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8 Days in Sofia: Unveiling History and Culture

Борислав Стоянов

4 Jan 2024

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Embark on a thrilling journey through Sofia's rich history and vibrant culture. From ancient marvels to contemporary art, this itinerary will take you on an unforgettable adventure.

Trip to Sofia

Tours & Activities

Viator Tours

Day 1Icons of Culture and Literature

+

$8

National Palace of Culture

Iconic building hosting concerts, plays, exhibitions & other events in a huge, art-filled space.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

Free

8 - 12 min

~

Directions

National Literary Museum

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

•

$5

5 - 8 min

~

Directions

Church of Sveti Sedmochislenitsi

Bulgarian Orthodox church built in a centuries-old mosque, featuring a bustling adjacent garden.

12:30 PM - 1:15 PM

•

$3

Day 2Art Galore and Natural Wonders

+

$28

Галерия ПАРИЖ

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

•

$5

8 - 11 min

~

Directions

Sofia City Art Gallery

Cozy art gallery featuring permanent & changing exhibits of modern Bulgarian & world art.

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM

•

$5

4 - 6 min

~

Directions

Къща музей „Иван Вазов“

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

•

$5

4 - 6 min

~

Directions

National Museum of Natural History

Founded in 1889, the country's oldest museum offers natural history exhibits & educational programs.

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

•

$10

4 - 5 min

~

Directions

Amphitheater of Serdica

Restored Roman amphitheater on a hotel's ground floor with a display of ancient coins & ceramics.

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

•

$3

Day 3Military History and Interactive Exploration

+

$25

·

$ 2

National Museum of Military History

Military museum, established in 1916, with collections of weapons, uniforms, medals & documents.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

$10

16 - 23 min

~

Directions

National Museum of Anthropology

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

•

$8

13 - 16 min

~

Directions

Muzeiko

Children's museum featuring interactive science-related exhibits, a cafe & a gift shop.

12:30 PM - 2:30 PM

•

$8

Day 4Architectural Gems and Socialist Art

+

$23

·

$ 2

St. Nedelya Church

Ornate, domed Orthodox church featuring an elaborate interior covered with murals.

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

•

$3

4 - 5 min

~

Directions

National Bulgarian Archeological Museum

Archaeology museum with old treasures from antiquity, medieval objects & ancient cave drawings.

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM

•

$10

7 - 10 min

~

Directions

St. Sofia Church

6th-century Byzantine church with a largely brick interior, paintings & an underground crypt.

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

•

$3

13 - 16 min

~

Directions

Socialist Art Museum

National museum presenting Bulgarian Socialist-era sculptures, art, memorabilia & propaganda films.

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

•

$8

Day 5Spiritual Serenity and Cultural Insights

+

$33

·

$ 4

Boyana Church

Medieval church known for an interior covered in frescos dating from the late 900s.

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

•

$8

14 - 17 min

~

Directions

Earth and People National Museum

Permanent & temporary displays of more than 20,000 mineral samples from all around the world.

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM

•

$10

3 - 4 min

~

Directions

Museum of Contemporary Art

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

•

$8

10 - 12 min

~

Directions

The Red Flat - Everyday Life in Communist Bulgaria

1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

•

$8

Day 6Unraveling the Past and Technological Marvels

+

$18

·

$ 4

National Museum of History

Over 650,000 items show Bulgaria's history from prehistoric times to the more recent communist past.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

$10

22 - 27 min

~

Directions

National Polytechnic Museum

Compact technology museum with exhibits devoted to vintage cars, communication equipment & more.

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

•

$8

8 - 10 min

~

Directions

Central Military Club

Completed in 1907, this neo-Renaissance building offers a coffeehouse, art gallery & event halls.

12:30 PM - 2:00 PM

•

Free

Day 7Historical Treasures and Artistic Grandeur

+

$23

Regional History Museum – Sofia / Регионален исторически музей – София

Historical exhibits spanning ancient to modern times & cultural events in a storied locale.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

$8

7 - 10 min

~

Directions

St. George Rotunda Church

Sofia's oldest building, this 4th-century Christian church is cylindrical, with a frescoed dome.

10:30 AM - 11:15 AM

•

$3

4 - 6 min

~

Directions

The Palace - National Art Gallery

National museum for Bulgarian artworks from the Middle Ages to the present, in former royal palace.

11:45 AM - 1:15 PM

•

$13

6 - 9 min

~

Directions

St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

Iconic Bulgarian Orthodox church with Neo-Byzantine architecture & an underground museum.

1:45 PM - 3:15 PM

•

Free

Day 8Museums, Synagogues, and Illusions

+

$31

·

$ 2

Puppet Museum

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

•

$5

10 - 15 min

~

Directions

Sofia Synagogue

Early-1900s Sephardic synagogue with an octagonal dome, large chandelier & museum on Jewish history.

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

•

$5

3 - 4 min

~

Directions

Banya Bashi Mosque

Ornate mosque with a large dome built over thermal spas during the 16th-century Ottoman Empire.

11:00 AM - 11:45 AM

•

$5

2 - 3 min

~

Directions

Museum of illusions/Музей на илюзиите

Museum with artworks based on optical illusions & interactive spaces popular for taking photos.

12:15 PM - 1:15 PM

•

$10

6 - 8 min

~

Directions

National Gallery

1:45 PM - 2:45 PM

•

$6

Budget breakdown: $199 In total

Activities & Food:$186

Transport:$13