Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Sofia, Bulgaria

Bulgaria’s capital possesses a multitude of narratives, and each historical site offers a unique insight into Sofia’s complex heritage. The churches, which have transitioned from mosques over the centuries, the striking Soviet architecture, and the ongoing revelations of Roman history coexist harmoniously within the modern city.

Recommendation – Commence your journey with a guided walking tour to familiarize yourself with the city; numerous options are available: explore walking tours

Many structures you’ll encounter are from the Bulgarian Revival period in the late 19th century, a time when the nation regained its independence from Ottoman rule. Additionally, Vitosha Mountain stands majestically to the southwest.

Below are the top attractions in Sofia:

1. St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral

The magnitude of this edifice is astonishing. Accommodating 10,000 individuals, St. Alexander Nevski ranks as the second largest cathedral in the Balkan region.

Much like many of Sofia’s significant architectural landmarks, this cathedral dates back to the 1880s, shortly after the liberation from Ottoman rule and the re-establishment of the Bulgarian state.

Initially, it was dedicated to the Russian servicemen who lost their lives during this liberation.

While inside, take a moment to observe the ceiling of the main dome, which features a mural of the Lord God Sabbath.

The crypt is open to visitors and hosts an extensive collection of icons.

2. St. George Rotunda

Situated in the heart of ancient Serdica, the St. George Rotunda represents the oldest structure in modern Sofia, built as far back as the 300s.

It is remarkable that this structure has endured through the ages and showcases fascinating details that highlight the great antiquity of the site and the civilizations that have flourished here.

Inside, one can admire detailed medieval frescoes, which were covered by the Ottomans when the church was transformed into a mosque in the 1600s.

These frescoes were only rediscovered and restored in the 1990s. Outside, visitors can view the flagstones of a Roman street and other remnants of Ancient Serdica.

3. Vitosha Boulevard

As the premier street in the city, Vitosha Boulevard features an array of upscale boutiques and renowned fashion establishments.

If high-end shopping isn’t your preference, you can relish the stunning views of Vitosha Mountain, which is often dusted with snow throughout the year, framed by the street’s towering buildings.

This is a charming place to spend a few hours, as the cafes along the pedestrian thoroughfare offer outdoor seating. Recent renovations have transformed the lampposts, benches, and kiosks into an elegant art nouveau style, reminiscent of the early Bulgarian Revival.

4. St. Sofia Church

This church provided the name to the city of Sofia in the 1300s during the Second Bulgarian Empire.

This modest red brick edifice dates back to Byzantine times, established in the 500s atop the necropolis of the ancient city of Serdica and an even older church from a century prior.

Visitors can observe the remnants of this ancient church and tombs that have existed for more than 1500 years.

For two centuries following the Ottoman invasion, this site served as a mosque; however, it was abandoned after an earthquake in the 1800s that caused the minaret to collapse, along with another disaster that resulted in the death of the Imam’s two sons.

5. Boyana Church

Nestled on the lower slopes of Vitosha Mountain is this UNESCO World Heritage site.

The location of Boyana Church is almost idyllic, situated within a grove of tall coniferous trees in a peaceful suburb of the city.

Constructed in three phases between the 1000s and 1800s, the most significant enhancements were made during the Second Bulgarian Empire in the 1200s.

This period saw the creation of magnificent interior frescoes that depicted approximately 240 historical and biblical figures in a realistic manner, well ahead of the Renaissance.

The paintings, attributed to an unknown artist, include contemporary portraits of two Bulgarian rulers, Tsar Konstantin Assen and Tsar Koloyan, alongside their spouses.

6. Vitosha Mountain

Rising to over 2,200 meters behind the southwestern suburbs of Sofia, Vitosha offers a monumental peak within a nature park, providing ample opportunities for adventure that could fill more than one visit.

The most accessible route to Vitosha is through Aleko, the mountain’s ski resort, where the Simeonovo gondola lift provides access.

The trek to Vitosha’s Black Peak is pleasantly manageable in favorable weather during spring or autumn, as the peak is part of a vast plateau with a gentle gradient.

Of course, one does not need to venture that far to enjoy stunning views of Sofia.

7. National Institute of Archaeology

The inauguration of this museum in 1905, attended by Ferdinand I, aimed to consolidate significant archaeological discoveries from Sofia and Bulgaria under one roof.

The chosen venue was the city’s former Grand Mosque, decommissioned after the Bulgarian Revival.

Main exhibits include sections on Prehistory, a Main Hall with artifacts from classical civilizations, a Medieval Section, and a Treasury.

The Treasury houses the Valchitran and Lukovit Treasures, two extraordinary collections of Thracian gold, with the Lukovit Treasure dating back to the era of Alexander the Great’s incursion into Thrace around 400 BC.

8. National Historical Museum

This museum itself is a significant piece of Bulgarian history.

The National Historical Museum is situated in the former residence of dictator Todor Zhivkov, marked by its imposing Stalinist architectural design with a vast open courtyard.

The museum’s collection is monumental; with 65,000 items on display, this represents merely one-tenth of the items housed in its extensive archives.

The variety of artifacts on display is astonishing, ranging from 20th-century space exploration tools to treasures from the Odrysians, who once dominated Bulgaria before their conquest by the Romans in the 1st century.

9. Ivan Vazov National Theatre

Constructed in 1909 by the Viennese architects Helmer & Fellner, renowned for their lavish architectural designs throughout Central Europe, this theatre is a stunning neoclassical structure.

The Ivan Vazov National Theatre remains a prominent institution in Bulgarian culture to this day.

Its iconic façade with a towering portico is a recognizable image of Bulgaria, often depicted on banknotes, and it is especially celebrated for its theatrical productions.

Alexander Morfov, the Chief Director, is known for his acclaimed Bulgarian and Russian adaptations of works like Don Quixote and Shakespeare’s plays.

10. Borisova gradina

Borisova gradina is Sofia’s oldest park, established in the 1880s following the Bulgarian Revival.

Over the subsequent 50 years, three distinct designers: the Swiss Daniel Neff, the Alsatian Joseph Frei, and the Bulgarian Georgi Dutev (who oversaw the installation of the park’s Soviet monuments) contributed to its development.

Notably, each landscaper adhered to the initial design, resulting in a harmonious overall vision for this large project.

This park provides a refreshing environment for a leisurely afternoon stroll, and during summer evenings, free concerts offer an additional attraction.

11. Serdica Amphitheatre

The Roman amphitheatre in Sofia remained undiscovered until 2004.

In its prime, it was among the largest in the Roman Empire, hosting gladiatorial contests and brutal skirmishes involving wild beasts.

This arena is intriguing for having served three distinct purposes—initially a theatre, later an amphitheatre that was ravaged by the Goths.

Reconstructed in the 400s, it fell into disuse shortly after.

Once excavated, it was integrated into the design of the Arena di Serdica hotel, while the public is free to observe the ruins from the hotel’s specially-designed viewing platform.

12. Central Mineral Baths

Sofia is home to numerous mineral springs, attracting visitors since medieval times.

The Ottomans established a hammam at this location; following its destruction after the Bulgarian Revival, the Central Baths were constructed.

Dating back to 1913, these baths remained operational until the mid-1980s.

The building is one of Sofia’s most photographed sites, designed in the neo-Byzantine style, characterized by a prominent dome set behind an impressive entrance hall.

The gardens are accessible to the public, and the central fountain, fed by the natural mineral water, invites daring visitors to sample its waters.

13. Park Vrana

These grounds belong to the grand estate of the aristocrat Simeon II, who served as Tsar of Bulgaria from 1943 to 1946 before his exile.

Upon his return, he held the position of prime minister from 2001 to 2005.

The estate is open to visitors only on weekends, and while the buildings cannot be accessed, the landscaped gardens are among the most serene environments in Sofia.

Multilingual guided tours occur every hour, providing engaging insights about the palace and its grounds, including that the estate once hosted an exotic menagerie featuring Bulgaria’s first elephants, which assisted with chores around the grounds!

14. The Synagogue

Sofia is home to the largest synagogue in the Balkan region and the third-largest in Europe.

Constructed in 1909 for Sofia’s significant Sephardic Jewish population, it was inaugurated in the presence of Tsar Ferdinand I of Bulgaria.

Accommodating over 1,000 worshippers, this expansive building, designed in the Moorish Revival style, draws inspiration from the old Sephardic temple in Vienna, which was destroyed in 1938.

Inside, visitors can explore a permanent exhibit detailing the history of Bulgaria’s Jewish communities.

15. Banya Bashi Mosque

Individuals may visit Sofia’s sole mosque outside of prayer times for a tour.

Designed by Mimar Sinan, the distinguished Turkish architect noted for his remarkable structures across the Ottoman Empire, Banya Bashi was built in 1576, marking the onset of the city’s Ottoman era.

The mosque’s name derives from Sofia’s mineral baths, which attracted visitors from far and wide during the 1500s.

It accommodates up to 700 worshippers, and during Fridays, one can observe many individuals outside, listening to the sermon through the mosque’s external loudspeaker.