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Europe Bulgaria Sofia Do & See National Palace of Culture — NDK

Overview

National Palace of Culture — NDK

The guide was updated: 2026-01-11

NDK is one of, if not the, most emblematic buildings in Sofia. Its name stands for National Palace of Culture, and if you’re strolling along Vitosha Boulevard, it’s only a short walk away. Locals gather in the surrounding park to skateboard, dance, relax at nearby cafés and enjoy sunny days whenever the weather allows. The building itself hosts concerts, theatre performances, exhibitions and many other artistic and cultural events throughout the year. If you’re arriving by metro, simply get off at NDK Station, which shares the same name, you can’t miss it.

Useful Information

Address: Bulgaria Boulevard, Sofia
Website: www.ndk.bg
Phone: +359 291 66 300
Email: office@ndk.bg

Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.

*this will be downloaded as a PDF.

Price

€4,95

Purchase

Aleksandar Nevski Memorial Church

Aleksandar Nevski Memorial Church

This is the most popular tourist attraction in Sofia. The beautiful orthodox cathedral was built in 1912 and took 30 years to complete. The cathedral was created in honour of the Russians soldiers that died in the Russo-Turkish war and holds up to 10,000 people.

Russian Church of St Nicholas

Russian Church of St Nicholas

This gorgeous Russian Orthodox church is located in central Sofia. It was built by Russia after the liberation of Bulgaria. The grave of Saint Archbishop Seraphim is located under the main floor - believers still visit for pilgrimages, leaving notes with wishes and prayers.

Rotunda of St George

Rotunda of St George

Encircled within a courtyard of modern dwelling buildings, Rotunda of St George is the oldest preserved structure in the city, which has also been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. The beautiful cupola holds a fourteenth-century portrait of Christ surrounded by four angels.

Ethnographic Museum

Ethnographic Museum

Here you can view excellent displays of folk art and crafts. The museum has several different collections of items such as traditional clothing, copper objects, woodcarving, ceramics, and more. It is a rather compact space, but the guide provides comprehensive information about the exhibits.

Sofia Art Gallery

Sofia Art Gallery

The Sofia Art Gallery holds an excellent collection of Bulgarian art. The collections include both past masters and contemporary artists. Housed in what formerly used to be a palace, the space showcases works of celebrated artists such as Tsanko Lavrenov and Vladimir Dimitrov-Maistor.

Boyana Church

Boyana Church

Boyana Church is the oldest Orthodox church in Sofia. This medieval construction, set in a green area at the foot of the mountains, was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites due to its renaissance-style frescoes. In the church you can see 89 scenes with 240 human images.

Mount Vitosha

Mount Vitosha

If you want to escape the pace of the city, you can go to Mount Vitosha, whose peak is visible from multiple spots in the city. Here you can enjoy a hike through the forested slopes or rocky peaks, and even go rock climbing if active pursuits are a thing for you.

Ivan Vazov National Theatre

Ivan Vazov National Theatre

This old, ornate building is a perfect place to go for some of the best postcard-ready photos in town. Its main draw; however, are the many shows held here. Check the schedule to see what performances are currently put on. Tickets may be bought online.

Saint Nedelja Church

Saint Nedelja Church

Another one of the city's many religious structures, the Saint Nedelja Church dates back to as early as the 16th century, and can be found in the heart of Sofia. If you enjoy old icons and beautiful architecture, stop by along the route of your itinerary.

Museum of Socialist Art

Museum of Socialist Art

The Museum of Socialist Art first opened in 2011. Here you can find a sculpture park and exhibitions featuring paintings and plastic easel works that relate to the socialist era in one way or another. The sculpture park contains a plethora of statues, from prominent leaders to factory workers.

National Opera and Ballet

National Opera and Ballet

A lesser-known attraction, the National Opera and Ballet is Sophia's hidden gem. Performances are of very high quality, and good seats are easy to get at affordable prices. This is also the place to go and listen to classical music by great masters like Wagner and Rossini.

Vitosha Boulevard

Vitosha Boulevard

Vitosha, one of the most popular streets in Sofia, is certainly the place to be on a sunny day. This spacious boulevard has many cafés and shops, and is teeming with leisurely strollers and shoppers at almost any given time. The Vitosha Mountain dramatically dominates the skyline in the south.

Statue of Slaveikovs

Statue of Slaveikovs

The famous Statue of Slaveikovs is located in its namesake Slaveikov Square. The statue glorifies two poets, a father and son, sitting on a bench. Feel free to sit down right next to the famed Bulgarian publicists and capture the moment on camera.

Balkan Bites Food Tour

Balkan Bites Food Tour

A different way to discover what the city has to offer in terms of culinary delights, a food tour is good for those looking to discover some under-the-radar family-run restaurants and sample some incredible local cuisine. A reputable company that offers such tours is Balkan Bites.

Boyana Waterfall

Boyana Waterfall

Boyana Waterfall is a natural waterfall that can be reached going up from the Boyana neighbourhood, Boyana Church. Marked paths of two levels of difficulty are available, but the shorter route is much steeper and better for dry weather. Guided tours are offered by Sofia Green Tour.

Borisova Gradina

Borisova Gradina

One of the nicest green areas in the city, Borisova Garden is where locals come to spend a leisurly afternoon when the weather allows. Nearby are Vasil Levski and CSKA Stadiums, so the park will fit well into football lovers' itineraries. There are a few cafes and children's playgrounds on premises.

Monument to the Soviet Army

Monument to the Soviet Army

A must-see landmark, the Monument to the Soviet Army is a nostalgic reminder of socialist times. It shows a brave soldier surrounded by hard-working members of the proletariat looking ahead to the bright future that awaits. Located at the eastern entrance to Borisova Gradina park. During the summer months, Sundays take on a special rhythm as people gather next to this monument with a speaker to dance salsa and bachata. Anyone passing by is welcome to join in.

National Museum of Military History

National Museum of Military History

The museum has remained largely under the tourist radar despite its rather comprehensive collection of military artifacts. Army uniforms and weapons dating back to 1876 all the way through to the times of WWI are on display, as well as WWII tanks and military jets directly outside the building.

The Bells Monument (Park Kambanite)

The Bells Monument (Park Kambanite)

The Bells Monument outside the city centre of Sofia was installed in 1979, when UNESCO declared it the International Year of the Child. The monument presents more than 70 bells from across the world, on pillars that are marked with a message from children from the respective nation. Occasionally, the seven main bells, one for each continent at the top of the central pillar, ring along to parades or events held around the monument.

Spanish Gatherings in Sofia

Spanish Gatherings in Sofia

Once a week, Sofia feels just a little more Spanish. The city has a large Spanish-speaking community, made up mainly of people from Spain as well as many from Latin America. Every Thursday or Friday they meet to socialise and practise Spanish together. During the summer months, the gathering usually takes place in Crystal Garden, next to the big head statue of Stefan Stambolov, while in winter the group moves to different indoor locations around the city. If you’d like to practise your Spanish or simply spend time with one of Sofia’s most active and welcoming expat communities, follow their social media page to stay updated on the exact time and venue. Look out for Juan, easy to spot thanks to his trendy beard. He is the organiser and founder of the group and is always happy to introduce newcomers to the community and help with any questions you might have about Sofia.

National Palace of Culture — NDK

National Palace of Culture — NDK

NDK is one of, if not the, most emblematic buildings in Sofia. Its name stands for National Palace of Culture, and if you’re strolling along Vitosha Boulevard, it’s only a short walk away. Locals gather in the surrounding park to skateboard, dance, relax at nearby cafés and enjoy sunny days whenever the weather allows. The building itself hosts concerts, theatre performances, exhibitions and many other artistic and cultural events throughout the year. If you’re arriving by metro, simply get off at NDK Station, which shares the same name, you can’t miss it.

National History Museum

National History Museum

Set panoramically against the scenic backdrop of a snowy mountain range, the National History Museum contains a great selection of art and archaeological finds. This is a must-see for anyone interested in learning more about Bulgarian history and art.

Snail House

Snail House

The Snail House is a quirky place and a perfect spot for anyone interested in architecture. This has become one of the most popular places in Sofia and will probably win first prize for being the oddest picture in your photo album when you come home.

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