PATILANTSI
Philip Avramov Blvd,
Mladost-3, Sofia
Tel: 974 48 39, 974 49 63
[www.patilanci-bg.com]
Open (summer):
Tuesday to Thursday
10.00 to 20.30;
Friday to Sunday
10.00 to 21.00
(winter): Wednesday to Friday 16.00 to 20.30;
Saturday and Sunday
10.00 to 21.00

Every time we bring our three-year-old to Patilantsi she has to be carried out, usually protesting vehemently, which, I suppose, is testament to its enduring appeal. This little children’s fun park in Mladost is ideal entertainment for a few hours at any time of the year, guaranteed to put a smile on your darling’s face. It’s always packed throughout the year, perhaps surprising in view of the fact that it’s certainly not inexpensive.

Patilantsi’s entrance lies between two pink towers, designed to look like the approach to a castle, complete with pointed turrets, a motif throughout the complex. A large statue of a bear greets you at the entrance while immediately on your left there’s a bumper car circuit; this is for older children, of course, it being somewhat rough. Our little one loves the train ride, also outside the main building. A two leva token affords your child several laps around the circuit. The fronts of the trains are currently adorned with faces of cats. Indeed, the whole of Patilantsi is imaginatively decorated with a blaze of colour that adds to its appeal and makes for ideal photo opportunities.

The attractions change frequently. Currently, there’s a kind of sophisticated open air merry-go-round featuring giant multi-coloured teacups surrounding a quaint giant cream and yellow sequined teapot. There’s also a monkey jump where children are lifted high into the air. Another merry-go-round inside the complex features a giant green tortoise, a helicopter, pink elephant and Boeing 747 cockpit set against a kind of space age background. There also a trampoline set inside a fortress and a supervised children’s area when you can leave your kids and do your own thing for a while.

Add loads of football games, innumerable coin-operated cars and video games plus a slide chute and fun area for bouncing around, a cafe with plenty of snacks and drinks and you certainly have enough to keep you busy. But be warned: Patilantsi has no entrance charge but a ride on each attraction will set you back two leva. If you stay for a couple of hours, I’d estimate you could easily spend at least 20 leva per child. Like so many of these places, it knows how to make you part with your money, particularly when you have a child tugging on your arm demanding yet another ride. You must buy tokens for rides in advance at the ticket office.

Patilantsi is excellent place for year-round birthday parties (you can reserves in advance) and children’s excursions but is probably at its best during warmer weather as so much of it is outside. In the summer it’s like a veritable fun fair.

Patilantsi, which opened in 1998, is ideal for children ranging from toddlers up to 12 years old. Its location in Mladost may be a bit off the beaten track but you could combine it with a trip to either Billa or Hit supermarkets in Alexander Malinov nearby.