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Sveta Nedelya Church in Sofia.

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Sofia

Bulgaria's pleasingly laid-back capital is often overlooked by visitors heading to the coast or the ski resorts, but they're missing something special. Sofia is no grand metropolis, but it's a modern, youthful city, with a scattering of onion-domed churches, Ottoman mosques and stubborn Red Army monuments that lend an eclectic, exotic feel. Excavation work carried out during construction of the metro unveiled a treasure trove of Roman ruins from nearly 2000 years ago, when the city was called 'Serdica'. Away from the buildings and boulevards, vast parks and manicured gardens offer a welcome respite, and the ski slopes and hiking trails of mighty Mt Vitosha are just a short bus ride from the centre. Home to many of Bulgaria's finest museums, galleries, restaurants and clubs, Sofia may persuade you to stick around and explore further.


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Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia, Sofia Province, Bulgaria, Balkan States, Eastern Europe, Europe, Outdoors, Daytime, City, Urban Scene, View From Above, Cathedral, Place Of Worship, Street, Cityscape, Tree, Road, Byzantine Revival Architecture, Architecture, Nobody, Travel, Travel Destinations
View from above Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia, Bulgaria

Destination Practicalities

A first-time guide to Sofia, Bulgaria

Aug 20, 2024 • 7 min read

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