They say every city looks like a person. Some cities radiate stability, strength and fortitude like a man in his prime, others are carefree and frolicsome like a child, and still others are seductive, alluring and enchanting like a beautiful woman. Sophia is none of these cities.
Located at the foot of Vitosha Mountain, the capital of Bulgaria lives under the motto "Growing up but not growing old" and proves that despite the passage of time, a city may at first glance look like a grey-haired and tired old lady, but upon closer inspection, reveals the face of a flighty girl ready to take on the whirlwind of life.
Officially proclaimed the capital in 1879, Sofia is an ancient settlement whose multi-layered development can be traced in museums and open spaces. The eclectic look of the city's architecture, with its almost paradoxical coexistence of different styles, is confusing to some and inspiring to others.
The rapid growth of the city over the last 30 years has led to rapid and drastic changes in infrastructure. These have not always gone smoothly and seamlessly, but they have definitely contributed to its modernisation. Sofia, though still facing a host of problems - constant renovations, unmaintained old buildings, traffic and an ever-growing car fleet - has a mysterious charm and opportunities for living and investment unmatched by any other city in Bulgaria.
Here are the top ten reasons why the capital is a worthy choice for a modern, interesting and dynamic lifestyle.
Vitosha
It's no secret that one of the main reasons to choose Sofia lies outside the city limits themselves. The unique geographical position of the settlement since ancient times places it surrounded by three mountains - Vitosha, Lyulin and Stara Planina. Among them, the undoubted jewel is Vitosha because of its proximity, easy access, interesting natural sights and opportunities for sports. The mountain is the lifeline in the sea of heavy air and daily stress, an accessible escape into nature that fascinates in every season of the year. Vitosha can be visited by car, public transport and also on foot. It offers the unique opportunity of skiing and snowboarding "at your fingertips", as well as a historical walk to remarkable cultural monuments. Vitosha is rich in natural charms, including what is considered the longest cave in Bulgaria - Duhlata, the Boyansky and Zverchetto waterfalls, the moraines and of course the challenging Cherni vrh.
Nightlife
From the tranquil views and fresh mountain air straight into the whirlpool of the vibrant nightlife. Sofia is renowned for its never-ending party rhythm, which, unlike other European capitals, swirls every day of the week. Regardless of musical preferences, the city always has something to offer its residents and visitors. From the exotic for foreigners, to exotic clubs to iconic venues for rock and alternative culture. Piano bars, English pubs, discos, inotheques and all kinds of themed venues can be found within Sofia, making it one of the most diverse nightlife destinations in Europe. Conveniently, most of the venues are clustered in the centre and can easily be walked around. No less popular is the nightlife in Student Town. The famous district has long abandoned its purely academic look and for years has been hosting not only current but also former students who cannot part with its unique atmosphere. If there's one place in Sofia that never sleeps, it's certainly Student City. New, modern apartment blocks huddle next to shabby dormitories, with a colourful patchwork of all sorts of places to eat, services and entertainment in between. Definitely, if someone wants to feel young again - this is the neighbourhood that will always remind them of it.
Food and drink
If 20 years ago in Sofia one could find only a handful of places to try something other than traditional Bulgarian or European cuisine, today the situation is very different. In the spirit of any modern multi-cultural centre, themed restaurants from around the world have opened in the capital, as well as those with modern fusion cuisine. There's no shortage of pub favourites either, as well as a variety of pizzerias and fast food joints popular in the 1990s. For thrill and suspense lovers, there are also "dark" restaurants where the dish and the interlocutors are not visible. The city also abounds with options for ordering food online, both prepared and that can be cooked at home, health food stores and exotic spice shops. One of the most iconic places where amateur chefs, tourists and 'chicken milk' seekers can find the products they are looking for is the Women's Market. Anchored in its place, behind the back of the Halite, since before the Liberation, this is the capital's largest and oldest market, an oasis of tradition and the city's living history. Apart from it, all the larger residential districts can boast their own markets, a small rebellion of an idiosyncratic culture against the encroaching globalism of the supermarkets.
Opportunities for development
Like any large city, Sofia offers numerous opportunities for development. For many young people, the first and foremost are the options of studying at one of the most established universities (including the oldest and largest Sofia University, St. Kliment Ohridski), as well as the possibility of a career afterwards. The low flat tax introduced in 2008 has contributed to increased foreign investment in the country and major companies such as IBM, HP, Lufthansa and others have opened their service and support centres. And although the expectations of Sofia becoming a technology hub of Eastern Europe have not yet been fully justified, the area around the Sofia Business Park in Mladost district has developed and established itself as a magnet for businesses, technology companies and young professionals from all fields. Of course, Sofia offers all sorts of development opportunities that include a variety of ideas for personal improvement and lifelong learning, from ImPro theatre courses to gourmet cooking classes and more.
A revolving housing stock
Though still in transition, filled with numerous construction sites, Sofia is slowly but surely becoming more and more a city that has crossed the 21st century. Modern residential, business and mixed-use buildings with green garden areas, eco-construction and quirky architecture are sprouting up on derelict spaces and gradually changing the grey landscape. There is a growing number of high-end and mid-range contemporary developments that pay more attention to the symbiosis between living space and strive to make Sofia not only accommodate a growing number of cooperatives, but also integrate them into the environment in a beautiful and functional way. The city's infrastructure is also evolving. The subway, which has made tentative progress, is increasingly establishing itself as a convenient and reliable transport for thousands of residents every day. Building more car parks and garage spaces is also a problem for which solutions are being sought - such as new housing developments having large underground car parks.
Cultural life
Sofia offers a wide range of cultural events which, despite their scale, find their audience and contribute to the enrichment of the city and its people. Numerous syneplexes, several art cinemas, and two wonderful large-scale festivals (the ongoing Sofia Film Fest and the autumn Kinomania) delight every fan of the seventh art. The theatre life is also top-notch and the famous art street G.S. Rakovski", which houses the halls of the Sofia theatres, is one of the liveliest in the Centre. Galleries, museums, concerts... Sofia is not inferior to any of the European capitals in its cultural poster, including for fans of alternative forms of art and art expression. For example, a curious event is the annual Comic Con, which is organized for fans of comics, fantasy and animation. Sofia is one of Hollywood's favourite European cities for out-of-studio shoots, with stars of Sylvester Stallone's stature to be found roaming the streets while filming the next action flick.
Downtown
Bulgaria's capital boasts a downtown area where all the historical eras our city has passed through meet. A tour of the Centre offers a free glimpse into a history stretching back two millennia. The eclectic collection of buildings with a variety of architectural styles may seem chaotic and strange at first glance, but it is also unique in its own right. In the centre of Sofia, one can see the most notorious representatives of socialist brutalism, such as the National Palace of Culture (NPC) and the former Party House of the Communist Party, as well as the centuries-old Rotunda of St George and the Church of St Sofia, from which the city got its new name in the 4th century. A unique urban symbol of peaceful coexistence are also the religious temples of Christianity, Islam and Judaism built in the neighbourhood, with which Sofia proves that multiculturalism has always been part of its development.
Parks and gardens
A positive trend in the last ten years has been the renovation of green spaces in the capital. From large parks such as the Borisovaya Garden to small inter-block spaces, beautiful and well-maintained areas are becoming more and more common. The fame of Bulgarian gardeners is legendary and they are still spoken of with respect in Hungary, the Czech Republic and the UK. Therefore, the renovated flower beds in the large neighbourhood parks make a pleasant impression, as well as the diligence in maintaining smaller green spots such as the City Garden (the oldest in Sofia), the Doctor's Garden and others.
Something for everyone
Sofia is only 15th in the ranking of the largest cities in the European Union, but this in no way affects the variety of entertainment venues, leisure ideas and options for all tastes and interests. Boredom has never been a part of life in the capital and life teems with a variety of festivals, exhibitions, concerts, events, etc. that provide an inexhaustible source of interesting ideas. In Sofia you can start the day with a walk to Vitosha, have lunch with friends in a restaurant with a panoramic view of the city, wander for an hour through one of the many trendy escape rooms, visit the relaxed atmosphere of a favourite café or tea room and end the day with a theatre performance, a cinema screening or even an anti-stress shoot at a shooting range.
The general atmosphere
Sofia is like the blue cheese - a city that has its most ardent supporters and most ardent critics. For some, it is the most representative symbol of the country, a crossroads of historical and cultural traditions, while others see it only as dug-up streets, chaotic architecture and an endless stream of cars. The truth, as always, is somewhere in the middle. In fact, Sofia is a city with an incredible atmosphere, a city that never ceases to surprise, intrigue and baffle. It is the place where Bulgarian traditions intersect with global trends, a city that is shaped like plasticine by its inhabitants and therefore always remains interesting and promising.
Author
Nadia Kafkova is a freelance journalist. She divides her time between Bulgaria, Cyprus and other travels, convinced that only by getting to know different cultures can we understand our differences. She appreciates the small joys in life and attention to detail.