Sofia, Bulgaria: The Overlooked Tourist Destination

I wrote a review recently of Hostel Mostel, which is located in Sofia. But I wanted to also take the time to write about the city itself. There's plenty to see and do here, and as far as expense goes, it's one of the cheapest cities in the world to visit as well. It's the capital of Bulgaria, so it's large enough to spend several days exploring. I'll tell you about a handful of don't-miss sites and some of the best ways to spend your time in this unique and historic city.

For starters there are all kinds of great ways to get to Sofia; one of the best is to grab a train with a sleeper car. I did this going from Bucharest to Sofia, and it was like stepping into an old movie. The views from the train of the Eastern European countryside were unbelievable. They'll forever be etched into my mind, and you should also see them for yourself. If you take this option, know that your passport will be checked at the border, even if that's in the middle of the night, so be ready to have a flashlight in your face and have that passport ready.

Also, I believe that the best way to get to know a city is by walking in it, walking for hours in fact. I guess that's the Bill Bryson technique, but it really works. You can feel the vibe of the city, hear the language being spoken all around you, and get a wonderful sense of total immersion. So my first bit of advice about Sofia is that once you're safely checked into your hotel or hostel, you take to the streets. I wouldn't do it alone, because that's never a good idea in a foreign country. But I definitely would find a way to give yourself a walking tour.

Sofia is home to many beautiful cathedrals well worth touring and several open air markets that sell antiquities of all kinds. (I found the coins and jewelry to be the most interesting, they all looked like movie props from an Indiana Jones film.) The prices are absolutely minimal and you won't find anything else like what they sell at these markets any other place in the world. So do take the time to browse. There are also many beautiful sites to see, such as exteriors of grand buildings, cobblestone streets, fountains, and more. There are plenty of museums as well. (There is one in particular that you should avoid at all costs that will get its very own review in the near future. We called it, "the museum of death".)

Sofia is also a very modern city, with many vibrant restaurants, clubs, bars, and markets. It's all modern here, which makes for a unique juxtaposition with the old architecture. Even their local multiplex is state of the art, huge, and comes with VIP theaters. A word of warning that may sound silly, but please take it seriously. There is something of a mafia scene in Sofia. If you see unmarked black cars, or people who look like stereotypical mob members, there's a good chance that this is exactly what they are. Many people carry concealed weapons here, both legal and illegal. But isn't that kind of true about most major metropolitan cities, whether they're in the U.S. or in any other country? So exercise a normal amount of caution, and you'll be totally fine.

Sofia is so unique that I don't really have any cities that I can compare it to. It gets passed by unfortunately by many tourists in favor of more glamorous cities like Paris. But I would recommend that if you're going to be doing the back-packing thing or travelling Europe at all, you definitely plan to make a stop here in this beautiful and dense city.