Places to Visit in Sofia

The heart of the Balkans, Sofia is a rich city where traces of different civilizations coexist—from mosques to churches, museums to mountain views. I have compiled a list of must-see places in Sofia.

First and foremost, the Alexander Nevski Cathedral, one of Bulgaria’s most iconic structures, is a must-visit in Sofia. Next comes the Banyabaşı Mosque, which has served as a mosque since the Ottoman period and holds significant historical value. Following these, Sofia boasts numerous historic churches and museums. If you have visited museums in Istanbul, you may find them relatively small, but they are still worth seeing for a few intriguing artifacts.

Alexander Nevski Cathedral

The St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral, which has become a symbol of Bulgaria, was built in the Neo-Byzantine style and completed in 1912. With its gilded domes and monumental scale, it is the most imposing structure in the city. The cathedral was dedicated to Russian soldiers who died in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–1878. Its interior decoration features mosaics, marble, and icons that draw attention. In my view, it looks even more beautiful in winter when covered in snow.

St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral (Photo: Meryem Şentürk Çoban)

Sveta Nedelya Church

Rising at the center of the city, Sveta Nedelya Church is an ancient place of worship that has stood since the 10th century. Its history began as a wooden church in the Middle Ages and continues today as a stone structure with a dome, making it one of Sofia’s most important Orthodox centers. I find it beautiful.

Banyabaşı Mosque (Kadı Seyfullah Efendi Mosque)

Constructed in the 16th century, the Banyabaşı Mosque is the most significant representative of Ottoman heritage in Sofia. According to the Encyclopaedia of Islam, the mosque is named “Banyabaşı” because it was built beside hot water springs.^【1】

If you have seen the Friday Mosque in Plovdiv and the Tombul Mosque in Shumen, you will find that aesthetically the Banyabaşı Mosque does not surpass them. However, if you have even a slight interest in history, you must visit this mosque. Unlike Shumen, where Turks formed the majority, Sofia has been a place where Turks were a minority throughout history and is now the capital—making this mosque the last remaining Ottoman mosque in such a context.

Banyabaşı Mosque (Photo: Meryem Şentürk Çoban)

Kara Mosque (Sveta Sedmochislenitsa Church)

Constructed in the 16th century by Ottoman vizier Sofu Mehmed Pasha, the Kara Mosque is one of the finest examples of Ottoman stone architecture. In the 20th century, it was converted into a church and is now known as Sveta Sedmochislenitsa Church. Although the conversion saddened me slightly, the building remains beautiful. It is larger than the Banyabaşı Mosque. Today, no trace of its original function as a mosque remains—no fountain, no minaret, nothing. One exception: a large square stands in front of the church, likely the former courtyard of the mosque, now functioning as a pleasant park.

Kara Mosque (Photo: Meryem Şentürk Çoban)

Vitosha Mountain

Accessible easily from the city center, Vitosha Mountain is ideal for nature activities in both summer and winter. Standing at 2,290 meters, it is Sofia’s symbolic natural landmark and perfect for hiking, skiing, and picnics. Vitosha is also Bulgaria’s first national park, captivating nature lovers with its rich flora and fauna. I should note that the hiking trails on the mountain are steep and long. If you are curious how a Bulgarian family living in Sofia spends their weekend, go there. The most fascinating natural formations here are the stone rivers.

Stone Rivers, Vitosha Mountain (Photo: Meryem Şentürk Çoban)

Vitosha Boulevard

Vitosha Boulevard, Sofia’s most popular shopping and promenade street, is always lively with its cafes, shops, and stylish restaurants. Here you can experience modern Sofia and observe everyday urban life. One end of the boulevard offers a view of Sveta Nedelya Church, while the other end opens to the panorama of Vitosha Mountain.

In Sofia and other parts of Bulgaria, street coffee machines are common and serve coffee that is quite good in taste. If you wish to visit a café, I do not recommend those on Vitosha Boulevard or in the city center. These places are expensive and their coffee is mediocre. To observe Bulgarian coffee culture, visit the small cafés around Macedonia Square.

Vitosha Boulevard and Sveta Nedelya Church at its End (Photo: Meryem Şentürk Çoban)

Macedonia Square

One of Sofia’s central areas, Macedonia Square blends modern urban life with historical elements. Here you can observe the vibrancy of daily life and sense the city’s architectural layers from different historical periods. The square is also an important hub for transportation and social activities. Alongside Bulgarian cafés that have preserved their traditional character amid popular culture, Turkish restaurants are also found in this area.

Regarding food and drink, I must note that Bulgarians are somewhat different from us. In Sofia, “self-service” means exactly what it says. After paying for your food and drink at the counter, you cannot simply leave your empty glasses on the table and walk away. Staff in these establishments have no duty to clear tables. Customers are required to place their plates, glasses, and trash in designated areas for dishes. Turkish restaurants, however, continue the Turkish tradition.

Also, if you order Turkish lentil soup at a Bulgarian restaurant, know that it has nothing to do with Turkish lentil soup. The soup arrives with an overwhelming taste of cumin and large chunks of chopped onion in every spoonful.

National History Museum

The National History Museum, Sofia’s largest museum, reflects Bulgaria’s thousands of years of history. Highlights of the collection include Thracian gold treasures, medieval icons, and artifacts from the Ottoman period. There are relatively few Ottoman-era items. My favorite pieces in this museum were the inscriptions of Khan Omurtag found in Shumen, Sofia, and Tarnovo. These date from 815, 814–831, and 827–829 respectively.

Inscription of Khan Omurtag from Shumen (Photo: Meryem Şentürk Çoban)

Khan Omurtag (814–831) was one of the most important rulers of the Danube Bulgarian Khanate. Omurtag was the son of Krum, who ruled from 802 to 814. After a brief period of instability following Krum’s death, Omurtag ascended the Bulgarian throne. The inscriptions erected during his reign—for example, the epigraphs around the Madara Rider—were written in both Greek and Old Bulgarian Turkic. These inscriptions are fundamental sources for understanding the political and cultural structure of the Danube Bulgarians. Under Omurtag’s rule, the Bulgarian Khanate became a powerful state in Central Europe. He secured long-term stability by signing a 30-year peace treaty with Byzantium and fought against the Pechenegs from the east and the migrating Magyars from the west.^【2】

Archaeology Museum, Art Gallery, Regional History Museum, Museum of Natural History

The Archaeology Museum displays ancient Thracian, Roman, and Byzantine artifacts; the National Art Gallery traces the development of Bulgarian painting and sculpture; and the Regional History Museum offers insights into Sofia’s life across different historical periods. The Museum of Natural History features sections on geological specimens and animals. Among these, the Museum of Natural History is the most expensive.

There is no distinction between domestic and foreign tourists for museum tickets. Even if you are a student in Türkiye, you can benefit from the student discount by showing your student card. There is a significant difference between the student ticket and the full-price ticket.

The most notable feature of the Archaeological Museum is that it was built and used as a mosque during the Ottoman period. This makes it well worth seeing! The building, which later served as an Art Gallery and Ethnography Museum, was originally a palace. However, its interior has been restored in a modern style. If you enter hoping to see features of the palace, I must warn you that you will find none. The large yellow building you will see behind the Banyabaşı Camii in the center will catch your eye. This is the Regional History Museum. From its second floor, the Banyabaşı Camii offers a beautiful view.

Russian Church (St. Nikolay)

The Russian Church, with its golden domes, has a fairy-tale appearance and was constructed in the early 20th century. The tomb of Archbishop Serafim in its garden is considered a sacred site where people believe prayers are answered. It reflects typical Russian architecture. If you do not plan to visit Russia in the near future, you can experience this architectural style here.

Russian Church (Photo: Meryem Şentürk Çoban)

Ivan Vazov National Theatre

Opened in 1907, the Ivan Vazov National Theatre is one of Sofia’s cultural icons. Its neoclassical architecture draws attention, and the theatre is both Bulgaria’s oldest performing arts institution and a must-see for art lovers. The interior decorations, stage design, and rich repertoire best reflect Sofia’s cultural life. The building’s structure and its ornamental details are worth observing.

Ivan Vazov Theatre (Photo: Meryem Şentürk Çoban)

St. St. Cyril and Methodius National Library (Национална библиотека "Св. св. Кирил и Методий")

This is an active library, not a tourist attraction. However, becoming a member and obtaining a membership card is very easy. If you have academic interest in history or Ottoman literature, you should visit. There is very little information available in the English sections of its websites. If you do not know Bulgarian, accessing its digital resources is difficult. Yet, if you go and explain your needs to the staff, everyone will be very attentive. Everyone here speaks English. The library holds excellent sources and works on Ottoman history and literature. Not all of these works are listed in the digital catalog, which is weak, but printed catalogs are available. You can examine them inside the library or purchase them at the registration desk upon entry.

Serdika Ruins

As you descend from beside the Banyabaşı Camii to the metro, you can walk among the ruins of the ancient city of Serdika. Aside from wall fragments, no other artifacts remain here. A small historical church lies just a short distance beyond the ruins.

Other Churches

St. Paraskeva Church

One of Sofia’s largest churches, St. Paraskeva Church was built in the early 20th century. It is a lesser-known but impressive structure worth discovering for its distinctive architecture.

St. Paraskeva Church (Photo: Meryem Şentürk Çoban)

St. Sofia Church

This church, dating back to the Byzantine era, gave Sofia its name. Constructed in the 6th century, it is simple in design but impressive for its historical depth. Its mosaics and archaeological remains bear traces of Byzantine art. It is located near the facade of the Alexander Nevski Cathedral.

Sofia presents a historical mosaic spanning from Byzantium to the Ottoman period, from Russian influence to modern Bulgaria. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a cultural traveler, or a nature lover, you will find something in Sofia that captivates you.