Sophia, Bulgaria Feb 2018

I would never image myself travelling to Sofia, Bulgaria in peak winters but it was a perfect city break, especially during winter. I was there for a week in Sofia in Feb 2018 and there was a lot to love about the city. Sofia is small enough that you can walk pretty much everywhere. Sofia has interesting and impressive architecture, including its star attraction Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. Relatively speaking, Sofia is pretty inexpensive. I didn’t have the opportunity to explore Bulgaria further than its capital city on this trip as i was on work.

I arrived in Sofia late on a Friday night, so didn’t get a proper introduction until Saturday morning. And what an introduction it was. I woke up to find the city blanketed in snow. After putting on some extra layers, I raced out to start work but while driving to the destination I did enjoy the city’s sights. Being in any city freshly covered in snow is a treat. Walking around Sofia was magical. Its architecture calls out to be dusted in white powder. Everyone out and about seemed as happy as we were. It was freezing , i think it was - 18 that day.

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral- When I first saw the cathedral up close, I was wowed by its size (it’s one of the largest cathedrals of its type in the world) and all its gold and green domes. It was a bit grey first thing Saturday morning, but later in the day the sun came out and the sky turned beautifully blue, which lent a gorgeous backdrop to the building.It  is the most popular landmark in Sofia. I didnt see tourists around the cathedral as i visited in off season. Nearby the cathedral is the bright yellow Holy Synod, the ruling body of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. It’s not open to the public, but beautiful from the outside.The complex around these buildings is also dotted with sculptures. Right behind the lion sculpture below you can see workers warming themselves by the flame of the Monument to the Unknown Soldier.Just a couple blocks away from Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is the also impressive Russian Church. Another lovely church is the Church of Sveti Sedmochislenitsi, just a few minutes from the center. The beautiful brick building was originally an Ottoman mosque.

Walk along Vitosha Boulevard. Vitosha Boulevard is a long pedestrian walking street in Sofia. It has a plethora of shops and restaurants and great views of the National Palace of Culture and Vitosha Mountain in the distance. Lots of restaurants and shopping places near the Boulevard. I would walk in the evening post work to grab dinner. 

Nu Boyana Film Studios are not exactly a tourist attraction, meaning I was only there for work hence I got  a chance to see it. Quite a few Bollywood films have been shot here.. Nu Boyana has a million sets. And they know they will be close to “natural” sets. 

It is easy to get lost on the premises. At one point, you are standing in front of a cathedral, then you would feel like you are somewhere in the “real America”, Then, you would be in a London street, which you had mistaken for Brooklyn, during your video shoot.

A few miles ahead of Nu Boyana Film Studios is Vitosha Mountains

Vitosha Mountain is one of the most beautiful places in Bulgaria the wild Bulgarian nature. The mountain is looks charming during the winter season to admire the snow-capped landscapes

Approximately one-hour beautiful drive will take you to the base of the mountain but it’s a stunning drive and I was there with my colleagues we had lunch at Restaurant Vodenitzata.

If you get a chance do visit hotel marinela in Sophia, it has some stunning architecture. I would go to the hotel’s gym often and found it to be very interesting.