Sofia the capital Bulgaria has many stories and historical attractions that give visitors a new perspective about the Balkans.
The buildings in this city, for instance, have both ancient Soviet and Roman architecture. The blend makes the modern city stand out from other European capitals.
In this article, we’ll share some of the best places to visit in Sofia. Besides that, we’ll uncover other hidden things that you might want to know.
Table of Contents
Where to Go In Sofia, Bulgaria
Let’s cut to the chase:
- Vitosha Mountain
One of the fascinating places to visit in Sofia is the Vitosha Mountain. It is a monumental peek in the nature park where so many people tend to go.
The environment on the mountain plateau promises more adventure. It also provides a great view of the whole city.
The mountain can be accessed via Aleko with a hired car, and it takes about thirty minutes. However, it is advisable to visit the mountain peak during good spring or autumn seasons.
- St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral
St. Alexander Nevski is yet another fascinating place to visit. The ancient building design will blow your mind away.
It is one of the largest cathedrals in the Balkans region, and it is known to accommodate more than ten thousand people.
The church was established in the city around the 1880s and is believed to be where Roman soldiers who lost their lives were dedicated during the liberation period.
The epic building has an appealing ceiling of the central cupola. The top is believed to have the mural of the Lord God of Sabbath.
- Vitosha Boulevard
This is one of the city’s fanciest streets, marked with luxurious boutiques and fashionable houses clustered together.
It is an ideal place for shopping and provides a fantastic view of the Vitosha Mountain. The black peak and snow of the mountain are worth spending time to view.
Besides that, the street has so many cafes with outdoor seating. It is a pleasant place to spend time while dining some of your favorite meals.
- National Institute of Archaeology
Sofia is among the few cities in Europe with ancient museums. The museum was inaugurated in 1905, where all the archeological findings were brought under one roof.
The building was the former Grand Mosque, which was decommissioned following the Bulgarian revival.
The museum contains several sections, such as prehistory, medieval treasures, main hall, lukovit, and Valchitran treasures.
The breathtaking sections will remind us of ancient items from the classical civilization of the Balkans. You will also get to know more about the Thracian Gold.
- Borisova Gradina
It is the oldest park in Sofia city, and it is believed to have been landscaped in the 1880s immediately after the Bulgarian Revival.
Three people designed the park. These designers were Daniel Neff, Joseph Frei, and Georgi Dutev, who was the only Bulgarian.
The incredible thing is that these designers used the original plan to give the park more pleasant landscape design.
The park provides a good atmosphere for hanging out during a hot summer. It is also an excellent place for catching up with concerts in the Balkans.
- Banya Bashi Mosque
It is the only mosque in Sofia city, and a massive number of Muslims usually invade the area during prayer time.
Mimar Sinan designed the mosque with a Turkish architect. It was used to provide a spectacular ambience during the period of the Ottoman Empire.
It is among the earliest buildings established in 1576 during the first stage of the Ottoman period.
The name of the mosque was derived from Sofia’s mineral bats. It is the building that has attracted so many visitors since 1500.
Wrap Up
It’s evident there’re lots of things to do and enjoy in Bulgaria.
However, for the best travel experiences, it would help if you book a private airport transfer.
See, Sofia is quite a big city, one which can at times get hectic, especially for the visitors.
But by booking a transfer, you don’t have to experience all the madness of the city. Instead, you get a convenient and comfortable way to commute from one location to the other.
Now, I imagine you think it’s going to cost you more. You’re not alone, many people also think that way, but it’s not true.
Booking a transfer from the airport is quite an inexpensive service, an option that many can afford.
But remember, transfers aren’t always about the cost; it’s the comfort, convenience, and safety that comes with moving from one place to the other.
