Sofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria. It is situated in the Sofia Valley at the foot of the Vitosha mountain, in the western part of the country. The city is built west of the Iskar river and has many mineral springs, such as the Sofia Central Mineral Baths. It has a humid continental climate.
Known as Serdica in antiquity, Sofia has been an area of human habitation since at least 7000 BC. The recorded history of the city begins with the attestation of the conquest of Serdica by the Roman Republic in 29 BC from the Celtic tribe Serdi. During the decline of the Roman Empire, the city was raided by Huns, Visigoths, Avars, and Slavs. In 809, Serdica was incorporated into the First Bulgarian Empire by Khan Krum and became known as Sredets. In 1018, the Byzantines ended Bulgarian rule until 1194, when it was reincorporated by the Second Bulgarian Empire. Sredets became a major administrative, economic, cultural and literary hub until its conquest by the Ottomans in 1382. From 1530 to 1836, Sofia was the regional capital of Rumelia Eyalet, the Ottoman Empire's largest and most important province. Bulgarian rule was restored in 1878. Sofia was selected as the capital of the Third Bulgarian State in the next year, ushering a period of intense demographic and economic growth.
Sofia is the 14th-largest city in the European Union. It is surrounded by mountains such as Vitosha to the south, Lyulin to the west, and the Balkan Mountains to the north. It is the third highest European capital after Andorra la Vella and Madrid. Sofia is home to several universities, cultural institutions and commercial companies. The city has been described as the "triangle of religious tolerance". This is because three temples of three major world religions—Christianity, Islam and Judaism—are situated close together: Sveta Nedelya Church, Banya Bashi Mosque and Sofia Synagogue. This triangle was recently expanded to a "square" and includes the Catholic Cathedral of St Joseph.
The Boyana Church in Sofia, constructed during the Second Bulgarian Empire and holding much patrimonial symbolism to the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, was included onto the World Heritage List in 1979. With its cultural significance in Southeast Europe, Sofia is home to the National Opera and Ballet of Bulgaria, the National Palace of Culture, the Vasil Levski National Stadium, the Ivan Vazov National Theatre, the National Archaeological Museum, and the Serdica Amphitheatre. The Museum of Socialist Art includes many sculptures and posters that educate visitors about the lifestyle in communist Bulgaria.
Airport
Sofia Vasil Levski Airport ((IATA: SOF, ICAO: LBSF) is the main international airport of Bulgaria, located 10 km (6.2 mi) east of the centre of the capital Sofia. The airport serves as the home base for BH Air, Bulgaria Air, European Air Charter and GullivAir, and as a base for both Ryanair and Wizz Air. There is a good connection between the airport and city center by public transport, taxi, shuttle bus and by car.
Currency & Banking
Bulgarian Leva (BGN) is the official currency of the Bulgaria. However, Bulgaria will adopt the euro as its official currency on 1 January 2026, replacing the Bulgarian lev. Exchange of foreign currency is available at Sofia International Airport and at most hotels, banks and exchange offices. International credit cards are accepted for payments in hotels, restaurants and shops. Payment in cash in EUR is also available in restaurants and shops.
Electricity
The Bulgaria uses a 220 volt, 50 Hz system, sockets have the European standard and plugs are three-prong grounded.
Entry Formalities
All foreign visitors to Bulgaria must possess a passport valid for at least the next three months. Participants requiring a visa should apply in advance to consular offices of the Bulgaria in their countries in order to avoid delay when travelling to the congress.
Important telephone numbers
"112" is for the General Emergency call and it is also in use for the calls of Fire, Ambulance, Police, etc.
Insurance
The organisers do not accept responsibility for individual medical, travel or personal insurance. All participants are strongly advised to take out their own personal insurance before travelling to the conference.
Time Zone
The Bulgaria is on the Time Zone of "Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) plus 3 hours (GMT + 3)". Daylight Saving Time started on Sunday, March 30, 2025 at 3:00 am.
Weather
The temperature in Sofia, on September, ranges from 15 to 24 °C with an average of 20 °C.
You can find the current weather conditions at www.weather.com
