World Travel Guide

City Guide  - Sofia  - Shopping
Shopping

Ten years since the end of Communism, the lack of colour associated with shopping in former Eastern Bloc countries can still be felt. However, Sofia is gradually smartening itself up to become more consumer orientated. Many of the big western names in clothes, shoes, cosmetics and electronic goods are now represented and prices are on a par with those elsewhere in the west. Bulgarian products, such as textiles, wood, ceramic and leather goods, still offer value for money but can be difficult to find. The main shopping areas centre on Vitosha Boulevard, Graf Ignatiev Ulica and Rakovski Ulica. Following a costly facelift, TsUM, on the Largo, has cast off its former image as a drab department store and now operates as a western-style shopping mall, with privately rented boutiques and cafés on three levels. There are also crèche facilities.

The Tsentralni Hali (Central Food Halls) on Maria Louiza Boulevard (open daily 0700-2400) have been refurbished to form a spotlessly clean and well-organised bazaar (see the Key Attractions section). Pirotski has been repaved and pedestrianised to link the Tsentralni Hali to Zhenski Pazar (Women's Market) (open daily 0900-1800). Situated on Stefan Stambolov Boulevard, Zhenski Pazar is a truly down-to-earth market (see the Further Distractions section).

The stalls in front of Alexander Nevski church are the place to find souvenirs, such as reproduction icons, Russian dolls, jewellery, ceramics, wooden items, embroidered tablecloths and lace. The Bulgarian Union of Artists, 6 Shipka Ulica, offers arts and crafts pieces at reasonable prices. Delta Trading, within the TsUM complex, is a good place for handmade Bulgarian kilim rugs, while CDs and tapes of Bulgarian music can be found at the stalls in the underpass below the NDK. Also worth investigating for souvenirs in general are the shops in the subway between TsUM and the Balkan Sheraton.

Luxury goods to take home include Bulgarian wines, notably the full-bodied red, Melnik, and rakiya, favourites being grozdova made from grapes, and slivova from plum. Another national tipple is mastika, an annis-flavoured drink similar to Greek ouzo. These are available in shops through out town.

Most shops are open either 0900-1830 or 1000-1900 on weekdays and until 1300 on Saturdays. Some private shops are also open on Saturday afternoons and even Sundays. Finally, for essentials such as bread, milk and basic toiletries, the Shell Select Shops and Fantastico chain stores are open 24 hours.



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SIGHTSEEING
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ENTERTAINMENT
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Shopping
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