Sofia, Bulgaria may not be on the top of your bucket list just yet, but this up-and-coming city is on its way to becoming a trendy destination in the next few years. It’s a beautiful city surrounded by nature, has a rich and interesting history, and is not yet overcrowded with tourists.
I really enjoyed my month living in Sofia because it gave me time to focus on myself. There aren’t many must-see things in Sofia so I didn’t feel bad spending a good amount of my time caring for myself.
Self-care is important for everyone, but it’s especially important for those of us with mental illness. Depression and anxiety can seriously take their toll on the body, both mentally and physically. Self-care is critical in allowing yourself to recharge and harness the strength you need to make it through each day.
Some people enjoy lounging on a beach or “treating themselves” to big purchases for self-care, but that’s not really my thing. So if you’re anything like me (and hate to spend money), here are 11 great self-care practices you can try in Sofia for $0-40.
1. Let the hot mineral water cure what ails you (~$6 entrance to baths)
Bulgaria is full of mineral and thermal springs. The locals claim that the water from each spring will cure something different, ranging from skin care to bladder issues to stomach problems. Unfortunately, the original thermal baths are mostly in disrepair, but there are pools in the area that use the hot, healing water. (The closest is Korali.) If you can’t make it out to the springs, try drinking the hot, free water from the city center to help with stomach issues. The water flows constantly at the springs near the Sofia History Museum, formerly the city bathhouse.
2. Become one with nature on Vitosha Mountain (~$18 taxi ride to trails)
One of the best things about Sofia is getting out of Sofia and exploring the nature around it. Vitosha Mountain is a 30-minute drive outside the city and has a ton of hiking options. You can hike to a waterfall, an abandoned TV tower from the Communist era, or to a number of other spectacular viewpoints. I highly recommend Peak Kamen Del. It’s a little hard to find the trail’s start, but the panoramic view of the city is incredible.
Note: be careful of taxi scams if you catch a ride to the mountain. Always use an app like TaxiMe or Yellow Taxi 91119, and keep an eye on the meter the whole way to make sure the drivers don’t bump up the prices. The ride should cost no more than 30 leva each way. Never hail a taxi off the street—most likely it’s a fake.
3. Spend a morning relaxing in a café (~$6 for coffee and breakfast)
I love starting my morning at an adorable café, and Sofia is filled with them. Café Ma Baker is not usually crowded and has good pastries. Starata Gospoja is often crowded but is the best place to get a decadent breakfast like eggs benedict or French toast. My ultimate favorite is 2 Giraffes Espresso Bar. The staff is really friendly, the vibes are chill, and the pumpkin spice latte (pictured above) puts Starbucks to shame.
4. Take a restorative yoga class (~$7.50 per 1.5-hour class)
There are a lot of yoga studies around Sofia, and if you do your research, you can probably find a sunset class in one of the parks. I love practicing at-home yoga with Yoga with Adriene, but it’s nice to step into a studio or out in nature and get tips from the pros. Amara and Mandala are both good studios to try and offer a wide range of classes.
5. Unwind in the park with new friends (free or the cost of a drink)
Locals love to spend time in Sofia’s city parks after work. Visit City Garden outside the Ivan Vazov National Theatre around 5 or 6 p.m., and you’ll notice groups of people socializing, drinking, picnicking, and playing hacky sack or chess. Stop by one of the squat shops near the park to grab a drink. These shops opened in the 1980s out of peoples’ basement windows so you’ll need to squat down to speak to the person inside (hence the name). Then step out of your comfort zone and see if some of the locals will let you join in their conversation.
6. Treat your feet to a serious pedicure (~$25)
The pedicure I got in Sofia was unlike any I’ve had before. They didn’t really soak my feet or do the whole hot wax and massage deal, but they put in some serious work. As you can see in the picture above, the woman used an electric buffer to get rid of all the gross stuff on my feet from two months of travel. It was fantastic. Check out the Nail Bar for a fabulous pedicure. Your feet will thank you!
7. Eat a lot of comfort food (~$25-30 three-course feast)
Friends from home have asked me, “What did you do in Sofia?” Answer: I ate, a lot. If you are a fan of Greek or German food, traditional Bulgarian food is for you. If you’re not, there are still so many restaurants to try in this city. Treat yourself to a three-course meal and drinks at Raketa Rakia Bar or Aubergine for less than $30. Stuff your face with giant fried Bulgarian donuts (pictured above) at Mekitsa and Coffee. Indulge in some lavender or honey poppy seed ice cream at Gelateria Naturale. You can’t go wrong.
8. Get a relaxing and memorable massage (~$35 1.5-hour session)
Nothing says self-care to me more than a good massage. I got two while in Bulgaria, and both were lovely and unique. The first was a 50-minute shiatsu massage at Padmalaya. My massage was relaxing and quiet in a one-room studio. Padmalaya offers every kind of massage you can imagine for cheap prices.
My second massage was very different. I went to Amara (the yoga studio) for a 1.5—hour massage with the lovely Vessela. She spent almost two hours scraping, cracking, kneading, and stretching my body into oblivion. As she worked, Vessela “read” my body using a scraping technique. She could tell information about my internal organs, back problems, immune system, and more. If you want to experience a truly one-of-a-kind massage, go to Amara and ask for Vessela or text her at 087-848-6110 to set up an appointment. Warning: it was very painful and I had some bruises for a few days, but it was totally worth it.
9. Go window-shopping in the Oborishte area (free unless you choose to buy something)
The Oborishte neighborhood by Zaimov Park is great for an afternoon stroll. Enjoy breakfast in one of the cute cafes, and then go for a walk through the area. I enjoyed marveling at the consulates and homes and popping into the shops of local artists. I even found a souvenir that really spoke to my introverted, anxious, and depressed soul (pictured above).
10. Drink a good cocktail (or lemonade) in the perfect weather (~$5 per cocktail)
As you may know from my Bourbon Trail posts, one way I like to treat myself is with a well-made drink. Sofia has a surprisingly robust cocktail scene to explore. It was great to grab a drink outside at The Cocktail Bar in the perfect September weather, but One More Bar made the best Manhattan in the city, hands-down. If drinking isn’t your thing, Bulgaria is very into its lemonade. Grab a glass of fresh lemonade made with mint, elderflower syrup, and other fresh ingredients at almost any café.
11. Bask in a rooftop sunset (free or the cost of a drink)
It’s hard not to feel at peace during a sunset. There are a couple of rooftops in Sofia, but they may be hard to find. For a stunning view over the famous St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (pictured above) and the rest of the Sofia skyline, I recommend the rooftop bar at Sense Hotel Sofia.
I know Sofia, Bulgaria isn’t on everyone’s bucket list, but maybe it should be. Sofia is a nice taste of Eastern Europe and the perfect place to take care of you. There are very few places worth traveling to where you can treat yourself so well for so little money. Personally, I think Sofia is worth the trip. Share this post if you agree!
Anxious Abroad 