On the right, you’ll see a map of Sofia’s public transport system. When traveling by bus or trolleybus, you can purchase a ticket directly from the driver for 2 BGN or pay contactlessly with a Visa or MasterCard at the blue payment stations located near each door for 1.60 BGN.

For metro travel, you can pay with a card at the entrance or buy a physical ticket from the UMC office near the metro entrance. When using a trolley, payment can only be made by card.

For all three types of transport, if you pay with your card more than three times in one day, you will be charged a maximum of 4 BGN, which acts as a daily pass.

Alternatively, you can buy a daily pass through the “MPass – Smart Ticketing” app or purchase a physical daily ticket from a UMC (Urban Mobility Center) office.

For more details, visit the official UMC website Център за градска мобилност – Sofia Traffic. You can also find transport line information on their site here: – Sofia Traffic or use Google Maps or Moovit, both of which work reliably.

National History Museum

The National History Museum in Sofia is one of the largest and most important museums in Bulgaria, showcasing the country’s rich history from prehistoric times to the modern era. Established in 1973, the museum is housed in a former government residence in the Boyana district, offering a vast collection of over 650,000 artifacts, though only a portion is displayed in its exhibitions.

Highlights:

• Thracian Treasures: Exquisite gold and silver artifacts from ancient Thracian civilizations.
• Medieval Bulgaria: Items from Bulgaria’s First and Second Empires, including religious artifacts, weapons, and manuscripts.
• Prehistoric and Ancient History: Tools, pottery, and remains from early human settlements in the region.
• Modern History: Exhibits covering Bulgaria’s liberation, national revival, and 20th-century developments.

📍 Address: 16 Vitoshko Lale Street, Boyana District, Sofia, Bulgaria
🕒 Opening Hours:

• Daily: 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
  🎟️ Entry Fee: ~12 BGN for adults, with discounts for students, children, and groups.

Regional History Museum

The Regional History Museum of Sofia, located in the former Central Mineral Baths building, is a must-visit for history enthusiasts. It showcases Sofia’s rich past, from ancient times to modernity. The museum’s collections include artifacts from Thracian, Roman, and medieval periods, as well as exhibits on the city’s cultural and political development.

The building itself, an architectural gem with colorful ceramic decorations, dates back to 1913 and reflects Sofia’s spa heritage. Visitors can explore permanent and temporary exhibitions and learn about the city’s transformation over centuries.

📍 Address: Banski Square 1, Sofia, Bulgaria
🕒 Opening Hours:

• Tuesday–Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Closed on Mondays
  🎟️ Entry Fee: ~6 BGN for adults, with discounts for students, children, and groups.

The Red Flat

The Red Flat Museum in Sofia offers a unique, immersive experience by recreating the atmosphere of a typical Bulgarian home during the communist era of the 1980s. Unlike traditional museums, this interactive exhibit allows visitors to touch and explore items, from clothing and furniture to books and household objects, giving a hands-on glimpse into daily life during that period.

The experience is designed as a self-guided tour, complete with a booklet that explains the cultural, social, and political context of the time. It’s both educational and nostalgic for those familiar with the era.

📍 Address: 8 “Tsar Samuil” Street, Sofia, Bulgaria
🕒 Opening Hours:

• Monday–Sunday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Last entry at 6:00 PM)
  🎟️ Entry Fee: ~18 BGN for adults, with discounts for students, children, and families.

The Palace – National Art Gallery

The Palace – National Art Gallery is one of Bulgaria’s most prominent art institutions, located in the historic royal palace in the heart of Sofia. The gallery houses an extensive collection of Bulgarian art, showcasing works from the 19th century to contemporary pieces. Visitors can explore paintings, sculptures, and graphic art that reflect Bulgaria’s cultural heritage and artistic evolution.

The building itself is a masterpiece of neo-Renaissance architecture, constructed in the late 19th century as the residence of Bulgaria’s monarchs. Its grand halls provide an elegant backdrop for the diverse exhibitions, including both permanent and temporary displays.

📍 Address: 1 Knyaz Alexander I Square, Sofia, Bulgaria
🕒 Opening Hours:

• Tuesday–Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Closed on Mondays
  🎟️ Entry Fee: ~6 BGN for adults, with discounts available for students, children, and groups.

National Gallery

The National Gallery in Sofia is Bulgaria’s largest art museum, dedicated to preserving and showcasing the country’s rich artistic heritage. Its extensive collection features over 42,000 works, including paintings, sculptures, and graphic art from Bulgarian masters, as well as significant pieces of European, Asian, African, and Latin American art.

The gallery operates across multiple iconic buildings in Sofia, with its primary locations being:

1. Kvadrat 500 (Square 500) – Known as the “Bulgarian Louvre,” this is the main building, housing the largest collection of Bulgarian and international art.
2. The Palace – Focused on Bulgarian art from the 19th and early 20th centuries, located in the former royal palace.
3. Museum of Christian Art – Featuring religious artifacts and icons, housed in the crypt of Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.

📍 Main Location (Kvadrat 500): 1 St. Alexander Nevsky Square, Sofia, Bulgaria
🕒 Opening Hours:

• Tuesday–Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Closed on Mondays
  🎟️ Entry Fee: ~10 BGN for adults, with discounts for students, children, and groups.

National Museum of Military History

The National Museum of Military History in Sofia is one of the most significant museums in Bulgaria, dedicated to the country’s military history from ancient times to the present day. It features an extensive collection of military artifacts, including weapons, uniforms, equipment, and personal items related to Bulgaria’s armed forces and major historical events such as the Balkan Wars, World War I and II, and the Cold War era.

The museum also houses several impressive outdoor exhibitions, including tanks, aircraft, and artillery pieces, which provide a fascinating look at military technology throughout the years.

📍 Address: 92 Tsarigradsko Shose Blvd., Sofia, Bulgaria
🕒 Opening Hours:

• Monday–Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
• Closed on Mondays
  🎟️ Entry Fee: ~8 BGN for adults, with discounts for students, children, and groups.

National Archaeological Museum

The National Archaeological Museum in Sofia is a treasure trove of Bulgaria’s ancient history, showcasing artifacts from prehistoric times to the late Middle Ages. Housed in a former Ottoman mosque dating back to the 15th century, the museum offers a fascinating journey through Bulgaria’s archaeological heritage.

Highlights of the museum include:

• The Thracian Treasures, featuring exquisite gold and silver artifacts.
• The Medieval Hall, with religious icons, frescoes, and artifacts from Bulgaria’s Christian period.
• The Prehistoric Collection, showcasing tools, pottery, and artifacts from Bulgaria’s earliest inhabitants.
• The impressive Main Hall, displaying statues, inscriptions, and artifacts from Thracian, Greek, and Roman civilizations.

📍 Address: 2 Saborna Street, Sofia, Bulgaria
🕒 Opening Hours:

• Monday–Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Closed on certain public holidays.
  🎟️ Entry Fee: ~10 BGN for adults, with discounts for students, children, and groups.

Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

The Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is one of Sofia’s most iconic landmarks and one of the largest Orthodox cathedrals in the world. Dedicated to Saint Alexander Nevsky, it serves as a symbol of Bulgaria’s spiritual heritage and freedom.

Constructed between 1882 and 1912, the cathedral commemorates Bulgarian soldiers who died during the Russo-Turkish War of Liberation (1877–1878). Its neo-Byzantine architecture features a stunning gold-plated central dome, intricate mosaics, and impressive frescoes. Inside, the cathedral boasts a serene atmosphere with beautiful religious icons and marble and onyx detailing.

The crypt beneath the cathedral houses the Museum of Christian Art, showcasing one of the most extensive collections of Orthodox icons in Europe.

📍 Address: St. Alexander Nevsky Square, Sofia, Bulgaria
🕒 Visiting Hours:

• Daily: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  🎟️ Entry Fee: Free for the main cathedral; a small fee applies for the crypt museum.

Saint Sophia Church

Saint Sophia Church is one of Sofia’s oldest and most historically significant landmarks, dating back to the 6th century. Built during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, the church is a fine example of early Christian architecture in Bulgaria and served as the city’s main cathedral for centuries.

The church is notable for its simple yet elegant design, featuring a central dome, intricate mosaics, and early Christian frescoes. It is also known for giving Sofia its name — the city was named after the church, with “Sofia” meaning “wisdom” in Greek, referencing the divine wisdom symbolized by the church.

The church houses several important historical elements, including tombs of notable figures from the medieval period, and it has undergone numerous restorations over the years.

📍 Address: 26, Paris Street, Sofia, Bulgaria
🕒 Opening Hours:

• Daily: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  🎟️ Entry Fee: Free entry.

Saint Nedelya Church

Saint Nedelya Church is a historic and significant Bulgarian Orthodox church located in the heart of Sofia, known for its beautiful architecture and historical importance. The church, whose name translates to “Saint Sunday”, was originally built in the 10th century, although the current structure dates back to the 19th century.

One of the most notable aspects of Saint Nedelya is its circular domed architecture, typical of the Byzantine style, which features colorful frescoes and intricate iconography. The church has also been the site of important events, including the 1925 bombing, which targeted Bulgaria’s political elite and resulted in the death of several prominent leaders.

The church is a popular place of worship and a historical landmark in Sofia. Visitors can admire the detailed frescoes, icons, and the peaceful atmosphere inside, as well as the surrounding area, which has evolved into a major city center.

📍 Address: 1, Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd., Sofia, Bulgaria
🕒 Opening Hours:

• Daily: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  🎟️ Entry Fee: Free entry.

Boyana Church

Boyana Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of Bulgaria’s most treasured landmarks, located in the Boyana district at the foot of Vitosha Mountain. This medieval Orthodox church dates back to the 10th century and is renowned for its exceptionally well-preserved frescoes, painted in 1259, which are considered masterpieces of European medieval art.

The frescoes depict over 240 figures in biblical scenes, showcasing remarkable realism and emotional depth, which were revolutionary for their time and laid the foundation for the Renaissance in European art. The church itself consists of three interconnected buildings from different periods, reflecting its long history.

📍 Address: 1-3 Boyansko Ezero Street, Boyana District, Sofia, Bulgaria
🕒 Opening Hours:

• Daily: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
  🎟️ Entry Fee: ~10 BGN for adults, with discounts for students and children.