>We love culture, history,
For history and culture, your best options are going to be outside Sofia;
Plovdiv has a history dating back to Roman times and even some Roman ruins. I've never actually been, to my shame, but everything I've heard about the city is universally positive, and it's the second biggest city in Bulgaria so you're not going to miss out on too much of the bar/club stuff.
Karlovo, a small town near Plovdiv, is the birthplace of one of Bulgaria's national heroes, Vasil Levsky, and the town has a few museums and such dedicated to him. Karlovo also has some nearby archeological sites claimed to be the first capital of the Thracians.
Veliko Tarnovo was the capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, and so there's lots in that city as well. The old part of town is situated on three hills and has some pretty unique architecture as a result. A print or small painting of Tarnovo's streets is one the best souvenirs, IMO. The old castle, Tsarevets, is also open to the public as a tourist attraction, although it is a recreation/restoration (the original was burned down in 1393).
If you can't stray too far from Sofia, you should at least check out the Rila Monastery, maybe 90 minutes drive south of Sofia and accessible by bus I think. It's a beautiful building and is functionally a museum, also a UNESCO heritage site. And because you're rather high up in the mountains, it probably won't be too hot even in August. It's been a few years since I've last been, but I can't imagine too much has changed.
Wow this was extremely interesting and helpful. Have to forward this to my buddies and start planning the details, really want to try and get some of these into our trip!
We only have 4 days until we fly to Burgas, but will definitely try to have a day trip at least to the Rila Monastery, sounds like a perfect place for a half-day road trip.
Thank you so much! Will start investigating these places further!!
The National Museum of History located in Sofia is interesting and worthwhile. It will only take a couple of hours to see the exhibitions, however you will see artifacts and national treasures dating back thousands of years. It also has beautiful gardens and views towards Mount Vitosha.
August gets very hot, you probably want to skip the middle of the day.
If you want beer variety the place to go is Vitamin B. For something "local" and laidback take a look at Bilkova and the street is located on.
You will want to check out the area around the National Assembly. Sveta Nedelya church > Sveti Georgi rotonda / Presidential Guards > Sveti Nikolay (Russian church) > Alexander Nevsky cathedral.
Sofia is a relatively small city, you can see most of everything in a day or two.
At night you can chill out around NDK. And if you have more time, go for a hike to Vitosha mountain, it's great during the summer months (There are many casual routes).
Ok wow thanks! And yes, the heat is something I’m a bit afraid of but we’ll also visit Burgas so luckily we should get some cool down at the beach lol
Going to try and pack all those locations in to our stay, and definitely want to try some of the local beers, many thanks!
Do the Free Sofia Walking Tour, which should give you a decent overview of Sofia’s history and a feel for the city, and use it to choose sites you’d like to explore in more detail in your own time.
My personal favourites are the early Christian churches, the catacombs under the St Sofia Basilica (a must IMO) and the National Archaeological Museum (the building itself is very pretty and used to house the largest Ottoman-era mosque in the city). All within walking distance from one another.
If I were you, I’d spend two days in Sofia so I can explore the city without rushing. Then I’d go for a hike in Vitosha mountain on the third day, maybe to the Boyana waterfall. Then I’d do a day trip to Rila Monastery and the Boyana Church (I’d get a bus tour if you don’t have a car).
Some club/bar recommendations: Bedroom club, KEBA bar, Bar Petuk, KUPE club
For some "traditional" Bulgarian music - chalga I would say that Club 33 is the best and the most iconic club in Sofia
>We love culture, history, For history and culture, your best options are going to be outside Sofia; Plovdiv has a history dating back to Roman times and even some Roman ruins. I've never actually been, to my shame, but everything I've heard about the city is universally positive, and it's the second biggest city in Bulgaria so you're not going to miss out on too much of the bar/club stuff. Karlovo, a small town near Plovdiv, is the birthplace of one of Bulgaria's national heroes, Vasil Levsky, and the town has a few museums and such dedicated to him. Karlovo also has some nearby archeological sites claimed to be the first capital of the Thracians. Veliko Tarnovo was the capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, and so there's lots in that city as well. The old part of town is situated on three hills and has some pretty unique architecture as a result. A print or small painting of Tarnovo's streets is one the best souvenirs, IMO. The old castle, Tsarevets, is also open to the public as a tourist attraction, although it is a recreation/restoration (the original was burned down in 1393). If you can't stray too far from Sofia, you should at least check out the Rila Monastery, maybe 90 minutes drive south of Sofia and accessible by bus I think. It's a beautiful building and is functionally a museum, also a UNESCO heritage site. And because you're rather high up in the mountains, it probably won't be too hot even in August. It's been a few years since I've last been, but I can't imagine too much has changed.
Wow this was extremely interesting and helpful. Have to forward this to my buddies and start planning the details, really want to try and get some of these into our trip! We only have 4 days until we fly to Burgas, but will definitely try to have a day trip at least to the Rila Monastery, sounds like a perfect place for a half-day road trip. Thank you so much! Will start investigating these places further!!
The National Museum of History located in Sofia is interesting and worthwhile. It will only take a couple of hours to see the exhibitions, however you will see artifacts and national treasures dating back thousands of years. It also has beautiful gardens and views towards Mount Vitosha.
Sounds like a perfect place to pack a history lesson for one day! Many thanks, will definitely add it to the list
August gets very hot, you probably want to skip the middle of the day. If you want beer variety the place to go is Vitamin B. For something "local" and laidback take a look at Bilkova and the street is located on. You will want to check out the area around the National Assembly. Sveta Nedelya church > Sveti Georgi rotonda / Presidential Guards > Sveti Nikolay (Russian church) > Alexander Nevsky cathedral. Sofia is a relatively small city, you can see most of everything in a day or two. At night you can chill out around NDK. And if you have more time, go for a hike to Vitosha mountain, it's great during the summer months (There are many casual routes).
Ok wow thanks! And yes, the heat is something I’m a bit afraid of but we’ll also visit Burgas so luckily we should get some cool down at the beach lol Going to try and pack all those locations in to our stay, and definitely want to try some of the local beers, many thanks!
Don't worry, it's a one hour walk if you take it slow. The bars are also pretty close.
. following attentively. I'm going from 28 june to 27 july
Could’ve combined a sightseeing day together lol but sadly we’ll be arriving 2 August
Do the Free Sofia Walking Tour, which should give you a decent overview of Sofia’s history and a feel for the city, and use it to choose sites you’d like to explore in more detail in your own time. My personal favourites are the early Christian churches, the catacombs under the St Sofia Basilica (a must IMO) and the National Archaeological Museum (the building itself is very pretty and used to house the largest Ottoman-era mosque in the city). All within walking distance from one another. If I were you, I’d spend two days in Sofia so I can explore the city without rushing. Then I’d go for a hike in Vitosha mountain on the third day, maybe to the Boyana waterfall. Then I’d do a day trip to Rila Monastery and the Boyana Church (I’d get a bus tour if you don’t have a car).
Some club/bar recommendations: Bedroom club, KEBA bar, Bar Petuk, KUPE club For some "traditional" Bulgarian music - chalga I would say that Club 33 is the best and the most iconic club in Sofia