The Best Free Things to Do in Sofia

Sofia, Bulgaria
Sofia, Bulgaria | © seagul / Pixabay
Maria Angelova

Sofia is a fantastic destination for budget travelers. Here’s Culture Trip’s list of the best free things to do in Sofia.

Sofia has been named one of the best-value weekend destinations in Europe. The city offers cheap food and accommodation, but it also has many exciting things to do and see for free. Travelers on a budget should aim to visit during the summer, when its zero-budget entertainment list grows even bigger – you can literally spend no money other than for food and your hotel room.

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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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Join a free tour

Some of the best guided tours in Sofia are free. You can explore the main landmarks with a local guide, taste its delicacies on a culinary tour, discover its graffiti scene, or enjoy it while pedaling on a bike. Like most free tours, it’s customary to tip the guide at the end if they did a good job.

Listen to jazz in the park

Explore religious tolerance at four places of worship

This is a free open-air history lesson in the very center of Sofia. The Bulgarian capital’s religious history is implied in what is called the Square of Religious Tolerance: a small patch of land with four places of worship on its four corners (St. Joseph Catholic Cathedral, the Sofia Synagogue, St. Nedelya Orthodox Church, and Banya Bashi Mosque). If you want to delve into the history of these buildings, you can visit them for free (except for the synagogue, where you will have to pay a small fee).

Make a wish come true

Making a wish come true is a piece of cake when you are in Sofia. All you need to do is write your wish on a piece of paper and leave it in the Russian Church’s crypt. It is where Archbishop Serafim’s grave is located. Locals believe that when he was on his death bed, he said to one of his disciples not to worry that he’d be gone and to “send him letters.” These words of his became famous, and still today, almost 70 years after his death, people write letters and prayers to him.

3, Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd, Sofia, Bulgaria

The Russian Church in Sofia

Drink mineral water from a street drinking fountain

While you are in Sofia, you don’t need to buy a single bottle of mineral water. Sofia was founded as a roadside settlement where tired travelers could stop and relax at the mineral springs. Today, you can obtain free mineral water from the street drinking fountains located just across from the Sofia History Museum and Banya Bashi Mosque. The water is warm, but this fact doesn’t discourage the locals.

37, Ekzarh Yosif Str., Sofia, Bulgaria

Read books for free

There are several cozy book cafés in Sofia where you can buy a coffee or a cappuccino and spend hours reading Bulgarian and foreign-language books. Chitalnyata is a tiny building in the park in front of the National Theater. You can read Bulgarian literature in English, look at photo albums by local artists, and learn about the country’s fascinating history. Other options are the Peroto Literature Club, which is located in the building of the National Palace of Culture, and the Orange Cafe-Bookstore, which is on the last floor of a historical building near Slaveykov Square.

Read books for free

Attend a free jazz festival in the park

Summer is a busy season in all the major parks in Sofia. Live music concerts, cultural events and art festivals take place every week. The event that gathers the biggest number of people is a three-day celebration of jazz and world music. A to Jazz Festival held in South Park has been the most popular summer outdoor event in Sofia for several years, and for good reason: it’s free, it’s family-friendly, it introduces jazz to people who never thought they’d like it, and it has a laid-back vibe, with thousands of people picnicking and enjoying the warm starry evenings in the grass.

Watch free open-air cinema

Cinema lovers can enjoy a movie night outdoors for free. Blok Kino is a series of free screenings that take place in parks and other open spaces in Sofia’s neighborhoods. It shows Bulgarian movies – both documentaries and recent cinema hits. Bulgarian National Television also organizes free screenings of Bulgarian movies that tour the whole country. The tour usually starts and ends in Borisova Gradina Park in Sofia. Places like Kino Cabana and the G8 Cultural Center host open-air screenings, too, with affordable tickets (around BGN10/US$6).

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