Useful Tips
Time zone
Bulgarian is in Eastern European Summer Time (EEST) Zone. Greenwich Mean Time + 2 hours, Central European Time + 1 hour.
Bulgarian is in Eastern European Summer Time (EEST) Zone. Greenwich Mean Time + 2 hours, Central European Time + 1 hour.
Climate
Sofia has a humid continental climate with an average annual temperature of 10.6 °C (51.1 °F). The city is protected from strong winds by the mountains that surround it. The rainfall balance can be characterized as normal. The average low temperature for July is 15.1 °C (59.2 °F), while the average high temperature for July month is 27.3 °C (81.1 °F). We can safely expect hot weather in the days of the congress.
Sofia has a humid continental climate with an average annual temperature of 10.6 °C (51.1 °F). The city is protected from strong winds by the mountains that surround it. The rainfall balance can be characterized as normal. The average low temperature for July is 15.1 °C (59.2 °F), while the average high temperature for July month is 27.3 °C (81.1 °F). We can safely expect hot weather in the days of the congress.
Currency:
Although a member of the European Union, Bulgaria is not part of the Euro zone! The monetary unit in the Republic of Bulgaria is the Lev (BGN), which is equal to 100 stotinki (st.). Since 1997, the country has been governed by a currency board and the value of the BGN has been pegged to the Euro, at a fixed rate of 1 EUR – 1.95583 BGN. The Bulgarian lev (BGN) is the only currency in which you may pay. Money can be exchanged safely in the banks. If exchanging money in exchange bureaus be extra cautious! Those at the airport, railway station, and bus station usually quote less favorable rates. There are plenty of exchange bureaus in Sofia, but we can recommend only few of them to be safe and offering good rates. If you need to exchange money and you do not want or cannot use a bank, then we recommend you to use one of the following bureaus:
Tavex (https://tavex.bg), Tel: +359 2 9 888 666
101 Alexander Stamboliiski Blvd., Mall of Sofia, Open daily: 10-22 h
48 Sitnyakovo Blvd., Serdika Center, Level -1; Open daily: 10-22 h,
116 Tsarigradsko Shose Blvd., The Mall, Level -2; Open daily: 10-22 h
100 Cherni Vrah Blvd., Paradise Center, Level -1; Open daily: 10-22 h
Crown Change (http://crownchange.com)
96A Vitosha Blvd. (close to National Palace of Culture); Open daily: 08-20 h, Tel. +359 892 219723
44 Dondukov Blvd.; Monday-Friday 08:30-18:00, Tel. +359 893 356916
20 Kniagina Maria Louisa Blvd.l Monday-Friday 08:00-18:30, Saturday 08:30-18:00, Tel. +359 892 219722
Although a member of the European Union, Bulgaria is not part of the Euro zone! The monetary unit in the Republic of Bulgaria is the Lev (BGN), which is equal to 100 stotinki (st.). Since 1997, the country has been governed by a currency board and the value of the BGN has been pegged to the Euro, at a fixed rate of 1 EUR – 1.95583 BGN. The Bulgarian lev (BGN) is the only currency in which you may pay. Money can be exchanged safely in the banks. If exchanging money in exchange bureaus be extra cautious! Those at the airport, railway station, and bus station usually quote less favorable rates. There are plenty of exchange bureaus in Sofia, but we can recommend only few of them to be safe and offering good rates. If you need to exchange money and you do not want or cannot use a bank, then we recommend you to use one of the following bureaus:
Tavex (https://tavex.bg), Tel: +359 2 9 888 666
101 Alexander Stamboliiski Blvd., Mall of Sofia, Open daily: 10-22 h
48 Sitnyakovo Blvd., Serdika Center, Level -1; Open daily: 10-22 h,
116 Tsarigradsko Shose Blvd., The Mall, Level -2; Open daily: 10-22 h
100 Cherni Vrah Blvd., Paradise Center, Level -1; Open daily: 10-22 h
Crown Change (http://crownchange.com)
96A Vitosha Blvd. (close to National Palace of Culture); Open daily: 08-20 h, Tel. +359 892 219723
44 Dondukov Blvd.; Monday-Friday 08:30-18:00, Tel. +359 893 356916
20 Kniagina Maria Louisa Blvd.l Monday-Friday 08:00-18:30, Saturday 08:30-18:00, Tel. +359 892 219722
Credit cards
The country has a branched networks of ATMs. In Sofia you can withdraw cash from a machine practically everywhere in the city center. Also keep in mind that most Bulgarian hotels and stores accept VISA, MasterCard, American Express, and Diners Club credit cards.
Euro-cheques: Euro-cheques can be exchanged in banks. Banks are open from 09:00 to 17:00 Monday to Friday.
The country has a branched networks of ATMs. In Sofia you can withdraw cash from a machine practically everywhere in the city center. Also keep in mind that most Bulgarian hotels and stores accept VISA, MasterCard, American Express, and Diners Club credit cards.
Euro-cheques: Euro-cheques can be exchanged in banks. Banks are open from 09:00 to 17:00 Monday to Friday.
Passports & Visas
No visas are required for the citizens of the European Union and EFTA member countries. European Identity Cards and passports are a valid identification document in Bulgaria. Participants are requested to check with Bulgarian consulate or diplomatic mission in their home country or with their travel agency for visa requirements. It is a responsibility of the participant to obtain a visa if required. Detailed and up-to-date information about obtaining a Bulgarian visa as well as a list of visa exempted countries is available on the website of Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
No visas are required for the citizens of the European Union and EFTA member countries. European Identity Cards and passports are a valid identification document in Bulgaria. Participants are requested to check with Bulgarian consulate or diplomatic mission in their home country or with their travel agency for visa requirements. It is a responsibility of the participant to obtain a visa if required. Detailed and up-to-date information about obtaining a Bulgarian visa as well as a list of visa exempted countries is available on the website of Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Communications and WiFi
Three mobile service operators cover almost 100% of Bulgaria with 2G and 3G network (Mtel, Telenor BG and Vivacom). Internet in Bulgaria in most places is really fast and open WiFi networks are common. Areas with free wireless internet access in Sofia are: the whole pedestrian Vitosha boulevard and Slaveykov square, the garden of the National Theatre and Art Gallery, in most of the parks, including the Doctor’s Garden (very near to Sofia University), all metro stations, in the Halli Central Market, most of the big shopping malls, Sofia Airport, Central Bus Station, and the National Palace of Culture area, etc. Sofia's free WiFi zone are indicated on this map.
Three mobile service operators cover almost 100% of Bulgaria with 2G and 3G network (Mtel, Telenor BG and Vivacom). Internet in Bulgaria in most places is really fast and open WiFi networks are common. Areas with free wireless internet access in Sofia are: the whole pedestrian Vitosha boulevard and Slaveykov square, the garden of the National Theatre and Art Gallery, in most of the parks, including the Doctor’s Garden (very near to Sofia University), all metro stations, in the Halli Central Market, most of the big shopping malls, Sofia Airport, Central Bus Station, and the National Palace of Culture area, etc. Sofia's free WiFi zone are indicated on this map.
Emergency phones
Information about emergency services at national and European level. European single emergency number – 112.
112 is the number that you can call for free to emergency services in the European Union from a landline or mobile phone. What happens when you call? A specially trained operator will answer your call. Depending on country the operator will directly deal with your call or will transfer it to the most appropriate emergency service. Tell your name, address and telephone number. Callers need to be identified to avoid confusion - possibly the same incident have already been reported by other people.
Do not hang up if you dialed 112 by mistake! Tell the operator that everything is okay. Otherwise, they have to sent emergency team to verify that there is no problem.
When to call 112:
Dial 112 for any emergency that required an ambulance, fire department or police. Examples: you have been involved in a serious accident or you are a witness of such. Spotted fire in the building. Spotted breaking into a house, etc.
Do not call 112 for:
Traffic information; weather information; general questions and information.
Information about emergency services at national and European level. European single emergency number – 112.
112 is the number that you can call for free to emergency services in the European Union from a landline or mobile phone. What happens when you call? A specially trained operator will answer your call. Depending on country the operator will directly deal with your call or will transfer it to the most appropriate emergency service. Tell your name, address and telephone number. Callers need to be identified to avoid confusion - possibly the same incident have already been reported by other people.
Do not hang up if you dialed 112 by mistake! Tell the operator that everything is okay. Otherwise, they have to sent emergency team to verify that there is no problem.
When to call 112:
Dial 112 for any emergency that required an ambulance, fire department or police. Examples: you have been involved in a serious accident or you are a witness of such. Spotted fire in the building. Spotted breaking into a house, etc.
Do not call 112 for:
Traffic information; weather information; general questions and information.
Electricity & electrical plugs
Electrical sockets (outlets) in Bulgaria are one of the two European standard electrical socket types: The "Type C" Europlug and the "Type E" and "Type F" Schuko. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.
Electrical sockets (outlets) in Bulgaria are one of the two European standard electrical socket types: The "Type C" Europlug and the "Type E" and "Type F" Schuko. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.
Drinking Water
Tap water is potable and safe to drink all over the country but not always pleasant in taste. Bulgaria has vast supplies of very pleasant mineral waters. They are widely available in 0.5 litre and 1.5 litre bottles. Most mineral waters on the market are very tasty and not expensive. Enjoy them while you are in Bulgaria!
Tap water is potable and safe to drink all over the country but not always pleasant in taste. Bulgaria has vast supplies of very pleasant mineral waters. They are widely available in 0.5 litre and 1.5 litre bottles. Most mineral waters on the market are very tasty and not expensive. Enjoy them while you are in Bulgaria!
Tourist Information Centers
Tourist Information Centre – Sofia
22 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd.(in the underpass of Sofia University)
Tel.: +359 2 491 83 44; +359 2 491 83 45
The Largo Tourist Information Centre
Metrostation Serdica 2
Tel.: +359 889 599 240; +359 885 921 627; +359 2 49 49 315
Info Point Chitalnyata (The reading room)
In the City garden, in front of the National Theater
Tel.: +359 885 921 620
Tourist Information Centre – Sofia
22 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd.(in the underpass of Sofia University)
Tel.: +359 2 491 83 44; +359 2 491 83 45
The Largo Tourist Information Centre
Metrostation Serdica 2
Tel.: +359 889 599 240; +359 885 921 627; +359 2 49 49 315
Info Point Chitalnyata (The reading room)
In the City garden, in front of the National Theater
Tel.: +359 885 921 620