ISSA Conference 2024 Sightseeing Options  

We are excited to offer optional sightseeing tours and activities as part of the conference offerings in 2024. On 25 October, various tours, activities, and day trips will take place for you to discover Sofia and beyond. Additionally, conference participants can visit Muzeiko children's museum during opening hours between 22-25 October free of charge upon presentation of your confrence nametag.

Transportation to some activities is provided for participants, please see the logistical information under each activity. Learn more below about time, pick up points, and price for each activity.

Timetable

*please note that activities below and site visits might overlap with each other. Kindly pay attention to activity time in this overview and click the link from this overview for futher information.

• Visit to Muzeiko children's museum| Daily | 10:00 - 18:00
• Day trip to Rila Monastery | 08:00 - 15:00
• Theatre of crumbs | 08:30 and 13:00
• Day trip to Plovdiv | 09:00 - 18:00
• Boyana Church and National Museum of History | 10:00 - 12:30
• Sofia walking tour | 10:30 - 12:00
• Retro tram sightseeing | 10:30 and 17:30
• Food and spices of Sofia walking tour | 15:30 - 18:00
• Bohemian Sofia walking tour | 17:30 - 19:00

Registration

Each event has a limited number of spots available. Don't miss out and register as soon as possible via the registration page. Register now!

 

Visit Options

 

Free visit to Muzeiko children's museum | Daily | 10:00 - 18:00

• Duration: plan for 2 to 4 hours 
• Date and time: 22 October and 25 October, 2024 | Opening hours 10:00 – 18:00 
• Location: 3 Professor Boyan Kamenov Str., Sofia 1700 
• Distance from Conference venue: 6 km, 30 min by metro (line M2 National Palace of Culture metro station to Serdica station, change to line M1 Serdica station to G.M.Dimitrov station)
• Price: free of charge entrance with Conference nametag 
• Registration: free entrance is granted to conference participants who bring their Conference nametag and present it at the ticket office. If you would like to visit Muzeiko children`s museum on 22 October, please first complete your conference registration.

Muzeiko is the first interactive children’s science and discovery center in Bulgaria. Мodeled after children's science centers in the U.S., the 3,250 sq.m. facility opened in 2015.  Visitors can explore three levels organized as a journey through time and space with exhibits offering more than 130 interactive games and activities, a maker space, a planetarium and daily workshops program for children aged 2 to 7+.   

Everything in Muzeiko – from the architectural design, through inbuilt energy efficiency solutions, to the space for interactive exhibits, has been designed to encourage children’s curiosity about STEAM. The space design and exhibits content were developed by Bulgarian and international scientists, educators and designers to encourage learning through play and developing of multiple intelligences.  

Jump into another world where kids and adults are free to experiment, learn and have fun through playing and interacting with the exhibits. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day trip to Rila Monastery | 08:00 - 15:00 

• Time: 08:00 - 15:00 
• Pick up point: The pylons in front of the National Palace of Culture, Blvd. Vitosha 104, Sofia
• Distance from Conference venue: 1.5 hours by organized transport
• Price: 50 EUR /including transportation and lunch  
• Registration: If you’d like to join this activity, please mark that option you’d like to choose during registration process.

Rila monastery is the largest and most symbolic place of worship in Bulgaria, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is located in the western part of Rila, one of the most picturesque Bulgarian mountains, in whose green embrace are huddled crystal-clear lakes, rare species of plants and animals, and countless breathtaking views of peaks, lakes, streams, and trails. The monastery was founded in the X century by Saint Ivan of Rila and used to be the primary spiritual and cultural center of Bulgaria and the entire Orthodox enclave. The library boasts 16,000 volumes including 134 manuscripts from the 15th to 19th century, along with numerous incunabula and documents. The monastery is a popular pilgrimage site for many Orthodox Christians. On the way back to Sofia, savor a delightful lunch at Gorski Kut restaurant, the perfect ending to a day filled with history, spirituality, and the breathtaking beauty of nature.

 Day trip to Plovdiv | 09:00 - 18:00 

• Time: 09:00 - 18:00
• Pick up point: The pylons in front of the National Palace of Culture, Blvd. Vitosha 104, Sofia
• Distance from Conference venue: 1.5 hours by organized transport
• Price: 80 EUR/including degustation of 3 wines and lunch 
• Registration: If you’d like to join this activity, please mark that option you’d like to choose during registration process.
• Min. participants: 20 people

As one of Europe’s oldest cities and the European Capital of Culture in 2019, Plovdiv boasts a storied past as the ancient seat of power of Thrace and a bustling trade center throughout the Middle Ages. Begin your exploration in the historic quarter, where echoes of bygone eras resonate within fortress walls, the Roman theatre, forum, and stadium. Immerse yourself in the charm of the Old Town, a living architectural museum reserve adorned with over 150 cultural monuments. Do not miss the magnificent tapestry of mosaics within the Bishop’s Basilica of Philippopolis, also known as the Great Basilica. Its architecture, including a central and two side naves, an apse, a narthex, and a colonnaded atrium, paints a vivid picture of ancient grandeur. Marvel at magnificent houses transformed into museums, galleries, workshops, and restaurants.

After this cultural feast, indulge in a delightful lunch in the vibrant “Kvartal” district. Then, on your return journey to Sofia, savor the culmination of your adventure with a wine degustation at Yustina, one of Bulgaria’s most contemporary wine estates. Let the flavors linger, adding the perfect finale to your enriching exploration.

 

Boyana Church and National Museum of History | 10:00 - 12:30 

• Time: 10:00 - 12:30 
• Pick up point: The pylons in front of the National Palace of Culture, Blvd. Vitosha 104, Sofia
• Price: 25 EUR /transportation included
• Registration: If you’d like to join this activity, please mark that option you’d like to choose during registration process.
• Min. participants: 20 people

Nestled against the breathtaking backdrop of Vitosha mountain, thrilae Boyana Church stands as a timeless testament to Bulgaria's rich heritage. Constructed in the late 10th or early 11th century and gracefully completed in the mid-19th century, this architectural gem beckons with 89 scenes and 240 human images adorning its walls, a captivating glimpse into centuries past. Recognized for its unparalleled charm, Boyana Church proudly graces the UNESCO World Heritage List, inviting you to explore the magic within its historic walls.

Discover the grandeur of Bulgaria's history at the National Museum of History, the country's largest museum and a true cultural treasure trove. Immerse yourself in a collection of over 650,000 artifacts, where each piece tells a unique story. Marvel at the Panagyurishte gold Treasure, trace the mysteries of the Gradeshnitza tablets, admire the intricacies of the Vila Armira mosaics, and gaze upon the timeless beauty of the St. Theodor ceramic Icon. Your journey through this museum is an exploration of Bulgaria's vibrant past, a mosaic of cultural richness waiting to be uncovered.

 Sofia walking tour | 10:30 - 12:00 

• Time: 10:30 - 12:00
• Pick up point: The pylons in front of the National Palace of Culture, 104 Vitosha bld, Sofia
• Price: 17 EUR/one drink included
• Registration: If you’d like to join this activity, please mark that option you’d like to choose during the registration process. 
• Min. participants: 20 people

Embark on a leisurely stroll through Sofia, where ancient ruins intertwine with remnants of socialist and Liberation era architecture. Explore a city that wears its diverse history with grace, a meeting point of religions, boasting churches, temples, and mosques coexisting in serene harmony right in the heart of town. As you wander, absorb the cultural heartbeat resonating from the National Theatre, the National Art Gallery, and the artists’ district. Feel the weight of political transitions symbolized by the “Triangle of Power”. Immerse yourself in the city’s unique spiritual energy at St. George's Rotunda. The walking tour isn’t just a journey through landmarks; it is an exploration of Sofia’s narrative, where the past and present meet, clash, and press on forward together in at times a hobbled manner. Top it off with a visit to a rooftop bar, savoring a drink with a panoramic view that encapsulates Sofia’s timeless charm.

 Retro tram sightseeing | 10:30 and 17:30 

• Duration: 1.5 hours
• Time: Morning 10:30 and Afternoon 17:30
• Location: The pylons in front of the National Palace of Culture, 104 Vitosha bld, Sofia. The start tram stop is in immediate proximity.  
• Price: 25 EUR
• Min. participant: 20 people 
• Registration: If you’d like to join this activity, please mark that option you’d like to choose during registration process.

Get off the beaten path and explore Sofia’s neighborhoods by retro tram. This is a unique opportunity to learn curious facts about the streets, buildings and monuments of Old Sofia while travelling on a vintage tram. A magical trip in the company of a professional storyteller who is ready to answer all your questions about the city’s exhilarating story. Feel welcome to join the activity at either 10:30 or 17:30.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Theatre of crumbs | 08:30 and 13:00 

• Time:  Morning 08:30 and Afternoon 13:00
• Pick up point: The pylons in front of the National Palace of Culture, Blvd. Vitosha 104, Sofia 
• Distance from Conference venue: 10 minutes walk
• Price: 33 EUR  
• Registration: If you’d like to join this activity, please mark that option you’d like to choose during registration process.

• Participants: 10 people (min.), 15 people (max)

Theater of Crumbs – a unique approach to guide participants in developing their own scenarios and making puppets from dough for the creation of multimedia and multisensory puppet theater performances, in which the audience is an active participant as it kneads bread together with the actors, decides for itself how to develop the main scenarios, and often solves local problems, which is already a rehearsal for life and for serious civic initiatives for change, according to the Brazilian expert Augusto Boal, who created the “Theater of the Oppressed.” The Theater of Crumbs is, above all, delicious, because at the end of the performance bread dolls are shared as a symbol of common co-creation. It offers a multi-sensorial experience: touch, taste, smell, the elements of the puppet and food (bread in particular) sharing.

Food and spices of Sofia walking tour | 15:30 - 18:00

• Time: 15:30 - 18:00
• Pick up point: The pylons in front of the National Palace of Culture, Blvd. Vitosha 104, Sofia 
• Price: 20 EUR /food tasting included/
• Number of participant: 7-10 people
• Registration: If you’d like to join this activity, please mark that option you’d like to choose during registration process

Join us on a walking tour of one of the most buzzing parts of the city - the area around the oldest open market in Sofia – the Women's market. Together we will discover how the area has transformed throughout the years, stopping on the way to have a look at some socially engaged street art inspired by children of different backgrounds. During the walk, participants are invited to visit small family-run shops, bakeries and restaurants, learn more about the area`s diverse culture directly from the shop owners, and experience first-hand their hospitality and friendliness. 

The tour offers several opportunities to take some Instagram-worthy photos and fill the bellies with delicious local bites. 

Bohemian Sofia walking tour | 17:30 - 19:00 

• Time: 17:30 - 19:00 
• Pick up point: The pylons in front of the National Palace of Culture, Blvd. Vitosha 104, Sofia 
• Price: 15 EUR
• Participants: Min. 20 people
• Registration: If you’d like to join this activity, please mark that option you’d like to choose during registration process

Explore Bohemian Sofia on a captivating walking tour, delving into the cultural history of the city from the Liberation to the end of the Second World War. Immerse yourself in the world of beloved Bulgarian writers in the area between Hristo Botev Blvd., Vitosha Blvd., and Graf Igrantiev Str. Discover the haunts of renowned Bulgarian artists in the Lozenetz District, and wander through the neighborhoods of famous Bulgarian painters, situated between 6 September Str., Evlogi and Hristo Georgievi Blvd., and Vasil Levski Blvd. As you traverse these creative hubs, pause for a delightful interlude at Mekitsa, savoring a coffee and tasting the iconic mekitsa—fried dough adorned with powdered sugar or jam. This Bohemian tour unfolds the lavish and dynamic narrative of Sofia, weaving tales of writers, artists, and painters who left an indelible mark on the city’s spirit and vision during this transformative era.