Check-in Instructions
Network: A1_36A5
Password: 48575443A8ECD29F
Arrival
Address & Map
Check-in Instructions
- When you arrive at the address you will see the number "16" on the right wall of the building and also a lockbox attached near the bells.
- When you get to the lockbox enter the code XXXX (we will give you the current code two days prior to your arrival) and press the two buttons on the side simultaneously. Get your keys, close the box and SHUFFLE the code.
- Enter the building using the smaller key and take the stairs to the 3rd floor.
- When you arrive at the floor look for the only black door with a sticker on top and the number "7". Now use the other key to enter the flat..
Aaaand... Welcome! Enjoy your stay in your new home 🙂
Get the most out of your trip
With more than 700 five star reviews our other guests adore them. The most popular one will take only a few hours and you will get to meet interesting people and learn about the city and culture in Sofia.
We are really happy to be working with them as they provide a consistently high experience. The atmosphere is always friendly and they make sure to select great activities for each group or individual tour. Some of the tours that our guests have enjoyed:
- Sofia day tour
- Rilla Monastery (Very popular)
- Plovdiv day tour
- 7 Lakes tour ( Pristine Nature)
- Koprivshtitsa and Plovdviv ( Historical & Educational)
See all available tours here
Getting Here
Schedule a transfer
The payment is done online and the price is fixed - you just need to fill in the address of the accomodation: "ulitsa "Stara Planina"16, fl. 3, ap. 9". A really cool feature is that you can put your flight number thus if there are any delays your driver will be notified and will wait for you at the new arrival time.
Arriving by Car
Arriving by Public Transport
Arriving by Taxi
You can just give the address of the flat to the taxi driver and he will take you there. Prices will vary depending on the traffic and time of day but you can expect to pay around BGN15.Do not try to negotiate the fare with the taxi driver, just ask them to turn the meter on.
There is a detailed guide to Taxi’s in the Sofia Travel Section which you can read if interested. Keep in mind that most taxis won’t have a card payment option.
House Manual
House Rules
You can just give the address of the flat to the taxi driver and he will take you there. Prices will vary depending on the traffic and time of day but you can expect to pay around BGN15.Do not try to negotiate the fare with the taxi driver, just ask them to turn the meter on.
There is a detailed guide to Taxi’s in the Sofia Travel Section which you can read if interested. Keep in mind that most taxis won’t have a card payment option.
Rules
Smoking: We have a strict non-smoking policy for the whole apartment including the windows! Violation of that policy results in a 100 EUR fine. You are free to smoke outside or if there is an open balcony.
Illegal substances: What you do in your personal time is entirely up to you, but when staying at our place we have a strict no drug use policy. This is just the law and we appreciate your understanding.
Quiet Times and Parties
Quiet Times: By Bulgarian legislation between 2pm – 4pm and 10pm – 8am are considered quiet hours. Please, be so kind to respect the neighbors and not cause any excessive noise. If you make excessive noise during those hours we reserve our right to expulse you from the apartment without a refund.
Parties: Parties or hosting events is strictly forbidden. Please, respect our home as you would your own. Though we’re sure it won’t come to it, serious complaints of unruly behavior will unfortunately result in you being asked to leave.
We have had occasions in the past where the police was involved and there were serious consequences for the guests, so please take this rule very seriously.
Pets
We love animals but we chose to make this home pet-free due to many people being allergic. We think that animals should have enough space and be outside and not in an apartment.
Cleanliness
Cleanliness: We have put a lot of effort into creating a space that you can call your home! Please, respect that and act as you would in your house. We would kindly ask you to take out your garbage to the corresponding containers before checking out.
Toilets: The easiest way to disrupt an enjoyable stay is а plumbing problem. To prevent this, we kindly ask you to place things like sanitary napkins in the sanitary bin we’ve provided in the toilets.
Damages
We understand that accidents happen. Please, let us know when they do. Chances are that we will be able to fix anything that was broken at little cost. Keep in mind that we clean the apartment the same day after check-out and thoroughly check for damages. If we detect any damage, we are going to require a compensation for it.
Electricity
To keep our costs down and pass those savings on to you :) we kindly ask that you switch off lights and heating when it’s not in use or leaving the house. Mother Nature thanks you too!
Extra Guests
We understand that for a whole variety of reasons, you may want additional guests to stay in the place. In the event that you want additional guests to stay, please contact us to let us know. We’re as understanding as possible and will accommodate if possible.
General Advice
The water in sofia is drinkable. You can drink straight from the tap. However, we recommend taking 50% of your daily allowance through bottled water.
Money
Exchange money at banks or exchange bureaus. Make sure you read all the small print before exchanging. Always compare the given exchange rate with the current rates online to be sure. Exchange rate of EUR and BGN is fixed at 1.95 BGN for 1 EUR so if you see that the exchange bureau is selling you Bulgarian Leva for less, avoid it!
ATMs
Use ATMs attached to banks. Otherwise use your best judgement and don’t take money out from some shady street corners.
Pickpocketing
It is not often but it happens. Carry your belongings in an inside pocket if possible and be careful when browsing crowded places. Do not leave purses, phones, cameras or wallets on the table while dining at sidewalk restaurants and cafes.
Car
Do not leave any valuables inside a parked car. For more on parking take a look at the Transportation section.
Walking
Watch your step! The pavements in Sofia are paved with gold but are not always in the best condition.
Emergencies
For emergency services (ambulance, police, fire) please immediately call 112 – this is the pan-EU emergency number. Do not delay if you feel an emergency situation has arisen.
Medical
There is a small medical kit in the apartment. If you have some minor ailment there are pharmacies scattered throughout the city and you can find the closest one in this guide.
For emergencies, please contact 112 directly and say that you require and ambulance.
Fire
We have provided a fire extinguisher. Whenever an emergency like the ones described above occurs, please inform us as well. However, your first step would be to call the professionals at 112.
How to | Appliances
Heating and cooling
TV Instructions
Coffee and Tea
Cooking Instructions
Laundry Instructions
Dishes
Extra Services
Extra Cleaning
To schedule an extra cleaning, please, contact us. The price is in EUR and is that of of a regular cleaning 31 .The additional cleaning includes a fresh set of linens and towels.
Baby Crib
We cannot provide a baby chair or other baby amenities.
Romantic Welcome
We offer the extra service of supplying the apartment with wine and some fine chocolates for any romantics out there.
We deliver it prior to your arrival so that you can truly surprise your significant other.
Message us via the platform and we will make it happen! The price of this premium experience is only EUR 50.
Area Guide
Places
Museums
Sofia has almost 30 museums where you can see most Bulgarian national treasures and learn about the ups and downs of Bulgarian history. Every museum is different and you can chose the ones that interest you. Here is a great informative article on the best museum in Sofia.
Serdica Ruins and Fountain
Acient history right in the center of Sofia! The pin is set on the fountain next to Serdika Station(metro). The ruins, the statue of Sofia, CUM Shopping center are all there.
National Palace of Culture
The National Palace of Culture (Национален дворец на културата, Natsionalen dvorets na kulturata; abbreviated as НДК, NDK), located in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, is the largest, multifunctional conference and exhibition center in southeastern Europe. It was opened in 1981 in celebration of Bulgaria’s 1300th anniversary.
St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
The St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia occupies an area of 3,170 square metres (34,100 sq ft) and can hold 5,000 people inside. It is one of the largest Eastern Orthodox Cathedrals and church buildings in the world, third-largest Orthodox Cathedral located in Southeast Europe, being surpassed only by two new and not yet fully completed Cathedrals – the Romanian People’s Salvation Cathedral in Bucharest and the Church of Saint Sava in Belgrade.From 1931 until 1992 it was the largest finished Orthodox Church in the world, and until year 2000 was the largest finished Orthodox Cathedral.
Address: pl. "Sveti Aleksandar Nevski"
Breakfast
Starata Gospoja (Brunch)
Address: ул. „Оборище“ 18, 1504 Doctor’s Garden, София, България
Phone: +359 87 757 4104
Boho (Brunch)
Address: ул. „Христо Белчев“ 29, 1000 Old City Center, София, България
Phone: +359 89 645 1458
Rainbow Factory (Breakfast)
Address: ул. „Веслец“ 10, 1000 Old City Center, София, България
Phone: +359 2 444 0556
Bulgarian
Shtastliveca
Address: бул. „Витоша“ 27, 1000 Център, София, България
Phone: +359 2 441 1155
Moma Bulgarian Food and Wine
Address: ул. „Солунска“ 28, 1000 Център, София, България
Phone: +359 88 562 2020
Raketa Rakia Bar
Address: бул. „Янко Сакъзов“ 17, 1527 Център, София, България
Phone: +359 2 444 6111
Cosmos
Address: ул. „Лавеле“ 19, 1000
Phone: +359 88 820 0700
Manastirska Magarnitsa
Address: ул. „Хан Аспарух“ 67, 1000 Old City Center, София, България
Phone: +359 89 994 9400
Izbata Tavern
Address: ул. „Славянска“ 18, 1000 Old City Center, София, България
Phone: +359 2 989 5533
International
UGO – Pizza and Burgers
Address: ул. Н. Рилски 68, ул.
Phone: +359 88 890 9156
Taj Mahal – Indian Restarant
Address: ул. „11-ти август“ 11
Phone: +359 87 660 0776
Lili Pham (Asian Fusion)
Address: ул. „Славянска“ 29
Phone: +359 89 684 0507
Umami (Sushi)
Address: бул. „Джеймс Баучер“ 1407 ж.к. Лозенец
Phone: +359 88 480 4040
Captain Cook (Seafood)
Address: пл. „Народно събрание“ 4
Phone: +359 88 299 9012
La Casa (Upscale)
Address: бул. „Васил Левски“ 45
Phone: +359 87 777 7510
Chef’s (Upscale)
Address: ул. „Любата“, 1407 ж.к. Лозенец, София, България
Phone: +359 89 672 3222
Crystal Steak House (Steaks)
Address: ул. Аксаков 14, 1000
Phone: +359 88 511 1180
The Little Things (International)
Address: ул. „Цар Иван Шишман“ 37
Phone: +359 88 249 0030
Made in blue (Inernational)
Address: ул. „Юрий Венелин“ 6, 1000 Old City Center, София, България
Phone: +359 89 857 9999
Spaghetti Company (European)
Address: бул. „Витоша“ 150, 1408 Иван Вазов, София, България
Phone: +359 2 881 0100
Cava Bar & Dinner (European)
Address: ул. „Петър Парчевич“ 52, 1000 Old City Center, София, България
Phone: +359 88 777 0027
Tenebris (Dark Restaurant)
Address: ул. „Хан Аспарух“ 65, 1000 Old City Center, София, България
Phone: +359 88 971 7708
Vegetarian
Soul Kitchen
Address: ул. „Кокиче“ 13, 1164 ж.к. Лозенец
Phone: +359 87 644 0003
Sun Moon
Address: ул. „6-ти септември“ 39
Phone: +359 89 913 8411
Bars
J J Murphy’s (Irish)
Address: ул. “Кърниградска“ 6
Phone: +359 2 980 2870
The Cocktail Bar (Cocktails)
Address: ул. ,,Ангел Кънчев” 9
Phone: +359 87 715 1152
By The Way (Cocktails)
Address: ул. „Георги С. Раковски“ 166
Phone: +359 2 980 3836
Memento Beach Bar (Summer Only)
Address: ул. „Георги С. Раковски“ 106
Phone: +359 88 840 2333
One More Bar (Funky)
Address: ул. „Цар Иван Шишман“ 12
Phone: +359 89 625 3757
Tobacco (Garden)
Address: ул. „Московска“ 6A
Phone: +359 88 460 0044
5L (Speakeasy)
Address: ул. „Цар Иван Шишман“ 15
Phone: +359 88 401 0205
Sputnik Cocktail Bar (Bulgarian)
Address: бул. „Янко Сакъзов“ 17
Phone: +359 88 498 2098
Garafa (Wine)
Address: 18 Tsar Shishman St
Phone: +359 89 664 2603
Clubs
Bedroom
Address: ул. „Леге“ 2
Phone: +359 88 886 0666
PM
Address: ул. „Позитано“, 1000
Phone: +359 89 867 0600
EXE
Address: ул. „Свети Климент Охридски“
Phone: +359 88 233 2222
Carrusel
Address: ул. „Георги С. Раковски“ 108
Phone: +359 87 707 8080
Yalta
Address: София, бул. Цар Освободител 20
Phone: +359 89 787 0230
Getting Around
Public Transport
Here is a great in-depth guide to Sofia’s Public Transport.
Taxis in Sofia
Taxis in Sofia are plentiful and affordable. There are around 5,000 of them in Sofia so getting a ride should be easy, except during rush hours (7:30-9:30 AM and 5-7 PM during working days, also Friday and Saturday nights). The usual rates are less than 1 leva per km and about 0.2 leva per minute of waiting. A daytime ride from the Airport to the city center should cost around BGN 10-15 (10 euro maximum!). Taxi drivers usually expect a small tip and will tend to round the bill (4.2lv is 5lv). To get a cab on the street, just put your hand up. If you see that the taxi has a red light it means it’s busy with another client, if the light is green it should be available.
The easiest and most reliable ways to order a taxi is via an app:
- TaxiMe – different brands, reliable, usually fast to come Android | Iphone
- Yellow Taxi App. – great taxy company, buggy app Android | Iphone
- Panda Taxi – cheapest, good but few drivers, common to wait Android | Iphone
Most of taxis in Sofia are reliable but unfortunately there are some “fake” taxis that will try to overcharge you. They are usually waiting for clients around busy transport hubs and target tourists and visitors who are not familiar with the city. Bellow you can check some tips so you can recognize the scam taxis. Their charging machines are usually set to charge 3-4 leva per km and they might try to get you somewhere through the longest possible route. Please be aware and check before you enter a cab. You can see the prices on the windscreens. Ask a local if you have any doubts. Here are a few tips:
- Look at the Logo and Ads: A few reliable companies are Green Taxi, OK Supertrans, Panda and Yellow. They all have big logos and plenty of ads on the cars. Most “fake” taxis try to copy the OK Supertrans Logo(pic above).
- Don’t enter into unmarked taxis.
- If a driver tells you that there is a fix rate to someplace and doesn’t want to turn on the meter, the driver is lying. Just get a new cab.
- There are authorized OK Taxis in the Airport and Central Bus Station. At the airport follow the lines marked on the floor that will take you to the parking where all legitimate taxis are waiting in line.
- If you are coming via train (Central Railway station), don’t get any taxis from there as they are shady! Go about 200 meters to the left of the railway station and you will see the Central Bus Station where you can get an authorized OK Taxi!
- Take a look at the prices. There should be a copy of them on the dashboard in the car. If they are not present – get a new taxi.
Parking
If you’re considering driving to Sofia or around Sofia, here is what you need to know about parking your car, including information on parking rules, parking fines and parking garages in Sofia. Parking and driving in Sofia can be difficult. Finding a parking spot in central Sofia on a working day can be a challenge. Up for the challenge anyways? Here is some important parking information.
SOFIA STREET PARKING
Sofia’s central part is divided into blue and green street parking zones. Parking there is limited to 2 hours max per stay (blue zone) and 4 hours max per stay (green zone). Blue zone is the ideal centre of the city, the true city centre. Green zone is part of the outer city centre and some neighborhoods around.
BLUE ZONE SHORT-TERM PARKING – allows curbside parking for up to 2 hours at designated street in the center of Sofia.
Look for the blue zone parking signs in central Sofia.
Mon-Fri: 8:30 am – 7:30 pm
Sat: 8:30 am – 6 pm
Sundays and Official holidays – free parking
Time Limit: 2 hours maximum per stay
Cost: 2 lv. per hour (if you want to park for 2 hours you need to send 2 SMS’ that will cost you in total 4 leva)
GREEN ZONE SHORT-TERM PARKING – allows for curbside parking for up to 4 hours.
Mon-Fri: 8:30 am – 7:30 pm
Weekends and Official Holidays – free parking
Time Limit: 4 hours max per stay
Cost: 1 lv. per hour
Allows curbside parking for up to 4 hours in areas close to the city center.
HOW TO PAY FOR STREET PARKING
Signs in English show how to pay for Blue and Green Zone parking.
Pay by phone
Pay by phone is available only on phones with a SIM card issued by any Bulgarian mobile operator.
Send an SMS containing your car’s license plate number (no space) to 1302 for Blue Zone or 1303 for Green Zone and wait for the confirmation SMS. Always use latin characters!
Each text message takes care of one hour of parking but you can send two (for blue zone) or up to four (for green zone) texts at once. Five minutes before the time is up, you will receive an SMS reminding you to send another or move your vehicle.
You won’t need to create an account nor register a credit or debit card as the charge will post directly on your cell phone bill.
Pay by a Parking Voucher
Talon za parkirane / талон за паркиране
“Pay & Display” scheme, where you’ll need to purchase a voucher and display it on the dashboard of your vehicle is the other option of paying for short term parking. Vouchers can be purchased from one of the attendants wearing neon green jackets you will see walking around, or from any of the kiosks run by the Municipal Urban Mobility Center.
SOFIA PARKING TIPS
Here are a few tips that will help you avoid parking fines in Sofia. Some of the curbside parking spaces are reserved for nearby offices. They are marked by a sign in Bulgarian that can be several spots back! If parked on such a spot, your car will be towed and stored at the nearest municipal parking lot. Watch out for the following sign: Reserved parking spot sign indicating that the next 2 parking spaces are reserved and paid for by a nearby office or store.
WHEEL CLAMPS
If you are late or forgetful, expect to find your vehicle locked by a wheel clamp. Call the number on the ticket and wait for the mobile crew to come and unlock it. It will cost you 30 lv plus 1 lv per hour. Vehicles locked by a wheel clamp are towed away at the end of the business day.
IF YOUR CAR IS TOWED AWAY
Sorry, it happens! Call +359 700 1323 to inquire where the car has been moved to. Sofia Municipality runs 3 parking lots where towed vehicles are kept. They are called nakazatelen parking / наказателен паркинг in Bulgarian. Expect to pay 60 lv. for the “service” plus extra for the ticket. PARKING
GARAGES AND PARKING LOTS IN SOFIA Numerous private parking garages and lots are scattered around the city. They tend to be more expensive than street parking and are usually small so spots may not always available. However they are a great option if you are staying in the city centre and want to leave your car overnight.
SOFIA PARK AND RIDE
Sofia municipality runs 5 underground parking garages connected to several key metro stations with over 2000 parking spaces allowing easy access to Sofia’s city center. The so called buffer parking garages or buferen parking/ буферен паркинг, also known as “Park and Ride” remain largely underutilized (read “empty”!) and finding a space there should not be a problem. Cars can be left there overnight but bear in mind that you will not have access to your vehicle between midnight and 5 am when the garages are closed.
Park and Ride Rates
With a metro ticket 0-2 hours: free
2 hours and more: 0.5 lv per hour
Without a metro ticket 0.5 lv per hour
For holders of a monthly public transit pass free from 5 am to midnight and 0.5 lv per hour from midnight to 5 am.
Departure
Check Out Process
Check-out time is strictly 12pm. Should you require a later check-out we will do our best but you need to let us know beforehand. If we have guests arriving that day it will be impossible to offer a late check-out due to the cleaners needing to prepare for those guests.
Check-out Process
You’ve hopefully had a relaxing stay! But, before you leave, we would appreciate it if you could do the following:
- Put the dishes in the sink
- Close the windows
- Shut down any heating or cooling equipment
- Please, leave the apartment in a decent condition.
- Take the trash out
- Lock the apartment
- The keys should be in the lockbox or as instructed
Thank you for your effort! You are an amazing human being and have made our lives much easier!
Travel safely back home and we hope to see you again soon!!
For a discount code on your next visit, check below ;)
So Long & Thanks For All The Fish!
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