Venue
The conference will be held at the Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" between August 31 - September 4, 2026. The exact location is the Rectorate building, in "The Egg" hall, 15 Tsar Osvoboditel Boulevard, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria. This emblematic space, located in the city center, is renowned for its exceptional acoustics and is ideally suited for versatility of public events.
The city of Sofia
Sofia is Bulgaria's capital and largest city, nestled at the foot of Vitosha mountain. The city combines rich Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman heritage with a vibrant cultural life. It is worthwhile to reserve some time for sightseeing. The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, National Palace of Culture, Vitosha Boulevard, and the nearby Boyana Church are highly recommended. The city of Sofia has its own web site with touristic and other information: visitsofia.bg.
Entry Requirements & Travel Documents
European Union & Schengen Area
Bulgaria is a member of the European Union (EU) and the Schengen Area. This generally means that there are no routine internal border checks within the Schengen Area. However, you should carry a valid national ID card or passport at all times.
Currency
Bulgaria adopted the euro (€) as its official currency on 1 January 2026, making the Bulgarian lev (BGN) obsolete. Since 1 February 2026, the euro (€) is the only legal tender in Bulgaria.
Visa Information
For travellers from third countries, Schengen visas issued by Bulgaria after 31 March 2024 allow travel throughout the entire Schengen Area (up to 90 days within any 180-day period).
For detailed and up-to-date visa requirements, please consult:
- Official Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Visa information
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) – Travel advice for Bulgaria
Travel to Sofia
By airplane
The nearest major airport is Sofia Airport (SOF), about 10 km from the city center.
There are many international flights to Sofia from multiple airlines worldwide.
By train
Sofia Central Railway Station is easily accessible and connects to major European cities.
By car
Reaching Sofia by car is relatively easy, as the city is well connected to the major European motorway network.
For travelers coming from North/West Europe, the route through Romania is generally recommended, since both Romania and Bulgaria are part of the Schengen area, and therefore there are no border checks.
An alternative route is through Serbia, which can be somewhat shorter and faster in terms of distance. However, Serbia is not part of the European Union or the Schengen area, and border controls are required. During the summer months in particular, this can result in considerable waiting times at the border.
Local transportation
Public transportation to the conference venue
Sofia has an excellent public transport infrastructure with an extensive network of 10 metro lines, over 100 bus lines, and trams. At every stop, there are maps of the routes and timetables.
- Frequent buses (84, 184), metro (M4 line), and trams connect the airport and train station to the city center, with travel times around 20-40 minutes.
- Real-time schedules available in the Sofia Traffic app or website sofiatraffic.bg
- All public transport lines also accessible via the Moovit app.
- Private car or taxi rides offer convenience and faster travel.
- Organized transport may be provided for conference attendees from central Sofia locations or hotels to the venue.
Taxi
Yellow Taxi Sofia (phone +359/2 911 19)
OK Taxi Sofia (phone +359/2 973 2121). Website: ok-taxi.bg.
Volt Premium Taxi (phone +359/875 777 555). Website: taxivolt.bg
Bike
Sofia has an extensive bike-sharing system (Sofia Bikes) and many bike lanes throughout the city. The map is available here: sofiabike.bg