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@ TravelTelly
2025-04-14 19:25:10Sofia might surprise you. One of Europe’s oldest cities, it's a place where Roman ruins, Ottoman mosques, Orthodox churches, Soviet monuments, and hip street art all live side by side. Add in mountain views, leafy parks, and a rising food and coffee scene, and you’ve got a laid-back, history-rich capital that’s still flying under the radar.
🌟 What to See in Sofia
1️⃣ Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
- The city’s iconic symbol, with golden domes and an ornate Orthodox interior
- Free to enter, and worth visiting at sunset when the light hits the gold just right
2️⃣ Roman Ruins of Serdica
- Right in the heart of the city, you can walk through the excavated streets and buildings of ancient Serdica
- Look down through glass panels or walk among ruins near the Largo complex
3️⃣ St. George Rotunda
- A 4th-century red-brick church tucked behind government buildings
- One of the oldest and most atmospheric sites in Sofia
4️⃣ Vitosha Boulevard
- The city’s main pedestrian street, lined with shops, cafés, and mountain views
- Great for people-watching, especially at a terrace with a rakia or local craft beer
5️⃣ National Palace of Culture (NDK)
- A massive cultural center with striking architecture and gardens
- Surrounded by a wide boulevard that's great for walks or grabbing snacks from nearby vendors
⛰️ Escape to Nature: Vitosha Mountain
- Just outside the city, Vitosha Mountain is a paradise for hikers, skiers, or picnickers
- Visit Boyana Church (UNESCO site) and hike to Boyana Waterfall
- In winter: great for a quick ski day
- In summer: cool breezes and panoramic city views
🍽️ What to Eat in Sofia
- Shopska salad – Fresh, simple, and topped with white cheese
- Kavarma – Slow-cooked meat and vegetables in clay pots
- Banitsa – A flaky pastry filled with cheese or pumpkin
- Wash it down with rakia (fruit brandy) or local wines from Melnik or the Thracian Valley
🎯 Tips for Visiting Sofia
✅ Affordable and uncrowded—a great value destination
✅ Currency: Bulgarian lev (BGN)
✅ Most signs use both Cyrillic and Latin alphabets, but a few phrases in Bulgarian go a long way
✅ Spring and fall offer the best weather for exploring both city and mountain