Sofia Bulgaria Travel Guide: 22 BEST Things to do in Sofia

This Sofia travel guide shares our experience in Sofia, Bulgaria. It includes things to do, where to eat and where we stayed in Sofia. -------------- How I afford to travel on a budget: https://travelforalmostfree.com/ref=t... Tour we did in Sofia: Sofia: Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Tour: https://www.getyourguide.com/sofia-l1... From Sofia: Plovdiv Guided Day Tour: https://www.getyourguide.com/sofia-l1... Sofia Vintage Life Apartment: https://booking.tpo.lv/dIaqsJhP The Red Flat: https://redflatsofia.com/ --------------- Sofia, Bulgaria, is one of Europe’s oldest capitals — a city where 7,000 years of history blend seamlessly with modern life. From Roman ruins and Orthodox cathedrals to Ottoman mosques and grand socialist boulevards, Sofia’s mix of cultures makes it one of the most fascinating cities in the Balkans. In this video, we spend two days exploring the best things to do in Sofia, from its top landmarks and local food spots to a day trip to the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery. We start day one the local way — with a banitsa, Bulgaria’s classic cheese-filled pastry. Then it’s off to the Red Flat, a recreated 1980s apartment museum that brings to life the final years of Bulgaria’s communist era. Complete with audio stories and authentic objects, it’s one of the most immersive experiences in Sofia. From there, we stroll along Vitosha Boulevard, the city’s main pedestrian street, before reaching the National Palace of Culture and the monumental architecture of The Largo, built during Bulgaria’s socialist period. Nearby stands the Monument of Saint Sofia, which replaced the former statue of Lenin. No visit to Sofia is complete without seeing the city’s most famous landmark — the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. With its gold and green domes, this enormous Orthodox church honors Russian soldiers from the Russo-Turkish War. We also visit the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, the St. Sofia Church, and the Ivan Vazov National Theatre, one of Bulgaria’s most beautiful buildings. For a taste of local life, we stop for lunch at Яж и Бегай, a cafeteria-style eatery serving homemade Bulgarian food. Later, we explore KvARTal, Sofia’s emerging art district filled with murals, cafés, and creative spaces. Sofia’s ancient heart, Roman Serdica, still survives beneath the city. You can see its ruins for free, including at the Archaeological Reserve Sredets and inside a metro station. Nearby is the Church of St. George, the oldest building in Sofia, and the Square of Tolerance, where a mosque, synagogue, cathedral, and church stand within a few minutes of each other. On day two, we take a scenic two-hour trip to Rila Monastery, Bulgaria’s most sacred site. Surrounded by the Rila Mountains, its colorful frescoes, history, and mountain views make it unforgettable. Before heading back, we try mekitsa — a fried pastry sold by the monastery’s bakery. From ancient ruins to mountain monasteries, Sofia captures the full story of Bulgaria — past and present. Keep watching to see the top things to do in Sofia, top attractions in Sofia, places to visit in Sofia and Bulgaria travel guides. Subscribe for travel inspiration videos and travel guides! Inspired by Touropia, expedia, Wolters World, Beautiful Destinations, MojoTravels & Tourradar. Inspired by Surprising Sofia: 4 Days exploring Bulgaria's capital Inspired by THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO TO SOFIA Inspired by 24 Hours in the OLDEST Country in Europe (Sofia, Bulgaria) Inspired by Sofia – One of Europe's Oldest Cities | Travel Tips for Bulgaria's Capital Inspired by Sofia Bulgaria: 13 BEST Things To Do In 2024 (Travel Guide) 00:00 - Sofia Bulgaria Travel Guide 00:26 - Eat Banitsa 00:34 - The Red Flat 01:30 - Vitosha Boulevard 01:48 - National Palace of Culture 02:08 - Largo 02:26 - Monument of Saint Sofia 02:31 - Kleks 02:40 - St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral 03:29 - Яж и Бегай 03:48 - KvARTal Art District 04:15 - Ivan Vazov National Theatre 04:41 - Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker 04:56 - St. Sofia Church 05:10 - Monument of the Unknown Soldier 05:18 - Serdica 05:34 - Church of Saint George 05:48 - Square of Tolerance 06:03 - Central Baths Fountain 06:31 - Central Market Hall of Sofia 07:07 - Rila Monastery 08:25 - Eat Mekitsa 08:54 - Boyana Church 09:15 - Where to Stay in Sofia 09:36 - Plovdiv