Planning a trip to one of the oldest cities in Europe? Use this helpful Sofia travel guide to make sure you don’t miss the 10 must-see places in the heart of Bulgaria’s capital.
Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
Sofia’s most famous landmark was built in the early 20th century as a way to commemorate Russian soldiers who died during the Russo-Turkish War, after which Bulgaria was liberated from Ottoman rule. Saint Alexander Nevsky, after whom the cathedral was named, was a Russian prince.
The cathedral was built in Neo-Byzantine style and it’s one of the largest Christian church buildings in the world. In Bulgaria, it is also known as the Patriarchal Cathedral.
Only locals know:
At midnight on Easter, many people gather in and around the cathedral, with the Patriarch leading a celebratory prayer and procession. Part of the ritual includes the Patriarch sharing the Holy Fire with the crowd, spreading it from candle to candle. The culmination comes at midnight, when the Patriarch announces that Jesus has risen.
National Palace of Culture
This massive, socialist-era cultural complex still houses numerous events, concerts and shows throughout the year. The Palace of Culture was created based on the vision of Lyudmila Zhivkova, daughter of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria’s communist leader – Todor Zhivkov.
Only locals know:
NDK (the Bulgarian language abbreviation used by locals) is also one of the most famous meeting points for people living in Sofia. “By the pillars of NDK” is usually the most specific location.
Slaveykov Square
This small square is the heart of Sofia’s cultural district. Years ago, it used to host a large open-air book bazaar with a vast variety of titles. Today, it’s more of a meeting spot, close to major theatres and live music venues.
The square is named after the father-and-son writers, Petko and Pencho Slaveykov – two of Bulgaria’s most famous literary figures – whose house once stood on one of its corners. A statue of them sitting on a bench is one of the most photographed spots in the city.
Vitosha Boulevard
The most famous street in Bulgaria is a lively stretch lined with shops, restaurants, and cafés. Look in one direction and you’ll see the snowy peaks of Vitosha Mountain; turn the other way and you’ll be greeted by the domes of Saint Nedelya Cathedral.
Only locals know:
Locals call the pedestrian-only stretch of Vitosh Boulevard, where all the shops and restaurants are located “Vitoshka”. If you hear a Bulgarian to say that they were “walking up Vitoska”, this is what they are referring to.
Serdika
The Centre of Ancient Serdika is a well-preserved archaeological complex in the heart of the city. You can walk through Roman ruins on your way to the metro, which feels like stepping into a living, open-air museum.
The Triangle of Power
The Largo, or the Triangle of Power is an area in central Sofia, where the buildings of the Presidency, Council of Ministers and the National Assembly meet facing each other.
The square between the three buildings is called Nezavisimost (Independency) Square and is considered to be the most key location of its kind due to the importance of the buildings surrounding it. Beneath it, you can explore further remains of the ancient city of Serdika.
The Rotunda
The Church of St George Rotunda is hidden right behind the Presidency building and you could easily miss seeing it, you don’t walk pass the barriers on the left of the main entrance. This is the oldest building in Sofia, dating back to the 4th century.
The Rotunda is still a functioning church and can be visited free of charge. Daily prayers are held in Old Bulgarian, accompanied by Eastern chants rooted in Bulgarian and Byzantine tradition.
National Theatre “Ivan Vazov”
The most famous theatre is Bulgaria is located just a few steps away from the Largo. Its red façade and classical columns make it one of the most photographed buildings in the capital of Bulgaria. The building was designed by architects from Vienna, which explains its strong resemblance to the Austrian capital’s architectural style.
Only locals know:
The City Garden in front of the Theatre is a popular place to relax and spend time with friends.
National Library “Saint Saint Cyril and Methodius”
The National Library is the oldest cultural institute in post-liberation Bulgaria and the biggest public library in the country. Named after the Saints associated with the creation of the Cyrillic alphabet and Bulgarian language, the building houses all officially published works in Bulgaria. The library is home to over 8,500,000 books, documents and manuscripts in various languages.
Historical facts:
Saint Saint Cyril and Methodius are brother who crated the Glagolitic alphabet used as a basis by their students (most notably Saint Clement of Ohrid), who created the Cyrillic alphabet and named it after Saint Cyril.
The Bulgarians preserved their language during 5 centuries of Ottoman rule.
Nowadays, Cyrillic alphabet is used as official or major script in over 10 countries, including Russia, Mongolia and Tajikistan.
The Statue of Sofia
This 24-metre monument overlooks central Sofia and was installed in 2000 to mark the beginning of the new millennium.
The statue’s meaning and symbolism sparked controversy, as it incorporates pagan elements, while many associate Sofia with the Christian saint of the same name.
It replaced a statue of Lenin from the time when Sofia was the capital of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria.
