12/12/12Julie DRomania & Bulgaria 6

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Why Go?Bulgaria’s pleasingly laid-back capital, Sofia (So-fia) is often overlooked by tourists heading straight to the coast or the ski resorts, but they’re missing something special. It’s no grand metropolis, true, but it’s a largely modern, youthful city, while its old East-meets-West atmosphere is still very much evident, with a scattering of onion-domed churches, Ottoman mosques and stubborn Red Army monuments sharing the skyline with vast shopping malls and glassy five-star hotels. Sofia’s grey, blocky civic architecture lends a lingering Soviet tinge to the place, but it’s also a surprisingly green city. Vast parks and manicured gardens offer welcome respite from the busy city streets, and the ski slopes and hik-ing trails of mighty Mt Vitosha are just a short bus ride from the city centre. Home to many of Bulgaria’s finest museums, galleries, restaurants and entertainment venues, Sofia may persuade you to stick around and explore further.

When to Go

Mar–May Spring is warm and wet, and Easter is a colourful time to visit.

Jun–Aug Summer is very hot and dry, especially Au-gust, but there’s plenty to see and do in the city.

Nov–Feb Winters in Sofia are often icy cold, with heavy snowfalls, but January is perfect for skiing.

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Sofia%02 / POP 1.3 MILLION

Around Sofia .................315Boyana ..........................315Vitosha Nature Park .... 316

Best Places to Eat » Manastirska Magernitsa

(p307) » Annette (p308) » Pastorant (p307) » Olive Garden (p308) » Before & After (p308)

Best Places to Stay

» Hotel Niky (p305) » Residence Oborishte

(p306) » Hotel Les Fleurs (p306) » Arena di Serdica (p306) » Canapé Connection

(p306)

©Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd

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See Central Sofia Map (p298)‚

To Studentski Grad (1km);Avenue (1km); Mega

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To Boyana(2.5km)‚

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1 Visiting impressive Aleksander Nevski Memorial Church (p303)

2 Viewing the paintings and artwork on show at the two museums (p297) inside the former Royal Palace

3 Looking over ancient treasures at the Archaeological Museum (p297)

4 Taking a leisurely walk around leafy Borisova Gradina (p302), with its statues, fountains and cafes

5 Exploring history at the National Museum of Military History (p303)

6 Taking a trip out to visit the lovely Boyana Church (p316), famous for its medieval murals

7 Getting lost in the wild landscape of Yuzhen Park (p303)

8 Uncovering the past at the Museum of Socialist Art (p303)

9 Experiencing Sofia’s spiritual side in Sveta Nedelya Cathedral (p296)

a Buying fruit and veg at the bustling Ladies’ Market (p312)

Sofia Highlights