Bulgaria has often been popular with tourists from both the US and Europe. Its pleasant climate along with its cheap prices means that the Balkan country has been a huge hit with foreigners for years. Most people think of places such as Varna, Burgas, and Sunny Beach when they think about a vacation in Bulgaria, and why wouldn’t they? The Black Sea coastline is a place of beauty, and its easy to see why the capital Sofia would be overlooked.
But if you’re a keen historian, the city has over 2,000 years of history and culture for you to fully immerse yourself in. If you’re a sports fan, you can enjoy a website such as Oddschecker – which compares odds and provides casino offers and promotions – while simultaneously watching one of Sofia’s six top-flight football teams, such as Levski or CSKA.
There truly is something for everyone in this beautiful city, and here are two must-do things in the Bulgarian capital…
Visit St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
The crown jewel in the city of Sofia is of course the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. Constructed in the 1870s, the 45m high gold-domed cathedral is one of the biggest Eastern Orthodox churches in the world and can hold between 5,000 and 10,000 people. Despite being an Eastern Orthodox church, many of the features you will see on display were actually made in Germany, with the lighting being shipped in from Munich, and the gates being created in Berlin. This makes the St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral a wonderful mish mash of architectural splendor.
Hike through the Vitosha mountains
One thing you will notice when you are in Sofia is the landscape. The edges are surrounded by mountains and, no matter where you are in the city, your skyline will forever be dominated by a gorgeous mountainous background. The best way to explore the wilderness is by climbing up Mount Vitosha itself. There are a number of ways to get to the mountain’s summit. Bus number 66 heads from Vitosha metro station up to Aleko Hut, which is the highest point any transport there can travel. Another option is to take a cab to the hut. Taxis are so cheap in Sofia that a cab from pretty much anywhere in the city up the mountain will set you back around 30 BGN (15 USD).