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A kéktúrázás napja
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St. George's Rotunda in the Bulgarian capital SofiaPhoto: vili45, Adobe Stock
The route passes through Ivanyane, Manilov Dol, Suhodol, the Smardana area, and Zapaden before arriving in Sofia.
Ahead lies Sofia, ancient Serdica, one of the principal crossroads of the Balkans. Roman emperors, Ottoman caravans, merchants, pilgrims, and modern travellers all passed through this basin, where routes from the Danube, the Adriatic, Constantinople, and the Aegean converged. The Via Militaris crossed the city on its way east toward Plovdiv and Istanbul.
The stage ends in Sofia, where Roman remains, Ottoman mosques and hammams, churches, synagogues, and nineteenth-century public buildings stand packed together in the historic centre.
Author’s recommendation
- Notable landmarks are:
- National Archaeological Museum (15th)
- National Church Historical and Archaeological Museum (NCIAM)
- National History Museum
- Sofia History Museum
- Socialist Art Museum
- Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
- Banya Bashi Mosque (16th)
- Seven Saints Church
- Ancient Serdica (1st)
- St. Sophia Church (4-6th)
- Boyana Church (10-13th)
- Sveta Petka Church
- St. George Rotunda (3-6th)
- St. Joseph Cathedral
- Central Synagogue
- Ivan Vazov National Theatre
- Zhenski Market
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Safety information
At this stage, no specific safety precautions are required.Tips and suggestions
Sofia has accommodation in all ranges, including:- Hotel Alexander
- Bon Bon Hotel
- Hostel "Mostel"
- Internet Hostel
- Hostel “Elysia“
- Casa Ferrari BB
- Galiani Hostel
Restaurants:
- Mi Casa
- The Little Things
- Bistro Pesto
- Pod Lipite
- Hadjidraganovite Kashti
- Moma
For vegetarian options, check happycow.net here
Roadbook
National Archaeological Institute with Museum
Sofia Synagogue
Holy Nedelya Church
Banya Bashi Mosque
Старинен храм Света Петка
Church of St Petka of the Saddlers
Sofia History Museum
Iglesia de San Nicolás el Taumaturgo de Myra
Romanian Orthodox Church Holy Trinity
Saint George Rotunda
St Joseph
Св. Николай Софийски
Sofia City Art Gallery
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
Ivan Vazov National Theatre
Boyana Church
National History Museum
Boyana Church
Museum of Socialist Art
Sveti Sedmochislenitsi Church
Archeological reserve "Serdica - Forum"
Public transport
Bankya is a spa town on Sofia’s western fringe, connected to the capital by frequent suburban trains and regular buses. The stage ends close to the Bankya Railway Station, where trains run directly to Sofia’s central station. Buses from the town centre also link Bankya with neighbourhoods across the capital, stopping at the Bankya Bus Stop. Taxis are readily available for quick transfers to or from Sofia or to connect with long‑distance services.Sofia. The stage ends on the western side of Sofia, within easy reach of the city’s extensive public transport network. Local buses and trams provide quick links to the centre, while the metro offers fast onward travel across the capital. From here, travellers can continue to the Sofia Central Bus Station or Sofia Central Railway Station for long‑distance connections. Taxis are widely available and provide the most direct transfer to accommodation or onward transport hubs.
Sofia Airport. You reach Sofia Airport (SOF) easily because both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are fully integrated into the city’s transport network.
Directions
Train Bankya - Sofia, check the timetable hereBusses schedules in Sofia, including those for Bankya, are available on Moovit and the Sofia Mobility Centre.
Sofia Airport
- The airport is directly served by Metro Line M4, which stops at Sofia Airport Metro Station at Terminal 2. Trains run every 6–10 minutes and reach the city centre (Serdika) in about 18 minutes. If you arrive at Terminal 1, a free shuttle bus connects you to Terminal 2 for the metro.
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Several city buses link the airport with different parts of Sofia:
Bus 84 — Airport ↔ Orlov Most ↔ City Centre
Bus 184 — Airport ↔ Central Sofia via Mladost
Bus 384 — Airport ↔ Druzhba district
All buses stop at Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
Metro tickets (for M4 to the airport)
You can buy metro tickets at:
- Ticket machines in every station (cards + cash)
- Ticket office at major stations
- Contactless bank card directly at the gate (tap‑in, no registration)
At the airport, this means you buy at Terminal 2 inside the Sofia Airport Metro Station.
Bus tickets (84, 184, 384)
You can buy bus tickets:
- From the ticket machine on board (cards only)
- From the driver (cash, small notes/coins)
- At Urban Mobility Centres in the city
- Via the Sofia Urban Mobility app (QR ticket)
Buses 84, 184 and 384 stop at both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
Coordinates
Equipment
This stage of the Sultans Trail requires standard long-distance hiking equipment. Weather protection is essential, including rain and cold gear, depending on the season. In late spring and early summer, mosquito deterrents are strongly recommended, while during the hot season, sun protection and a sufficient water supply are essential. Reliable offline navigation tools should be carried at all times.Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
User Questions