Sveta Nedelya Church in Sofia.

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Sofia

Bulgaria's pleasingly laid-back capital is often overlooked by visitors heading to the coast or the ski resorts, but they're missing something special. Sofia is no grand metropolis, but it's a modern, youthful city, with a scattering of onion-domed churches, Ottoman mosques and stubborn Red Army monuments that lend an eclectic, exotic feel. Excavation work carried out during construction of the metro unveiled a treasure trove of Roman ruins from nearly 2000 years ago, when the city was called 'Serdica'. Away from the buildings and boulevards, vast parks and manicured gardens offer a welcome respite, and the ski slopes and hiking trails of mighty Mt Vitosha are just a short bus ride from the centre. Home to many of Bulgaria's finest museums, galleries, restaurants and clubs, Sofia may persuade you to stick around and explore further.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

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    Aleksander Nevski Cathedral

    Sofia

    One of the symbols not just of Sofia but of Bulgaria itself, this massive, awe-inspiring church was built between 1882 and 1912 in memory of the 200,000…

  • Sveta Sofia Church

    Sveta Sofia Church

    Sofia

    Sveta Sofia is one of the capital's oldest churches, and gave the city its name. A subterranean museum houses an ancient necropolis, with 56 tombs and the…

  • Sveti Nikolai Russian Church

    Sveti Nikolai Russian Church

    Sofia

    This beautiful church with glittering mosaic exterior and golden domes was completed in 1914 for Sofia’s Russian community, and named in honour of St…

  • Yuzhen Park

    Yuzhen Park

    Sofia

    South of the city centre, Yuzhen Park is a vast, wild green sprawl, filled with trees and shady pathways. A sparkling stream bubbles through it, and there…

  • Bulgaria, Sofia, Borisova Gradina, park benches under shade of tree canopy

    Borisova Gradina

    Sofia

    Lying southeast of the city centre, Sofia’s most attractive park is filled with countless statues and flowerbeds and is a relaxing place for a stroll. It…

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    Museum of Socialist Art

    Sofia

    If you wondered where all those unwanted statues of Lenin ended up, you'll find some here, along with the red star from atop Sofia's Party House. There's…

  • Sofia History Museum

    Sofia History Museum

    Sofia

    The history of Sofia is presented on two floors of the magnificent former Turkish Mineral Baths, just behind the mosque. Exhibitions are divided…

  • Bulgaria, Sofia, Boyana Church

    Boyana Church

    Sofia

    Tiny 13th-century Boyana Church is included on Unesco’s World Heritage list and its 90 murals are among the very finest examples of Bulgarian medieval…

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Articles

Latest stories from Sofia

Licensing ID: 13353695, Photo ID: 121116733 Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia, Sofia Province, Bulgaria, Balkan States, Eastern Europe, Europe, Outdoors, Daytime, City, Urban Scene, View From Above, Cathedral, Place Of Worship, Street, Cityscape, Tree, Road, Byzantine Revival Architecture, Architecture, Nobody, Travel, Travel Destinations View from above Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia, Bulgaria

Destination Practicalities

A first-time guide to Sofia, Bulgaria

Aug 20, 2024 • 7 min read

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