Bulgaria may not be at the tippy top of your must-travel list, but you should make this Balkan Beauty a priority some time soon. As an Eastern-European country, with one of the longest, richest histories is Europe (dating back to the 7th century), it has great food, architecture, and culture. It is truly a diamond in the rough.

I lived in Bulgaria last month and can tell you first-hand how surprising, modern, and multicultural this country can be! Sofia is truly stunning, easily accessible, and extremely affordable! 1 Bulgarian Lev = 0.51 EUR & 0.61 USD. Basically, you can live like a king in the former Bulgarian Kingdom.

If you have just one day to spend, which of course is not nearly enough time, below is the ultimate walking tour of Sofia that is sure to give you a roadmap of a perfect day in Bulgaria's capital! As a bonus, almost everything on this guide is 100% FREE. And who doesn't love free?

--Morning--

Begin your day with a delicious Bulgarian breakfast at Mekitsa & Coffee. If you haven't tried the traditional mekitsa, your stay in Bulgaria simply isn't complete. Mekitsa is a warm, gooey pastry made from kneaded dough and yogurt that's been deep fried and just one will certainly fill you up and costs around two US dollars.

From breakfast, begin adventuring by joining a FREE walking tour of the city at 10:30am, 11am or 6pm. There are a number to choose from, but the one we used started at the Palace of Justice. There is no reservation required and it takes about two hours. Simply show up and follow along the infamous yellow-brick roads of Sofia, learning all about the history and culture of this great city. While the tour is free, it is customary to pay the guides a small tip in gratitude for a job well done.

You will get to see all the major landmarks in Sofia, including the Ivan Vazov National Theatre, St. Nedelya Church, and of course, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. Visit the crypt (10am-5.30pm daily; entry 6 lev/£2.50) for its collection of Orthodox Christian art from around the Black Sea as well as many sculptures with a sinister history and inspiration. The antiques market outside the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (10am-6pm daily) is a good place to pick up Soviet memorabilia and old Roman coins.

--Afternoon--

After all that walking, you're sure to be exhausted. Stop for lunch and enjoy some of the country's most delicious specialities: shopska salata, shkembe chorba, or stuffed byurek peppers. You won't have a hard time finding a place to eat, there are even little restaurants right beside the cathedral so you don't need to wander far.

After a leisurely lunch, walk back toward the center of town or take the trolly. Taxis are also available for a very affordable price (no more than $7 USD to anywhere in the city). Head towards the 19th floor of Pri Orlite restaurant. From there you will panoramic views of the entire ancient city. Sip a post-lunch coffee (4 lev/£1.70) and enjoy the incredible sights of Sofia, sitting comfortably against a backdrop of snow-capped Mount Vitosha.

Once done, walk towards the church of Saint Nikolai. The former royal palace is across the street. You can't miss its canary-yellow exterior; it's a Viennese style mansion built in 1873. It is now home to Sofia's two top cultural attractions: the National Art Gallery (6 lev/£2.50) and the Ethnographic Museum (3 lev/£1.25). If you're hoping for something even more affordable, nay, free, take a stroll instead through a park at the southern end of Vitosha Street across from the National Palace of Culture (ndk.bg). It's also worth popping in to see what temporary exhibitions are on, and you can get a coffee at the rooftop Sky Plaza restaurant.

--Evening--

Mosey around Slaveykov Square, a wonderful place for window shopping and book-browsing marked noticeably with a statue of two gentlemen on a bench: Petko and his son Pencho Slaveykov after whom the square took its name. Walk down Vitosha Boulevard, which is lined with many different restaurants and clubs, usually packed full in the evenings with locals and tourists alike.

Eat at Happy's, Bulgaria's biggest food chain or one of the many other local restaurants. It will be hard to find a bad meal anywhere you go and most places will be open late for drinks. End your night with dessert by ordering a Nutella cake-- it is divine! Stay up late with the locals, drinking the local spirits, or make your way back to your hotel for a good night's sleep before you head out on your next adventure.