Best things to do in Sofia

See what may be the largest collection of Orthodox icons in Europe at St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral, as well as a piece of St. Alexander Nevski's rib. The second biggest Orthodox cathedral in the Balkans, this church can hold 10,000 people, and its golden, neo-Byzantine domes can be seen from miles away. The cathedral's luxurious interior is decorated with Italian marble, Brazilian onyx, and alabaster. See murals, marble iconostasis, pulpit, and patriarchal throne. The temple was built in honor of the Russian Tsar Alexander II, whose army liberated Bulgaria from Ottoman rule. The various icons are inside the crypt.

See one of the most complete and perfectly preserved monuments of eastern European medieval art at Boyana Church. Featuring an important collection of medieval Byzantine frescoes, this site was added to the World Heritage list in 1979. The walls of the narthex are adorned with 18 scenes from the life of St. Nicholas, incorporating aspects of contemporary life. In “The Miracle at Sea,” the ship and the sailors' hats recall the Venetian fleet. The portraits of Bulgarian Tsar Constantine Tikh and Tsaritsa Irina on the north wall are among the most impressive and lifelike frescoes in the church.

Window-shop in the posh outlets of many high-end fashion labels at Vitosha Boulevard, where you'll find Versace, Escada, Bvlgari, D&G, Gianfranco Ferré, Emporio Armani, Tommy Hilfiger, Boss, and more. Named after the nearby mountain, this semi-pedestrian street cuts through the center of Sofia. Shoppers often meet at a pharmacy at the corner of Vitosha and Patriarch Eftimii boulevards. From there, you can walk along the boulevard and see some of the city's notable buildings, such as the National Palace of Culture, the Palace of the Courts, and St. Nedelya Orthodox Church. Take a break at one of the many restaurants аnd bars.

Vitosha Mountain remains the country’s most visited protected area with over 3.5 million visitors every year. Within the park, Branishte Biosphere Reserve and Peat Branishte Reserve serve as one of the first Bulgarian reserves. The natural monument Duhlata represents the longest and one of the most beautiful caves in Bulgaria. Over 300 km (186 mi) of tourist trails and alleys and dozens marked tourist routes cater to adventures seekers. Ten peaks above 2,000 m (6,500 ft) high offer a backdrop, overlooking cycling and equestrian tourism routes and climbing routes for mountaineers. Multiple nature protection centers, museums, environmental centers, sports, and information alleys also sit within the park, part of the European ecological network NATURA 2000.

Hear priests chant in the old Slavic language and sing Byzantine music while performing the daily liturgy at Church St. George Rotunda. The Romans built the red-brick rotunda--the oldest building in Sofia--in the fourth century CE, presumably on the site of a pagan temple. A modern hotel was built around the church in the 1950s, and in the courtyard you can see the contrast between the opulence of the huge hotel and the humility of the small church. The church is famous for its 12th- to 14th-century frescoes. Twenty-two large figures of prophets crown the central dome around the image of Christ. As you exit the church, wander around the neighboring ruins of the ancient town of Serdika.

At the crypt of , a box with handwritten messages stands next to the tomb of the former Bishop Seraphim. Locals consider him a miracle worker and believe that he answers prayers and makes wishes come true. The church's white-and-green tiled exterior is topped with five small, golden domes. Inside, you'll find four icons on the iconostasis, modeled after the icons from Kiev's St. Vladimir cathedral. The builders and the artists who painted the interior walls also worked on the Alexander Nevski Cathedral. Built on the Russian Embassy's initiative between 1907 and 1914, the church served as а center for numerous Russian emigrants in Bulgaria. Note that information at the site is available only in Russian and Bulgarian.

Sixth-century Saint Sofia Church gave its name to the city. Built on the necropolis of the ancient city of Serdika, the church is one of the most valuable pieces of early Christian architecture in southeastern Europe. According to popular lore, St. Sophia's miraculous powers protected the building over the centuries, withstanding Turks and earthquakes. Walk on floors covered with early Christian ornamental flora- and fauna-themed mosaics. See the icons depicting Sophia, the Divine Wisdom, portrayed as a young figure of Christ seated on a rainbow.