Popular Cities Sofia

If you would like to get to know the culture of Bulgaria better and truly feel the charm of this country around you, then you should definitely visit the country’s capital. Sofia is one of the oldest cities in Europe and impresses visitors with its magnificent sights. This city is still largely untouched by mass tourism and should therefore be on your travel list for that very reason.

Sights in the City

The city’s unique sights tell the story of Sofia and give the city a very special flair. Visit the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral or let yourself be enchanted by the creative works of street art.

Ivan Vazov National Theatre

The Ivan Vazov National Theatre is located in the center of Sofia and stands out impressively among the countless green spaces. From the outside, the building is clad in a red façade and framed by white columns and stucco. After a fire in 1923 and attacks on Sofia during World War II as well as in the 1970s, renovations and expansions took place. Together with further façade renovations in 2007, the National Theatre now appears in its unique splendor. The building’s original style has always been preserved over the years.

Today, the National Theatre—named after the writer Ivan Vazov—is known as the most important theatre in the country. It is therefore no surprise that season after season, around 600 performances take place. Culture lovers in particular enjoy listening to the wonderful productions.

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

Let yourself be enchanted by the appearance of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and visit Sofia’s landmark. This cathedral is unique and is considered the largest Orthodox church in Bulgaria! The creamy white façade, adorned with light green and golden domes, makes this building one of the city’s most beautiful architectural wonders.

The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is only a few minutes’ walk from the Ivan Vazov National Theatre and can be recognized from afar thanks to its size. But the cathedral is not only impressive from the outside—its interior is just as striking. The cathedral’s five naves are fitted with gold and marble and appear unique thanks to the various mosaic artworks. The cathedral is open daily between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. and can be visited free of charge. Of course, there is also the option of paid guided tours to learn more about the cathedral.

Street Art

Are you fascinated by beautiful murals and would like to discover Bulgarian culture through unique works of art? Then you should look for street art in the city’s many neighborhoods and keep your eyes open to discover the diverse artworks. A particularly large number of artworks can be found on the street called Ul. Tsar Shishman. You should also visit Serdika metro station in the city center to admire further artworks, such as those by Salvador Dali. And you don’t have to find all these wonderful works on your own: you can take a guided tour to make sure you don’t unknowingly miss any pieces.

Central Mineral Bath

However, the unique city of Sofia is not only special because of its artworks, but also because of the history of its thermal and mineral springs. A well-known remnant is the Central Mineral Bath, located in the center of Sofia and home to a museum today. As early as Roman times, a thermal spring emerged at this very site. It was later used in the Middle Ages as well, and an oriental hammam (a place of traditional bathing culture) was established.

And how did today’s Central Mineral Bath come about? It was built in 1913 and housed a swimming and thermal bath until 1986. Today, however, the Central Mineral Bath is a Bulgarian cultural monument and museum, which impresses above all with its oriental appearance.

South Park

Would you like to discover a quiet corner of the city and let the impressions of Sofia sink in? Then you should visit the beautiful South Park. The expansive paths and bike lanes invite you to explore this green spot in the middle of the city in more detail. And there is also the smell of coffee and sweet treats in the air, which practically tempts you to stop by the cafés at South Park.

Are you traveling to Sofia with your family? No problem at all—there’s also plenty for the little ones to do in South Park. Take advantage of the various playgrounds while you sip your delicious to-go coffee and watch the joy light up in your children’s eyes.

Serdika: The Roman City

Would you like to learn even more about the history of Bulgaria’s capital? Then you should take a look at the remains from Roman times and let yourself be enchanted by their grandeur. Discover the traces of the former Roman city of Serdika, Sofia’s name back then. Right in the historic city center you will find Serdika metro station, where you can discover these Roman remains. You should definitely visit the underpass of the metro station, where display cases present various objects from that era such as urns and pots.

Banya Bashi Mosque

Alongside the many churches, the Banya Bashi Mosque is the city’s only active mosque and is located very close to the Central Mineral Bath. At the same time, this mosque is one of the oldest Muslim places of worship in all of Europe and is one of the most important buildings from the Ottoman rule over Sofia. This unique mosque was built in 1567 based on plans by the architect Mimar Sinan. Please note that as a tourist you can only visit the mosque outside the five prayer times. You should also respect local traditions—women should enter the mosque wearing a headscarf.

Rotunda of St. George

The Rotunda of St. George is a very interesting church located in a courtyard in the city center. The church was built by the Romans as early as the 4th century, making it the oldest building in Bulgaria’s capital. Today, the Rotunda of St. George is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. The church can be visited daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and admission is free. In addition, you can find remains of the Roman city of Serdika around the building.

Sights Nearby

If you would like to visit Bulgaria’s impressive capital, you should also consider the surrounding area and plan time for interesting day trips. Particularly worth seeing are the Vitosha Mountains and the Rila Mountains. You can also travel to Plovdiv (Bulgaria’s second-largest city) if you would like to get to know even more cities in this wonderful country.

Vitosha Mountains

Even in the city itself, the Vitosha Mountains may catch your eye and spark your interest in exploring this beautiful nature more closely. The Vitosha mountain range lies on the edge of Sofia and enhances the appearance of Bulgaria’s capital. But it’s not only the mountains themselves that make for a worthwhile day trip—the Vitosha Nature Park located there is also often described as a place of relaxation.

Getting to the Vitosha Mountains is extremely easy and convenient. There are various providers that can take you by shuttle to this wonderful mountain range, or you can use the different bus and metro options. This way, you can easily set off on your hiking adventure—either on your own or as part of a guided tour.

And it’s not only popular in the milder months: while in spring and summer the Vitosha Mountains are mainly in the spotlight as a hiking destination, in winter the range transforms into a spectacular ski area.

Rila Mountains

The Rila Mountains are another wonder of nature, located about 90 km from Sofia and at least as interesting as the Vitosha Mountains. They are known as the highest mountain range in Bulgaria and impress with an altitude of 2,925 meters. This means the peaks of this special range are covered with snow throughout the year.

Here, too, you can enjoy wonderful hikes and consider various routes. A particularly worthwhile option is a hike around the Seven Rila Lakes, which you can also discover with a tour guide. You can also take a lift up to the mountain hut and follow a circular trail from there (3.5–5 hours). When planning, keep the following in mind: due to the considerable altitude, you should do your hikes in midsummer, as the mountains can still be covered in a lot of snow during the rest of the year. In general, you should check the current weather forecast before every hike. Especially if fog is predicted, an outing may feel less rewarding because limited visibility can prevent you from enjoying the spectacular views and seeing the Seven Rila Lakes.

Also interesting: the Rila Monastery is located in the Rila Mountains and is considered one of the largest Orthodox monasteries worldwide. Take this opportunity to see the historic monastery in this spectacular setting. The Rila Monastery has also been part of the UNESCO World Heritage since 1983 and is therefore one of the country’s most popular sights.

Plovdiv

Would you like to combine your trip to Sofia with another city? Then Bulgaria’s second-largest city is a wonderful additional destination. Plovdiv is two hours from Sofia and was founded as early as 341 BC on seven hills. Plovdiv is therefore considered the oldest city in Europe and should especially delight history enthusiasts. One of the highlights is the Amphitheatre of Philippopolis, where operas and concerts still take place today. Due to Plovdiv’s considerable age, the entire old town has been under monument protection since 1956. Other sights include the Dzhumaya Mosque and interesting street art. Here, too, you will find many remnants of the past.

The Best Time to Travel

If you would like to visit Sofia, you should preferably plan for the months of May to October. Please note, however, that hiking adventures (such as in the Rila Mountains) are primarily suitable for the warm summer months. In general, you can visit the city of Sofia all year round. Of course, it’s also possible to combine a city trip to Sofia with a ski holiday in the Vitosha Mountains.

The Europamaut Team Wishes You a Pleasant Trip

We wish you a pleasant trip to Bulgaria and lots of fun while exploring this diverse country. You can find more information about the toll in Bulgaria in our guide. Feel free to use our route planner to plan your trip optimally and have suitable toll products displayed. If you have any questions, you can contact us anytime by email.