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KosovoLet’s go on a walk through Sofia city center and try some of the best Bulgarian and international beers. Discover the truly local bars where you’ll meet friendly people with lots of stories and find numerous reasons to say “Nazdrave” (cheers in Bulgarian).
Tour Details
- Meeting Point: Alexander Nevski Cathedral
- Tour Duration: 2-3 hours in the afternoon
- Tour Language: English
- Best Period: Year-round (suitable for all seasons)
- Price: Starting from €160
- Transportation: Walking tour (+ optional tram)
- Tour Type: Gastronomical and local insights tour
Highlights
- Visit carefully selected bars offering local beers and interesting stories.
- Discover craft beer shops where you can buy additional bottles or cans.
- Meet a licensed guide with extensive knowledge in brewing and Bulgarian history.
- Explore some of Sofia’s most interesting landmarks on the way.
- Get a glimpse of daily life in the local community.
- Optionally, see a local craft beer factory.
Beer Tour Prices and Options
| Number of people | Total price |
|---|---|
| 1 person | €160 |
| 2 people | €180 |
| 3 people | €200 |
| 4 people | €220 |
| 5 people | €240 |
| 6 people | €260 |
| 7 people | €280 |
| 8 people | €300 |
| 9+ people | Send a request |
Includes
- Small draft beer (330ml) and snacks in the first bar
- Tasting of 4 beers (4 x 150 ml) in the second bar
- Small beer 330 ml and ПКС (French fries with Bulgarian white cheese)
- The online version of our ebook “Balkan food & drinks to try when traveling”
- A PDF file with our top recommendations for bars, and restaurants in Sofia
Excludes
- Additional beer consumption at bars
- Beers at the craft beer shops
- Tips and gratuities for the bartenders and the guide
Add on: visit a craft beer factory
| Number of people | Total price |
|---|---|
| Up to 4 people | €70 |
| Up to 8 people | €160 |
Optional tour information
The visit to the local craft beer factory should be booked in advance. We need to arrange transport in a car or van (depending on the number of people) and inform the factory of our visit. It won’t be possible to do it directly after the beer tour if you decide on the spot.
Let’s Drink Some Beers Together
Join us for an afternoon of beer tasting, where a knowledgeable local guide will immerse you in stories
about Bulgarian alcohol production, the history of Sofia, and a glimpse of the locals’ lives.
Tour Itinerary
First bar (tasting included)
First, we will start with a bar near Alexander Nevski Cathedral. It’s a place with a typical beer lover’s atmosphere where you can taste some of the Bulgarian beers and have some snacks.
Craft beer shop (tasting not included)
After that, we’ll stroll through the city’s historical and religious center, looking for a small street and our next stop. It’s a place with 6 local beers on tap. They will give us the best and freshest choice for the day.
Second bar (tasting included)
It’s just about time to visit the mecca for beer lovers who want to immerse themselves in the artistic atmosphere of the largest Bulgarian city, with the possibility to taste 6 different beers. Here we can have fun conversations and presentations of Bulgarian breweries – new and old, classics and brave ideas in peace. It could be a nice ending to the tour, but we like to challenge our guests. Let’s take a time machine to our next stop. Taking the tram will give an example of how to drink responsibly in the big city.
Craft beer shop (tasting not included)
Let’s go to the HQ of the beerheads in Sofia – a place where it is ok to have a beer on rainy mornings, hot days, or warm summer evenings. No judgment, only understanding of your needs. And heavy metal. The place offers a variety of interesting local or international beers. This is a place where you can repeat some of the previous choices or find your favorite Belgian, Polish, etc.
Third bar (tasting included)
The last chapter, after a small walk, is a unique combination of a stunning tavern, a bomb shelter, and a dry regime pub. It will introduce you to Sofia from the early 20th century with typical communist-era “ПКС” a.k.a French fries with Bulgarian white cheese (keep in mind that the cheese is an important detail) and the local beer from modern times, “Rocket science”. We dare you to try this unique experience.
History of Beer Culture in Bulgaria
Beer plays an extraordinary role in Bulgarian society today. It’s been here for ages, but no one ever paid much attention to that alcoholic beverage. Thracians, Romans, and ancient Slavs made beer, but it fell behind the rakia and the wine.
Modern Bulgarians call “Beer” the lager, and most people have never tried Pale ale, Stout, or IPA. Even further, elderly people are still arguing whether it is better to drink from green or brown bottles. This is because our beer culture began in the 19th century with beers from Czech brewers, and later, during communist times, it wasn’t developed further. Now, many people drink beer to relax after work, to chill with friends, or to overcome a hangover.
Regardless of the facts above, you can find world-class local brewers like Rocket Science or Sofia Electric Brew, or even Guarani, a beer with mate. Bulgarian breweries are not afraid to experiment, and our capital, Sofia, is the place where you can find outstanding beer temples.
Want More of Sofia? Try Our Other Tours Too:
If you are more curious about traditional Bulgarian food, we’ve got you covered with:
Learn more about the history and famous city landmarks with:
