Experience in Sofia, Bulgary, by Dariya

What is it like to live in Sofia? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

I was born and raised in Sofia. To be honest it is one of the best cities to live in Bulgaria. The prices are very low compared to the EU but a bit high with the typical in Bulgaria. The mixture of well- organized transportation, cheap places to eat in, picturesque sites, parks and old, historical monuments (museums and a historical city literally under the capital) would sum up everything in my city.

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What is the student lifestyle like in Sofia?

More than amazing. In a nutshell, parties Friday and Saturday but the best part is that here, we have parties with different themes from Tuesday to Saturday. A bottle of whiskey or vodka with 5 non-alcoholic drinks starts from 20 euros total. There are special gatherings for Erasmus students as well. Parks are always a great place to be at due to the numerous people who are drinking beer, playing chess, volleyball or just having a chit-chat.

How much does it cost to live in Sofia?

To be candid, i think that student life in Sofia is pretty cheap. The transportation card for all buses, trams and metro is 10-15 euros for a month. The entrance if there is such in a disco is not more than 2, 50 - 5 euros. You can grab a fast bite in a lot of cozy places near the city center or in the so called "Studentski grad", were 90% of the students are currently living.

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Is it difficult to find accommodation in Sofia? Is there any advice you can give?

Not at all. As I mentioned "Studentski Grad" is over-crowed in a very positive way with students from more than 5 universities in the city. You can easily find accommodation there or near the center (I would recommend looking for places near the metro if they are not in Studentski Grad). The rents in a private apartment are from 200 euros per month with all charges included. The room itself only is less than 100 euros.

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What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

There is a wide range of restaurants here. Dont forget to try tradition bulgarian cuisine: "Musaka", "Shopska salata", "Banica" etc.

What places would you recommend visiting in Sofia?

Definitely go to Vitosha, the nearest mountain and "Kopitoto". Check this out: Tripadvisor NEVER lose track of Tripadvisor!

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Is it good to eat out in Sofia? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

If your budget is bigger you should definitely visit:

• Beso;
• Happy;
• Priyafata;
• Divaka.

Is the nightlife good in Sofia? Where is good to go?

• Once upon a time Biblioteka,
• Jim Bean,
• Tequila,
• Bedroom,
• PM,
• Rock'n'roll,
• Sugar,
• The Corner, etc.

What advice would you give future students heading to Sofia?

If you need any assistance don't hesitate to write to me! Sofia is a great, beautiful, interesting and cheap city. However, always take into account that there are places where you need to keep an eye on your personal belongings. Enjoy and take care!

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