Popular Cities Sofia

If you would like to get to know the culture of Bulgaria better and, in particular, want to feel the charm of this country, then you should definitely visit the capital of the country. Sofia is one of the oldest cities in Europe and impresses with its magnificent sights. This city is still spared from mass tourism and should therefore be a destination on your list for that very reason.

Sights of the city

The unique sights of the city tell the history 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 centre 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. Following a fire in 1923 and attacks on Sofia during the Second World War and in the 1970s, renovations and extensions took place. Together with further façade renovations in 2007, the National Theatre appears today in its unique splendour. The original style of the building has always been preserved over the years.

Today, the National Theatre, named after the writer of the same name, Ivan Vazov, is known as the most important theatre in the country. It is therefore not surprising that around 600 performances take place season after season. Culture lovers in particular enjoy listening to the wonderful performances.

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

Let yourself be enchanted by the appearance of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and visit the landmark of Sofia. This cathedral is unique and is considered the largest Orthodox church in Bulgaria! The cream-white façade, decorated with light green and gold-coloured 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, due to its size, is already recognisable from afar. But the cathedral is not only impressive from the outside, but also from the inside. The cathedral's five naves are adorned with gold and marble and appear unique thanks to the various mosaic artworks. The cathedral is open daily from 7 a.m. to 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

Do you love beautiful paintings and want to get to know Bulgarian culture through unique works of art? Then you should look for street art in the numerous districts of the city and keep your eyes open to discover the diverse artworks. Particularly many works of art can be found on the street called Ul. Tsar Shishman. You should also visit the Serdika metro station in the centre to admire other works of art, such as those by Salvador Dalí. However, you don't have to find all these wonderful works entirely on your own. You can take advantage of a guided tour to marvel at all these works without unknowingly missing any.

Central Mineral Baths

The unique city of Sofia, however, is not only special because of its works of art, but also because of the history of its thermal and mineral springs. A well-known relic is the Central Mineral Baths, located in the centre of Sofia, which today houses a museum. Already in Roman times, a thermal spring emerged at exactly this spot. It was later used in the Middle Ages as well, and an oriental hammam (a place of traditional bathing culture) was built there.

And how did today's Central Mineral Baths come about? It was built in 1913 and housed a swimming and thermal bath until 1986. Today, however, the Central Mineral Baths are 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 take in the impressions of the city? Then you should visit the beautiful South Park. The extensive paths and cycle tracks invite you to explore this green oasis in the middle of the city in more detail. There's also the smell of coffee and sweet treats in the air, practically luring you into a visit to the cafés at South Park.

Are you travelling to Sofia with your family? That's no problem at all, as there's plenty for the little ones to do at South Park too. Take advantage of the various playgrounds while you enjoy your delicious coffee to go 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 remnants from the Roman era and let yourself be enchanted by their grandeur. Discover the traces of the former Roman city of Serdica, the former name of Sofia. Right in the historic city centre is the Serdika metro station, where you can discover these Roman remnants. You should definitely visit the underpass of the metro station, where display cases present various objects such as urns and pots from that era.

Banya Bashi Mosque

Alongside the many churches, the Banya Bashi Mosque is the only active mosque in the city and is located very close to the Central Mineral Baths. 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 era of Ottoman rule over Sofia. This unique mosque was built in 1567, based on the plans of the architect Mimar Sinan. Please note that as a tourist, you can only visit the mosque outside the five prayer times. In addition, you should respect the traditions, and as a woman, only enter the mosque with a headscarf.

Rotunda of St. George

The Rotunda of St. George is an extremely interesting church located in a courtyard in the centre of the city. This church was already built by the Romans in the 4th century and is thus the oldest building in the Bulgarian 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, remnants of the Roman city of Serdica can be found 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. The Vitosha Mountains and the Rila Mountains are particularly worth seeing. You can also travel to Plovdiv (Bulgaria's second-largest city) if you would like to get to know more cities of this wonderful country.

Vitosha Mountains

Even from the city, the Vitosha Mountains may catch your eye and spark your interest in exploring this beautiful nature more closely. The Vitosha mountain range is located on the outskirts of Sofia and adorns the appearance of Bulgaria's capital. But it's not only the mountains themselves that are extremely worthwhile for a day trip, but also the Vitosha Nature Park located there, which is often described as a place of relaxation.

Getting to the Vitosha Mountains is extremely simple and convenient. There are various providers who will take you to the wonderful mountain range by shuttle, or you can use the various bus and metro options. This way, you can easily get to your hiking adventure, which you can either tackle alone or explore with a tour.

But the Vitosha Mountains are not only popular during the milder months. While in spring and summer it primarily comes into focus as a hiking destination for travellers, in winter the mountains transform into a spectacular ski resort.

Rila Mountains

The Rila Mountains are another natural wonder, located about 90 km from Sofia, and are at least as interesting as the Vitosha Mountains. They are known as the highest mountain range in Bulgaria and impress with a height of 2,925 metres. As a result, the peaks of this special mountain range are covered in snow all year round.

You can also go hiking wonderfully in these mountains and consider various hiking routes. A hike around the Seven Rila Lakes is particularly worth seeing, which you can discover with a tour guide, among other options. You can also take a lift up to the mountain hut and follow a circular trail from there (3.5 - 5 hours). You should take the following into account when planning: due to the considerable altitude of the mountains, you should undertake your hikes in high summer, as the mountains may still be covered in a lot of snow during the rest of the year. In general, however, it should be pointed out that you should check the current weather forecast before every hike. Especially when fog is forecast, an excursion might not turn out to be as fulfilling, as the limited visibility would prevent you from enjoying the spectacular view and seeing the Seven Rila Lakes.

Also interesting: located in the Rila Mountains is the Rila Monastery, which is one of the largest Orthodox monasteries in the world. Take this opportunity to see the historic monastery in this spectacular setting. In addition, the Rila Monastery has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983 and is therefore one of the country's most popular attractions.

Plovdiv

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

The best time to travel

If you would like to visit Sofia, you should prefer the months of May to October for your planning. However, please note that hiking adventures in particular (such as the Rila Mountains) are primarily suited to the warm summer months. In general, however, it can be said that you can visit the city of Sofia all year round. Of course, there is also the option of combining your city trip to Sofia with a ski holiday in the Vitosha Mountains.

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey

We wish you a pleasant trip to Bulgaria and lots of enjoyment as you explore this diverse country. You can find more information on tolls in Bulgaria in our guide. Feel free to also use our route planner to plan your trip optimally and get suitable toll products displayed. If you have any questions, we are available at any time by email.