07-04-2025
A guide to Sofia, Bulgaria's ever-evolving cultural capital
Distinctive architecture, vast murals and lively local markets set the character-filled capital city of Sofia apart. Located in the western part of Bulgaria, the city is surrounded by mountains and bordered on its southern edge by the great green sweep of the Vitosha massif. Set against this verdant backdrop, Sofia's varied museums and galleries provide the chance to discover Bulgaria's long and incredibly rich history, from the ancient Thracian tribes to the country's time under Communist rule. Visitors can try traditional Bulgarian dishes at restaurants dotted along Sofia's most famous streets — including Vitosha Boulevard, Shishman Street and Oborishte Street — or glimpse into one of the city's iconic klek shops, which operate out of the basements of old buildings. The city also boasts a packed festival calendar, attracting musicians and fans of all genres. Here, we take you through some of the cultural highlights of Bulgaria's capital.
One of the first things that strikes you in Sofia is its remarkable architecture, ranging from Byzantine to Brutalist, medieval to modern. Starting from the beginning, so to speak, with the city's oldest surviving building. Dating back to the 4th century CE, the red brick Rotunda Church of St George was originally built as a bathhouse. Similarly historic, the Basilica of St Sofia is home to an underground museum, which showcases the remains of several earlier churches as well as a Roman-era necropolis. In the southwest of the city, the UNESCO-listed Church of St Nicholas and St Pantaleon, often called the Boyana Church, is known for its impressive medieval frescoes. Other architectural feats in Sofia include the grand, Neo-Renaissance National Assembly and the bijou Russian Church. Yet, no other building defines the Bulgarian capital more than the St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral — a vast Neo-Byzantine construction, most of it dating to the early 20th century, which can hold a congregation of several thousand people beneath its cascading green domes.
Not only are Sofia's buildings spectacular, they are daubed in some of the continent's most accomplished street art. The best murals are found in and around the KvARTal district, the city's former Jewish quarter, which in recent years has developed a vibrant art scene. It's here that you'll find well-known works such as The Hug by Bulgarian street artist Nasimo, which depicts two people embracing, and Tulip Girl (Serdika Tulip) by Arsek & Erase — a bright, flower-filled mural created with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bulgaria. Slightly further afield, the Hadzhi Dimitar neighbourhood (accessible via metro M3) is another great place to spot street art, including The Bull by Bulgarian artist Bozko, a highly-detailed work featuring a man in armour sitting on top of a large bull. Travellers can find many of the city's most striking murals using the Sofia Street Art Map, which features works from 16 local and international artists.
Sofia's National History Museum is the largest museum in Bulgaria and one of the city's must-see attractions. Here, you'll find a vast collection spanning millennia, including jewellery and other items in exquisitely worked gold dating back to the Thracian period. For an interactive experience, visit The Red Flat — a museum that invites you to step back into 1980s Communist Bulgaria. The National Gallery is home to more than 40,000 paintings, sculptures and graphic works located across several branches, with the newest and largest building, Kvadrat 500, situated behind St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. The crypt of the cathedral holds the National Gallery's Museum of Christian Art, which features a collection of iconographic patterns from the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The city's Regional History Museum is an another prime location for discovering Sofia's past, with exhibits covering the period from the Neolithic era up to the 1940s. Finally, the National Museum of Earth and Man is a must for anyone with even a passing interest in geology, rocks and minerals, with over 20,000 objects on display.
For those who time their visit right, the city hosts a number of music festivals across the year. Fans of every genre are catered for: in July, the city hosts A to JazZ — a fantastic jazz festival, which over the years has featured legends such as Branford Marsalis, John McLaughlin and Kenny Garrett. Another standout in the city is Sofia Live, a three-day multi-genre festival in June that features both big-name artists and local emerging talent. And it's not just music on the menu — Sofia's two-week International Film Festival kicks off in March; Aniventure Comic Con, the country's biggest annual event for fans of anime, cosplay, comic books and gaming, takes place in July; and the Wizz Air Sofia Marathon in October draws thousands of runners each year. Plus, the Lunar Festival of Lights in May transforms the facades of iconic buildings and monuments into giant canvases, primed for works by local and international artists. In December, visitors can get into the holiday spirit at one of the many festive markets located around Sofia.
Sofia's food scene is a microcosm of all that's best about Bulgarian cuisine — think rich stews, traditional flaky cheese pastry (banitsa), grilled meat and sun-soaked vegetables. There's something here for all tastes and budgets, whether you're looking for traditional Bulgarian dishes or international flavours. Start your culinary tour with a stroll down Vitosha Boulevard, which is lined with restaurants and cafes, or head to the colourful KvARTal district. Tsar Shishman Street is another good place for restaurants — and be sure to visit the Women's Market, with its mountains of fresh local produce. Many of the city's klek shops (meaning 'squat' shops) selling drinks and snacks have closed in recent years, but you can still find a few of them — though you'll need to squat to reach the shop window, as they're housed in basements manned by a solitary shopkeeper.
Just over six miles south of the city, the Vitosha massif is Sofia's outdoor playground. It's a fantastic place for hiking and mountain biking in the summer months, while in the winter, it transforms into an ideal landscape for skiing and sledging. Don't let its relative proximity to the Bulgarian capital deceive you — Vitosha's highest peak, Cherni Vrah, stands at 7,513ft, and the views from here are breathtaking. Vitosha is a perfect spot for day hikes from Sofia, but make sure you carry enough water and wear suitable clothing, as the weather up here can change on a dime.
This paid content article was created for Visit Sofia. It does not necessarily reflect the views of National Geographic, National Geographic Traveller (UK) or their editorial subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
