Culture
Kukeri in monster masks, red and white martenitsi every March, horo dancing and the Cyrillic alphabet, which took shape in medieval Bulgaria. The guides here cover the history, the traditions and where to see them in Sofia.
Bulgarian Culture and Traditions: A Visitor's Guide
Nods that mean no, rakia sipped with salad and masked kukeri: the Bulgarian customs I'd want you to know before a trip.
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Bulgarian Phrases for Travellers: The Words I Use Every Day in Sofia
Hello, thank you, cheers and the bill: the Bulgarian words I use every day in Sofia, and how to say each one.
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A Short History of Bulgaria (and Where to See It in Sofia)
Thracian gold to the euro: Bulgarian history era by era, and the Sofia sights where I see each chapter.
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The Bulgarian Alphabet: How I Read Cyrillic in Sofia
All 30 letters of the Bulgarian alphabet, the six that fool English readers, and how I read Sofia signs with them.
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Bulgarian Etiquette: The Manners I'd Want You to Know
A nod that means no, slippers at the door and rakia you never down: the manners that make a Sofia trip easier.
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Bulgarian Folk Music and Dance: Where I Hear It in Sofia
Odd rhythms, goatskin bagpipes and the horo line: what Bulgarian folk music is and where I hear it live in Sofia.
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Festivals and Holidays in Bulgaria
Masked kukeri in January, roses in June and Easter on 2 May: my month-by-month guide to the Bulgarian festival year.
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Martenitsa and Baba Marta: What 1 March Means in Bulgaria
Red and white threads, a moody granny called March and a stork to watch for: the martenitsa, explained from Sofia.
Read the guideKukeri and the Surva Festival: Masks, Bells and a Day in Pernik
Who the kukeri are, why they wear fur and bells, and how I see them at Surva in Pernik on a day trip from Sofia.
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Street Art in Sofia: My Favourite Murals and Where to Find Them
My favourite Sofia murals in four walks you can do on your own, each one starting at a metro stop.
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Opera and Theatre in Sofia: A Night at the Opera or the National Theatre
Opera seats from €20, plays with English surtitles and a 1907 theatre: how I spend a night of culture in Sofia.
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Easter in Bulgaria: Dates, Traditions and Easter Weekend in Sofia
Red eggs, kozunak and candles at midnight: Bulgarian Easter explained, with the dates and my Sofia weekend plan.
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Christmas and New Year in Sofia: Markets, Customs and What's Open
Sofia's Christmas markets, the meatless Christmas Eve supper and New Year's Eve, plus what closes over the holidays.
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Museum of Socialist Art in Sofia: Lenins, the Red Star and How to Find It
Sofia's lawn of retired Lenins and the Party House red star, with 2026 prices, hours and how to find the gate.
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