Museums
National Museum of Natural History
Has four floors of everything from rocks and minerals to insects and stuffed bison. It is a nice way to spend a rainy afternoon.
Museum of Sport
National Museum of History
The National Museum of History in Sofia contains more than 650,000 exhibits and is one of the largest history museums on the Balkans. The aim of the museum is to provide a comprehensive view on Bulgarian history from the prehistory to present, in as broad an European context as possible. Be prepared to spend several hours as the museum is quite large. About half of the exhibits have English captions.
Museum of Paleontology and historical geology
National Institute of Archaeology and Museum
ticket price for adults 10 leva on march-15-2012
National Agricultural Museum
National Literature Museum
National Ecclesiastical History-Archeological Museum
House-Museum of Ivan Vazov
Open spaces
Borisova gradina
It`s the "lungs" of the city, with the Ariana Lake
Orlov Most
It`s a bridge over the Perlovska River in the centre of Sofia
City Garden
It`s the oldest and most central public garden, in existence since 1872.
South Park
Yes, and it's not the cartoon series. A nice park in the south-east part of the city, although a bit to crowded on weekends.
Galleries
Sofia Art Gallery
National Art Gallery
Has old Bulgarian art, icons, etc.
Churches
St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
One of the largest orthodox churches worldwide.
Hagia Sophia Church
It is located just across the square and to the right from the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. It was built in the 6th century over an even older church. It is a witness of the whole Bulgarian history and is a valued cultural monument. In the 14th century it gave its name to the city of Sofia. It was destroyed several times and during the Ottoman rule it was used as a mosque.
Boyana Church
This small 14th-century church and garden is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The church contains some very well preserved murals. It is located at the foot of Vitosha mountain and is a good starting point for day trips in the mountain. Entrance is 10 Lev, or 2 Lev for students.
Church of St. George
Catholic cathedral St. Joseph
Holy Masses: SAT 5,30pm & SUN 10,30am bulgarian; 12,00pm latin; 6pm bulgarian
Popular attractions
Central Military Club
It`s a multi-purpose monument of culture building in the city center.
SS. Cyril and Methodius National Library
National Palace of Culture
The biggest congress center in the Balkans a massive monolithic communist-style building. If asking for directions, ask for NDK en-de-ka, as most Bulgarians refer to it by this acronym.
Historical buildings
Monument to the Tsar Liberator
Representing the power of freedom and across from it are the National Assembly and the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.
Battenberg Mausoleum
The mausoleum and final resting place of Prince Alexander I of Bulgaria 1857â1893, the first Head of State of modern Bulgaria.
Amphitheatre of Serdica
Monument to Vasil Levski
It commemorates the hanging of Bulgarian national hero and major revolutionary figure Vasil Levski in the city on 18 February 1873.
Knyaz Battenberg's Palace
Sofia Public Mineral Baths
It is an old building of interest, although it is in process of renovation at the moment.
Monument to the Unknown Soldier
Across from Alexander Nevsky cathedral; on the side of Hagia Sofia's Church.
Sofia is one of the oldest cities in Europe with ruins spread across the city center. It was founded because of the quality of its mineral waters. In the city alone there are 7 independent mineral water springs. One of the springs is in the central area of the city and is accessible for everybody - cross the square behind the mosque, next to TSUM the intersection of Iskar and Ekzarh Yosif streets.
In the administrative center of Sofia the streets are covered with a specific yellow pavement. It was laid in the beginning of the 20th century and were a present to the Bulgarian Tsar Ferdinand for his wedding from the Austria-Hungarian royal family.
Sofia Synagogue
One of the largest in Europe.