Top 10 things to do in Sofia + Tourist’s Survival Guide

With great links to Europe, rich history that combines millennia of different cultures, and vibrant nightlife, Sofia is quickly becoming a much-desired travel destination for tourists from all over the world. So much so that the capital city of Bulgaria recently made the top 3 of the cities in Europe that registered the highest growth of foreign tourists in the period 2009 – 2016.

But since time is never enough and you can only do so much in a few days, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 things to do in Sofia. Hint – there is something you’ll love!

# 10 St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

If you’re up for exploring the historic sites of the city, then kicking your adventure off with a tour of the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is an absolute must. The Neo-Byzantine style basilica took 30 years (1882 – 1912) and has become one of the symbols of Sofia, making it a popular tourist destination. So if you only have one day in Sofia, make it count and start your Sofia sightseeing tour from the Cathedral!

Besides serving as the cathedral church of the Patriarch of Bulgaria, it is also a war memorial in commemoration of the soldiers who lost their lives during the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878. In terms of architecture and design, the Cathedral is nothing short of colossal which alone is enough to put it among the must-see places in Sofia. Towering at the astounding 53 metres or 147 feet, the Cathedral is among the largest Eastern Orthodox Cathedrals in the world. Furthermore, the sense of grandeur is emphasized by the huge gold plated domes and the interior. The spacious gallery inside can hold about 10 000 people and is exquisitely decorated with Brazilian onyx, alabaster, Italian marble, mosaics from Venice, lighting fixtures from Munich, superb gates manufactured in Vienna and other luxurious materials.

In addition, the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is a home of other masterpieces, such as amazing stained glass windows, diverse frescoes, statuaries and other Neo-Byzantine exhibits. The centrepiece, however, is the arch on the main dome where the Lord’s Prayer is engraved with golden letters.

But there’s more to see in the St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. The basilica also houses a crypt and a museum in its basement which is a truly spectacular place. Hidden below the massive building, the museum is beautifully curated and very peaceful. Down there the most curious of you will discover the largest collection of Orthodox icons you can find in Europe.

The St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral captures the spirit of the capital city and paying it a visit makes the list of top ten things to do in Sofia with good reason.

Location: Aleksander Nevski Square, Sofia, Bulgaria

How to get there:

#1 From Sofia Airport – Take the tube from Terminal 2 and get off at Sofia University “Saint Kliment Ohridski” Station. From then you have about five minutes walk to the Cathedral.

#2 From Sofia Central Bus/Railway Station – Again, you can take the tube to Serdika station and then take the M1 to Sofia University “Saint Kliment Ohridski” Station.

Opening Hours: Every day from 7 AM – 6 PM

Ticket Prices: Free for a visit of the Cathedral. Museum tickets cost 6 Leva (less than £3)

#9 Explore the Boyana Church

I know what you’re thinking. Another church!? Believe me when I say that, that one is very much worth seeing as well! It wouldn’t be making our best places to visit in Sofia list if it were otherwise.

The Boyana Church in Sofia is not grand as the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, nor is it located somewhere in the city. Instead, hidden from all the noise and glamour of the centre, the Boyana Church is located in the suburbs of the city. It may sound like a deal breaker at first, but if you’re wondering what to see in Sofia in one day, make sure to include it on your list.

What makes it worth your while is the 13th-century frescoes – the paintings on the wall [and the building itself] have survived the most turbulent of times. Times, when the Ottoman Empire conquered the country and churches everywhere were burned to the ground. Not only that, but the frescoes have remained untouched, making them probably the most valuable and significant collection of medieval paintings in Eastern Europe. This is the reason why in 1979 the church was listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List and it is the only site in Sofia to make it. Other than that, there are fragments of frescoes from 11th and 12th centuries which are also preserved, although not as clear and vivid as those from the 13th century.

Bear in mind that in order for the frescoes to be preserved, the temperature inside the church is kept at a constant 18 degrees Celsius. Something more, there’s a limit of the people who can be inside at a given moment – up to 8.

What makes the trip to the Boyana Church a must do in Sofia, besides the frescoes, of course, is its proximity to another site that we recommend you to visit – the National Historical Museum, but more about it in a minute.

Location of the Boyana Church: 1-3 Boyansko Ezero St., Sofia 1616, Bulgaria

How to get there:

#1 By taxi – if you’re on your own, catching a cab is one of the best options you’ve got. One advice for you – ask locals to recommend you a cab company, or look for reviews on Google since scammers still exist. The fare to the Boyana Church should be somewhere in the span of 13 – 14 Leva or about £6.

#2 By Bus – Public transportation is not recommended if you’re looking to get there, but if that’s what you’re after, you’ll need to catch the 107 Bus.

#3 Organised Tours – This is your best bet since you have arranged transportation and what’s better – a tour guide to tell you the full story behind a certain sight.

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday

Winter working hours – 9 AM – 5:30 PM (ticket sale ends at 5 PM)
Summer working hours – 9:30 AM – 6 PM (ticket sale ends at 5:30 PM)

Ticket Prices: Individual tickets are 10 Leva and combined tickets for the Boyana Church and the National Historical Museum are 12 Leva. Groups of 10 and more have special discounts.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to enjoy one of Sofia’s best places to visit!

#8 The National Historical Museum

As promised, at number 8 on our list of 10 things to do in Sofia – the National Historical Museum.

The museum opened its doors in 1973 and since then its collection has grown to include about 650,000 exhibits, spanning the period from VII century B.C to the present day. The museum also brags one of the largest collection on the Balkan peninsula, so if you’re in the mood for a journey throughout history, this is the place to be. And if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the world-renowned Panagyurishte Treasure.

The Panagyurishte Treasure consists of 9 items made of 24 karat gold. The total weight of the treasure that depicts scenes from the Thracian lifestyle and mythology is 6.164 kilograms and the details are simply amazing! Dated 4th – 3rd Centuries Before Christ, it is featured in exhibitions all around the world. Bear in mind that the treasure often travels the world for various exhibitions which is why there are three replicas that are displayed in the National Historical Museum, the History Museum in Panagyurishte, and in the Plovdiv Regional Historical Museum.

In spite of its beauty, however, the Panagyurishte Treasure is not the only exhibit in the museum that can take your breath away. The entire exposition of the Thracian epoch is filled with unique artefacts forged with unsurpassed craftsmanship that equals the scale and grandeur of the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge. All that makes up for a wonderful experience, one that truly deserves to be among the best things to do in Sofia.

Location of the National Historic Museum: 16 Vitoshko lale Str., 1618 Sofia, Bulgaria

How to get there:

#1 By Taxi – see Boyana Church directions
#2 Using Public Transportation – You can take bus №63, №111 or alternatively, trolley №2.
#3 Organised Tours – Again, If you want a guided tour, you might as well book one since it includes transportation to and from the Museum, a guide who will be able to give you more information about the certain artefact and its significance, as well as the ticket entry fees.

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday except on official holidays – 1 January, Easter (Sunday), 24 & 25 December.

Winter working hours: 9 AM – 5:30 PM (ticket sale ends at 4:45 PM)
Summer working hours: 9 AM – 6 PM (ticket sale ends at 5:15 PM)

Ticket Prices:

There is a free entrance on every last Monday of the month. Children under the age of 7 and people with disabilities can visit the museum at any time free of charge. The individual ticket fee is 10 leva, while the price for a single ticket for students and children over the age of 7 is one lev.

#7 A day tour from Sofia – Saeva Dupka and Ledenika Caves

If you have more than 3 or 4 days in Sofia, exploring the nearby destinations is worth considering. The next few items on our list will take you on a virtual trip to the one-day-trip-from-Sofia destinations and try to convince you to make the trip.

First thing’s first, a day trip to two of the most beautiful caves in Bulgaria – Saeva Dupka and Ledenika.

Saeva Dupka

The cave is 205 meters long, the temperature there is between 7 and 11 degrees Celsius throughout the year, and the humidity varies between 95 and 98%. So in case, you decide to visit, make sure to pack some warm clothes, no matter when you’re going.

Because of the calcium carbonate buildups in the rocks, the cave has some pretty interesting colours to show – white, green, yellow, brown, combined beautifully in each of the five cave halls inside. There are also the stunning natural shapes inside – you can see stalactites, stalagmites, stalactones, helicities, and dendrites which all make the cave unique and offer one of the most stunning views you’ll ever witness. A sight that will simply take your breath away is the stalactite that measures 60 meters in diameter!

It is also the home of eight different species of bats, six of which are the focus of conservation efforts throughout Europe, and five halls, one of which used as a concert hall in special occasions because of its amazing acoustics.

Ledenika Cave

The Ledenika cave is one of the most visited caves in Bulgaria. With its 320 meters in length, it is longer than the Saeva Dupka and has more halls than it – 10. The temperature here varies considerably – from -7 degrees Celsius to +15 degrees in the main hall. Because of the temperatures, during the winter icicles tend to form on the ceiling, hence the name of the cave – Ledenika, which roughly translates as “Icy” or “Glacial” in English.

Beside the natural forms that decorate the halls of the cave that resemble animals, buildings, and characters from popular culture, there is a light & audio show that brings the cave to life. With a specific choreography showed in different galleries, the trip to Ledenika will surely leave a lasting impression on you.

Location:

Saeva Dupka Cave

Ledenika Cave

How to get there:

#1 Organised Tours – The most hassle-free way of getting there would be to join an organised tour. Otherwise, the other option you’ve got would be to rent a car and drive there yourself.

Opening Hours:

Saeva Dupka Cave – Opened daily

Winter working hours: 9 AM – 5 PM
Summer working hours: 9 AM – 7 PM

Ledenika Cave – Opened daily

Winter working hours: 10 AM – 4 PM (Last group to enter at 3 PM)
Summer working hours: 9 AM – 5 PM (Last group to enter at 4 PM)

Ticket Prices:

Saeva Dupka Cave – tickets are 4 leva for adults, 2 leva for students and children under the age of 6 can go in for free
Ledenika Cave – adult tickets cost 4 leva and groups of 10 and more get 20% discount.

#6 Organise a Day Trip – Sofia to Plovdiv

Plovdiv – a place in Bulgaria you must definitely visit! The city is rich in culture and history since it is one of the oldest in the world and the oldest in Europe. Even better, there are some well-preserved landmarks from the centuries – the city came into being as a Neolithic settlement and combines the beauty of different eras into a vibrant place full of life. Embarking on a Plovdiv day trip from Sofia is an adventure that makes up for a fun day exploring, filled with interesting experiences.What to see and do in Plovdiv

What to see and do in Plovdiv

First off, there are two sides of Plovdiv – the busy, fun city centre and the Old Town – the place where you go to get some peace and quiet. Whichever of the two sides of the city you chose, you’re in for a treat with both parts of Plovdiv being very pedestrian-friendly (Plovdiv boasts the longest pedestrian street in Europe – 1750 meters long).

And now to the question of what to see and do in Plovdiv. Start your journey from the Ancient Roman Theatre. This is a major landmark of the city and is probably among the best-preserved Roman theatres in the world. So much so that plays, concerts and a variety of other performances are still organised there. Whenever you decide to go there, make sure to check what’s on. You can also take a trip to the Regional Ethnographic Museum where you’ll get a step closer to understanding the Bulgarian culture and feel the spirit of an entire era – the National Revival. Last but not least on your things to do and see in Plovdiv – paying a visit to the Old and the New Town (Knyaz Alexander I Street).

How to get to Plovdiv from Sofia

#1 Train and bus – you can catch either a train or a bus from Sofia’s Central station. The train is probably the cheapest means of transportation in this case with tickets selling from £3 – £4, however, a train journey takes about 3 and a half hours. Busses, on the other hand, are also inexpensive (£5 – £8) and make the journey significantly quicker (less than two hours).

#2 Drive – rent a car is also a popular option. It’s an easy drive from Sofia to Plovdiv that takes about an hour and a half.

#3 Organised Tour – you can find some pretty neat deals for Plovdiv day trip from Sofia. These include transportation from a central location in Sofia as well as the entry fees to sights worth seeing and guides who’ll lead you through them.

#5 Day Trip to the Rila Monastery

The Rila Monastery is a destination that has won the hearts and minds of many tourists coming to visit Bulgaria. And how could it not – it is a quiet, peaceful place surrounded by nature. If you’re looking to spend a relaxed, care-free day away from the hustle and bustle of the big city, go for a day trip from Sofia to the Rila Monastery.

The monastery was founded in 10th century by St John of Rila. After his passing, his tomb and the place he had lived became a holy place and were transformed into a monastic complex, which has played a significant role throughout the history of the country. Because of its cultural and historic significance, the Rila Monastery is also under the auspices of UNESCO.

The monastery complex itself is made of a number of buildings serving different purposes – castle-like walls, towers, museum, residential dwellings, and, of course, the main church. This is the building the monastery is most famous with. Its unique architecture, stripping and the beautiful pictures that adorn the walls have made it all too recognisable and a symbol of the holy cloister. But what you see outside does not begin to describe the beauty of what’s waiting for you inside. Stepping in your eyes need a few seconds to adjust and then you see the paintings and frescoes that decorate every inch of the walls. You’re surrounded by beautiful, vivid colours and images that tell the tales of saints, angels, and demons. Everything in there stands out with exquisite details that are overwhelming!

Making the day trip from Sofia to the Rila Monastery is also worth it so that you can pay a visit to the monastery’s museum. Hidden a bit to the side of the main church and located in the basement of the residential dwellings, the museum should definitely be on your list of things to see while doing the Rila Monastery tour. It has on display amazing artefacts, including carvings dated 14th century! For those of you history buffs, there is a stunning exhibition of rifles.

The most prized possession of the museum is, however, Rafail’s Cross. It is a crucifix carved from a single wood in early 19th century. It depicts 36 biblical scenes and features 600 figures. It is said the monk who carved the crucifix went blind after its completion.

The day you’ll spend touring the Rila Monastery will be an unforgettable experience!

How to get from Sofia to the Rila Monastery

#1 Bus – There’s a bus Rila monastery from Sofia you can catch from Ovcha Kupel bus station. The Rila Express will get you to the monastery in less than 3 hours and the ticket is not expensive either – 11 leva (about £5).
#2 Drive – You can also rent a car and make the trip yourself. The monastery is 120 kilometres from the capital city and the drive will take you something like two hours. It’s an easy drive as well with the last 30 kilometres or so taking you through some picturesque roads and beautiful scenery.
#3 Organised Tour – Finally, if you don’t feel like going through all that trouble, you can just book an organised tour to the Rila Monastery from Sofia. You’ve got some great options with companies who’ll take care of pickup, transportation to and from the monastery, and tickets to the monastery complex.

#4 Art Galleries on Tsar Samuil

And after the day trips from Sofia, we’re back exploring the city’s best places to visit. Number four on our list of the 10 things to do in Sofia is a visit to the art galleries on Tsar Samuil Street and believe me, you’re up for a treat.

Besides being the largest and most well-developed city in Bulgaria, Sofia is also the cultural capital of the country. And from what we’ve seen so far, that is really saying something. From world-renowned exhibitions, theater and ballet performances, to fine arts scene there for the taking, there’s always something in Sofia’s calendar that’ll accommodate every taste. What we recommend is to go for a stroll on Tsar Samuil Street and have a look at the galleries there.

The quiet street in central Sofia slowly but surely gathered artists and business owners who appreciate art from out and about to form Sofia’s fine arts hub. Forget about the cheap and tacky souvenirs. If you want to remember your trip to Bulgaria and buy a painting or a sculpture that will remind you of your adventures.

With all it has to offer, Tsar Samuil street and the art galleries there are among the truly best places to visit in Sofia. Don’t miss out on that!

Location:

Just 10 minutes walk from Serdika Station, the street parallels boulevard Vitosha – the largest and most famous pedestrian street in Sofia, and is really easy to find.

Opening Hours:

Monday to Saturday (times vary depending on the gallery you want to visit)

#3 National Theater “Ivan Vazov”

There are a lot of reasons why visiting the National Theater is among the best things to see in Sofia, starting with the beautiful architecture of the building.

The National Theater was designed by famed Viennese architects Ferdinand Fellner and Hermann Helmer known for their work on landmark buildings in Vienna, Salzburg, Graz, Berlin as well as other European cities. The interior paint design of the walls and the ceiling of the main hall (yet another sight for sore eyes, so go see that as well!) was entrusted to another prominent artist – Rudolf Fuchs. My point being, the beauty of the National Theater is in no way inferior to other famous buildings across the rest of Europe and is very much worth making the trip there. But enough history.

The building of the “Ivan Vazov” theatre is one of the landmarks of Bulgaria and as such is featured in almost every Sofia sightseeing tour. What makes it so distinct and recognisable are the six massive Ionic columns, putting an accent on the main entrance of the building and supporting a triangular pediment with a plastic art depicting the Greek god Apollo and his chariot. The theatre is also a popular meeting spot and is always bustling with people outside. There are a lot of cafès around the “Gradska Gradina” [the City Garden] right in front of the theatre. An interesting fact for you, the City Garden is the oldest park in Sofia and quite beautiful if I may add. Definitely, a great place to chat to the locals and get to know the culture a little better over a beer in the park.

For those of you who enjoy the art of theatre and are open to the idea, you might even want to catch a play at the National Theater. There’s a wide variety of repertoire on the 3 stages of the theatre, from adaptations of Bulgarian and classic novels, through ballet performances like Don Juan, all the way to Shakespearean plays. If you’re into the idea, go check what’s on on the official website of the National Theater.

Location:

The theatre is situated in the city centre, so it’s hard to miss on. If you’re using the tube, the closest station would be Serdika. From there, just follow the yellow pavement and go past the Presidency of Bulgaria and at the fountain take a right.

The theatre is situated in the city centre, so it’s hard to miss on. If you’re using the tube, the closest station would be Serdika. From there, just follow the yellow pavement and go past the Presidency of Bulgaria and at the fountain take a right.

Opening Hours:

The ticket centre is opened Monday to Friday from 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM and on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30 AM to 19:30 PM.

#2 National Art Gallery

Located across the street to the side of the National Theater is the National Art Gallery – another gem that lines up nicely among the rest of the must-see places in Sofia. Its location makes the gallery fit nicely even in a busy schedule or, say if you only have one day in Sofia.

Art lovers, pay attention now because you’ll definitely be interested in what’s next. First thing’s first – the National Gallery offers a tremendous variety of true masterpieces generations of Bulgarian artists. Besides, you’ll discover some amazing temporary expositions by foreign authors as well, and what’s better currently there is a permanent collection by foreign artists that is being developed. So good times ahead for art connoisseurs.

Another thing that is typical for the gallery is the beautiful arrangement and display of the exhibits. The galleries are pretty spacious and the entire National Art Gallery is very easy to navigate through. But what will impress you right from the bat is the fact that it is very peaceful in there, compared to galleries in other major cities, such as London or Berlin for instance.

Location:

The gallery is in the heart of the city! If you’re short on time and you have only one day in Sofia, adding a visit to the gallery will fit in just perfect in your itinerary for the day. The gallery is just across the National Theater “Ivan Vazov” and less than 10 minutes walk from Serdika metro station.

Opening Hours:

The gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM. Monday is a day off.

Ticket Prices:

The price of a ticket is 6 leva (less than £3) and students and senior citizens can go in for 3 leva. On Thursdays, the price of a single ticket is only 2 leva (less than a pound!)

All in all, the gallery is definitely one of the must-see places in Sofia.

#1 A Free Walking Tour of Sofia

Want to go sightseeing in Sofia? The best way to do it is to join a group walk, organised by Free Sofia Tours. They are organised by a Non-profit organisation and are delivered in English. Better yet, you can catch a tour 3 days per day.

The sightseeing tour of Sofia is education and fun at the same time, so if you’re really short on time and want to learn a bit more about the city, its traditions and the thousands of years of history – the free walking tour of Sofia is a great way to start. As far as the landmarks included in the tour, most of Sofia best places to visit are part of it, so don’t worry, you’re not missing out on anything! On the contrary, it’s a fun experience where you’ll meet new people to share the adventure around the capital with.

Note: the Free Sofia Tour will take you around 35 of Sofia’s best attractions according to TripAdvisor users. You can find more information on the non-profit and the Sofia tours on their official website.

Location:

The Sofia tours start from the Palace of Justice – a massive marble building with two lions at the side of the titanic gate in front; a sight that is hard to miss. The Palace of Justice is located on boulevard Vitosha – the largest pedestrian street in Sofia.

How to get there:

The starting point of the Sofia tour is perfect – the central location is pretty easy to find. Just make your way to Serdika Station and then walk towards to the huge church [St Nedelya Church] in the general direction of Vitosha mountain.

Tickets:

Free 🙂

Sofia Tourist Survival Guide

By now you should be completely in love with the idea of visiting the capital city so I think there’s no need of answering the question of is Sofia a good place to visit. There are, however, some other things that are worth discussing.

Is Sofia safe for tourists?

Let’s start off with the most burning question then – is Sofia safe to visit? Short answer – yes, so nothing to worry here. Sofia is by any measure a lot safer for tourists than, say, London and Paris, for instance. To back that claim up, statistics show that violent crime is way below the average for the European Union so it’s probably a good idea to take the portrayal of Sofia [and Eastern Europe as a whole] by some western media with (more than) a pinch of salt. Pickpocketing might be an issue in specific location, but there’s a bunch of ways to keep your belongings safe.

Sofia Nightlife

Besides sightseeing, Sofia also has a dynamic nightlife to offer the party-goer. Just to give you an idea of what to expect – the licensing laws are pretty laxed around these parts, so bars in Sofia can serve alcohol at any time! In other words, there’s always a party going on somewhere in the city.

Entering and Exiting Bulgaria

The main way of entry into the country would be Sofia Airport. The good news is that the airport is not that big compared to other destinations, such as Rome, Berlin, London, Madrid, etc. That is to say, there are not a lot of arriving/departing flights to make long queues on passport control. The authorities are also well-predisposed to EU citizens, so as long as your passport/ID is not expired, you should be fine. The security checks, on the other hand, are likely to cause some delays, so when exiting the country, make sure you arrive at least two hours before departing.

Import Restrictions

Compared to the UK for instance, Bulgaria also has less restrictive import policy.

Arriving from EU-member states

Arriving from a non-EU member state

Visas

EU-nationals have a right to reside in the country for a period of up to three months in any six-month period, starting from the date of first entry in the country.

Money Matters

Another good thing about Sofia is that having a good time won’t cost you an arm and a leg.

Hotel prices: budget rooms start at about 40 leva or £18. For the most part, these budget hotels have basic amenities included, such as WIFI, air conditioning, and TV.

Airbnb: another option is to book an Airbnb, with prices for rooms in the city centre ranging anywhere from £15 to £30.

Food costs: There is a span of different restaurants in Sofia that will accommodate every taste. From traditional to oriental, you will find a good place to eat out. As far as prices are concerned, a three-course meal with an alcoholic beverage will definitely come cheaper than eating out in London (in some instances, it might even be less expensive than getting takeaway.)

Speaking of takeaway, pizzas, hamburgers and fast foods of the sort are also cheap – about £3 – £4. And if you’d like to taste some Bulgarian breakfast – a banitsa (traditional pastry) and boza (traditional drink) will cost you about £1.5.

Transportation: A one-way tube/bus/tram ticket will set you back 1.6 leva (70p). Taxis in Sofia are also not that expensive with a starting fee of about 30p and then 40-45p per kilometre. But be careful, some taxi drivers like to take advantage of tourists and charge way more than what they should!