Shopping

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More than 20 years after the end of Communism, Sofia has smartened itself up to become more consumer savvy.

Markets
The Tsentralni Hali (Central Food Halls), on bulvard Maria Louiza, is a spotlessly clean and well-organised bazaar, open daily. Situated on Stefan Stambolov bulvard, Zhenski Pazar (Women's Market) is a truly down-to-earth market, open daily. There is also a large book market at ploshtad Slavejkov, near the National Theatre.

Shopping centres
Gleaming shopping malls have been the latest thing to transform Sofia's shopping culture: Mall of Sofia, bulvard Stambouliski, is the largest, complete with bookshops, a food court and international brands. CCS, bulvard Arsenalski, has six levels of bars, restaurants, an IMAX cinema, plus French fashions and Turkish homeware. Following a costly facelift, TsUM, on the Largo, now operates as a Western-style shopping mall, with privately rented boutiques and cafés on three levels.

Key areas
The main shopping areas in Sofia centre on bulvard Vitosha, ulitsa Graf Ignatiev and ulitsa Rakovski. Outlet shops are the newest craze in Sofia, with many small shops selling designer labels at cheaper prices, especially along bulvard Vitosha.

Souvenirs
Souvenirs such as reproduction icons, Russian dolls, jewellery, ceramics, wooden items, embroidered tablecloths and lace are for sale at stalls at ploshtad Alexander Nevski. Also worth investigating for souvenirs are the shops in the subway between TsUM and the Balkan Sheraton and the ground-floor shop of the National Ethnographic Museum.
Luxury goods to take home include Bulgarian wines, notably the full-bodied red Melnik and rakiya (fruit brandy). Another national tipple is mastika, an anis-flavoured drink that is similar to Greek ouzo. These are available in shops throughout town.

Shopping hours
Most shops in Sofia are open either 0900-1830 or 1000-1900, Monday to Saturday. An increasing number of shops are now also opening on Sunday.

Tax information
VAT in Bulgaria is 20% and visitors who live outside the EU are able to obtain a VAT refund from the airport, next to passport control.