Best Things To Do in Sofia, Bulgaria

  1. Slaveikov Square

    Outdoors, Statue, Cafe, Square

    Petko and Pencho Slaveykov were a father-son duo of Bulgarian writers. This square is named after them, and you’ll see a sculpture of the pair on of the benches. It’s the most popular square in Sofia. Historically, it’s been in use since 1515, when there was just a mosque, two police stations and a coffee-house here. Since 1990, the square has become a very popular spot for bo...Read more
  2. Banja Bashi Mosque

    4.1 (842 Votes)
    Banja Bashi Mosque

    Mosque, Religious Site, Outdoors

    The red-brick mosque has a strange name – ‘Many Baths’. That’s because it’s actually built over a system of thermal spas. If you’re looking for it, you’ll even see the steam rising from the vents in the ground around the mosque. Built in the 1576, the mosque is the last remnant of the Ottoman Empire that rule Sofia, and is in active use by the City&rsqu...Read more
  3. Central Market Hall

    Food And Drinks, Cafe, Restaurant, Mall

    This covered market, more than a century old, is one of the city’s favourite shopping destinations. On the ground floor, you’ll mostly find bread and pastries, olives, nuts and sweets and rose oil products, souvenirs. The food stalls are mostly family run, and the cuisine is nicely authentic Bulgarian. On the upper floors, jewellery and clothing. But there’s an underground flo...Read more
  4. Sofia Public Mineral Baths

    4.4 (689 Votes)
    Sofia Public Mineral Baths

    Outdoors, Water Body, Park, Fountain

    It’s very strange that Sofia, once renowned for it’s public baths, has let that particular heritage slide so badly. The baths had been in use since the 17th century, but structural concerns led to the bath being closed in the 20th century. After some renovation work though, the place is now being used as a hall for temporary exhibitions. Even if the exhibitions themselves don’...Read more
  5. National Museum Of Natural History

    Museum, Exhibition , Specialty Museum, Natural History Museum

    This museum really went all out – 400 mammals, 1200 birds, hundreds of thousands of insects and 25% of the world’s mineral species. There’s also a hall dedicated to reptiles and amphibians, another to fishes, yet another to palaeontology (fossils), and a last one to plants. All told there are 16 exhibitions halls covering floor floors, and if this is your kind of fun, the muse...Read more
  6. National Art Gallery

    4.4 (536 Votes)
    National Art Gallery

    Art Museum, Art Gallery, Library, Exhibition

    This is Bulgaria’s most important collection of art. It begins right from the 4th century, with many religious icons, and continues on to the Age of Bulgarian Revival in the 18th and 19th centuries. There’s also a large contemporary and modern art collection of paintings, graphics, and sculptures. The masterpieces of some of Bulgaria’s greatest artists - Vladimir Dimitrov &nda...Read more
  7. Statue Of Tsar Alexander I I

    Outdoors, Landmark, Statue

    The Russian Tsar Alexander II and his troops liberated Bulgaria from Ottoman rule in 1876 after centuries of rule. The grateful country consequently had a statue built in his honor. The 14 metre high sculpture is bronze and neo-classical with a massive Neo-Renaissance cornice. It’s a favourite place for tourists to get their pic clicked.
  8. The Bells

    Art And Culture, Outdoors, Park, Monument

    This is an intriguing attraction. It’s basically a public park, with all the usual strolling, picnicking, relaxing and people watching appeals. The twist is that it’s dedicated to world peace and to the world’s children. The great central monument has a sculpture of doves, and a collection of bells from around the world. The idea is to go each bell and ring it. The area is get...Read more
  9. Sense Hotel Rooftop Bar

    4.5 (440 Votes)
    Sense Hotel Rooftop Bar

    Bar, Outdoors, View Point, Food And Drinks

    Under starry skies with a fancy cocktail in your hand is the best way to spend your evening in Bulgaria. Stylish but not stuffy, as they say. This terrace bar is serves great drinks and food. It’s right beside the university, and has lovely views of the Aleksandar Nevski cathedral and the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria. Everyone smoke up here though. You can also get a hook...Read more
  10. Art Shop Hand Made

    4.5 (241 Votes)
    Art Shop Hand Made

    Arts And Crafts, Specialty Shop

    There’s two kinds of souvenirs – the standardised ones and the ones that are special. This shop is the place to pick up the second kind. The lady who runs the shop is as sweet and adorable as the items she sells. She’ll help you find one-of-a-kind gifts to take home. Do get her talking about her work, and about Sofia itself. It could be the most fun hour you’ll spend in ...Read more
  11. Boyana Waterfall

    Outdoors, Waterfront, View Point, Nature

    There’s two ways to get up to the falls – steep or gentle. Steep is the shorter, scarier route, and takes about 1 hour to do. Gentle takes anywhere between 90 minutes and 2 hours. The hike, which begins a little way up from Boyana church, is practically as much of an attraction as the waterfall itself. You won’t get lost – there are a lot of signs to show you the way. It...Read more
  12. Hambara Bar

    4.4 (121 Votes)
    Hambara Bar

    Bar, Outdoors, Food And Drinks, Entertainment

    A little hard to find but well worth looking for, this candlelit bar feels like an Iberian tavern. The atmosphere is the arty, intellectual kind, and very moody. Theatrical performances and mini-concerts are held – if you’re lucky, you’ll catch one. It’s said that in the past, this was a intelligentsia hideout, and you’d get in if you knew some one on the inside. O...Read more
  13. Zhenski Pazar Women's Market

    Outdoors, Cafe, Restaurant, Market

    Not sure why this is called ‘Woman’s Market’- fruit and vegetables, cheese, cured meats, dried fruit and nuts, homemade halva and other Turkish-inspired goodies all seems to be things that men enjoy just as much. That’s said, the market is a great place to meet locals and find great food bargains. Haggle away and don’t be put off by the stall-owner’s grumpine...Read more
  14. Ethnographic Institute With Museum

    Art And Culture, Museum, Observatory, Palace

    The museum is famous for its collection of pastoral woodcarving from the 19th and 20th centuries. Most of these are household items, but you’ll also find musical instruments, furniture and decoratives. There is a lovely embroidery collection with a significant folkloric influence. Most of the museum focuses on describing Bulgarian traditional life, during weekdays and weekends. The buildi...Read more
  15. Sveti Sedmochislenitsi Church

    Church, Religious Site, Outdoors, Garden

    This church, built in 1528, was originally a mosque with an ominous name – the Black Mosque – thus called for it’s minarets which were tiled in black marble. Later, it was used as an arms depot, and then as a prison. Today, it’s just another Sofia’s many pretty churches, with a nice exterior garden. It’s main highlight is the a gilded iconostasis with icons p...Read more