Top 10 Must-See Places in Sofia – Bulgaria’s Historic and Cultural Capital

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral – Sofia’s Grand Spiritual Icon

Completed in 1912, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral stands as a powerful tribute to Bulgaria’s liberation and national identity. Built in honour of the 200,000 Russian soldiers who died during the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878), the cathedral is one of the largest Eastern Orthodox churches in the world and the heart of Bulgaria’s spiritual life.

Its grand neo-Byzantine architecture, 45-meter-high gold-plated dome, and 12-ton bell are visible from nearly every part of the city. Stepping inside, visitors are surrounded by an atmospheric interior of richly painted frescoes, glittering chandeliers, Italian marble columns, and dramatic murals of saints and biblical scenes. The crypt beneath the cathedral holds Bulgaria’s most valuable icon collection, showcasing the depth of Orthodox artistry through the centuries.

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Visit Info
• Duration: 30–45 minutes
• Best Time: Early morning to avoid crowds

Booking Tips
• Entry: Free (crypt museum: small fee)
• Modest clothing required

Top Photo/Reel Spots
• Wide-angle from the cathedral square
• Detail shots of the gold dome and mosaics

Hidden Gems Nearby
• Saint Sofia Church: The city’s namesake, just behind the cathedral
• Antique Book Market at Slaveykov Square

Address: Pl. Sveti Aleksandar Nevski, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
Metro: Sofia University Metro Station (5-minute walk)

Vitosha Boulevard – Sofia’s Pedestrian Paradise

Vitosha Boulevard, often called the “Fifth Avenue of Sofia,” stretches from St. Nedelya Church all the way to the foot of Vitosha Mountain. It is the city’s most vibrant pedestrian thoroughfare a place where locals sip espresso under the sun, tourists photograph the stunning backdrop of the mountains, and musicians fill the air with rhythm.

By day, the boulevard buzzes with cafés, fashion boutiques, bakeries, bookstores, and street performers. By night, it transforms into a glowing corridor of string lights, busy restaurants, and people out enjoying the city’s nightlife. Whether you're window shopping, people-watching, or enjoying a long dinner, the energy here is magnetic.

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Visit Info
• Duration: 45–90 minutes
• Best Time: Sunset for a vibrant street vibe

Booking Tips
• Many restaurants have English menus
• Ideal for evening dining and people-watching

Top Photo/Reel Spots
• View of Vitosha Mountain framed by shopfronts
• Outdoor café tables with string lights

Hidden Gems Nearby
• Hidden Garden of the National Palace of Culture (NDK)
• Murals and street art in the surrounding alleys

Address: Vitosha Boulevard, Sofia 1000
Metro: NDK Station (right on the boulevard)

Ancient Serdica Complex – Sofia Beneath Your Feet

Few European capitals allow you to walk through layers of ancient civilisation, but Sofia’s Serdica Complex makes it possible. Located beneath the city’s main metro station and government buildings, this sprawling archaeological site unveils the remains of ancient Serdica, a Roman settlement dating back nearly 2,000 years.

Preserved streets, homes, early Christian churches, and bathhouses form a subterranean network that reveals Sofia’s role as a vital Roman outpost. Informational plaques and glass-covered walkways guide you through the ruins, many of which are free to explore. Natural light filters in from above, giving the site a unique ambience, part museum, part time capsule.

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Visit Info
• Duration: 30–45 minutes
• Best Time: Midday for best natural light inside the glass-covered areas

Booking Tips
• Entry: Free
• Combine with a walking tour of central Sofia

Top Photo/Reel Spots
• Aerial view from above the glass roof near Largo
• Close-ups of preserved Roman walls

Hidden Gems Nearby
• Council of Ministers Courtyard with Roman rotunda
• Soviet-era underpass murals nearby

Address: Blvd Knyaginya Maria Luiza, Sofia 1000
Metro: Serdika Metro Station (direct access)

The Red Flat – A Time Capsule of Socialist-Era Bulgaria in Central Sofia

For a totally different kind of museum, step inside The Red Flat, a unique, immersive experience that recreates a typical 1980s Bulgarian apartment under communist rule. Located discreetly in an old building near the centre, it’s part museum, part time machine.

Every corner of the apartment is filled with carefully curated details: Soviet-made radios, canned goods with Cyrillic labels, propaganda posters, vinyl records, toys, clothing, even perfume bottles. Visitors follow a self-guided audio tour that tells the story of an ordinary Bulgarian family living during the People’s Republic. It’s not just about object,s it’s about emotions, aspirations, and the subtle resistance of everyday life.

The apartment is small but intimate, making the experience feel personal. Whether you lived through the era or are discovering it for the first time, The Red Flat offers rare insight into the rhythms of daily life behind the Iron Curtain. It's moving, nostalgic, and surprisingly relatable.

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Visit Info
• Duration: 45–60 minutes
• Best Time: Late morning or early afternoon for quieter access

Booking Tips
• Where to Book: Official Website or at the entrance
• Tickets: Approx. 18 BGN (discounts available for students and groups)
• Tip: Book ahead on weekends - space is limited due to apartment size

Top Photo/Reel Spots
• Retro kitchen setup with vintage packaging and appliances
• Living room bookshelves, toys, and framed portraits
• Cassette player and propaganda posters on the wall

Hidden Gems Nearby
• Slaveykov Square: Open-air book market just around the corner
• Sofia City Art Gallery: A short walk with rotating local exhibitions
• Raketa Rakia Bar: Communist-themed restaurant with authentic dishes

Address: 12 Ivan Denkoglu St., 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
Metro: Serdika Station or NDK Station (10-minute walk)

National Palace of Culture (NDK) – Bulgaria’s Modern Monument

Dominating the skyline of central Sofia is the National Palace of Culture (NDK), a massive Brutalist building surrounded by fountains, gardens, and modern art. Opened in 1981 to mark Bulgaria’s 1,300th anniversary, it remains Southeast Europe’s largest multifunctional cultural and congress centre.

Inside, the NDK features multiple halls, galleries, theatres, and cinemas. It regularly hosts everything from international film festivals and music concerts to book fairs, business expos, and art exhibitions. The interior blends stark 1980s aesthetics with rotating modern exhibits, reflecting Bulgaria’s complex cultural evolution.

Outside, the surrounding Borisova Garden and the NDK Park are perfect for strolling. Children play near the fountains, skaters zip past sculptures, and book cafés offer a quiet break from the city buzz. Come at night to see the fountains lit up and catch one of the many live performances often held in the open-air plaza.

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Visit Info
• Duration: 30–60 minutes
• Best Time: Evening when the fountains are lit

Booking Tips
• Check the event schedule for live performances
• Art and photography exhibitions rotate monthly

Top Photo/Reel Spots
• Wide shot from the garden with the palace in the background
• Night shots with fountain reflections

Hidden Gems Nearby
• Book Café inside the palace
• Skate park and open-air fitness zone

Address: 1 Bulgaria Blvd., 1463 Sofia, Bulgaria
Metro: NDK Station (direct access)

St. George Rotunda – Sofia’s Oldest Building

Hidden in plain sight behind layers of government buildings and modern architecture lies a true jewel of ancient Sofia: the St. George Rotunda. Built in the 4th century AD during Roman rule, this red-brick church is the oldest preserved building in the city, a sacred structure that has survived empires, earthquakes, and centuries of change.

From the outside, the rotunda appears modest, but step inside and you’re transported. Beneath its dome, faded frescoes from the 10th to 14th centuries cover the interior walls, many layered over each other, revealing the site’s continuous use through Bulgaria’s complex religious history. You can see Christian artwork that was hidden during the Ottoman period, uncovered after centuries of concealment.

The rotunda is surrounded by remnants of ancient Serdica, including Roman streets and walls. This setting, a peaceful courtyard encircled by official buildings, offers an incredible contrast between past and present. A quiet, spiritual stop in the heart of political Sofia, it invites contemplation and a deep connection with time.

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Visit Info
• Duration: 20–30 minutes
• Best Time: Morning for fewer visitors

Booking Tips
• Entry: Free
• Respect the quiet - services are occasionally held

Top Photo/Reel Spots
• Courtyard framed by surrounding ruins
• Interior dome with faded frescoes

Hidden Gems Nearby
• Roman road remains behind the church
• Quiet benches for resting inside the courtyard

Address: Between Sheraton Hotel & Presidency, Sofia 1000
Metro: Serdika Station (5-minute walk)

Ivan Vazov National Theatre – Sofia’s Cultural Jewel

Named after Bulgaria’s most celebrated writer, the Ivan Vazov National Theatre is not just a performance space it’s one of the most beautiful and iconic landmarks in Sofia. With its neoclassical facade, Corinthian columns, twin towers, and gilded details, the building is a striking presence facing the City Garden, a popular spot for locals to relax, play chess, or people-watch.

Opened in 1907, the theatre has endured bombings, fires, and political upheaval, but it continues to thrive as the beating heart of Bulgarian drama and art. Its opulent interior, with red velvet seats, ornate ceilings, and golden balconies, hosts everything from classic Bulgarian plays to modern productions, many of which offer subtitles for international visitors.

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Visit Info
• Duration: 30–60 minutes (longer with a show)
• Best Time: Dusk, when the building is dramatically lit

Booking Tips
• Check the official site for evening performances (subtitled in English)
• Guided tours of the interior

Top Photo/Reel Spots
• Wide shot from the City Garden fountain
• Close-up of the portico with twin statues

Hidden Gems Nearby
• Stefan Stambolov statue and chess tables
• Art galleries along the park's perimeter

Address: 5 Dyakon Ignatiy St., Sofia 1000
Metro: Serdika or Sofia University Station (5–10 min walk)

Central Mineral Baths – A Spa City’s Historic Core

Long before it became Sofia, the area was known for its healing mineral springs and the Central Mineral Baths, built in 1913, remain the symbolic centre of that tradition. Designed in the lavish Neo-Byzantine style with colourful tilework and domes, the building served for decades as the city’s main public bathhouse.

Though the baths themselves are no longer in use, the structure has been lovingly preserved and now houses the Sofia Regional History Museum, which traces the city’s development from antiquity through communism to modern day. Inside, interactive exhibits, photos, and artefacts make the experience both educational and engaging.

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Visit Info
• Duration: 30–60 minutes
• Best Time: Midday for museum visit; sunset for warm-light photos

Booking Tips
• Museum tickets are available at the entrance (modest fee)
• Water is safe to drink - bring your bottle

Top Photo/Reel Spots
• Full façade with fountains in the foreground
• Detail shots of the colourful tiled roof

Hidden Gems Nearby
• Public mineral fountains open 24/7
• Quiet garden behind the building

Address: 1 Banski Sq., Sofia 1000
Metro: Serdika Station (5-minute walk)

Sofia Synagogue – A Monument of Harmony

One of the grandest synagogues in Europe, the Sofia Synagogue is an architectural masterpiece and a symbol of Bulgaria’s religious tolerance and cultural mosaic. Opened in 1909 and inspired by Moorish Revival design, the building features elaborate arches, vibrant stained glass, intricate wood carvings, and one of the largest chandeliers in the Balkans, weighing more than two tons.

Though the Jewish population in Sofia has declined since the 20th century, the synagogue remains active and is open to respectful visitors. Inside, a small but poignant museum tells the story of Bulgaria’s Jewish community, including the country’s notable efforts to protect its Jewish citizens during WWII.

Visit Info
• Duration: 30–45 minutes
• Best Time: Morning or early afternoon

Booking Tips
• Modest clothing is required
• Closed Saturdays and during religious holidays

Top Photo/Reel Spots
• Interior dome with chandelier
• Exterior angles showing Moorish arches

Hidden Gems Nearby
• Halite Market: Traditional food and spice stalls next door
• Banya Bashi Mosque is just across the square

Address: 16 Ekzarh Yosif St., Sofia 1000
Metro: Serdika or Lavov Most Station (5-minute walk)

Borisova Garden – Sofia’s Oldest and Greenest Escape

Spanning over 3 square kilometres, Borisova Garden is Sofia’s oldest and most cherished park, a green oasis that’s been part of city life since 1884. Originally designed by Swiss and German landscape architects, it has evolved into a sprawling public space with formal flowerbeds, playgrounds, wide boulevards, secret pathways, and dense woodlands.

This is where locals come to run, read, kiss, picnic, and breathe. In summer, it hosts concerts, movie nights, and cultural festivals. In winter, it becomes a peaceful snow-covered escape. Landmarks inside the park include the Ariana Lake, where you can rent paddle boats in warm months and ice skate in the cold; the Monument of the Soviet Army; and the TV Tower, sometimes open for panoramic city views.

Visit Info
• Duration: 1–2 hours
• Best Time: Late afternoon for cool shade and golden light

Booking Tips
• Free entry; best explored on foot or by bike
• Weekends can be busy - visit on weekdays for a quieter experience

Top Photo/Reel Spots
• Monument of the Soviet Army framed by trees
• Rose gardens and hidden benches under willow trees

Hidden Gems Nearby
• Ariana Lake: Paddle boats in summer, ice skating in winter
• Borisova Garden TV Tower - open for special events

Address: Between Orlov Most & Vasil Levski Stadium, Sofia 1000
Metro: Vasil Levski Stadium Station (direct park access)

If you are interested in other cultural places in Bulgaria and the Balkan region, click on the links below:

• Sofia - Bulgaria Gallery

• Prizren The Cultural Capital of Kosovo – Where History Meets Hospitality

• Pristina, Kosovo A Journey to the Youngest Capital in Europe

• Top 10 Must-See Attractions in Skopje – North Macedonia’s Cultural Crossroads