The heart of Sofia fits compactly within the irregular octagon formed by the city's inner ring road. Most of the sights are found inside this central area within easy walking distance of each other, and the grid-like pattern of streets radiating outwards from the main square, pl. Sveta Nedelya , makes orientation relatively easy. Sveta Nedelya is a good place from which to begin explorations of the capital, although there's no single obvious sightseeing route to follow. It's a good idea to sample the area around Sveta Nedelya first, before embarking on a trip to the set-piece public buildings and squares to the east. Within striking distance are the refreshing open spaces of the city's main parks , a brisk walk or tram ride away from the centre. Expeditions to Mt Vitosha and the suburbs nestling in its foothills require more time and reliance on public transport.