By kolibrarium on Skatehive
Sofia, a city of contrasts, was not what I expected when I landed in Bulgaria. And I say that as someone who grew up in Eastern Europe and genuinely thought she had a read on these places.I figured I'd just slide in. Another post-communist capital, another tram system that sort of works, another coffee culture I'd understand by day two. But Sofia caught me by surprise. Greeting from Sofia, Bulgaria 🇧🇬 Surprise #1: Bulgaria Joined the Eurozone The first surprise wasn't architectural or historical. It was financial, and weirdly, it turned into one of the highlights of the trip. As of January 1, 2026, Bulgaria joined the Eurozone. Which means no exchange rates, no second wallet, no doing mental arithmetic every time you order a coffee and a pastry. For most travelers, this is a logistical relief. For me, it became something else entirely because I collect euro coins, and I had just arrived in a country that had introduced them for the very first time. The sign in metro "Keep