The Capital of Bulgaria

THE CAPITAL OF BULGARIA - SOFIA

Sofia is the capital of Bulgaria and is the main administrative, industrial, transport, cultural and university centre of the country. With 1 400 000 citizens is the largest city in Bulgaria. It situated in the south-west parts of the country bordering with the north slope of Vitosha mountain.

Distances. Sofia is 156km away from Plovdiv - the second biggest city in Bulgaria, 469km from Varna, 358km from Burgas and 183km from Vidin in the north.

History. Sofia is one of the most ancient European capitals and the history dates back to 8 000 b.e. In the 8^th Century b.e. the Thracians founded a city around the thermal hot springs and gave it the name Serdika. Five centuries (between 14^th to the end of 19^th century) Sofia was under Othoman rule!It was freed in 1878 during the Russian-Turkish war and in 1879 was chosen to be the capital of Principality Bulgaria.

Climate. Sofia benefits from mild pleasant sub-continental climate. Winters are snowy without cold winds. The average temperature of the coldest month January is minus 2°C. Summer is mild with the average temperature in the hottest month July 25°C. The spring is mild and cool and autumn is very colorful with many quiet and sunny days.

Sofia Airport is the biggest international airport within the country. During the past five years the traffic has doubled which puts in among the fastest growing airports in Europe. The airport develops a wide net of all year round scheduled flights and through the four direct air routes connects to over 50 destinations around the world. The opening of new tourist routes to the Bulgarian ski-resorts, contributes to the fast growth of charter flights to Bulgaria. Many low-fare airlines flyghing to Bulgaria are already looking to extend their contracts and establish in the country. To find out more about flying to Bulgaria and our Free Viewing Trips to Bulgaria please contact us.

Sight seing. National Natural Science museum, National Military History museum, National Earth-and-man museum, National Ethnographic museum, NationalHistorical museum, House-museum Ivan Vazov (one of Bulgaria’s great writers), Museum of Sport and many others.

There are many monuments built in Sofia – old concrete communist ones as well as modern art. There two Stadiums, numerous playgrounds and open air swimming pools. The hydro-park “Iskar” stretches along the river valley of Iskar river between the Pancharevo lake and Iskar station area. Sofia is one of the greenest capitals of Europe. The Council takes care of preserving the numerous existing parks and gardens together with the new ones recently built. One of the main tourist attractions is the lift leading up to the “Park Vitosha” – unspoilt mountain area with breathtaking views over the city. In the skirts of Vitosha mountain are some of the villa zones of Sofia attracting many home hunters in Bulgaria.

Among the huge number of churches is the “Aleksandar Nevski” cathedral. Other include “St. Sofia”, the ancient “St. Petka”. The Russian church, Jewish synagogue, “Banyabashi” mosque - a project of the big architect Sinan, “St.George” rotunda.

Shopping. A great deal of the investments in the last few years is taken by the Shopping centers, or Malls. Sofia is catching up with the other well developed European capitals and is becoming very attractive for investors. Nowadays the city can proudly offer something for every taste.

If you are looking for tradition and quality – visit “TSUM”. Mall of Sofia and City Center Sofia shopping malls offer a good variety for everybody.

The motto of the Bulgarian capital Sofia is “Grows but does not age”.

For our extended list of Bulgarian properties please see here.