Sofia
Temperature
22°
Time
12:23 PM
Sofia
Sofia could be likened to a Sleeping Beauty rousing from her slumbers, reawakening to share her charm with the rest of the world. With relics from Roman times to the Soviet era, a vibrant cultural and entertainment scene, and breathtaking views of the Vitosha mountain massif, Sofia is ready to reclaim her rightful place as one of the leading lights on the European sky.Find your trip
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 honor of the Russians soldiers that died in the Russo-Turkish war and holds up to 10,000 people.
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.
Encircled withing 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Another one of the city's many religious structures, the Saint Nedelja Church dates back to as early as the 16th century, and can be found in the heart of Sofia. If you enjoy old icons and beautiful architecture, stop by along the route of your itinerary.
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 honor of the Russians soldiers that died in the Russo-Turkish war and holds up to 10,000 people.
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.
For a great selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes, head to the Dream House restaurant. It specializes in meat-free cooking, and caters to those who follow a gluten-free diet. Dishes are inventive and flavorful, and the prices very affordable for the quality.
If you want to get the full Bulgarian experience, visit this authentic restaurant which fuses local cuisine and performing arts together to offer guests a unique evening of entertainment. Acquaint yourself with Bulgarian culinary traditions and enjoy a show put on by guest dancers and musicians.
Run by two chef brothers (one of whom used to be head chef at the reputable Kempinski Panorama), Sage Bistro is a rustic restaurant that serves traditional Italian cuisine in an intimate setting. Pasta is freshly made in-house, and the restaurant is especially know for its superb seafood.
Sun Moon restaurant offers a varied menu with Arabian, Asian and Moroccan-inspired dishes. The restaurant specialises in plant-based cuisine, all held to a high standard. Its interior is furnished with re-purposed old items, which creates a pleasant rustic atmosphere. Features an in-house bakery.
This excellent restaurant is heralded by connoisseurs as one of the best for Indian cuisine in the country, and possibly beyond. The menu is varied, comprised of authentic Indian dishes such as tandoori, curries, various dishes with chicken and seafood, and more.
Lavanda is housed inside what used to be just your average apartment - guests are seated in one of the several rooms, on the balcony or in the garden. The menu features European and Mediterranean dishes with a creative spin on the classic flavors. Special emphasis is placed on presentation.
Located at the reputable Marinela Hotel, Panorama is an upscale dining establishment with a view - but do book in advance to ensure being seated by the window. Cuisine served is European, with a special emphasis on seafood. Evening dining is accompanied with live piano music.
SkaraBar is an incredible find for meat-lovers - the menu features a dizzying assortment of grilled meats ranging from chicken to beef and lamb (several fish varieties on offer as well). Ambiance is laid-back and portion size generous. There are three locations throughout Sofia.
For a great selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes, head to the Dream House restaurant. It specializes in meat-free cooking, and caters to those who follow a gluten-free diet. Dishes are inventive and flavorful, and the prices very affordable for the quality.
If you want to get the full Bulgarian experience, visit this authentic restaurant which fuses local cuisine and performing arts together to offer guests a unique evening of entertainment. Acquaint yourself with Bulgarian culinary traditions and enjoy a show put on by guest dancers and musicians.
The mall is located some 4 km outside of the city center, but is now reachable by metro, which has made it much more accessible to the public. Inside a range of international brands are represented. An amusement park with several thrill rides operates on the rooftop, and there is a 4D cinema inside.
The so-called "Women’s Market" on Stefan Stambolov Boulevard is probably the most popular market in Sofia that sells all manner of goods - and not women's items alone. There is a large variety of fruit, vegetables, cheese and other edible delights to be had.
This is the first mall and currently one of the most popular ones in Sofia. Brands represented include Replay, Bobo Zander, Ceelio, Esprit, Kenvelo, Mango, United Colors Of Benetton, Lee Cooper, Adidas, Speedo and Intersport. You can also watch a movie in the “Cinema City” or “M-Tel IMAX 3D”.
The Serdika Center opened in early 2010 and is the biggest mall in Sofia. Much like other city malls, Serdika is home to multiple international brand stores and boutiques. Its vast space is packed with all manner of shops, selling clothing, beauty products, accessories, and more.
With its 66,000 square meters surface area, The Mall (also referred to as Tsarigradskogo Mall) used to hold the title of the largest in the Balkans up until 2013. At this mall you will find shops like Benetton, Adidas, Intersport, Deichmann and other shops that sell fashion, accessories, and more.
If you are looking for something a little more exclusive, head to the upmarket TZUM department store located nearby the Sveta Nedelya Square. This mall is home to some of the top names in the fashion industry, and houses an array of fancy boutiques and luxury brand shops.
If the hustle of the market is more your thing, there are all manner of antique and craft stalls selling everything from religious icons to lace doilies scattered around the Alexander Nevski Cathedral. It's a good place to come if you're looking to buy local souvenirs.
The mall is located some 4 km outside of the city center, but is now reachable by metro, which has made it much more accessible to the public. Inside a range of international brands are represented. An amusement park with several thrill rides operates on the rooftop, and there is a 4D cinema inside.
The so-called "Women’s Market" on Stefan Stambolov Boulevard is probably the most popular market in Sofia that sells all manner of goods - and not women's items alone. There is a large variety of fruit, vegetables, cheese and other edible delights to be had.
Sofia International Airport is located 10 kilometres away from Sofia city. There are shuttles running between the two terminals every 30 minutes. There are two bus lines, 84 and 384, that run between Sofia Airport and they city centre. The journey takes approximately 20 minutes and tickets can be bought in newspaper kiosks (or the ticket machine in Terminal 1). Metro line 1 runs directly to the airport. Change to line 2 to reach all major central districts of Sofia, as well as the central railway station. Journey time is about 30 minutes. Taxis and car rental companies are available for hire at the airport.
Sofia has a network of public transport options that will enable the visitor to easily get around the city and its surrounding suburbs. The fastest and most convenient way to travel from one point to another is by metro. The two lines cross at the Serdika station. Tickets are sold in machines at the entrance to each metro station. There is also a network of buses and trams that run around the city. Tickets for those can be bought in advance or directly inside, in which case the ticket ws valid for that particular vehicle. Urban Mobility Centre +35 9700 13233 www.sofiatraffic.bg Bulgarian State Railways +35 9700 10200 www.bdz.bg
There are a dozen of big taxi companies operating in Sofia. You can call and order a taxi or hail one down the street. Green Taxi +359 878332810 Yellow 333 Taxi +359 29311952 OK Supertrans +359 2 973 21 21
Mailboxes in Sofia are yellow. Main Post Office:
You can easily find a pharmacy in Sofia. Ask you hotel for assistance if you need help finding one. You can normally find everything from medicine and cosmetics to food and other products. Remedium 1 15 Dobruzhda Street +359 2 981 3129 Mon-Sat 8am-9pm, Sun 9am-8pm Pharmacies Adonis 10A Han Presiyan +359 2 958 6354 Open 24 hours
Country Code: +359 Area code: 02
220 volts
Sofia International Airport is located 10 kilometres away from Sofia city. There are shuttles running between the two terminals every 30 minutes. There are two bus lines, 84 and 384, that run between Sofia Airport and they city centre. The journey takes approximately 20 minutes and tickets can be bought in newspaper kiosks (or the ticket machine in Terminal 1). Metro line 1 runs directly to the airport. Change to line 2 to reach all major central districts of Sofia, as well as the central railway station. Journey time is about 30 minutes. Taxis and car rental companies are available for hire at the airport.
Sofia has a network of public transport options that will enable the visitor to easily get around the city and its surrounding suburbs. The fastest and most convenient way to travel from one point to another is by metro. The two lines cross at the Serdika station. Tickets are sold in machines at the entrance to each metro station. There is also a network of buses and trams that run around the city. Tickets for those can be bought in advance or directly inside, in which case the ticket ws valid for that particular vehicle. Urban Mobility Centre +35 9700 13233 www.sofiatraffic.bg Bulgarian State Railways +35 9700 10200 www.bdz.bg
