Things to Do in Sofia

The three historic buildings that make up the medieval Bulgarian Orthodox icon known as Boyana Church have been attracting visitors for over a hundred years. Each building was constructed in a distinctly different architectural style reflective of the time, taste and period it was created, making a visit to this famous landmark a truly unique experience. 

The eastern church, Boyana’s oldest section, is one of the smallest, while the second section, built in the mid-13 century, is a two-floor wonder with tombs, semi-cylindrical vault and quiet family chapel. The final section of the church, which wasn’t built until the 19th century, showcases some of the most contemporary designs. Travelers agree that the architecture and history make Boyana Church a destination, but it’s the 89 frescos with 240 human images painstakingly painted onto interior walls that have placed Boyana at the intersection of religion and art in Bulgaria. 

Founded in 1973, the National Museum of History in Sofia is Bulgaria’s largest museum. Housed in the former residence of dictator Todor Zhikov, the museum has more than 650,000 objects, although only about ten percent are on display. The main exhibition is spread throughout five halls. The first covers the development and culture of the people who lived on Bulgarian lands as early as the 6th millennium B.C. The second hall continues that theme, focusing on the end of the 6th century B.C. to the 6th century A.D. In the third hall, visitors see exhibits on the Bulgarian State in the Middle Ages and in the fourth hall, the focus shifts to the period of Ottoman rule, from 1396 to 1878. The fifth hall showcases the Third Bulgarian Kingdom, from 1878 to 1946.

Items on display include a variety of weapons, traditional costumes, furniture, tools and household objects, coins, artwork, documents and photos. The museum courtyard showcases a collection of Greek, Roman and Byzantine columns and monuments from various periods.

Vitosha Mountain is the fourth highest mountain in Bulgaria. It is just outside of the capital city of Sofia. The mountain is the oldest nature park on the Balkan Peninsula, which was established in 1934 and today covers an area of almost 67,000 acres. In the winter, Vitosha Mountain is a popular place for downhill skiing, cross country skiing, and other snow sports. Ski season here lasts about 120 days. 

In the summer months, Vitosha Mountain offers good hiking and trekking. There are several trails that are good for single day hikes and hikers of all levels. The mountain is home to a diverse number of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds. Throughout the year, 200 bird species can be seen here, with 120 of them nesting within the park. The longest cave in Bulgaria, at about 11 miles long, is also located at Vitosha Mountain. Other sites located here include a medieval orthodox church called Boyana Church and the Boyana Waterfall.

One of the most notable natural landmarks around Sofia, the Boyana Waterfall can be spotted from the city center on a clear, sunny day. The waterfall drops more than 15 meters on Vitosha Mountain just south of Sofia and is known as the largest and most beautiful waterfall on the mountain. The water flows with the most force in the spring when the snow is melting, but is a stunning sight all year round. 

A visit to the waterfall makes a great day trip from Sofia and can easily be combined with a stop at the medieval Boyana Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that dates to the 10th or 11th century. The church provides a starting point for a hike up to the waterfall, with two possible paths. One follows the Boyana River steeply uphill while the other follows a more gradual incline, passing by the Boyansko Lake. 

For extreme adventurists, the waterfall can also be visited in the winter months for ice climbing, with up to eight possible climbing routes.

Sofia’s National Art Gallery boasts the country’s most important collection of Bulgarian art. Founded in 1934, it has been housed in the former Royal Palace since 1946. The palace was originally built in 1873 for the Ottoman rulers and parquet floors and intricate stucco ceilings from before World War I can be seen in many exhibition spaces. The highlight of the Gallery, a collection of paintings from the interwar generation, is on display in the Red Hall, which was once the palace ballroom

With more than 50,000 pieces of art, the Gallery is home to Bulgaria’s largest collection of medieval paintings, as well as more than 4,000 religious icons. The exhibition begins with works by the great Bulgarian religious artist, Zahari Zograf, and then traces the development of Bulgarian painting, with all of the most popular names in Bulgarian art represented. Visitors will find galleries devoted to 19th and 20th century paintings, while other rooms focus on local impressionists. Upstairs, several corridors and small rooms showcase Bulgarian sculpture. Temporary exhibitions of contemporary art occasionally take place on the ground floor.

The oldest church in Sofia and the origin of the city’s name, the St. Sofia Church dates back to the reign of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in the sixth century. Built on the site of two fourth-century churches just outside of the city walls, it served as the city’s main cemetery church into the Middle Ages and, during the 12th century, it was likely the seat of Sofia’s bishop. After the Ottoman conquest, the church became a mosque and minarets were added.  It was abandoned altogether after an earthquake struck in 1858 and later restored at the start of the 20th century.

The church building today is a three-aisled Byzantine-style basilica, with walls of exposed brick, a mosaicked floor and icons of historical saints. Fragments of mosaics from the fourth century can be seen in the floor of the south aisle. Outside of the church is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which memorializes the Bulgarians who were killed in World War I.

The National Institute of Archaeology and Museum is housed in the largest and oldest former mosque in Sofia. The building dates to around 1474 and has been home to the institute and museum since 1905. Museum exhibits are spread throughout five halls, starting with the Prehistory Hall, which displays items dating back more than a million years B.C. The Treasury Hall displays treasures from the late Bronze Age to late Antiquity, including two famous Bulgarian treasures: the Valchitran and Lukovit Treasures. The Main Hall features a wide range of items from ancient Thrace, Greece and Rome through the late Middle Ages, while the Medieval Hall includes a variety of books, drawings and metal objects from medieval times. There is also a hall that often hosts temporary exhibitions.

The highlight for most visitors to the National Institute is the life size replica of the Madara Horseman near the main entrance. The original was sculpted in rock 23 meters high sometime in the Middle Ages and currently sits in the town of Shumen, just east of Sofia.

There’s a reason why the Rila Monastery, Bulgaria’s largest religious structure, is the most visited site in the country. Its cobblestone courtyard, winding balconies, picturesque mountain views and brightly colored frescos transport travelers to a place that is almost otherworldly. Nearly 1 million people find their way to this treasured destination every year. 

Travelers can explore the cloisters, farming buildings and church. The museum, which offers an in-depth look at the monastery’s history and function, also showcases hand-woven national costumes donated from neighboring towns are on display. The nearby cave of St. Ivan of Rila continues to rank among the most popular stops on a tour of Rila Monastery. According to tradition, St. Ivan of Rila, the hermit who founded the monastery, lived in this cave while his students built what would eventually become Bulgaria’s most famous spiritual center. 

The rolling hills and scenic landscapes of Koprivshtitsa attract plenty of travelers looking to explore Bulgaria beyond Sofia. Deep historical roots and a thriving population of merchants and artisans have made this town popular among tourists who find the town’s impressive collection of architectural, historical and artistic landmarks (388 in total!) worth a visit.

Travelers can experience the lifestyle of Koprivshtitsa’s early elite at the Oslekov House. Built in 1856, this popular museum showcases not only the rich interiors of a highbrow family, but some of its clothing and heirlooms as well. The unique rosewater fountain at The Lyutova House Museum, where authentic Koprivshtitsa wool, hand-painted murals and ornate woodcarvings are all on display, offers visitors a look at some of the region’s most impressive arts and crafts. Those who want to learn more about the area’s colorful history shouldn’t miss the birthplace of Gavril Gruyev Haltev, who played an influential role in the famous April Uprising. Travelers can explore collections of memorabilia, family photographs and historical documents that help frame how this single event dramatically shaped the nation’s past and future.

The National Gallery for Foreign Art in Sofia is the only museum of its kind in the Balkans, focusing on non-Bulgarian art. Covering 3200 square meters and four floors of what was once the Royal Printing Office, the gallery’s exhibits are spread throughout 19 rooms. Much of the gallery is arranged geographically, with separate sections for art from India, Japan, Africa, Southeast Asia and Europe. The Indian collection includes Indian miniatures and religious sculptures, the highlights of which are rare 16th century figures of Christian saints from Goa. The Japanese collection focused on Japanese woodblock printing, while the African collection includes numerous religious sculptures and masks, including many from Benin, Ghana and Dogon Country.

An expansive European art collection includes masterpieces by the likes of Rembrandt, Picasso and Renoir and fine art from the 15th to 20th centuries, the oldest work of which is the Baptism of Christ, painted by del Verrocchio in the 15th century.

Named after the mountains that bound Sofia to the south, Vitosha Boulevard is the Romanian capital city’s most prestigious shopping street, snaking through the center of the city. Here visitors will discover all the top-end international designer stores, a massive bookshop, quality restaurants and cool bars, plus a backdrop of imposing civic buildings dating from Sofia’s expansion between the two world wars. As well as the National Palace of Culture, which marks the northern end of Vitosha, the former Communist Party HQ and the Central Department Store (TSUM) stand just off the boulevard and form part of tours of Sofia’s Soviet heritage.

Fully pedestrianized from Boulevard Evtimiy in the south to Alabin Street in the north, Vitosha’s recent facelift has included pretty floral beds, benches to chill on, Art Nouveau kiosks, street cafés and wrought-iron lampstands. The corner of Vitosha and Evtimiy is Sofia’s most popular meeting spot and it’s also worth diving into the side streets off the main drag for more retail opportunities in independent boutiques. Come evening, there’s a whole world of cuisine on tap, with restaurants offering everything from traditional Bulgarian byurek (stuffed filos) to Irish pints.

One of the most well-known landmarks in Sofia, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral was built to commemorate the 200,000 Russian soldiers who died in the Russo-Turkish War, fighting for Bulgaria’s independence. Completed in 1924, it was named after a medieval Russian ruler, Prince Alexander Nevsky of Novgorod, and modeled after Russian neo-Byzantine churches.

The exterior of the cathedral is made of pale Bulgarian limestone, and it is topped with gold-plated domes. Inside, you will find hundreds of flickering candles illuminating a decadent interior. Look for the Mosaic of Christ, Tsar Ferdinand’s throne, the iconostasis made of marble, onyx and alabaster and the many frescoes covering the church’s dome.

Head down to the crypt to visit the cathedral’s Icon gallery, which features icons from 12th through 19th centuries and boasts the most impressive collection of religious art in Bulgaria.

Plovdiv is widely known for being Bulgaria’s second-largest city, but few realize it’s also the oldest continually inhabited city in Europe, with recorded residents dating back over 8,000 years. As such, a visit to this lively town offers travelers a truly unique taste of Bulgarian history and an epic look into the nation’s past. 

Old Town, which is closed to cars, is home to some of the city’s oldest architecture, roads and churches. The neighborhood’s art galleries, bars, and even an open-air roman opera house, add to the charm of this truly unique part of the city. Travelers say wandering the surrounding hillsides, which offer incredible sunset views, is a perfect way to spend an afternoon in Plovdiv, and the city’s close proximity to the Bachkovo Monastery and Asen’s Fortress make it an ideal base for exploring the surrounding sites, too. 

Also known as the Tsentralni Hali, Sofia’s Central Market Hall was originally built in 1909 and by the 1940s, featured 170 shops and stalls. Designed in a neo-Renaissance style with neo-Byzantine and neo-Baroque elements, it is considered the best work of architect Naum Torbov and its façade is known for its relief of the Sofia coat of arms. It closed in 1988 to undergo a lengthy renovation, eventually reopening in 2000, and is now one of the busiest places in Sofia. With three floors of shopping and cafes, the Central Market Hall is certainly the best place for indoor food shopping in Sofia.

On the ground floor, you will find stalls selling fruits, vegetables, pastries, wine and cheese, while on the second floor, there is an inexpensive food court and more shops, including clothing stores and jewelry shops. The Hall is a great place to stock up on Bulgarian wine and spirits and can also fulfill traveler’s practical needs; there is a post office, pharmacy, bank and multiple ATMs.

One of Bulgaria’s premier ski resorts, Borovets was purpose-built in the 1980s, although it has its origins way back in the 19th century when a hunting palace was built there for the Bulgarian Royal Family. Today it is a low-rise, largely wooden Alpine-style resort with all modern amenities; it sprawls over the northern flanks of the Musala ridge in the Rila Mountains at an altitude of 1,300 meters (4,265 feet), with the highest runs up at 2,600 meters (8,530 feet). 

The ski season lasts from December through to early April and the resort has 24 runs stretching over 58 km (36.25 miles) of marked pistes, ranging from easy blues to extremely challenging black runs, many through scenic pine forest. Borovets also offers two terrain parks for snowboarders as well as 35 km (22 miles) of groomed cross-country trails for Nordic skiers. Ski lifts are modern and efficient, with a mix of gondolas, chair and drag lifts; night skiing is available daily until 10pm. The resort’s family-friendly credentials include two snow parks for toddlers, ski schools, equipment hire, shops and plenty of cafés, restaurants and hotels that cater for kids. Non-skiers are well taken care of with swimming pools, spas, ski-doo snow safaris and horse-and-carriage rides and the late-night après-ski scene is jumping, with bars and clubs open until the wee hours. 

The Museum of Socialist Art in Sofia focuses on the art and history of Bulgaria during the communist period from 1944 to 1989. The museum was opened in September 2011 and includes a statue park and indoor exhibition space. More than 70 statues and busts of former socialist leaders, including a giant statue of Lenin that once stood in the center of the city, have found a new home in the park. The statues generally include only the title, creator, and in some cases the town where the statue came from. There is also a red star that once topped the Socialist Party headquarters.

The gallery has art on display that focuses on the socialist period. There are 60 paintings and 25 easel representations. Some of the art depicts life during World War II while other pieces show socialism in the country, including some scenes of happy life under party rule. There is also a video hall for screening documentary films and newsreels from the communist times.

Standing in Knyazheska Garden in the center of Sofia, the Monument to the Soviet Army was built in 1954 to commemorate the liberation of Bulgaria by the Soviet Army. The monument itself portrays a Soviet Army soldier holding a gun above his head, standing between a Bulgarian man and a Bulgarian woman holding a child. Several hundred feet away from the monument are additional sculptures depicting battle scenes, one of which has become a focal point for vandals who have painted it in protest on several occasions, including the anniversary of the Prague Spring and to show solidarity with the Ukrainian revolution.

The monument and surrounding park are also popular with local skateboarders and a skating half pipe and several quarter pipe ramps can be found around the monument. In recent years, the monument has become quite controversial with various groups calling for its removal.

The Sofia Synagogue is the largest synagogue in southeastern Europe and third largest in all of Europe. It is also one of just two functioning synagogues in Bulgaria. Construction began on the synagogue in 1905 and it opened in 1909. Built in a Moorish revival style with Viennese Secession and Venetian elements and an octagonal dome, it resembles the Leopoldstadter Tempel in Vienna, Austria. The interior of the synagogue is richly decorated, with marble columns, colorful Venetian mosaics, decorative wood carvings and a 1.7-ton chandelier that is the largest in Bulgaria. The synagogue has operated continuously since it opened, aside from a period during World War II. Although it can accommodate up to 1,300 worshipers, services today are sparsely attended.

Since 1992, the building has also housed the Jewish Museum of History, which was founded to preserve items related to Jewish culture in Bulgaria. The museum has two permanent exhibitions: The Jewish Communities in Bulgaria and The Holocaust and the Rescue of the Jews in Bulgaria. 

Built in 1907 by Viennese architects, the Ivan Vazov National Theater in Sofia is the oldest and largest theater in Bulgaria. Facing Sofia’s City Garden, it is home to Bulgaria’s leading drama company and hosts performances of both Bulgarian and international classics. Topped by a pediment that features a relief of Apollo surrounded by reclining muses, the theater’s colonnaded façade can be seen on 50 lev bank notes that were issued in 1999 and 2006. The towers behind the pediment are topped with sculptures of the goddess Nike.

Built in a neo-Classical style, the theater was soon named for the prominent Bulgarian writer, Ivan Vazov. It was reconstructed following fire damage in 1923 and again after sustaining damage from bombing during World War II. The most recent restoration occurred in 2000, although throughout the years the exterior has remained largely the same. Given its location adjacent to the City Garden, the theater is a popular meeting spot for locals and visitors alike.

Built in the 4th century, the Church of St. George (also called the Rotunda of Sveti Georgi) is thought to be the oldest building in Sofia. Located in a courtyard between the President’s Building and the Sheraton hotel, the small church is surrounded by Roman era ruins. Largely destroyed by the invading Huns, it was rebuilt in the 6th century and many of the interior murals were painted between the 10th and 14th centuries. After the Ottoman conquest in the 16th century, it was converted into a mosque and most of the church’s medieval frescoes were painted over and not uncovered again until the 20th century.

The Church of St. George has been a working church since the middle of the 19th century. Visitors should look for a frieze that contains 22 portraits of the prophets, as well as remnants of the 10th-century frescoes.