The Coolest Independent Shops In Sofia

Sofia is bustling with life and creative ideas. One surefire way to see this for yourself is to take a tour around the independent stores scattered around the city. From natural ice cream to indie bookshops and Bulgarian wines, here are the best local businesses.

Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.

Vino Orenda Wine Shop

Wine Bar, Bulgarian

If you want to delve into the tastes and aromas of Bulgarian wine, Vino Orenda Wine Shop is the place to go. It was the first shop in Sofia selling only Bulgarian wine. The small store on the corner of Makedonia Boulevard has accommodated more than 300 wines from 60 Bulgarian wineries. The knowledgeable shopkeeper will help you find the best bottle for you.

Elephant Bookstore

Bookstore
This indie bookstore will satiate your thirst for rare finds, whether that’s books, authentic signed memorabilia, comics or creative gifts. The special selection of second-hand English books will keep you enthralled for hours, but you can also find English books from local authors, like “203 Travel Challenges”. If you are in search of a special gift, at Elephant Bookstore you can find a magazine from anyone’s month and year of birth!

Sassa Björg

Store
If you want to get to know Bulgarian fashion, the Sofia-based label Sassa Björg is the perfect starting point. The limited ready-to-wear outfits hanging in the store might be your best souvenir from Bulgaria. If you have more time in the city, you can order custom-made clothes, too. Look for the bright red door on Solunska Street.

Gelateria Naturale

Gelateria Naturale was the first ice cream parlor in Bulgaria to offer a 100% natural ice cream containing no refined sugar, no palm oil, no colorants or preservatives. There are options for vegans and lactose-intolerant people, and they are all delectable.

Soul Elements

Soul Elements takes the elements of nature (water, earth, fire and air) as ingredients of their products meant to soothe your body and soul – candles, handmade chocolates, tea, scarves, high-quality woolen blankets, yoga leggings, and decorative objects. Everything has been made with special attention to detail, and with care for your well-being.

100 Beers

This is a place made by beer fans, for beer fans. At 100 Beers you will be spoiled by the huge choice of quality beer brands and styles from all over the world. This is also a good place to gain some knowledge about Bulgarian craft beers.

Take a Cake

If you wish to treat yourself to a freshly baked cupcake with a fluffy, rich frosting, head to Take a Cake. This was the first cupcake bakery in Bulgaria. Tucked away on a quiet side street in the center of Sofia, you won’t see hundreds of sweets behind a glass, but you will have every cupcake decorated in front of your eyes. Don’t forget to ask for the season’s special tastes.

Trash Clothing

If hunting for second-hand treasures is your passion, you are not alone. Trash Clothing is where you will find carefully selected shoes, coats, dressing gowns, purses and more, from international brands. Shopping here is like trying clothes on in a friend’s bedroom – it’s just as cozy and friendly.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.