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10 Days in Sofia: Exploring the Hidden Gems of Bulgaria

Roberto Romanelli

13 Nov 2023

0

Embark on a 10-day adventure in Sofia, Bulgaria, and discover the city's hidden gems. From picturesque parks to historic landmarks, this itinerary is designed to immerse you in the rich culture and beauty of Sofia.

Trip to Sofia

Tours & Activities

Viator Tours

Day 1

+

$4

·

$ 2

Kambanite (The Bells) Park

Forest park known for a towering, Brutalist-style monument inlaid with bells from across the world.

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

•

Free

17 - 21 min

~

Directions

Muzeiko

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

9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

•

$4

10 - 12 min

~

Directions

Knyazheska Garden

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

•

Free

Day 2

+

$2

·

$ 1

Vrana Park & Museum

Landscaped gardens with tours of trees, shrubs & plants, plus the private home of Bulgarian royalty.

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

Free

16 - 20 min

~

Directions

Church of Sveti Sedmochislenitsi

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

10:30 AM - 11:15 AM

•

$1

8 - 11 min

~

Directions

City Garden

Originating in 1872, this scenic park with a fountain & flowerbeds is a popular spot to play chess.

11:45 AM - 12:45 PM

•

Free

Day 3

+

$9

·

$ 1

Sofia Zoo

Sprawling facility with an aquarium, birds of prey & bigs cats including lions & tigers.

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

•

$4

11 - 14 min

~

Directions

National Museum of Natural History

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

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

•

$5

Day 4

+

$12

Vasil Levski Monument

Granite tower with a carved bust of national hero Vasil Levski, at the site of his hanging.

8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

•

Free

4 - 6 min

~

Directions

St. Sofia Church

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

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

$1

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.

10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

•

$6

4 - 6 min

~

Directions

St. George Rotunda Church

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

12:30 PM - 1:15 PM

•

$1

5 - 8 min

~

Directions

Banya Bashi Mosque

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

1:45 PM - 2:30 PM

•

$3

Day 5

+

$0

·

$ 1

South Park

Urban, dog-friendly park with walking/biking paths & rides for kids, plus fountains & bars/eateries.

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

•

Free

14 - 17 min

~

Directions

Doctors' Garden

City green space with a monument to fallen wartime medics & a lapidarium, plus play areas & benches.

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

•

Free

Day 6

+

$8

·

$ 3

Dragalevski Monastery

14-century Bulgarian Orthodox monastery with frescoes & paintings in a secluded forest setting.

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

•

$3

19 - 23 min

~

Directions

Boyana Church

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

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

•

$4

24 - 29 min

~

Directions

Boyana Waterfall

Natural area with hiking trails leading to a waterfall, plus a small lake & panoramic city views.

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

•

$1

15 - 18 min

~

Directions

Golden Bridges

Mountain destination noted for unique stone formations, popular for picnics & hikes.

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

•

Free

Day 7

+

$5

·

$ 2

Path of Health

Way-marked hiking routes & picnic spots in woodland, with circular trails for all abilities.

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

•

Free

26 - 32 min

~

Directions

National Museum of History

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

9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

•

$5

7 - 9 min

~

Directions

Botanical Garden

Temperate trees, rock gardens & colorful rare orchids, plus a glasshouse filled with palms & cacti.

12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

•

Free

Day 8

+

$7

·

$ 2

National Museum of Military History

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

8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

•

$5

9 - 11 min

~

Directions

Park "Zaimov"

Leafy city park with fountains, playgrounds & tennis courts, plus simple cafes & a theater.

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

•

Free

18 - 22 min

~

Directions

St. Mina Monastery

Monastery dedicated to Egyptian martyr Mina, with chapels & a garden, plus religious souvenirs.

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

•

$1

Day 9

+

$9

Monument to the Tsar Liberator

Built in 1903, this imposing monument of the Russian emperor on horseback sits in the city center.

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

•

Free

12 - 17 min

~

Directions

Regional History Museum – Sofia / Регионален исторически музей – София

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

9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

•

$4

2 - 3 min

~

Directions

Museum of illusions/Музей на илюзиите

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

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

•

$5

Day 10

+

$0

Borisova Gradina Park

Historic forested park with gardens, benches, walking paths, sports facilities & a lake.

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

•

Free

Budget breakdown: $64 In total

Activities & Food:$53

Transport:$11