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 is one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world. Built in memory of the Russian soldiers who died during the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878), its gold-plated dome and neo-Byzantine architecture dominate the Sofia skyline. Inside, you’ll find intricate frescoes, marble columns, and a crypt housing one of Bulgaria’s finest icon collections.

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

Sofia’s most famous shopping and dining street stretches from St. Nedelya Square to the foot of Vitosha Mountain. Lined with fashion boutiques, lively cafés, and art nouveau facades, Vitosha Boulevard is where locals and visitors gather for a stroll, a meal, or a golden-hour espresso.

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 surrounding alleys

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

Ancient Serdica Complex – Sofia Beneath Your Feet

Directly under the central metro station lies one of Sofia’s most impressive archaeological sites. The ruins of ancient Serdica — the Roman-era settlement — feature preserved streets, early Christian churches, and mosaics dating back to the 2nd century AD. It's a rare case of daily life unfolding above a 2,000-year-old city.

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

Step inside a 1980s Bulgarian apartment and experience everyday life under communism at The Red Flat — one of Sofia’s most immersive and unusual museum experiences. Located just off the city centre, this re-creation of a typical middle-class home during the People’s Republic of Bulgaria invites visitors to explore history through texture, sound, and objects.

From Soviet-made radios and rotary phones to propaganda posters, canned goods, and vinyl records, every corner of the apartment has been preserved with remarkable attention to detail. Audio guides take you through the lives of an average Bulgarian family, offering personal context to a complex era. More than a museum, The Red Flat is a cultural time machine — reflective, nostalgic, and deeply human.

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

Opened in 1981 to commemorate Bulgaria’s 1,300th anniversary, the NDK is the largest congress and cultural center in Southeast Europe. Its Brutalist architecture, sprawling fountains, and event halls serve as a stage for concerts, exhibitions, and film festivals.

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

Tucked behind modern government buildings, the red brick Church of St. George dates to the 4th century AD and is the oldest preserved building in Sofia. Surrounded by Roman ruins, its interior boasts layers of medieval frescoes uncovered beneath centuries of plaster.

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

Opened in 1907, the Ivan Vazov National Theatre is one of the most beautiful buildings in Bulgaria. Known for its neoclassical façade, gilded interiors, and lively programming, it’s also the backdrop to Sofia’s most beloved park — a favourite gathering place for locals year-round.

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

Built in 1913, the Central Mineral Baths are one of Sofia’s most recognisable architectural landmarks. Designed in the Neo-Byzantine style, the building once served as a public spa and bathhouse. Though no longer in operation, the site now houses the Sofia History Museum. Outside, mineral springs still bubble freely — locals regularly fill bottles with the naturally warm, mineral-rich water.

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

Opened in 1909, the Sofia Synagogue is the largest in Southeast Europe and a symbol of Bulgaria’s multicultural past. Inspired by Moorish Revival architecture, the building features intricate woodwork, stained glass, and a grand central chandelier weighing over two tons. It continues to serve the local Jewish community and houses a small museum on Bulgarian Jewish history.

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

Established in 1884, Borisova Garden is the city’s largest and most iconic park. Featuring wide tree-lined avenues, flowerbeds, statues, and hidden trails, it’s where generations of Sofians have come to walk, cycle, and relax. In the warmer months, the park hosts concerts, festivals, and open-air cinema nights.

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)