Discover our locals' 130 hidden gems in Sofia

Да тръгваме! Discover Sofia's hidden gems with Spotted by Locals! From quaint cafes and vibrant local markets to modern concept stores and wine bars, our Spotters share the city’s best-kept secrets. Experience Sofia like a true local.

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City guides by those who know Sofia best!

Travel Guides by these Sofia Locals!

Our Sofia Cityguide - Made by Locals

Know your way in Sofia like a local!

Spotted by Locals

✓ Discover Sofia through the eyes of a local!

✓ Hidden gems that can’t be found in traditional guidebooks

✓ Our locals share their personal favorite spots in Sofia

Check out our latest hidden gems in Sofia

Things to do in Sofia

&bread

Fantastic pastries in Sofia

Specializing in bread, sandwiches, and croissants, what sets them apart is their commitment to locally sourced ingredients and their acclaimed canelé!

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Snacks

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Tsvetomira

Filipova

Jul 17, 2025

Raw and More

Desserts and smoothie bowls

With over 35 recipes, I believe most of them are original recipes, let me help you choose—my all-time favorite is the chocolate fudge with raspberries!

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Snacks

by

Tsvetomira

Filipova

Jul 17, 2025

Mangia Van

Mexican Street food

At Mangia Van you will find authentic Mexican street food: delicious burgers, burritos, tortillas, and quesadillas. There are also options for vegetarians!

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Snacks

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Tsvetomira

Filipova

Jul 16, 2025

Farmers market Roman Wall

Saturday stop

Buy fresh, local breakfast items such as banitsa, cookies, and other baked goods. Everything is locally produced, which in most cases means organic and sustainable.

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Shopping

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Tsvetomira

Filipova

Jul 16, 2025

MAF Farmers Market

Twice a week in front of MAF

The "MAF Farmers Market" in Sofia is one of the most famous outdoors markets in the city. It's proof of Bulgaria's strong agricultural tradition...

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Shopping
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Snacks

by

Tsvetomira

Filipova

Jul 16, 2025

Handmade by Art.E

Better buy a mug from here

"Handmade by Art.E" in Sofia is an amazing atelier for pocelain goods! But this place is also good for more traditional gifts...

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Art & culture
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Shopping

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Tsvetomira

Filipova

Jul 16, 2025

Betahaus

The coworking space

"Betahaus" is a coworking space in Sofia. Apart from the fact that you can rent a convenient work desk, I like it also for meeting people here.

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Art & culture
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Coffee & tea

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Boyko

Blagoev

Jul 14, 2025

Uhaya

Bulgarian boutique cosmetics

Uhaya is a family-run business that sells high-quality natural products and accessories for health and a clean environment. Most of it is made in Bulgaria.

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Shopping

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Tsvetomira

Filipova

Jul 10, 2025

Slanchogled

Arts and crafts supplies

"Slanchogled" is probably the oldest craft and art supplies store I know and still one of the best in Sofia. Going there is a favourite ritual of mine...

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Art & culture
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Shopping

by

Tsvetomira

Filipova

Jul 10, 2025

Q-ftetaria

Food classic not to be missed!

The meatballs are usually served with cabbage salad, lyutenitsa dip & fries. As a Bulgarian, I find kyufte to be a comforting dish that never disappoints.

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Bars
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Restaurants
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Snacks

by

Tsvetomira

Filipova

Jul 4, 2025

Vishneva tram stop

Hidden forest stop in Sofia

Here is a hidden gem - a cute tram stop: Vishneva (which means sour cherry in Bulgarian), a small, charming wooden house in the forest.

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Relaxing

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Tsvetomira

Filipova

Jun 30, 2025

Zona Urbana

Recycled art

At "Zona Urbana" Sofia you can buy a fabulous, unique bag or wallet made from old newspapers or paper maps. It's a shop perfect for recycle freaks!

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Art & culture
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Shopping

by

Tsvetomira

Filipova

Jun 24, 2025

Heading to Sofia?

130 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

Going to Sofia?

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What to expect?

Authentic & Unbiased Content

Our local Spotters share personal tips and secrets about their city. Nothing sponsored! These unique insights can’t be found in traditional guidebooks. Discover the city through the eyes of a local!

Go off the Beaten Path Gems

We focus on hidden gems and unique places that aren’t crowded with tourists. Our Spotters’ tips help you avoid the crowds and have truly special experiences, far from the tourist masses.

Responsible Travel

By visiting our locals’ favorites and lesser-known places, you contribute to a more sustainable way of traveling. You support the local economy and reduce the pressure on popular tourist spots. And in the end, those are the best places right?

Hi! Nice to meet you.

We are Spotted by Locals. An online travel community publishing city guides in 80+ cities. Our hand-picked local writers and photographers create all the content.

Our 488 Spotters (and counting) live in the cities they write about, speak the local language, and regularly update their tips. Their insights help around 1.4 million travelers each year discover the hidden gems of cities.

With insider advice from locals, we offer a unique, sustainable travel experience, allowing travelers to slow down and immerse themselves in the local culture, beyond the tourist hotspots.

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