THINGS TO DO AND SITES TO SEE IN SOFIA
Sofia is the capital of Bulgaria and is a city with rich history and fascinating buildings - certainly a great travel destination. Whenever you visit the pride of Bulgaria or get a home for rent, you are bound to come across some extraordinary spectacles that will blow your mind, from historical tales to architectural landscapes. There are incredibly old Churches and Mosques that stand proud to this day with other Russian and Roman-inspired constructs serving as quite a sight. This leaves you with so many things to do in Sofia.
Beyond that, there are even new sites and buildings being discovered today. Majority of the structures to be seen in Sofia are from the 1800s after Bulgaria retook her independence. You could also visit the museums of Sofia or the beautiful mountains in Sofia when you go on vacation as well. Spending your holidays in Sofia will be a sweet experience thanks to this article, and below are some of the best sites to visit whenever you go to Sofia, Bulgaria:
Nevski Cathedral
One of the first things to do in Sofia might be to visit this beauty. The edifice is an incredibly large building and a fascinating piece of monumental architecture. The cathedral can accommodate ten thousand individuals and stands as the second-biggest cathedral in the region. The building is as old as the late 19th century just as the Ottomans were being driven away and Bulgaria became a sovereign nation. This incredible creation was initially meant as a way to honor Russian soldiers who gave their lives in the fight for freedom. If you have the opportunity to be inside the large cathedral, be sure to gaze up when you’re in the main cupola, a phenomenal religious mural will be clear as day. A crypt resides there too for tourists and other visitors to visit.
St. George Rotunda
Since the 300s, this building has been standing, and is a constant reminder of how long people have been in this place from the times of old Serdica to modern-day Sofia, Bulgaria. Those visiting this spot from all around Europe and the world will get to see the oldest architectural structure in current Sofia. The little details all over the walls and fresco designs from ages past can be seen as you walk through the red brick Church - which the Ottomans converted to a Mosque when they made the frescoes.
Vitosha Boulevard
Imagine that you rent apartment in Sofia from sites like https://karta.com/ then head on out for site-seeing, one of the most aesthetically pleasing areas you could visit is the Vitoria Boulevard, a majestic place where you can find all the high-class fashion brands and other luxurious-looking shops and buildings. Spending an hour or more there as you bask in the tea served at a cafe or just walking by a row of exquisite and high-class buildings is one of the more pleasant things to do in Sofia.
St. Sofia Church
An iconic Church which the city was named after, so when you go on the holidays in Sofia, visiting it might be something you should try. This respected site was made under the Serdica’s necropolis, and you can still see the old remains upon which it was constructed as tombs underneath the place. For a time under Ottoman rule, this red brick church was turned into a Mosque, then when Bulgaria got its independence, it was reverted back to a Church and became a great tourism center for the city.
Boyana Church
This Church that was constructed in the medieval era is situated in an area - near the bottom of the Vitosha mountain - that looks like a daydream as you traverse nice trees and the suburban city. The structure was constructed in three stages over 800 years and has some of the most realistic fresco paintings that you may ever see as part of its interior. Mind you, these luscious artistic Biblical stories were drawn many years before the Renaissance era.
Vitosha Mountain
For those of you searching for a more exciting experience, this mountain that goes over 2000 meters is the spot for you. The best way to arrive at the nature park on the mountain is through the gondola that takes you right to the ski resort. You could go to the Black Peak from there which is sure to be a treat. The mountain is a natural source of pride for the city and nation as a whole, as it attracts adventurous tourists both for its beauty and for the natural elements people can experience when there.
National Institute of Archaeology
In the early 20th century, all the archaeological findings spread about the country were brought to the same place. This center was the Grand Mosque that became defunct after the restoration of Bulgaria and it was renamed. The structure is divided into four major parts based on function. The first is the prehistoric section which is where the very ancient archaeological findings are stored. The second is the Main Hall where archaeological things from the classical era deemed important are kept. The third is the Medieval area which, as the name implies, is meant for the curation of medieval archaeological artifacts. And the fourth is the Treasury.
National Historical Museum
The staple museum of Sofia is situated in the former home of the now-dead dictator and has Stalin-inspiree architecture with a beautiful courtyard leading to the museum. With an incredible collection of antiques that is around 65,000 on display, it is said that the ones on display are merely a fraction of the true number of the wide variety of items curated in this museum.
Central Mineral Baths
These mineral baths are one of the tourist attractions for Bulgaria dating back to old times. With fantastic architecture, a garden that is accessible by all, a hot water-fueled fountain located at the epicenter and coming from minerals, and an aesthetically-pleasing vestibule, the bathing complex housing many mineral baths is among the most snapped structures in all of Sofia.
