National Palace of Culture, Sofia

Embark on a 3-hour walking tour exploring Bulgaria's communist era (1944–1989). Learn about the events leading to this period, its impact, and its aftermath. Delve into topics such as World War II, religion, industry, economy, housing, culture, and the daily lives of Bulgarians. Gain insights into the pros and cons of this era and its influence on present-day Bulgaria. Discover Sofia's key communist landmarks, including the former Bulgarian Communist Party headquarters, a secret police investigation facility, the site of the destroyed mausoleum of Bulgaria's first communist leader, and several examples of classic communist architecture (the Rila Hotel and Sofia's Stalinist architectural ensemble from the 1950s). In the tour's second half, visit the controversial Monument of the Soviet Army, The Memorial to the Victims of the communist regime in Bulgaria, and the National Palace of Culture. We meet in front of the Sofia City Court (the big white building with two lion statues in front). The tour ends in front of the National Palace of Culture.

We'll meet in the old city center, steps away from the central metro station Serdika (super easy access from all points of the city). We'll provide safety gear (helmet + reflective jacket) and a bottle of water. We'll quickly socialize and then start with the city bike tour. Our first point will be the Sofia Synagogue, which is the largest synagogue in Southeastern Europe, then we will stop by the Regional History Museum - Sofia, where you can drink from the popular hot springs pure mineral water. Our journey will continue through all the major attractions till we reach the National Theater where we'll have a short break and take some more pictures. You will have the pleasure to enjoy a very relaxed ride, see all the beautiful touristic points and learn a lot about our history and culture. In the end we'll head back to the starting point, to leave the bikes and share our experience!

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 traditional restaurant. Here, enjoy a delicious dinner from a menu of typical Bulgarian dishes. Enjoy a good show of traditional music and dance.

Discover one of the oldest cities in Europe on a full-day guided tour of Sofia, and admire UNESCO-listed monuments, relics of the communist regime, and testaments to the city’s rich artistic heritage. Following a pick-up from your hotel, go to the medieval Orthodox Boyana Church on the outskirts of the city. Built in the 10th and 11th centuries, the church was inscribed by UNESCO in 1979 for its exceptional frescoes and contribution to understanding medieval Bulgarian culture. Continue to the National Historical Museum to gaze at artifacts of Balkan history. Then, go to Pancharevo Lake for lunch and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the artificial reservoir at the end of Pancharevo Gorge. Travel into the city center to see the modern National Palace of Culture, and walk to the ancient St. George Rotunda, considered the oldest building in Sofia. Pass the National Archeological Museum, housed in a former Ottoman mosque, and see the city’s only remaining functioning mosque at the 16th-century Banya Bashi Mosque. Another beautiful religious monument is St Nedelya Church, one of the landmarks of the city, while the ornate Ivan Vazov National Theatre showcases the city's more secular side. Wander past the former Royal Palace along Tsar Osvoboditel Boulevard to the Russian Church. Admire the parliament building in National Assembly Square, dominated by the impressive monument to Tsar Osvoboditel (King Liberator), erected in 1907. End at the vast Neo-Byzantine Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the most spectacular building in Sofia, with towering domes of gold and green.

Travel back in time to feel what life was like for people living in Bulgaria during the communist era. Drive through the highlights of Sophia in the epitome of what it was like during Communism in Bulgaria. You will be picked up at your hotel in a classic Trabant car of the period, a vehicle designed in East Germany in the mid-20th century. Your guide will show you where to explore the most prominent and historical communist sites in the city.  The tour will take you through old, narrow streets, and will show you even the shortest streets of Sophia. Along the way, you’ll explore the statues of Lenin, Zhivkov, and many others in the quiet gardens of the Socialist Art Museum before returning back to your hotel.

Sofia is one of the oldest cities in the Balkans found by the Thracian tribe Serdi. In 29 A.D., Sofia became the capital of the Roman province of Inner Dacia. Through the ages, the city played a role as an important trading center in the Byzantine and Bulgarian Empires. Under Ottoman rule, Sofia was the center of Rumelia province. Sofia became the capital of restored Bulgaria in 1879, with a population of only about 12,000. Today many streets, buildings, parks, and even whole neighborhoods preserve the architectural style from the turn of the century. The day starts with a short transfer to the National History Museum, occupying the residency of the former communist ruler Todor Zhivkov, located on the outskirts of Sofia. You will get a guided tour of the rich museum collection, with special attention drawn to the key dates, facts, and exhibits. Close by is the Boyana Church which you will visit to unravel the global importance of its proto-Renaissance frescoes. The afternoon will be for a gentle walking tour of the center, where you will learn about the National Library, Sofia University, The Parliament, The St. Alexander Nevsky Patriarchal Cathedral, the National Theatre, St. Sofia Church, Sofia's oldest building - St George Rotunda, The houses of the Council of Ministers, the president and the former communist party's headquarters, the ruins of the ancient city of Serdika (dating from the 5th-6th C), the National Palace of Culture, the main shopping streets of Sofia, and more. The local tour operator, Traventuria, was awarded a “Business Which Supports Biodiversity” certification by the Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation for its “Tours with a Cause” initiative.

Discover the communist remnants of Sofia city center on a walking tour with an English-speaking guide. Benefit from their expertise about the communist era and its architecture. See the imposing Monument to the Soviet Army at Borissova Garden, and then ride a trolley bus with the locals to experience a relic from olden times. Arrive at the impressive National Palace of Culture, the largest congress hall in the Balkans. Discover a piece of the Berlin Wall, which fell just one day before the radical changes that occurred in Bulgaria in 1989. Walk down Vitosha boulevard to reach the former headquarters of the Communist Party. See the upmarket Central Department Store (TZUM), where the elite would shop. Continue to the site of the former Georgi Dimitrov Mausoleum on Prince Alexander of Battenberg Square. End at the antiques market outside Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and pick up some communist relics.

Meet your guide and get a brief safety instruction before setting off. Start your tour near the iconic Crystal Garden and learn the curious stories of the "Big Head" monument and one of the most charming water fountains in town. Ride through Sofia's bike lanes and parks. Continue to Alexander Nevsky Square, where Bulgarian people have erected the country's biggest and most famous cathedral. Here, also find the 6th-century Saint Sofia Basilica that gave its name to the city. Marvel at graffiti art near the Bulgarian State Opera and learn about the secrets of one of Sofia's shortest streets. Stop at City Garden, Sofia's oldest public green space, surrounded by beautiful buildings such as the National Theatre with its fountains, the former Royal Palace, and the National Bank. Continue with a ride through one of Sofia's famous streets to the National Palace of Culture and its surrounding park with beautiful fountains. Ride to the end of the iconic Vitosha Boulevard and reach South Park, known for its diverse landscapes and urban biodiversity. Stop at some secret, off-the-beaten-track urban spaces on your way back to downtown Sofia. Visit the Sveti Sedmochislenitsi Church and its surrounding garden, one of the places in Sofia that reveal their beauty in the darkness. The temple has quite a curious story that not so many of the locals know. Explore the tiny Shishman Street, then make a stop at the National Assembly of Bulgaria before finishing your trip at the starting location.

Explore Sofia city with me. One of the oldest cities in Europe will amaze you with its rich history and landmarks. During the tour, we will visit St St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, St Sophia church, and the Antique market. We will make a wish at the Russian church. And next, we will see from outside the former Royal Palace and the National Theater which is located in a nice city park, the former private garden of our king. Next to the governmental buildings while they were building the metro, they found by chance Roman ruins. We will see St Sofia statue, temples of different religions, and the hot mineral water spring in the center. Optional visit to the Museum of Socialist Art, (closed on Mondays). It is dedicated to the communist time in Bulgaria. We will see video about lifestyle in the past, statues, and posters. Next, we get on the metro and we go to see the residential areas built in the 60-70s. Visit a local supermarket. We will finish the tour with the National Palace of Culture.