How to Spend 3 Days in SOFIA Bulgaria | Travel Itinerary

How to Spend 3 Days in SOFIA Bulgaria | Travel Itinerary

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Picture the gleaming golden domes of Alexander Nevsky Cathedral towering above ancient Roman ruins while the snow-capped peaks of Vitosha Mountain frame the horizon. Planning three days in Sofia but overwhelmed by choosing between medieval churches, communist history tours, mountain hiking, and discovering the Balkans' most affordable food scene? This video reveals exactly how to experience Sofia's incredible blend of ancient history, communist heritage, and modern culture without missing the hidden spots that showcase why Sofia is Eastern Europe's most underrated capital. We're covering the must-see historical sites, secret foodie neighborhoods, mountain adventures, and the one tourist trap that'll waste your entire afternoon. This is how to spend three days in Sofia. Let's dive in!

Day 1: "Get Your Bearings"
Start your Sofia adventure at eight AM with a visit to Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Bulgaria's most iconic landmark. This massive Neo-Byzantine cathedral can hold five thousand people and houses Europe's most extensive collection of Orthodox religious icons in its crypt museum. Entry to the cathedral is free, though the crypt museum costs six US dollars. The early morning light creates perfect photography conditions on the golden domes, and you'll avoid the tourist crowds that arrive after ten AM. The cathedral's twelve bells weigh twenty-three tons total, and the interior features Italian marble and stunning mosaics that took thirty years to complete.
From the cathedral, take a fifteen-minute walk to the ancient Church of Saint George, Sofia's oldest preserved building dating back to the fourth century. This tiny circular Roman rotunda sits surrounded by modern government buildings, creating a striking contrast between ancient and contemporary Sofia. The church is free to visit and contains stunning frescoes from different historical periods. The building originally served as a Roman bath before becoming a church, and later was converted into a mosque during Ottoman rule.
Next, head to Serdika Archaeological Complex, located right beneath the modern city center. These Roman ruins were discovered during metro construction and showcase Sofia's ancient history when the city was called Serdica. The complex is accessible through Serdika Metro Station and is completely free to explore. The ruins include ancient streets, buildings, and thermal baths from nearly two thousand years ago. Interactive displays explain how Roman Serdica was once considered for the capital of the entire Roman Empire by Emperor Constantine.
For lunch, walk along Vitosha Boulevard, Sofia's main pedestrian shopping street. Stop at Hadjidraganov's Houses Restaurant for traditional Bulgarian cuisine in a beautiful nineteenth-century setting. Expect to pay around eighteen to twenty-two US dollars for a main dish. Try the traditional shopska salad, kavarma stew, or Bulgarian-style grilled meat. The restaurant occupies three connected historic houses and features authentic Bulgarian folk music performances on weekend evenings.
Spend your afternoon at the National Palace of Culture, known locally as NDK. This massive communist-era complex hosts exhibitions, concerts, and cultural events. Even if nothing's scheduled, the building itself represents Sofia's communist architectural heritage. The surrounding NDK park offers pleasant walking paths and fountains. The complex was built in nineteen eighty-one for Bulgaria's thirteen hundredth anniversary and remains the largest multifunctional complex in Southeastern Europe.
End your day at Ivan Vazov National Theatre, Bulgaria's oldest and most prestigious theatre. The neo-classical building is stunning when illuminated in the evening. Check their schedule for performances, though most shows are in Bulgarian. A theatre ticket costs between nine and twenty-four US dollars. The theatre was built in nineteen hundred and six and named after Bulgaria's national poet. Even if you don't attend a performance, the surrounding City Garden provides a peaceful evening stroll.
Tomorrow, we're diving deep into Sofia's complex communist past and discovering why one underground museum experience will completely change how you view Eastern European history.

Day 2: "Adventure Day"
Begin day two at nine AM with the Museum of Socialist Art, featuring the world's largest collection of communist-era monuments and artwork. This outdoor museum displays statues of Lenin, Stalin, and other communist leaders that were removed from Sofia's streets after nineteen eighty-nine. Entry costs six US dollars. The museum provides excellent English descriptions and context for understanding Bulgaria's communist period.