If you are wondering what to do in Sofia, and want to see some of the most interesting landmarks in Bulgaria, then this 3-hour walk may be just what you’re looking for. Check out this Sofia Sightseeing walking tour, where you will see many of the major landmarks in town.
What You Will See on this Free Sofia Walking Tour
On this free Sofia walking tour, you will come to appreciate some of the most significant, grandiose and even shocking monuments dedicated to the communist period of Bulgaria. Although you could complete this tour in 2 hours, I recommend you take 3-4 hours, which should give you time to grab a bite along the way.
1: National Palace of Culture
This gargantuan 1981 structure is 8 floors high, with 3 underground levels, 13 halls, and 123,000 m2 of space. It is multi-functional in that it caters for Congress, conferences, conventions and exhibitions. Out the front is a large parkland and fountain complex, which makes for a great place to chill out on a nice day.
The National Palace of Culture is not exactly one of the main Sofia attractions, but it is still well worth a look. The fountains and large parklands alone are a wonderful sight, and there are various points of interest scattered throughout the parklands.
It takes about 20 minutes to walk from the town center to the National Palace of Culture. We tried taking a taxi, which turned out to be a big mistake. Firstly the one-way streets seemed to allow the taxi driver to take about 3 times longer to get there. Secondly, the taxi driver tried to rip us off blindly. I recommend walking.
2: Memorial of Communist Victims
In the parklands of the National Palace of Culture, you will find this sad monument, dedicated to the victims of the communist struggle. There is a wall with literally thousands of names, suggesting these people all lost their lives during the struggles.
3: Tsar Liberator Monument
This striking monument is one of the major Sofia tourist attractions. It was built in 1901 to
The Tzar Liberator Monument is surrounded by exquisite yellow cobblestones. In fact, this is the end of the famous Yellow Brick Road, which stretches over 1km from the National Archaeological Museum.
4: Bulgaria’s National Assembly Building
This significant building was built in 1884 and is so important that you find it on the back of older Bulgarian 20 lev bank notes. This building is now an official monument of culture due to its historic significance. It is conveniently located next to some of the biggest attraction in town, like the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.
5. The Levski Monument
Just around the corner from the National Assembly Building is the 13
6. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
No Sofia sightseeing tour is complete without seeing this 53-meter tall cathedral. It’s the biggest attraction in town, literally. The giant Bulgarian Orthodox cathedral and is said to hold 10,000 people inside. Personally would not like to be one of those 10,000 people because my estimation is only about 2,000 people.
This is an impressive cathedral to photograph from all sides. That is actually one of the unusual features, that you can get great photos from any angle. But the real treat is to go inside and admire the massive frescos in the massive domes.
I recommend a little cafe at the front of the National Art Gallery, where you are treated to outstanding views of the cathedral. It’s a little expensive but the view is priceless, with a magnificent view of the most famous of all Sofia attractions.
7. Ivan Vasov Grave
Just across the road from the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is this ancient looking grave of Bulgaria’s most famous poet,
8. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Located next to the Ivan Vasov Grave is this monument to honour the thousands of soldiers who died in wars over the years. It was built in 1981, which happened to be the 1300th anniversary of the Bulgarian state.
The location is actually on the exterior of the 6th century Saint Sofia church, which makes the next attraction just a hop-step-jump away.
9. Saint Sofia Church
This is the second oldest church in Sofia, dating back to the 6th century. It is remarkably well preserved, with public access to a network of underground crypts. You do have to pay to go underground, and no photos are allowed even for paying visitors. Otherwise you can take a free tour inside the ground level church.
10. Sofia Synagogue
Last stop on this Sofia walking tour is the third largest synagogue in all of Europe. Opened in 1902, this 31-meter high synagogue is an imposing structure. Inside you will find Bulgaria’s largest chandelier, weighing in at 1.7 tonnes.
From here it’s just a short walk back to the city center proper, where you can find great places to chill out after your relaxing Sofia
Other Attractions to See in Sofia
Sofia really is a wonderful walking city, due to its compact city center, and the less than ideal public transport options. There are of course many more great places to visit in Sofia, most of which can be seen on the Yellow Brick Road walk, the City Sightseeing Walk, and the Vitosha Boulevard walk.
Did I mention what I love about these walks, other than the healthy way to spend your day? They are 100% free! It’s true that you may like to pay for an entrance fee along the way or buy something to eat. But overall you can enjoy a healthy, fascinating and free walking tour of Sofia.
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