Sofia - the Misunderstood

A city trip in Europe? Sofia is probably not often mentioned in the top ten desired destinations. In my - up until then completely unqualified - imagination, Sofia was a grey, plain city characterized by communist brutalist and prefab architecture. How wrong I was!

Since we had chosen a destination in northern Greece for our autumn vacation, this was the opportunity to start a little further north and explore new territories. After a more or less relaxed journey that took us through Frankfurt Airport for the first time in many, many years, we arrived on time in the Bulgarian capital. After more than 15 years of abstinence from Frankfurt Airport, I can safely say that there are still constants in life and that the transfer process has not lost any of its horror over the years ;-) 

Our stay in Sofia, on the other hand, was more than pleasant. An absolutely amazing hotel in the city center (Sense Hotel Sofia), which not only has a very nice spa but also offers a wonderful view of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral from the rooftop bar, was the perfect start. The city is by no means grey, it is extremely green. The center is dotted with countless small to large and even huge parks. Many streets are lined with magnificent avenue trees, creating a very cozy atmosphere, and the architecture, influenced by hundreds of years of turbulent history, with the Austrian influence probably being the most noticeable, gives the metropolis an impressive face.

And it is a very pleasant city, lively, bustling but not stressed, which is probably also due to its rather discreet but very friendly and polite residents (and of course also residents...). The grand buildings of the city center shine in new splendor, while in many peripheral areas, the houses are left to decay. But even in such places, there are alternative projects, bars, restaurants, meeting centers that have primarily emerged from improvisation - and that gives Sofia a special, unique charm. Just like some retired Basel trams that still shape the cityscape of Sofia in their cucumber green livery. A city trip to Sofia? Immediately and gladly again, and maybe next time in the summer, when life fully shifts to the streets...