Flights from Podgorica to Sofia: Capital of the Land of Roses

CAPITAL OF THE LAND OF ROSES

FLIGHTS PODGORICA – SOFIA

Close to us geographically, culturally and religiously, Bulgaria is a country of mountain ranges, rivers, charming seaside towns like Nessebar, Sozopol and Varna, the stunning Valley of Roses and countless churches. Right in the middle lies its capital, Sofia. A lovely trip to Sofia won’t cost you much, and booking a Podgorica – Sofia flight makes the journey quick and easy.

TRAVEL TO SOFIA

Sophia is the name of the goddess of wisdom, a name also borne by a Christian saint. Orthodox churches dedicated to her are a common sight. Bulgaria’s capital is no exception, and what makes it interesting is that the Church of St. Sophia came first, and the settlement that grew up around it took its name from this very church…

Sofia is the second-oldest city in Europe. It can’t boast the cultural and historical monuments of Rome, but it is still well worth a visit for its many churches and rich history… Given Sofia’s exceptional strategic position on the route from Asia Minor to Central, Northern and Eastern Europe, it’s no wonder that so many peoples conquered it, destroyed it and then rebuilt it. Starting with the Romans, who took it in the year 29, followed by the Huns, Goths, Slavs and Ottomans, right up to the full independence Bulgaria won after the turbulent 19th and early 20th centuries, Sofia was razed and burned time and again, and communist-era architecture did the city no favors either. Today, however, Sofia is a modern city and the capital of a European Union member state. Besides its beautiful churches, it attracts visitors with very affordable prices for accommodation and other extras, and, let’s be honest, with its excellent cuisine and many local specialties that you’ll certainly want to try during your stay in Sofia.

The Church of St. Sophia won’t dazzle you with its beauty, but the patina of centuries that surrounds it definitely deserves your attention. The church, which has given the city its name since the 14th century, was built as early as the 6th century on the ruins of a Roman amphitheater. Under Ottoman rule it was converted into a mosque, but in the early 20th century the minarets were torn down and it was restored as a Christian church. Right next to St. Sophia stands the Patriarchate of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, and across from the Patriarchate is Sofia’s largest church and a modern symbol of the city: the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the patriarchal cathedral of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. One of the largest Orthodox churches in the world, it was built in the Byzantine style and named after the Russian saint who was the patron of the Romanov imperial family. Completed at the end of the 19th century, it boasts a stunning interior and houses a very valuable collection of Orthodox icons.

In the background you can see the Church of St. Nicholas the Miracle Worker, and not far away is the monument to Russian Tsar Alexander II, who liberated Bulgaria from Ottoman rule in the Russo-Turkish War. This area is also home to the Parliament building and the National Gallery of Foreign Art.

While exploring Sofia, when you reach the Sheraton hotel, walk around the back to discover the oldest building in Sofia, the Rotunda of St. George. This early Christian basilica was built by the Romans in the 4th century. It is richly decorated with frescoes, the oldest dating back to the 10th century. The dome features frescoes of 22 prophets, each 2 meters tall. Under Ottoman rule the church was used as a mosque and its interior was painted over. During restoration work in the 20th century, the frescoes were uncovered and restored.

Another fascinating church is St. Petka of the Saddlers, which had been buried and was only uncovered after World War II, though it still sits partly below ground level.

The Sofia Central Mineral Baths, built in the early 20th century, are another of the city’s attractions. Across the street is the Banya Bashi Mosque, and between the two is a public fountain where you can fill up on warm mineral water completely free of charge.

“If you travel to Sofia and want to try some local dishes, go for kozunak (sweet bread), Bulgarian potato pie, zucchini in kefir sauce, banitsa (filo pastry filled with sheep’s cheese), banska kavarma (a kind of moussaka with meat and vegetables), bean soup, kavarma (a stew of meat, liver, mushrooms and potatoes) and palneni chushki (peppers stuffed with meat, rice and sheep’s cheese),” recommends B92. Wash it all down with Bulgarian “Kamenitza” beer, which is stronger than ours.

FLIGHTS PODGORICA – SOFIA

You can also drive to Sofia, but since a Podgorica – Sofia flight can be booked for 130 euros, flying is definitely faster and easier. Flights from Podgorica to Sofia are available with a connection or, on certain dates, as a direct flight – check our search for current flights and prices. Sofia Airport’s international code is SOF.

Sofia Airport was built in the 1930s in the village of Vrazhdebna near Sofia, then a relatively small capital of the Kingdom of Bulgaria.

At the beginning of this century the airport was expanded and today has 2 terminals; it was one of the largest projects in Bulgaria funded by the EU.

City bus number 84 connects Sofia Airport with the city center. Tickets can be bought at kiosks in Terminals 1 and 2 and must be validated on board.

Have a great trip!