The Most Beautiful Places in Sofia

Unlike many European capitals, Sofia doesn’t have a historical center with old buildings and curvy cobblestone streets. The capital of Bulgaria is still dominated by the grayish and bland Communist-era architecture with a few colorful and modern buildings here and there. Sofia is a beautiful city, but its scenic spots are scattered about and not so obvious. Follow Culture Trips’s guide to discover the beautiful places of the Bulgarian capital.
The old Mineral Bath (now Sofia History Museum)
Building, Museum
One of the most beautiful buildings in Sofia used to be the Central Mineral Bath, while today it houses the Sofia History Museum. Enjoy the shady benches around the fountain in front of the bright yellow building, and don’t skip the visit inside. You’ll get to know Sofia much better after seeing part of its past (including a king’s carriage, last-century photos, centuries-old relics, and a retro tram you can actually sit in).
Sofia History Museum, 1, Banski Sq., Sofia, Bulgaria

The Largo
The so-called Sofia Largo is the large Independence Square between the President’s Office, the Ministry Council, and many other government buildings. It’s been recently renovated, and since the center of the ancient Roman city of Serdica was located nearby, you can nowadays walk underground and see the archaeological findings, most of them in situ. One of the best places to look at the Largo is from the archaeological underground level, where a special transparent ceiling shows the street above.
2, Kniaz Aleksandar Dondukov Boulevard, Sofia, Bulgaria

The parks of Sofia
Sofia is very green, with huge parks in all parts of the city. The greenery, fountains, and happy people relaxing are a refreshing view whether you need a nice backdrop for your Instagram photos or just some time for contemplation. The best parks to visit are Borisova Gradina Park, South Park (Yuzhen Park), North Park (Severen Park), and Zaimov Park.

Destinations Unlocked:
Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture tripCentralAmerica
1. Guatemala
An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.CentralAmerica
2. Belize
A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.CentralAmerica
3. Mexico
An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.SouthAmerica
1. Ecuador
A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.SouthAmerica
2. Peru
An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.Europe
1. Italy
The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.Europe
2. Scotland
Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.Europe
3. Portugal
A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.Asia
1. South Korea
Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.Asia
2. Thailand
From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.Asia
3. Sri Lanka
A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great priceAfrica
1. Morocco
An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!Africa
2. Egypt
From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
National Theater Ivan Vazov
Park, Theater

Vitosha Mountain
Sofia is blessed to have a tall mountain just a 30-minute drive from the city center, and when the weekend comes, many Sofia dwellers head up Vitosha Mountain for some fresh, clean air. Vitosha is a natural park crossed by many marked trails; all you need is a pair of hiking shoes and a map (you can take one from the Tourist information centers in Sofia, or buy one at any bookstore).
Sofia from Vitosha Mountain
One of the best places to enjoy a view over Sofia is from the slopes of the mountain. You can drive up to Aleko Hut or Kopitoto (around 20-30 minutes depending on the traffic and the time of the day) to capture magnificent views of the whole Sofia Valley.

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!


Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.


KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.