Guidebook for Sofia

Daniela

Joined in 2015

Guidebook for Sofia

Food Scene

Hadjidraganovite Kashti

Traditional Bulgarian restaurant in a complex of restored 19th century houses close to the central station. There are four themed houses named after the typical architectural styles in the beautiful towns of Bansko, Melnik, Zheravna and Koprishtitsa. Traditional Bulgarian cuisine, open fireplace, courtyard and live music.

47 locals recommend

Hadjidraganovite Kashti

75 ul. "Kozloduy"

47 locals recommend

Traditional Bulgarian restaurant in a complex of restored 19th century houses close to the central station. There are four themed houses named after the typical architectural styles in the beautiful towns of Bansko, Melnik, Zheravna and Koprishtitsa. Traditional Bulgarian cuisine, open fireplace, courtyard and live music.

Supermarket "CBA"

21 ul. "Hadzhi Dimitar"

Drinks & Nightlife

Бек стейдж

airly centrally located shopping mall with a large cinema complex. As one of the first malls to be built, it is smaller than its predecessors but its proximity to the city centre and the nearby metro station ensure it is well frequented. All the usual high street names are here, plus a large Picadilly supermarket in the basement.

Бек стейдж

100 bul. "Vasil Levski"

airly centrally located shopping mall with a large cinema complex. As one of the first malls to be built, it is smaller than its predecessors but its proximity to the city centre and the nearby metro station ensure it is well frequented. All the usual high street names are here, plus a large Picadilly supermarket in the basement.

Shopping

Mall of Sofia

141 locals recommend

Mall of Sofia

101 A bul. "Aleksandar Stamboliyski"

141 locals recommend

ulitsa "Vitosha"

BENETON,ZARRA,

ulitsa "Vitosha"

BENETON,ZARRA,

Kaufland

1 ul. "Skopie"

Everything Else

St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral

Named after St. Alexander Nevski, a Russian Tsar who saved Russia from invading Swedish troops in 1240 and the patron saint of Tsar Alexander II, who was also referred to as Bulgaria’s Tsar Osvoboditel (Liberator), since it was his troops that finally brought about Bulgaria’s liberation from Ottoman rule. The foundation stone of Sofia’s biggest church was laid in 1882. Built between 1904-1912 in the Neo Byzantine style, typical for Russian churches in the 19th century, the cathedral is 76 metres long and 53 metres wide and is said to hold up to 7000 people. It covers an area of 2600 square metres. The belfry is 52 metres high and houses 12 bells. Some of Russia and Bulgaria's best artists of the time worked on the interior with its five aisles and three altars. Sienna and Carrera marble in the entrance area, stained glass windows, Venetian mosaics and dramatic murals such as The Lord God Sabbath in the main cupola, and The Day of Judgement above the exit, onyx and alabaster columns on the thrones all add to the richness of the interior without making it in any way gaudy. The spectacular external golden domes were covered in gold leaf, donated by Russia in 1960 and have recently been regilded.The Russian architect A.N.Pomerantsev is also the architect of the famous GUM (State Department Store) in Moscow. Find time to visit the crypt under the cathedral with its fascinating collection of icons.

369 locals recommend

St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral

ploshtad "Sveti Aleksandar Nevski"

369 locals recommend

Named after St. Alexander Nevski, a Russian Tsar who saved Russia from invading Swedish troops in 1240 and the patron saint of Tsar Alexander II, who was also referred to as Bulgaria’s Tsar Osvoboditel (Liberator), since it was his troops that finally brought about Bulgaria’s liberation from Ottoman rule. The foundation stone of Sofia’s biggest church was laid in 1882. Built between 1904-1912 in the Neo Byzantine style, typical for Russian churches in the 19th century, the cathedral is 76 metres long and 53 metres wide and is said to hold up to 7000 people. It covers an area of 2600 square metres. The belfry is 52 metres high and houses 12 bells. Some of Russia and Bulgaria's best artists of the time worked on the interior with its five aisles and three altars. Sienna and Carrera marble in the entrance area, stained glass windows, Venetian mosaics and dramatic murals such as The Lord God Sabbath in the main cupola, and The Day of Judgement above the exit, onyx and alabaster columns on the thrones all add to the richness of the interior without making it in any way gaudy. The spectacular external golden domes were covered in gold leaf, donated by Russia in 1960 and have recently been regilded.The Russian architect A.N.Pomerantsev is also the architect of the famous GUM (State Department Store) in Moscow. Find time to visit the crypt under the cathedral with its fascinating collection of icons.