Travelling to Bulgaria on a Swivel Chair

Sightseeing in the capital and a trip to nearby major cities

The fact that the city has a woman's name (which, by the way, means wisdom in Greek) is enough to convince you that it is complex, unpredictable, but beautiful. At the strategic point between the Black Sea and the Adriatic Sea, it connects Western Europe with the Turkish city of Istanbul, and is not too far from some other capitals such as Belgrade, Bucharest, Sarajevo, Skopje and Tirana, which can all be additional fun trips. The city itself, however, has plenty of history and presence to satisfy even the most demanding vacationer.

In the 8th century BC, the Thracians are said to have discovered the charm of the hot spring water and settled there (who wouldn't?), and named the town Serdica or Serdonpolis. In the course of history, the town that was later called Sredets, was home to the Romans, the Bulgarian Empire, the Ottomans, and in 1879 it became the capital city of the newly-freed Bulgarian people. Constantine the Great even liked Serdica so much that he proclaimed it to be his Rome.

How expensive is it?

Whatever you want to call it, Sofia will certainly inspire you. It will also go easy on your wallet. A night in a hostel will only cost you €10, and you won't be deprived of the necessities of life – food, coffee and beer – as you'll be able to wash down a €6 meal with a €1 cappuccino and top it off with a local €1 beer. Of course, you will feel incredibly cool, because you'll be paying with Bulgarian levs (lions) and therefore already imagining a career as a lion tamer, with a swivel chair, obviously.

Things you must see

• Numerous sacred buildings, the most notable of which are the Cathedral of St Alexander Nevsky and the Boyana Church.
• Vitosha, a volcanic mountain, which attracts hiking enthusiasts from the city and, in addition to the peaceful nature, offers refreshment at the Boyana Waterfall.
• The many parks and gardens that surround the city centre.
• The National History Museum, one of the largest history museums in the Balkans.
• Ivan Vazov National Theatre.
• Anything else your heart desires.