Why students go
Right in the centre on Svoboda Square, so it’s the convenient stop when you’re already downtown. It’s smaller than Panorama Mall and the mix leans local: mostly Bulgarian shops and brands, plus Sportdepot for sportswear and Sinsay for cheap clothes.
Good to know
- Supporting the local shops here is very much in the spirit of this guide — prices are often better than the international chains too.
- Cinema: a single hall (Panorama Mall has 4 + a VIP hall), but perfectly good — same picture and sound quality, just less choice of showtimes. Films run in original language with Bulgarian subtitles; animated films are usually dubbed.
- Card payments everywhere.
- Going for international brands (H&M, Nike, electronics)? Panorama Mall is the better trip.