Tourist Attractions in Sofia

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Sofia

Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps

About Sofia

Sofia can compete with the Greek Athens for the right to be considered the oldest capital of Europe. The city has preserved many evidences of its rich history: the ruins of a Roman amphitheatre, churches from the Byzantine Empire and mosques erected during the Ottoman rule.

The capital of Bulgaria also boasts numerous monuments of the New Age. Among them are the magnificent Alexander Nevsky Church, the elegant Sofia Synagogue, the Russian Church of St Nicholas and other no less remarkable buildings.

Today, tourist interest in Sofia is steadily growing. A few days spent in this dynamic and interesting city will definitely remain in the piggy bank of impressions of every enthusiastic traveller.

Top-24 Tourist Attractions in Sofia

St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

 4.7/5

18461 reviews

The Cathedral of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, located on the square of the same name. The grandiose building of the cathedral, which stands out vividly against the city landscape, was erected in the early 20th century according to the project of Russian architect A. Pomerantsev. The occasion was the liberation of Bulgaria from the Ottoman Empire as a result of the Russian-Turkish war. The temple is built in the Neo-Byzantine style.

Open time

Monday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM

St. George Rotunda Church

 4.6/5

2637 reviews

The oldest church of Sofia. It was erected in the IV century under Emperor Constantine. Initially the church was used as a baptistery. After the Ottoman Turks conquered Bulgaria in the 16th century, the building was turned into a mosque. During restoration works on the inner walls of the church several layers of frescoes were discovered, the earliest of which date back to the 10th century. Nowadays, the church houses a museum and holds regular services.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 7:30 PM

Amphitheater of Serdica

 4.2/5

288 reviews

A Roman amphitheatre from the 3rd to 4th centuries, once considered the largest arena of the Eastern Roman Empire. Its area is slightly smaller than the famous Colosseum. The ruins were discovered by accident during the construction of the hotel in 2004. But despite the undeniable value of the discovery, the hotel was still erected, and the research of the amphitheatre stopped due to lack of funds. Today, the ruins are accessible to the public.

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Parish of St. Sofia Holy Wisdom

 4.8/5

209 reviews

The Basilica dedicated to St Sophia dates back to the 6th century. It has survived fires, earthquakes, wars and has reached our days in an almost ruined state. Restoration work was carried out in the early XX century, then scientists found ancient burials in its walls. The modern appearance of the cathedral is the result of careful restoration. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is located on the territory of the cathedral.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 – 11:30 AM, 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Boyana Church

 4.5/5

5042 reviews

8 kilometres from Sofia, in the small village of Boyana, there is a church from the X-XI centuries. The structure was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979. In the XIII and XIX centuries two additional ceilings were added to the church. The building is made of brick and stone. Inside there are valuable frescoes of XI-XVI centuries and paintings of XIX century. The temple has survived to this day in almost perfect condition, having managed to avoid destruction during the wars.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Church of St. Nicholas the Miracle-Maker

 4.8/5

4785 reviews

The church was built for the needs of the Russian community, whose numbers in Sofia increased significantly after the end of the Russo-Turkish war in 1878. The church was built in the early 20th century on the site of a destroyed market mosque. The church domes were donated to the parish by the Russian Emperor Nicholas II. The building was constructed in eclectic pseudo-Russian style according to the project of M. Preobrazhensky.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM

St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

 4.7/5

18461 reviews

Holy Week is the second name of the martyr Kyriakia of Nicomedia. It is believed that the very first church in her honour was built in the 10th century. It was a building on a stone foundation with wooden walls. The church received the status of a cathedral in the XVIII century after the remains of King Stephen II were transferred here. The modern church was built in 1863 to replace the dilapidated one.

Open time

Sofia Synagogue

 4.3/5

1230 reviews

The Jewish Temple is one of the most picturesque architectural structures in Sofia. It was built for the community of Sephardic Jews according to the project of architect F. Grünager at the beginning of the 20th century. The architectural style of the building is a mixture of Moorish traditions and Viennese Art Nouveau. It is not possible to simply enter the synagogue, but there is an opportunity to visit a small museum dedicated to the history of Bulgarian Jews.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

National Archeological Institute with Museum - BAS

 4.6/5

1819 reviews

A scientific research institution founded in 1948. The Archaeological Museum has existed since 1892 and is the oldest in Bulgaria. It has the richest collection of ancient artefacts in the Balkans. The exposition is located in the building of the former mosque of the 15th century Buyuk Jamia. The research institute belongs to the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and employs several dozen scientists.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

National Museum of History

 4.6/5

3813 reviews

The museum was founded in 1973. In 2000, the collection moved to a modern building. The exposition contains more than 650 thousand objects and artefacts from different epochs. It is divided into historical, ethnographic and archaeological parts. Visitors can see collections of jewellery, weapons, coins, furniture, religious utensils and household items. The medieval Boyan Church is also part of the Historical Museum.

Open time

Monday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM

National Museum of Natural History

 4.6/5

3067 reviews

The Sofia Museum of Natural History has the largest exposition of stuffed animals, insects, birds and mineral specimens in the Balkans. The collection was founded in 1889 with the assistance of Prince Ferdinand. The scientific activity of the museum staff is aimed at studying and preserving the flora and fauna of Bulgaria. Much is done within the framework of programmes to improve ecology and environmental protection.

Open time

Socialist Art Museum

 4.1/5

1107 reviews

The exhibition consists of works of art created between 1944 and 1989, when Bulgaria entered the era of socialism. The museum complex includes an art gallery, a park with monumental sculptures in the style of socialist realism and a video room where viewers can watch documentaries. The museum was founded in 2011 by decree of Bulgaria’s ruling coalition, the Union of Democratic Forces.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

National Museum of Military History

 4.7/5

4161 reviews

The museum is located on the territory of the Military Academy and belongs to the Bulgarian Ministry of Defence. Part of its exposition, consisting of military vehicles, is placed in the open air, the other part is indoors. Quite a large part of the collection consists of Soviet vehicles, there are also several Czech, German and French tanks. The museum has a thematic library and a computer centre.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Sofia City Art Gallery

 4.6/5

998 reviews

The exhibition hall appeared in 1948. Today its collection totals several thousand items. The exposition consists of three parts: Christian art of the XVIII-XIX centuries, national Bulgarian art and art of the Middle Ages. The museum has several branches. One of them is located on the territory of the Alexander Nevsky Memorial Church. The main branch is located in the former royal palace.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Sofia City Art Gallery

 4.6/5

998 reviews

The gallery opened in 1985 in the building of a former printing house, which was erected in the late 19th century according to the design of Viennese master F. Schwanberg. The vast collection of the museum occupies 19 exhibition halls and counts more than 10 thousand items. There are paintings by Picasso, Renoir, Rembrandt, Goya and Dali, which used to adorn the walls of the National Art Gallery and were later donated.

Open time

National Palace of Culture

 4.5/5

13709 reviews

The building was constructed in 1981 on the initiative of Ludmila Zhivkova, daughter of the CPB General Secretary. The complex consists of 8 floors and several dozens of halls. It is designed for exhibitions, congresses, concerts and other cultural events. The interior of the building is generously decorated with mosaics, paintings and sculptures. The palace is surrounded by a picturesque park with fountains and canals.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Ivan Vazov National Theater

 4.8/5

9370 reviews

Bulgaria’s main theatre was built in 1906. The building was badly damaged during the Second World War, but after the restoration in 1945 it began to please the inhabitants of the capital with its festive appearance. The repertoire of the stage consists of works by renowned world authors. Many plays by Bulgarian composers are on the schedule. The theatre was named in honour of I. Vazov, an outstanding poet, a true “patriarch” of the national literature.

Open time

Monday: 7:00 – 10:30 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 – 10:30 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 – 10:30 PM
Thursday: 7:00 – 10:30 PM
Friday: 7:00 – 10:30 PM
Saturday: 7:00 – 10:30 PM
Sunday: 7:00 – 10:30 PM

Opera and Ballet Sofia

 4.8/5

4244 reviews

The first opera company appeared in Sofia in 1980, but due to lack of funding it did not last long. The revival of the stage took place in 1908 after several successful premieres. In 1922 the theatre was given the status of a national theatre. The first ballet performance took place in 1928. The theatre’s repertoire consists of classical works by European and Russian composers.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM

Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski

 4.4/5

1190 reviews

The university is named in honour of one of the founders of Slavonic writing, St. Kliment Ohridski. It is considered the most prestigious educational institution in the country. It is housed in a 1934 Renaissance-style building. The original project was designed by A. Breanson, but later the architect J. Milanov modified the plan, adding elements of expressive baroque and eclecticism.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria

 3/5

275 reviews

Bulgaria’s main law-making body sits in a picturesque building built in 1886, which is listed as an architectural monument. It was erected in the Neo-Renaissance style, designed by K. Jovanovic. In 1890 and 1928, additional rooms and a central entrance with columns were added to the building. The palace is located in the very centre of Sofia on the People’s Assembly Square.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Sofia Monument

 4.3/5

1020 reviews

The monument decorated the capital of Bulgaria in 2000. The sculpture was erected in place of the demolished monument to Lenin. Saint Sophia by sculptor Georgi Chapkinov symbolises wisdom and God’s grace. She seems to stretch her arms over the city. In her features one can guess the image of the ancient Greek goddess Athena. The statue reaches a height of 8 metres. The five-ton sculpture stands on a 12-metre pedestal.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Borisova Gradina Park

 4.6/5

26932 reviews

A picturesque city park in the centre of Sofia, which residents call “Boris’s Garden”. It was created in the late 19th century on the initiative of a Swiss gardener. By 1924 the territory of the park had almost doubled, fountains, rose gardens, a pond and a Japanese garden appeared. In the middle of the XX century an observatory was built here. Today this green oasis is visited with pleasure by tourists and residents of the capital.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Boyana Waterfall

 4.8/5

2775 reviews

Bojanski waterfall is located on the slopes of the Vitosha mountain range. In clear weather it can even be seen from the centre of Sofia. Jets of water come down from a height of 15 metres and break on the rocks with thousands of splashes. The stream becomes especially full-flowing after the snow melts, when the water level in the river that feeds the threshold reaches its maximum. The waterfall can be reached via several hiking trails.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Vitosha

 4.8/5

382 reviews

A mountain range in the vicinity of Sofia, stretching 19 kilometres in length. On its territory there is a national park of the same name. The highest peak of Vitosha is Mount Cherni-Vryh (over 2200 metres). The first mountaineers climbed the peaks of Vitosha back in the late 19th century. Today it is a popular ski resort with a total length of slopes of about 30 kilometres.