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Sightseeing Tour of Sofia
This is usually where visitors begin getting to know the Bulgarian capital, a remarkable, sunny, and very welcoming city. It has a wonderful historic center, and much of the route is covered on foot, as this is the best way to immerse yourself in the spirit of Sofia while winding through its old streets, which have witnessed so much over the centuries. That is why you should only choose this tour if you are sure that a fairly long walk will not be a burden.
You should dress accordingly and wear comfortable shoes and a hat, as the Bulgarian sun is not only pleasant but can also be quite intense, especially in summer. And this applies to almost all excursions in Sofia and the surrounding area!
Such a tour usually costs around 15-25 euros per person and takes no more than 3-4 hours. In return, visitors get a good overall impression of the Bulgarian capital, especially its historic center. During this informative tour, visitors often see:
- Saint Sofia Cathedral, which gave the city its name. It is such an interesting place that you will certainly want to come back, and separate tours are also available. After all, it is fascinating to visit a church whose history dates back to the fourth century;
- Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, one of the main symbols of Sofia and the largest Orthodox cathedral in Bulgaria;
- the monument to Alexander II, who played an important role in the liberation of Bulgaria from Ottoman rule in 1878;
- the Rotunda of St. George, where frescoes from different historical periods have been preserved;
- the Church of St. Nicholas on Alexander Battenberg Square and many other historic landmarks.
This is a sensible tour to take when first getting acquainted with Sofia, after which you can continue exploring the city’s history in greater depth.
Tour of Saint Sofia Church
If you want to understand where the history of Sofia began, you should definitely visit this church. It is located right in the city center. The tour costs no more than 5-8 euros and takes no more than two hours. You will learn that the first church appeared here as early as the fourth century, and that the first Christian church was established here in the fourth century, while the basilica itself has a history spanning more than 1,500 years, albeit with some interruptions.
Everything here seems filled with a kind of spiritual energy, and this is where you truly understand how relentlessly time passes. The church survived Ottoman rule and was converted into a mosque known as Ziyaush Jamia, but eventually returned to its Christian roots. You can also descend into the ancient necropolis beneath the church and see Roman burials dating from the 1st to the 4th centuries, as well as ancient mosaics.
Admission for adults costs 4 euros and is charged separately from the tour. This church gave the city its name, and after liberation from Ottoman rule, Sofia became the capital of Bulgaria. Next to the church is the famous Lion sculpture by sculptor Andrey Nikolov, which has become a symbol of the country. In Bulgaria, the church is officially known as the Basilica of Saint Sofia (Holy Wisdom).
Sofia in Ancient Times
In ancient times, Sofia was known as Serdica. Ruins of ancient Roman Serdica can still be seen in the center of the city. The city received its modern name from the Basilica of Saint Sofia, and the name “Sofia” was first recorded in the 14th century. In ancient times, the Thracian Serdi tribe lived here, and the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Serdica can be seen in Largo Square. They are usually visited as part of a sightseeing tour, but are often combined with a visit to the necropolis beneath Saint Sofia Church, where more than 50 Roman-era burials have been discovered. Visitors can also admire remarkably well-preserved fragments of mosaics from ancient churches.
This small tour takes about an hour and a half and costs around 7 euros, plus another 4 euros for admission to the Necropolis. There are also the ancient Roman remains of Ulpia Serdica and two historic churches, Sveta Petka Samardzhiyska and Sveta Petka Stara, located below street level. “Why?” you may ask. Book the tour and find out for yourself.
Communist Sofia
Yes, Bulgaria was part of the so-called socialist bloc, and in the Soviet Union it was even referred to as the “sixteenth republic” (although the USSR had 15 republics). This tour takes about three hours and costs around 8-12 euros. Visitors see the Monument to the Soviet Soldier, then take a retro-style trolleybus to the former headquarters of the Communist Party of Bulgaria, and finally visit the monument to Georgi Dimitrov.
This tour is certainly not for everyone.
Sofia for Food Lovers
Even this kind of experience is available in wonderful Sofia! You can book a gastronomic tour and spend the whole day immersed in a world of refined and delicious cuisine from different traditions. Breakfast will be served at a comfortable and stylish banicharnitsa. Afterwards, accompanied by the leisurely stories of your “gastronomic guide,” you will move on to preparing dishes together on a famous Bulgarian grill.
All of this comes with rakia, wine, and fascinating stories about what makes Bulgarian cuisine unique. At the end, you will be offered a cup of very strong Turkish coffee and given a “tasty” book dedicated to Bulgarian cuisine.
These tours are entirely private, so it is difficult to give an exact price. Still, it can be said that they are much less expensive than similar tours in other European capitals, and you will most likely spend around 50-70 euros.
Sofia as a Spa Destination
This remarkable city is famous not only for its historic sights but also for its mineral springs and thermal resorts. If you want to improve your health and feel ten years younger while staying in the Bulgarian capital, you can head to the spa town of Bankya, 17 kilometers from Sofia, where you can enjoy a wide range of treatments costing around 15-30 euros. They can be very beneficial for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and neurological conditions and for supporting the musculoskeletal system.
If you have at least one free day, you can take a taxi to Bankya. The journey takes only about half an hour and costs approximately 15-20 euros. The town is very beautiful and quiet, with a peaceful atmosphere. And the spa treatments there are excellent!
Trip to Vitosha Mountain
Vitosha Mountain is located very close to the Bulgarian capital. There is a ski resort where you can enjoy skiing in winter. Excursions are also organized there during this season, allowing visitors to explore established routes on snowshoes.
This is quite an interesting adventure, although it does require a certain level of physical fitness. The activity costs around 20 euros, and lunch with hot dishes is usually available for an additional fee to help warm up slightly chilled tourists.
In summer, organized excursions to Vitosha are not particularly common. At this time of year, it is mainly a place for walks along designated routes, offering beautiful views of the surrounding area and the 27,000-hectare national nature park. A cable car operates there and takes visitors higher up the mountain. You can reach it by taxi for around 10-15 euros or by metro and then bus. Vitosha is well worth a visit, as the scenery is beautiful!
Sofia for Children
How could we forget entertainment for the youngest, but very demanding, “little tourists”? With children, you should definitely visit Muzeiko, where every exhibit can be touched. For just 6 euros, boys and girls can become real scientists and conduct fascinating experiments. There is also the famous Tree, which is… three stories high, with museum exhibits arranged throughout it. It is both entertaining and educational.
There is also the wonderful Kokolandia adventure park, where children can climb rope ladders, jump on fun trampolines, and even try the climbing wall. Sofia also has a zoo, although it is not particularly large, as well as the world-famous Balkanski Circus. However, in summer you are unlikely to catch the circus performing in Sofia, as it usually tours around Europe with its famous Globe of Death motorcycle act. It is quite spectacular to watch seven motorcyclists race around a metal sphere at tremendous speed, creating a strong emotional reaction among the audience.
Excursion to Istanbul from Sofia
The Ottoman Empire left a significant mark on Bulgaria, and buildings from the period of Ottoman rule, including mosques and other structures, can still be found here. That is why visiting Istanbul during your stay in Sofia is a logical choice if you want to explore its sights.
Such tours are usually two-day trips and require serious preparation, as they can be quite tiring. The distance between the two cities is around 500 kilometers, and the bus journey takes about 9 hours each way.
The tour costs around 130 euros, and visitors usually explore some of Istanbul’s most interesting sights at a fairly fast pace:
- the “Blue” Mosque
- Hagia Sophia
- Sultanahmet Square
- Hippodrome Square and other interesting sites of ancient Constantinople
There is also time for buying souvenirs, and the trip provides plenty of impressions, as the combination of grand mosques and Byzantine churches makes a powerful impression.
Of course, this is not enough time to see all of Istanbul’s major sights, and many tourists complain that they would like to visit places associated with the excellent historical series “The Magnificent Century”. In that case, you need to take at least a three-day tour from Sofia to Istanbul. It will cost more, around 130 euros, but you will also get to see Topkapi Palace, the Grand Bazaar, the Suleymaniye Mosque, and many other places.
Sofia has excursions to suit every taste: for lovers of history and antiquity, foodies coming for a gastronomic tour, skiers and spa enthusiasts, children, and those who want to see Istanbul. This remarkable city envelops you in its peaceful atmosphere and brings joy, beauty, and remarkable hospitality.
Come to Sofia and enjoy life in all its many forms!
