Studentski Grad, Sofia: what to do beyond the party scene

Studentski Grad, Sofia’s student town, is not only clubs. It has an ice rink, a dance school, a stand-up club and student organisations, and Vitosha is close by. If you want to meet people without waiting for Friday night, the fastest way is something weekly: a dance class, a sport or a student organisation.

Studentski Grad is a district in the south-east of Sofia, built around UNWE, the Technical University, the University of Forestry, the University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy and the National Sports Academy. Every autumn thousands of first-year and Erasmus students arrive, and most of them know nobody.

The area is loud and cheaper than the centre. Most of what you see at night is clubs and bars, but there is more if you look.

The Winter Sports Palace on Akad. Boris Stefanov Street has an ice rink with public skating sessions. The schedule is posted weekly on their Instagram and Facebook. If you have never skated, it is a good place to try with people from your dorm.

Vitosha is close: trails start from Simeonovo and Dragalevtsi. Kambanite (the Bells) park above Mladost 4 is a nice Sunday walk with a blanket and some food. Check lines and routes on sofiatraffic.bg.

Ritmo Dance Studio on Yordan Yosifov Street teaches salsa, bachata, kizomba and Bulgarian folk dance and starts new beginner groups in the autumn. Partners rotate in Latin classes, so you do not need to bring anyone.

Comedy Club Studentski Grad on Akad. Nikolay Stoyanov Street runs stand-up shows, mostly in Bulgarian. The programme is on comedyclub.bg.

The Erasmus Student Network (ESN) has sections at universities in Sofia and welcomes Erasmus students every autumn. If you are an international student, it is the quickest way into a group. If you are Bulgarian, you can volunteer and help newcomers through their first weeks.

Student councils and university clubs, from debating to sports teams, recruit at the start of each semester. Ask at your faculty or in your year group.

On Haide you can also post a small meetup yourself or see what is on in Sofia this week.

• Join the Facebook group for your programme and year. Most plans get made there.
• Say yes to the first few invitations, even if they are not quite your thing.
• Suggest something small yourself: “Anyone for Vitosha on Sunday?” or “Coffee after lectures on Wednesday?” Many people are waiting for someone else to ask.
• Leave the district now and then. The centre and Borisova Garden are not far.

What can I do in Studentski Grad at night if I do not want to go clubbing? Stand-up at Comedy Club Studentski Grad, a dance class, public skating at the Winter Sports Palace, or a board game with people from your dorm.

Where can I ice skate in Studentski Grad? At the Winter Sports Palace. Public skating times are posted weekly on their social media.

How do I meet people in Studentski Grad if I do not like parties? Through something that repeats: a dance group, a sports team, ESN or a student club.

How do I get from Studentski Grad to the city centre? By public transport; several bus lines link the district with the centre. Current routes are on sofiatraffic.bg.