Sofia Monument stands where in the past a statue of Lenin used to be. It was removed after the democratic changes in 1989 and for a long time this place was empty. The statue is a bit controversial, as many thought it was too provocative. The woman has a crown which is a symbol of power, the wreath is a symbol of fame and an owl in her other hand symbolizes wisdom. The crown is also a reference to the Goddess of Fate, Tyche, inspired by the old emblem of Sofia during the 20th century.

If you pass through the only arch on the President’s office, you will get to the inner yard which you will find more peaceful than the Independence square. One interesting monument in this inner yard is the red-brick rotunda of St George. This is the oldest building in Sofia, dating back to the 4th century and around it you will find the remainings of the ancient town of Serdica. St George church is famous for it frescoes inside the central dome. It was originally built in the early 4th century as Roman baths before it was converted into a church during the Roman Empire and Byzantine Empire.

You will not miss the minaret of the located nearby mosque. In fact, its name means “many baths”. It was built over natural thermal spas. You can be sure that this is true because of two reasons. Just a few meters behind it is the central bath. And secondly, many people are still using the hot springs in the area as a water source. Banya Bashi mosque is the only functioning mosque in Sofia which serves the needs of the Muslim community. It was built during the Ottoman rule of Bulgaria (which lasted for five centuries) and it remains like a symbol from this period.

It is also popular under the name Church of St Nicholas the Miracle-Maker. The church is a Russian Orthodox church built in the early 20th Century in a beautiful Russian Revival architectural style, unlike the other churches around it. After the liberation of Bulgaria from the Ottoman rule by Russia, the church took the place of the mosque which stood there. The Russian embassy which back then was nearby ordered to build the Church of St Nicholas the Miracle-Maker. As the tradition of the diplomatic churches says, it should have the name of its patron- the emperor of Russia in those days.

Visit the magnificent Ivan Vazov National Theatre to admire opulent early-20th-century architecture and attend opera, ballet and theater performances. Enjoy people-watching from the terrace of nearby cafés or relax in the peaceful Gradska Gradina (City Garden). The Ivan Vazov National Theatre has three stages, with a combined capacity of over 1,000, and welcomes some of Bulgaria’s most revered theatrical performers. The theater is the oldest and most authoritative theater in the country. The small square in front of it hosts different events throughout the whole year.

Another Bulgarian Orthodox church with a small park in front of it. The church brings its name from Cyril and Methodius and their five disciples, known in the Orthodox Church collectively as “the Sedmochislenitsi”. Next to it there is a small market with a couple of stands selling local fruits, vegetables, spices and nuts.

This is a day trip but is claimed to be one of the most important tourist attractions when visiting Bulgaria. It is one of the most sacred Orthodox monasteries that attract more than 900,000 believers, pilgrims, and tourists from across the world each year. Nestled in between the rolling mountains of Rila at an elevation of 1,147 m (3,763 ft) above sea level, covering more than 8.7 ha (940,000 sq ft), the monastery is considered to be the largest temple in the entire country. There is a bakery here too which is worth checking out.

For great views of the cathedral

Curious what it was like to grow up in a Bulgaria positioned behind the Iron Curtain? You can get a small taste of what it looked like by trying out Raketa Rakia Bar, a retro communist-era bar and restaurant. It’s a great place to try out traditional foods like meat dishes or mish mash, or just admire the trinkets and photos plastered over the walls that’ll take you back in time. While you’re at it, it’s time to try the national spirit of Bulgaria, Rakia. Usually served in a smaller version of a champagne flute, this liquor is about 40% ABV. It’s a brandy made from fruit, usually grapes but it can also be different kinds of fruit too. Although it’s a popular drink through the Balkans, going by different names, archaeologists do believe that Rakia originated in Bulgaria as early as the 14-16th century.

Great cafe for breakfast and coffee, located in the center.

This small bar located on a side street has a huge selection of beers, as well as some spots to stand outside and enjoy the sunshine.

Lots of nice beers on tap, and even better it has a nice little garden where you can sit outside. Super friendly staff.

Great for a slice of cake and coffee

If you desire a satisfying Bulgarian meal with a traditional ambiance bursting with folklore, this is the place.