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Sofia Events

St Trifon's Day

St Trifon, aka Trifon Zarezan, is the patron of winegrowers and winemakers. On this day, the men men set out to prune the vines while the women bake festive loaves and roast chicken. At the end of the day, everyone gathers among the vines to eat, drink, sing and dance.

Date: 14 February 2023 - 14 February 2023
Venue: Wineries outside Sofia
Cost:

Free.


Orthodox Easter

The predominant religion in Bulgaria is the version of Catholicism that has survived since earliest times in Eastern Europe - the Orthodox Church. The Orthodox Easter is celebrated on a different date to Easter celebrations in the west, and with different customs and traditions. After midnight Mass on Easter Sunday, worshippers celebrate outside the churches, carrying candles to symbolise the Resurrection and cracking or smashing eggs that have previously been painted with symbolic patterns and colours. The richly-painted Orthodox Churches are filled with clouds of incense and the singing of choirs at this time, and many rituals are observed, such as kissing the images of saints and processions led by clergy in full regalia.

Date: 16 April 2023 - 16 April 2023
Venue: Orthodox churches throughout Bulgaria.
Cost:

Free.


St George's Day

Orthodox festival and official holiday celebrating the martyred St George, also an agricultural celebration heralding the end of spring and beginning of summer.

Date: 06 May 2023 - 06 May 2023
Venue: Various churches.
Cost:

Free.


Bulgarian Culture and Slavonic Script Day

National holiday honouring Saints Cyril and Methodius for devising the Bulgarian Cyrillic alphabet, with parades and official ceremony by their statue in front of the National Library.

Date: 24 May 2023 - 24 May 2023
Venue: Sofia National Library.
Cost:

Free.


A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

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An unfortunate name for a hotel that, while great value for money, doesn’t feel stingy or like a place that prioritises savings over services and good quality. Located near the train station, a ten-minute walk from central Sofia, Hotel Cheap’s 18 rooms offer everything you need for a short or long stay. Free Wi-Fi throughout, breakfast is extra.

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Billed as Sofia’s first upscale design hotel, Sense, which opened in 2013, offers stylish design and a great location. The hotels 71 rooms and suites come with all mod cons, and feature large windows commanding impressive views out over the city. Together with the hotel’s rooftop bar, it makes for a great place to get a feel for the city below.

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In a graceful, early 20th-century apartment building on Sofia's main road, the Hotel Maria Luisa offers simple and quiet rooms, with flatscreen TV and tea and coffee-making facilities. Apartments occupy the corner rooms, with good views over the busy shopping street - with double-glazing throughout ensuring a peaceful stay. With standard rooms on the small side, the suites are worth the extra.

Holiday Inn Sofia

This spectacular contemporary 5-star hotel nestles under Mount Vitosha and is adjacent to Business Park Sofia, Bulgaria's largest business park. With excellent meeting rooms and conference facilities it attracts business visitors, but its proximity to the mountain region and a luxury spa, treatment and fitness centre means plenty of leisure visitors also. The hotel's shuttle bus takes around 20 minutes to the city centre, 11km to the north.

Sheraton Sofia Hotel Balkan

In a prime location, the imposing Sheraton Sofia Hotel Balkan is a landmark in itself, and the city's leading 5-star hotel with Italian marble and ornate chandeliers. The 184 elegant rooms, including 18 suites, were recently refurbished, with classic furniture and tasteful colours plus a vast new ballroom. All rooms have free Wi-Fi internet access, and there is a small fitness centre and sauna.

Scotty's Boutique Hotel

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