A few weeks ago I found super cheap flights from Ireland to Bulgaria. I barely knew anything about the country except the usual stereotypes – grey Soviet blocks, “boring capital” vibes… but I booked it anyway.
Even my Bulgarian friends told me:
“Why Sofia?”, “There’s nothing to see there.”
But that just made me more curious.
When I landed in Sofia, my expectations were low. I thought I’d just walk around for a bit, eat some food and sleep.
I was wrong.
The first thing that shocked me was the metro. I swear it’s cleaner and smoother than anything in Ireland. From there, I started walking through the city and realised Sofia is just… weird. In a good way.
One moment you’re surrounded by Soviet apartment blocks and rough neighbourhoods that feel like Eastern Europe from the 80s, and the next you’re standing in front of one of the most beautiful Orthodox cathedrals I’ve ever seen in my life.
I love the aestethic of the streets. So many graffitis, but they give the whole city a nice vibe. Many beautiful people walk the streets and people are open to talk. Things are fairly priced, the weather is amazing even considering its middle of november and the nature tops it all off. The fact that the city is surrounded by mountains make it soooo beautiful.
By the end of my trip in Sofia I thought is this a hidden European paradise nobody talks about?
I recorded everything on my trip because I feel like Bulgaria is one of the most misunderstood countries in Europe and I wanted to show the real side of it.
Here’s my video if anyone’s interested:
And if you watch it, don’t go easy on me! I’m always trying to improve my filming, storytelling and editing, so I’d actually really appreciate honest criticism.
But this was only first part of my trip, Plovdiv was even more of a shock for me!
Sofia exceeded my expectations!! (much better than western cities!)
byu/ElfNavigator193 inbulgaria
Posted by ElfNavigator193
6 Comments
You decided to share a video called Sofia: **Europe’s biggest ghetto** (title clearly chosen for maximum controversy and clicks) in the Bulgarian sub?
That’s like starting to sing The Sash in the middle of Dublin.
How clueless could you possibly be?
I also loved Sofia. I was there last month. Before my trip, people on this sub told me that it was a horrible place and that I should go anywhere in Bulgaria but Sofia. I did go other wonderful places in Bulgaria, but I also really liked Sofia. Okay, the communist prefab blocks in the outer parts of the city are quite drab, but there are nice parks and restaurants even in those neighborhoods. As you say, the metro system is awesome. So are the streetcars and even the bus system. The center is awesome, there are other great neighborhoods, the mountain backdrop is gorgeous, and the vibe is cool. It’s not Paris, but it’s well worth a visit.
Some foreigners think we’re the most religious country in Europe, judging by how much nicer our churches are than our homes. 😂
My honest criticism about your video is this:
* If you claim people were talkative, don’t limit it just to the random “Hi/Hello.” Talk more to the locals! Show actual recordings of conversations you two had! I don’t care that you butchered your Bulgarian pronunciation, it stilll would have been cool to see how you came out to greet back and talk to those students that waved at you, for example.
* I get that the idea is to make a video with the vibes of “we’re just some clueless tourists, we don’t know what we’re doing here”, but please do your research as well? Google Maps reviews are actually a thing here, too. Put annotations where appropriate – just think about other foreigners who’d come across your video later.
* I just have to say that I personally consider Vitosha boul. (the one you saw Vitosha mountain from) a tourist trap. I think prices are jacked up there, with ATMs that will scam you with exchange rates.
* I don’t understand the need for you to randomly flex at the end of the video.
* The “cooking” segment had both your backs blocking the view.
* To be brutally honest with you, the “dinner” you made was simply PATHETIC. Scrambled eggs – okay, but… “пастет” on slices of bread and mugs of milk, really? REALLY? 😀
* No, milk is not raw here. Once again, do your research.
Yep, Bulgarian redittors are unemployed virgin faggots that hate on Sofia, but the city is thriving and developing much better than anything on the Balkans and most of Europe.
Many things we have are best in Europe
-2% mortgage rate
– cheapest and cleanest subway and public transport
– safest streets
– best chicks
– great restaurants
– flat tax rate 10%
– 1-2 hours to most cities in Europe with direct flights
Ignorant and tasteless