Sofia's drab suburbs, and a distinct lack of beautiful old homes could make it appear uninteresting for first-time visitors. Sofia has experienced an improvement in recent times. Once you get settled in, it will be a lively city. You can also find Mount Vitosha 8km south.

Three thousand years ago the city was a Thracian tribe was founded Sofia Bulgaria. Numerous Roman ruins are evidence of the city's apex as a regional capital and capital of the imperial empire in the 4th century AD. The Bulgars arrived on the scene in the 9th century. The Bulgars, with the exception of the Boyana Church from the thirteenth century, most of their cultural sites were destroyed during the Turkish occupation (1396-1878). Their heritage is only evident in a handful of mosques that are stately.

The majority of Sofia's sights are centrally located and walking distance of each other. The pedestrian-friendly Bulevard Vitosha forms the heart of the shopping district . It connects north to the Church of Sveta Nedelya, from where bul. The magnificent Aleksandar Nevski Church is the culmination of the route used by Tsar Osvoboditel.

Accommodation

There are a number of quirky, charming and welcoming hostels in Sofia. The cost is kept low by the competition. Many hostels in Sofia offer self-contained double rooms in case the idea of bunk beds is not appealing to you. Summer is a busy season for hostels and can create pressure on the staff and facilities. Be sure to make a call in advance to reserve beds. The business side of the market is taken care of, and a growing number of hotels that are boutique, mid-priced guesthouses and family-run establishments offer a variety of what's on offer.

The Archeological Museum

The Archeological Museum things to see in Sofia, a 15th-century mosque, today houses the Archeological Museum. Its prize exhibit is the Valchitran Treasure, an ancient Thracian golden cauldron and cup. A collection of Thracian armour as well as medieval church wall art, as well as numerous Roman tombstones are displayed.

The Banya Bashi Mosque, and the mineral baths

Mimar Sinan who was the designer of Edirne's famous mosque, built the Banya Bashi Mosque in 1576. The mosque isn't open to tourists but modestly dressed people are welcome to visit outside of prayer times. Sofia's mineral waters are hidden behind a beautiful red and yellow-striped fin-de-siecle building. The mosque has been shut since 1986, but is currently being renovated. Everyday, people come together to bottle the hot, sulfurous, hot water that comes from the taps of the public into stone drains located on the other side, right next to the ul. Exzarh Iosif.

Borisova Gradina

Downbul. Borisova Gradina is the name given to Bulgaria's monarch of the interwar period, Boris III. Tsar Osvoboditel was the name of Sofia University. It is home to the largest park attractions in Sofia that is home to an extensive variety of trees and flowers, and also has outdoor bars and two football fields and two huge Communist monuments.

The City Art Gallery

The City Art Gallery in the City Garden, immediately to the south of the pl. Aleksandar Batenberg, stages regular exhibitions of modern Bulgarian art.

Nightlife and drinking

The drinking scene in Sofia is an all-hours activity, with numerous kiosks and cafes offering drinks, juice and coffee in the daytime, and bars and pubs pulling in punters by night. There are many clubs that offer evening entertainment. They typically offer a mix of retro pop, rock, or the local "folkpop" (chalga). Jazz as well as Latino music are also popular. Entry fees to clubs vary between zero and 20Lv based upon the venue. You can expect to spend more when there is a DJ who is major. An ID with a valid photo is required.

Food

Although none of Sofia's restaurants can be classed as truly outstanding however, you'll find a greater choice here than anywhere else in the nation. The cheapest places to grab food, drinks or coffee are the many cafes and kiosks around Bul. Vitosha or in the city's public gardens. In recent years there have been a number of cafes that have been opened by coffeehouse chains from around the world like Starbucks and Costa. There are many restaurants that offer a wide range of international cuisine for a more expensive price.

Mount Vitosha

Sofians love to ski and enjoy picnics in the mountains of Mount Vitosha. It is an unforgiving mountain of granite which measures 20km long and has a width of 16 km. The highest point, Cherni Vrah at 2290m, is an iconic test of endurance. It is accessible via public transport. is straightforward, although there are fewer buses on the weekdays than on weekends.

The National Gallery for Foreign Art

The National Gallery for Foreign Art is a massive building from the nineteenth century. It is home to the National Gallery for Foreign Art. This gallery focuses heavily on Indian wood carvings, second division French as well as Russian artists. There are also works from Kandinsky, Chagall, and Rodin. When you travel travel towards the west, past Alexander Nevski Cathedral, you'll encounter two lions that are recumbent, flanking the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier located in front of the wall of the brown brick, plain Church of Sveta Sofia which was the name given to the city in the fourteenth century.