[2024 Sofia Attraction] Travel Guide for St. Sofia Church (Updated Nov)
No.1 of Best Things to Do in Sofia
Churches and Cathedrals
Address:
ul. "Paris" 2, 1000 Sofia Center, Sofia, Bulgaria
Opening times:
Open today at 07:00-18:00Opening Soon
Recommended sightseeing time:
1-2 hours
Phone:
+359 2 987 0971
The gentle city - Sofia.
Sofia
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📒Visa: Schengen Area
💰Currency: Bulgarian Lev, 1 Euro = 2 Lev, cash is more commonly used, Euros are generally not accepted, and many places do not accept cards
🚌Bus: Search for "Central Bus Station", I took a bus from Skopje and also took a bus to Bucharest from here
🚄Train: The train station is next to the bus station, there are trains to other cities in Bulgaria and to Turkey
🚉Subway: Credit cards are accepted, a single trip costs 1.6 Lev
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【Sofia Day Tour Attractions】
Most are concentrated near Serdika subway station, with the main road as the axis, attractions are distributed on both sides, mainly for sightseeing
🎯Serdika subway station archaeological exhibition
🎯Central Mosque
🎯National Art Gallery
🎯National Archaeological Museum
🎯Regional History Museum
🎯St. Nicholas Church
🎯St. Sophia Church (the city is named after it)
🎯St. Alexander Church (landmark attraction, must-visit🔥)
🎯Vasil Levski Statue (Bulgarian national hero)
🎯Tsar Liberator Monument
🎯Old National Assembly
🎯City Hall
🎯Sofia University Library
🎯Women's Market (local market)
Baker Matthew Matt
Bulgaria: The Hidden Gem of Eastern Europe
Bulgaria, a place with a name that is poetic and romantic. Its beauty is not only in the magnificent mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas, but also in the unique charm of the interweaving of history and modernity. Here, ancient castles and churches tell stories of a thousand years, and every brick and tile seems to whisper the past glory and vicissitudes. The majestic figure of the Sofia Cathedral is not only a holy place for religion, but also a treasure of architectural art, which makes people admire and indulge in the dialogue across time and space.
Speaking of natural scenery, the Rose Valley in Bulgaria is definitely a miracle not to be missed. This land known as the "hometown of roses" is full of roses in early summer every year, and the fragrance is overflowing. It not only beautifies the earth, but also the world's top rose oil producing area. Walking in it, it seems to be in a pink dream, and every breath is a yearning and praise for a better life.
What's even more exciting is that Bulgaria is also the location of one of the "Top Ten Sexy Beaches in the World" selected by Playboy magazine-Golden Sands. The beach here is as delicate as silk, the sea is blue and clear, and it contrasts with the mountains in the distance, forming a refreshing picture. Whether it's sunbathing, surfing, or simply strolling by the sea, you can forget the hustle and bustle and enjoy the tranquility and comfort.
VoittoLepp?l?
On the go to Eastern Europe: Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria
It is about 110 kilometers from Rila Monastery to Sofia, and the road conditions are very good.
📜 Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, is an ancient city with a long history in Europe, formerly known as "Serdica". It was built and settled by the Thracian Serdi tribe from the 8th to the 7th century BC, and has a history of more than 2800 years. Many of the city's historical monuments are well preserved.
The main attractions include the three major churches, the Parliament building, the Presidential Palace, and the trams. Bulgarian rose water and perfumes are very famous and are favorites among many girls.
1⃣ Alexander Nevsky Cathedral: It is a Neo-Byzantine architecture and also one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world. It is also one of the symbols of Sofia. It can accommodate 10,000 people and is the second largest cathedral on the Balkan Peninsula after the Saint Sava Cathedral in Belgrade. (Picture 6)
2⃣ St. Nicholas Russian Church: Its official name is St. Nicholas the Miracle-Maker Church, and it is a Russian Eastern Orthodox church. The church was built on the original site of the destroyed Saray Mosque in 1882, serving as the official church of the Russian Embassy in Bulgaria. The five domes on top of the church are all wrapped in pure gold. (1/4 of the collage in Picture 1)
3⃣ Saint Sophia Church: The Saint Sophia Church is the second oldest church in Sofia, dating back to the 6th century. Its exterior is not very noticeable nor can it be considered beautiful, as it was built on the foundations of several existing churches. In the 2nd century, it was a Roman theater. There are many cemeteries around, and many people hold funerals here, so we did not get too close. (Picture 7)
4⃣ There are many trams on the streets of Sofia, in yellow, green, and blue, which occasionally pass by, creating a picturesque scene. The taxis in Sofia have almost the same color and design as those in Chongqing. If you don't look at the advertisements and company names, you might think you are in Chongqing hailing a taxi .
❤️ Warm tips: The local currency in Bulgaria is the Lev (лев), with 1 Lev being approximately equal to 0.5 euros. The price of 95 octane gasoline is roughly more than 10 yuan, and the prices in supermarkets are a bit higher than in North Macedonia. Larger stores accept card payments and euros, but the change might be given in Levs.
Harper.Moore@46
Bulgaria Sofia Day Tour Guide
Bulgaria is really a treasure travel destination
Before coming to Sofia, I thought it was a mediocre capital
But after a day of strolling, many museums and churches are very fulfilling
And various inconspicuous cafes and restaurants
There may be unexpected surprises at any corner💕
Sofia is also very suitable for city walk🚶🏻♂️
The main attractions can basically be reached by walking~
It's very fulfilling to play for a day!
✨Sofia Day Tour Guide
✅Central Hot Spring Bath (Sofia History Museum)
The first stop is the Central Hot Spring Bath, which is now the Sofia History Museum, displaying the human history and culture of Sofia from the 6th century BC to 1940, which is worth seeing~
Next to it is the Banya Bashi Mosque, which can be viewed from the outside👀
✅Holy Week Church
Then pass the St. Petka Church to the Holy Week Church.⛪️
The St. Petka Church is built underground, but it is currently not open to the public and can only be viewed from the outside.
The Holy Week Church was first built in the 10th century, and after several destructions and reconstructions, the current church was built in the mid-19th century.
✅St. George Rotunda
The next stop is the nearby St. George Rotunda, which is also Sofia's oldest memorial building. Not far away is the Largo Building, and opposite is the Statue of the Goddess Sophia, which can be checked in as a landmark building of Sofia.
✅National Archaeological Museum
My favorite museum in Sofia! Don't miss it! This used to be the largest mosque in Sofia, where treasures such as the gold and silver of the ancient Thracians are displayed. Walking in it, even the floor is ancient, you can feel the traces left by time.
✅National Art Museum
Originally the west wing of the Bulgarian royal palace, the building itself is a representative work of modern and national revival art. The museum houses about 50,000 Bulgarian artworks, and a large number of medieval paintings are collected here. Not far opposite is the National Opera House, which can be viewed from the outside. Next to it is the St. Nicholas II Church, which can be visited by the way.
✅Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
Also known as the Golden Dome Church, it is a landmark building that must not be missed when coming to Sofia! It is not only the largest church on the Balkan Peninsula, but also one of the largest churches in the Orthodox world. The interior is very spectacular.
✅St. Sophia Church
In contrast, the St. Sophia Church is more ancient, and the city of Sofia was named after this church in the 14th century.
✅Sofia University
If you have time, you can continue to visit Sofia University. The Baroque-style building is very classic and grand. Not far away is the Soviet Monument and Eagle Bridge, as well as the Bulgarian Parliament Building, which can be visited together.
The Culinary Cruise
Sofia, Bulgaria: Beyond Stereotypes
When you watch videos from other famous bloggers about Bulgaria and Sofia in particular, you may think, "Oh, they only show the worst selectively because they're being paid to praise it."
I can't think of another explanation.
Apparently, some people see dirt beneath their feet, while others see blue skies overhead. I see exquisite architecture, narrow streets, numerous squares and parks, affordable prices for delicious food, and, in general, all the components of Europe.
At least from here, locals can fly to Italy for 30-40 euros round trip. That alone makes Bulgaria cool!
I'll try to convey this atmosphere to you. Swipe through the carousel! How do you like it? 🍂🍁