Sofia attractions

The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is a local landmark in the Bulgarian capital of Sofia. This large cathedral was built in the neo-Byzantine style, and its lavish design elements make it one of the most striking and photogenic buildings in the city.

The Kvadrat 500 National Gallery and Museum of Art is home to nearly 2,000 pieces from the National Gallery's 42,000-strong collection of treasures. Opened in 2015, the museum is a bastion of Bulgarian history, with airy halls full of 19th and 20th-century Bulgarian art, and priceless pieces of national importance. As well as the Christian Art in Bulgarian Lands collection, which spans 1,600 years, the four-floor, 28-hall museum also boasts a wealth of European works, and exhibits of Asian, African and American art.

St. Nedelya Church is a medieval monument that now stands as a testament to Bulgaria's years under Communist rule. The church was blown up in a terrorist attack in 1925 and has been reconstructed several times, making it an architectural wonder and a history lesson at the same time. Visitors can opt for a guided tour or take a self-guided tour with audio commentary.

The National Palace of Culture (NDK) is the largest multi-functional conference and exhibition center in south-eastern Europe. It opened back in 1981 to celebrate Bulgaria's 1300th anniversary. The palace was the suggestion of Lyudmila Zhivkova (daughter of former Bulgarian communist leader Todor Zhivkov) and was completed by a team of Bulgarian and international architects. The landscaping of Bulgaria Square in front of the NDK has been subject to a modern redesign and is a hub of activity every day. Inside the building, which has hosted concerts by the likes of Sting, Anastacia, and Mark Knopfler, there are 80 monumental artworks in the halls and foyers, which you can see by joining a National Palace of Culture guided tour.

Dating back to the early 4th century, the Church of Saint George is considered Sofia's oldest building. Other than its impressive age, the rotunda also features five layers of frescoes. As you stare at the walls, make sure to keep an eye out for perhaps the most impressive of the lot, which dates back to the 10th century and shows the face of an angel in Bulgarian medieval style.