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Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral: Our most recommended tours and activities

From Sofia: Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Group Tour

1. From Sofia: Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Group Tour

Depart Sofia at 09:00 AM sharp, and relax on the 2-hour drive to the Rila Monastery in the Rila Mountains. Upon arrival, explore the largest and most important Orthodox cloister in Bulgaria. Admire the arcaded balconies, and discover unique frescoes by one of the most famous painters of the Bulgarian National Revival period. See gilded iconostasis and enjoy the fabulous mountain views. Hear the story of the monastery from your guide before enjoying some time to explore the monastic complex on your own. Learn more at the museum, or purchase souvenir icons and other items in the nearby shops. Take some time to refuel with lunch at one of the local restaurants, where you can purchase local specialties such as mekitsi (a traditional Bulgarian dish of kneaded dough made with yogurt that is deep-fried). Depart at 01:30 PM and travel to Boyana Church in the suburbs of Sofia. See the historically significant frescoes of the Byzantine building, and hear how they started the fashion for illustrating biblical figures with emotions and placing them alongside the local aristocracy. With an estimated arrival time at the church of approximately 03:40 PM, enjoy about 30 minutes to explore. Leave at around 04:10 PM for the drive to Alexander Nevski Cathedral in Sofia city center by 04:30 PM to 05:00 PM.

From Sofia: Plovdiv Guided Day Tour

2. From Sofia: Plovdiv Guided Day Tour

Depart Sofia in the morning for a full-day excursion to Plovdiv, the second-largest city in Bulgaria and one of the oldest towns in the world. Learn about the history of Plovdiv, dating back to Troya and Mycenae. During a 2 hour guided tour in the old town, discover the history and the culture of the 7,000-year-old settlement from its Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman periods to the present day. Admire museums, churches, historic monuments, revival period houses, souvenir shops, and cobblestone streets. See the Ethnographic Museum and the well-preserved ruins of the ancient Roman Theater. After the guided tour, you will have about 2 hours of free time for lunch and shopping. The, relax on the journey back to Sofia.

From Sofia: Full-Day Tour to Plovdiv and Asen's Fortress

3. From Sofia: Full-Day Tour to Plovdiv and Asen's Fortress

After a 2-hour drive, begin this full-day tour in one of Europe's oldest towns, Plovdiv. Walk along cobblestone streets and visit a 19th-century house to learn about the local production of alcoholic drinks and rose oil products. Explore the Roman Theater, Roman Stadium and church before enjoying 2 hours of free time to walk around and have lunch and coffee along the main pedestrian street. After exploring Plovdiv, meet your van and guide to make the 30-minute drive to Asen's Fortress. Admire this beautiful, medieval structure and learn about the history of the place before taking photos from the top. Start your journey back to Sofia with an expected arrival time of approximately 6:00 PM.

Sofia Afternoon Walking Tour with Wine and Food Tasting

4. Sofia Afternoon Walking Tour with Wine and Food Tasting

Begin your tour in front of the 5-star Grand Hotel Sofia, where you’ll meet your guide. Visit the beautiful National Theater, the former Royal Palace, and the Presidency. On this 3-hour afternoon walk your guide will take you next to the Art Club café, a favorite spot of many locals. Try the world famous shopska salad, prepared from fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, cheese, and spices, and taste traditional Bulgarian cold soup, called tarator, prepared from yogurt and cucumbers. See the Rotunda St. George, St. Nedelya Church, St. Joseph Catholic Cathedral, the Banya Bashi Mosque, and the Sofia Synagogue, all around a square known as Small Jerusalem. Visit the historic Central Hali Market that dates from the beginning of the 20th century. Taste typical sweets such as baklava and tolumbichki, or buy fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, or sausages. Head to Europe’s newest underground and travel 1 stop to Lions' Bridge. Near the stop is a typical Bulgarian restaurant, created from 4 houses with a common garden. The restaurant features the architecture and furnishings of the 19th century, representing the 4 corners of Bulgaria. Taste fantastic Bulgarian wines together with different meze of meats, including lukanka, babek, fillet Elena, and pastarma. The tour ends at this point, but you may want to continue sampling different hot or cold appetizers, traditional dishes, and Bulgarian desserts.

Sofia: Small Group Walking Tour

5. Sofia: Small Group Walking Tour

Journey through almost 10,000 years of history on a guided walking tour of Sofia, and learn how the city sits on land that has been settled over the centuries by Thracians, Romans, Huns and more. Marvel at its well-preserved monuments and outstanding sights, such as the East Gate of the Serdika ruins from Roman times. Walk through the underpass connecting the Presidential Palace and Ministerial Council to encounter shops selling traditional souvenirs and rosewater. Experience the city's laid-back charm as you explore streets scattered with mosques and impressive onion-domed churches.

From Sofia: Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanasi

6. From Sofia: Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanasi

Your tour begins with collection from your hotel in Sofia, from where you will be driven first to Arbanasi (around 2.5-3 hours). Here you will enjoy a 1.5 hour tour of this picturesque village, known for its rich history and large number of historical monuments, such as 17th and 18th century churches and examples of Bulgarian National Revival architecture, which have turned the village into a popular tourist destination. Next there will be a short transfer to the city of Veliko Tarnavo, where you will have lunch before enjoying a 2-hour tour. This picturesque capital of the second Bulgarian Empire is situated on the northern slopes of the Balkan mountain range in the central part of the country, 220 kilometers from Sofia. During your tour of the old town, you will see the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Holy Ascension of God and many other highlights. Afterwards, you will be returned to Sofia.

Sofia by Night: Panoramic City Tour and Folklore Dinner

7. Sofia by Night: Panoramic City Tour and Folklore Dinner

Enjoy a panoramic 4-hour evening tour of Sofia, traveling by comfortable air-conditioned minivan to all the main sights. Pass Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the largest cathedral in Bulgaria and the second biggest in the Balkans. Continue to the main square of Narodno Sabranie to see the Parliament building and magnificent statue of Bulgaria’s King Liberator, Tsar Osvoboditel. Marvel at the onion domes of the Russian Church and pass the ornate façade of the Ivan Vazov National Theatre. See the serious buildings of the Presidency and Council of Ministers. Continue to the National Palace of Culture and National Stadium of Vasil Levski, located in Sofia’s expansive Borisova Garden near Lake Ariana. Then, go to the Veselo Selo restaurant, situated in the beautiful forest of Borisova Garden. Here, enjoy a delicious dinner from a menu of typical Bulgarian dishes. As you sip local wines, enjoy a fantastic show of traditional music and dance.

Secrets, Facts, and Legends of Sofia: Full Day Tour

8. Secrets, Facts, and Legends of Sofia: Full Day Tour

At 9:00 AM you will be picked from your hotel/accommodation by your guide. After a short drive, you will reach Vitosha Mountain. Your destination is a meteorological tower, from which area you will have the chance to see the whole city from above. Your guide will give you a good overview of Sofia, its history and geography. Your next stop will be one of the most interesting and significant locations in Sofia – complex called “The Bells”. It is related to a Bulgarian initiative, which has started in 1979, called “The Flag of Peace”, gathering children from 135 countries, from both sides of “The Iron Curtain”. Each group had to put the unique bell from its country in this complex. After this experience, we will drive back to Sofia city center where you will start your walking tour. First stop is the National Archaeological Museum with its astonishing cultural treasures. On the way you will see the oldest building in Sofia – the Roman early Christian church St. George, dated in 4th-century. After the museum, you can have lunch in a restaurant situated in the same building, which was a Medieval mosque and enjoy the archaeological remains next to your table. Your next destination is the market area of Sofia, famous with the name “Ladies Market” where you will learn a lot for the epoch of the late 19th and early 20th century. You will pass next to a Synagogue, situated almost in front of an active mosque and Catholic Church, giving the name of the square – “The Square of tolerance. After you visit the Sofia History Museum you will walk by the Communist administrative center, St. Sofia church, Sofia University, and Alexander Nevski cathedral, where your tour ends. You can ask you guide some final question and if you need they can give you a ride back to your hotel, if it is far from the center.

Sofia: Guided City Tour with Food Tasting

9. Sofia: Guided City Tour with Food Tasting

Your tour starts at 12:30PM from the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. From there, your guide will take you around all of the interesting sites in the center of Sofia. You will visit sites such as the Cathedral, the Basilica, the Presidency, the Rotunda, the Roman heritage, and more. They will also tell you about the history of the sites, as well as about the overall history of Sofia and Bulgaria. While you enjoy the sightseeing tour, your guide will also take you to some "hidden" places, which you would have difficulty finding on your own. In these places you will have the chance to try some of the most famous Bulgarian drinks and foods such as ayran: a salty yogurt drink, banithsa: pastry with white cheese, shopksa salad: a traditional Bulgarian salad with tomatoes and cucumbers, local meze, home-style bread, local beer, and some sweets. Overall there are 3 stops for such food tastings, and generally the food is enough to get you satisfied. The tour eventually ends between 3:30PM-4:00PM next to the covered market, near the Serdica metro station in the city center.

Veliko Tarnovo & Arbanasi Full day tour

10. Veliko Tarnovo & Arbanasi Full day tour

Veliko Tarnovo is a city in north-central Bulgaria. Often referred to as the "City of the Tsars", Veliko Tarnovo is located on the Yantra River and is famous as the historical capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire (1185-1396), attracting many tourists with its unique architecture. The old part of the city is situated on the three hills Tsarevets, Trapezitsa, and Sveta Gora, rising amidst the meanders of the Yantra. On Tsarevets are the palaces of the Bulgarian emperors and the Patriarchate, the Patriarchal Cathedral, as well as a number of administrative and residential edifices surrounded by thick walls. Trapezitsa is known for its many churches and as the former main residence of the nobility. In the Middle Ages, the city was among the main European centers of culture and gave its name to the architecture of the Tarnovo Artistic School, painting of the Tarnovo Artistic School and literature.Arbanassi is  known for the rich history and large number of historical monuments, such as 17th- and 18th-century churches and examples of Bulgarian National Revival architecture, which have turned it into a popular tourist destination. It is set on a high terrace above Veliko Tarnovo where you enjoy a scenic overview of the city and the fortress Tsarevets. Veliko Tarnovo is located 220 kilometers from Sofia. You will start your journey at 8:00 AM, from your hotel or accommodation in Sofia. When you arrive in Veliko Tarnovo you will have the opportunity to enjoy a great view of the fortress and take some photos before setting off on a climb to Baldwin's Tower and the top of the medieval hill - the Patriarchal Church of Tsarevets. On your way back to the vehicle, you may glance at the Assen's Dynasty Monument, and then stroll over Samovodska Charshia Street, where you will be able to buy a small souvenir of your exciting trip. Before returning to Sofia, you will take a look at the oldest church in Arbanasi, the Nativity of Christ, with its beautiful frescoes from 1632. The mural paintings include the life of St. John the Baptist, patron of the church, and the wheel of life with the 12 zodiac signs. 

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What people are saying about Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 1,303 reviews

If you are visiting Sofia it is worth booking this excursion to the Rila monastery and the Boyana church, really suggestive places. The guide Martin was interesting and informative with sympathy, keeping the good mood of the whole group; I learned a lot both about the places visited and about Bulgarian history and culture. Easy to follow in English too. I really recommend this experience, excellent organization!

Very nice trip covering Boyana church and Rila monastery. Everything was in time and according to description. Bus was comfortable. Guide Martin was excellent, full of knowledge but also entertaining. We had enough free time to explore on our own as well. This tour was highlight of my trip to Bulgaria and I would recommend it to other travelers.

It was really worthy to go.We were small group of 7 people. Our guide Martin provide us all necessary information in English. I would highly recommend.

excellent tour, not at all tiring & it was made all the more interesting by our amazing guide martin

Great tour! Beautiful places, definitely worth seeing!