Mount Vitosha

Sofia

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Home Europe Bulgaria Sofia Do & SeeMount 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.

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addressMount Vitosha, Sofia

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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.

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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.

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Rotunda of St George

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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.

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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.

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Sofia Art Gallery

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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.

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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.

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Saint Nedelja Church

Saint Nedelja Church

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Museum of Socialist Art

Museum of Socialist Art

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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.

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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.

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Statue of Slaveikovs

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Balkan Bites Food Tour

Balkan Bites Food Tour

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Boyana Waterfall

Boyana Waterfall

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Borisova Gradina

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Monument to the Soviet Army

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National Museum of Military History

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The Bells Monument (Park Kambanite)

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Spanish Gatherings in Sofia

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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.

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National Palace of Culture — NDK

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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.

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National History Museum

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