St. Sophia Church

Explore Sofia with a local guide. See the Saint Sofia Church, the Rotunda Church of St George, and the City Cathedral, the largest in Bulgaria. Meet your guide, a passionate local who grew up in Sofia. Learn about local attractions and get an insight into what you can experience in your free time, where the locals go, and more about the social and nightlife highlights of the city. Visit the Saint Sofia Church, the Rotunda Church of St George, and the City Cathedral, the largest in Bulgaria. See the remains of the ancient Roman Serdica City, a functioning Mosque from the 16th century, and the City Synagogue, the third largest in Europe. Sofia has many interesting places, often hidden in small streets, galleries, bars, and events. Visit the Sofia University "Saint Kliment Ohridski" and the National Library.

Enjoy a fun day exploring Sofia's markets, popular with both locals and tourists, in the company of an expert local guide. Indulge in some traditional street food and drinks and get to know the local cuisine at 4 food stops. During the tour, visit the popular markets in Sofia — the Flea Market, the Central Market Hall, the Hali Market, and the Women's Market. Find out how they are all representative parts of different historical periods — the Postcommunist era, Communism, the Kingdom period, and the Ottoman presence in Bulgaria. Along the way, pass by and hear about the history of some of the most important sights and landmarks in the city. These include Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Saint Sofia Church, The Largo, the Roman ruins, the Banya Bashi Mosque, Sofia Synagogue, Lion Bridge, and more. You might also find some great souvenirs and antiques, if that's your thing. .

Explore Sofia, taste delicious Bulgarian beer and a glass of local quality wine paired with traditional meze: (appetizer) dried meat (100 gr.) and a cheese (50 gr.). Your tour guide is a passionate local who grew up in Sofia. He will not only show you local attractions but will also offer you an insight into what you can experience in your free time; where the locals go & more about the social and night life highlights of the city. Sofia has so many interesting places, often hidden in small streets, galleries, bars, events etc. It is a small group!: Instead of the menu included travelers could choose Non- alcoholic menu. Optional! - Bulgarian yogurt and banitza which is layering a mixture of whisked eggs, plain yogurt, and pieces of white brined cheese between filo pastry and then baking it in an oven.

Want to explore Sofia's main landmarks in just 2 hours? Then this walking tour is for you! You will see 20 of the city's most famous spots, learn about Sofia's and Bulgaria's history in a fun and interactive way, and learn more about local habits and traditions. All this while being accompanied by an enthusiastic professional local guide. Meet your guide in front of Sofia's most famous building, the St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral. As part of this guided tour, you will also be able to enter the building. The tour will then take you to the Saint Sophia Basilica, which gave the city its name. You will also walk to the Russian Church, National Theater, the former Royal Palace, and the city's oldest building - the 4th-century round church of St. George. In the second part of the tour, you will see the imposing buildings of the Bulgarian parliament, Presidency, and Council of Ministers - part of the city's communist heritage. You will also be able to try Sofia's mineral water springs right next to the city's former Central Bath. To top it all off, you will be fascinated by Sofia's Square of Tolerance, which features four different temples in close proximity: a Catholic church, an Orthodox church, a mosque, and a synagogue. The tour finishes right next to the beginning of Sofia's main pedestrian street, Vitosha Boulevard—a perfect spot to continue your day by having lunch at one of the numerous restaurants nearby. Please note that during this tour, we don't have time to enter any of the buildings except for the St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral, which is our starting point.

Itinerary This is a typical itinerary for this product: Stop At: National Museum of History, ul.Vitoshko lale 16, Sofia 1618 Bulgaria Your experience begins at 9 am when your private guide picks you up from your accommodation in Sofia. By oor vehicle, you'll head to the outskirts of Sofia and Vitosha Mountain. Your first stop is the National History Museum, the largest museum in Bulgaria and one of the biggest on the Balkans. Explore its rich collections spanning from antiquity to the present day. Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes Stop At: Boyana Church, 3 Boyansko Ezero Str., Sofia 1616 Bulgaria Next, you'll visit the remarkable Boyana Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its remarkably well-preserved frescoes from the 13th century. Take the opportunity to explore the church and delve into its fascinating history with your guide. Duration: 30 minutes Stop At: City Tour, Sofia Bulgaria After your visit to Boyana Church, you'll head to the center of Sofia for a 2-hour sightseeing tour. Your guide will lead you around the most captivating buildings and landmarks, offering insights into their history. Highlights include the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Saint Sofia Basilica, Saint George Rotunda, the Parliament, the Presidency, the Roman Remains, and more. The tour concludes around 2 pm near the beginning of “Vitosha” street, Sofia's main pedestrian thoroughfare. Duration: 2 hours Finally - a drop off at your place with our electric vehicle. Explore Sofia in a eco-friendly way - meet the past with the future mobility!

Delve into the cathedral's significance before venturing to the ancient Saint Sofia Church, a beacon of Early Christian architecture. Behold the Monument to the Tsar Liberator, emblematic of Bulgaria's freedom, and marvel at the Russian Revival-style Church of St. Nicholas the Miracle-Maker. Traverse Sofia's cultural landscape with a visit to the Neoclassical gem, Ivan Vazov National Theater. Uncover the remnants of ancient Serdica at the Archaeological Complex, juxtaposed with insights into the city's communist era during a glimpse at the Presidency and Parliament buildings. Explore Sofia's Central Market Hall, steeped in ancient mineral springs lore. Conclude at the Rotunda Church of St. George, a testament to ancient times.

Our tour will start with a pick-up from your hotel at 09:00. We will have around 2 hours drive on a modern highway which is covering the ancient road connecting the Silk road with Rome. When we reach Sofia we will head toward the historical center of Sofia. We will park the car and will have around 3 hours walking tour of the city. We will visit one more museum- Sofia history museum where you will learn about our 20th-century monarchy period when Sofia became the center of our country. Also during the day tour, the remains of the Roman city of Serdica will be revealed by visiting the Roman ruins, St. Sofia church, and the rotunda of St. George. Other highlights will be Alexander Nevski cathedral, the symbol of the city, the monarchy palace, Sofia University's main building, a piece of art from the very late 19th century, the parliament, and of course the Communist administrative center. When we finish with the exploration of the center of ancient Sofia we will drive to its outskirts and will visit the main Communnist residence where in modern times is situated the National history museum. The museum's collections span over 13,000 years of history, from the earliest civilizations in the region to the Ottoman Empire and modern-day Bulgaria. One of the highlights of the museum is the collection of medieval artifacts, including weapons, armor, and religious icons from the Bulgarian Middle Ages. This period saw the establishment of the Bulgarian Empire and the development of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, both important parts of Bulgaria's cultural heritage. Our next stop will be the famous site- Boyana church., a medieval church that is considered one of the finest examples of medieval Balkan art. The church was built in the late 10th century but is known for its stunning frescoes, from the 13th century. These frescoes depict scenes from the lives of saints, as well as portraits of Bulgarian nobles and church dignitaries. The church is also noted for its architectural features, which combine elements of Byzantine and Bulgarian styles. The interior of the church is divided into three parts, each with its own unique characteristics. The nave is lined with columns and has a ribbed ceiling, while the semi-dome of the apse is decorated with intricate frescoes. The narthex, or entrance area, is also adorned with frescoes and serves as a transition between the secular and religious worlds. Our final stop before we head back to Plovdiv will be at one of the most interesting and significant monuments from the Communist period- park "The Bells". It was constructed in 1979 by the daughter of the last Communist leader of Bulgaria through the initiative called "The flag of peace". Children from both sides of The Iron curtain were meeting each other and making bells which are presented in the park.

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.

Although somewhat overlooked by the tourists, the capital of Bulgaria is a city drenched in history. From the 2000-year-old ruins to the Ottoman mosques of the Middle Ages and the newer onion-shaped domes of the Orthodox Churches spread all over the city, Sofia is a place that will convince you to stay and explore some more. The heritage of the soviet communist times is undeniable in this city, and we will make sure you understand what it meant to live under the system. It will give a new twist to the motto of Sofia: ”Ever Growing But Never Aging”. Come and see the largest orthodox cathedral in the World, the Alexander Nevski, which has a capacity of 10 thousand people and is the seat of the Patriarch of Bulgaria. Also not to miss is the Saint Sofia Church, the second oldest church in the city and the name giver of the Capital of Bulgaria. Another point of interest we will take you to is the famous Russian Church, on the site of an ancient Turkish Mosque, and the most photographed building in Sofia.

Join us for a captivating walking tour through the heart of Sofia one of Europe’s oldest capitals, where centuries of history, culture, and architecture blend seamlessly with the city’s vibrant modern life. Your journey begins at the iconic Saint Sofia Statue, a striking symbol of the city's rebirth. Next, descend into the past at the Ancient Serdika ruins, remnants of the Roman city buried beneath the surface, where the foundations of Sofia’s long history are literally under your feet. Nearby, explore the Presidency Square, home to Bulgaria’s Presidential Office, and witness the hourly ceremonial guard change when possible. Hidden behind the official buildings lies the Church of St. George (Rotunda), a red-brick 4th-century church that is one of Sofia’s oldest and most treasured landmarks. This peaceful spot provides a rare glimpse into early Christian architecture and art. As you make your way through the charming City Garden, you’ll arrive at the Ivan Vazov National Theater, an architectural jewel and cultural beacon of Bulgaria. Learn about the theater’s role in shaping Bulgarian identity through art and performance. The tour continues along the Yellow Brick Road, a distinctive path built for a royal visit in the early 20th century, leading you to the majestic Russian Church, with its golden onion domes and rich Orthodox heritage. Next, visit the Saint Sofia Basilica, a 6th-century structure that gave the city its name. Standing in quiet dignity, this ancient church contrasts beautifully with your final destination: the stunning Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. As one of the largest Orthodox cathedrals in the world, its grand domes and richly decorated interiors offer a breathtaking conclusion to your historical journey. The tour ends with a visit to Sofia University and a stroll through the Doctors’ Garden, a peaceful green retreat dedicated to the memory of medics who lost their lives in war a fitting place to reflect on the city’s past and present. Throughout the tour, your knowledgeable local guide will share fascinating stories, historical insights, and local perspectives, giving you a deep appreciation for Sofia’s enduring spirit.