Sofia Synagogue Tours
Europe’s third largest synagogue was built in 1909 for Sofia’s Sephardi Jewish community. Based on the Leopoldstädter Tempel, Friedrich Grünanger’s design blends Venetian and Secessionist features with Moorish revival architecture. The synagogue is also home to Sofia’s Jewish Museum of History.
The Basics
Discover the temple on a city tour to gain an overview of the city’s cultural landscape. Comprehensive itineraries allow you see the landmark along with other highlights, such as the neighboring Banya Bashi Mosque. Alternatively, pop in for a closer glimpse of the rich interior, or take time to explore the on-site museum’s informative exhibitions.
Things to Know Before You Go
How to Get There
Sofia Synagogue is a short walk from Serdika and Lion’s Bridge metro stations, and a 20-minute stroll from Sofia Central. Take advantage of tours with round-trip transportation to save time finding it.
When to Get There
Southeastern Europe’s largest synagogue is open to visitors Monday to Friday. Be aware that the synagogue is an active place of worship. Visitors are welcome to join in prayer, but sightseeing and museum tours are best conducted outside of worship hours.
20th Century Jewish History
Despite a long history of Judaism in Bulgaria, the community experienced turbulence in the 20th century. The kingdom joined the Axis in 1941, and anti-Semitic policies followed. The synagogue was hit by an Allied bomb in 1944. On the positive side: In 1943, civilians, religious leaders, and politicians united to stop the deportation of 50,000 Bulgarian Jews to Treblinka extermination camp. Today, Sofia has a church, mosque, and synagogue coexisting within meters of one another.
The Basics
Discover the temple on a city tour to gain an overview of the city’s cultural landscape. Comprehensive itineraries allow you see the landmark along with other highlights, such as the neighboring Banya Bashi Mosque. Alternatively, pop in for a closer glimpse of the rich interior, or take time to explore the on-site museum’s informative exhibitions.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Sofia Synagogue is a must-see for architecture enthusiasts, as well as anyone interested in Sofia’s cultural heritage.
- Some tours include entry; otherwise, there is a small charge for adults to enter the synagogue and museum.
- A guided tour is included in the admission price.
- Wheelchair users can access the synagogue, but it is not yet fully adapted.
How to Get There
Sofia Synagogue is a short walk from Serdika and Lion’s Bridge metro stations, and a 20-minute stroll from Sofia Central. Take advantage of tours with round-trip transportation to save time finding it.
When to Get There
Southeastern Europe’s largest synagogue is open to visitors Monday to Friday. Be aware that the synagogue is an active place of worship. Visitors are welcome to join in prayer, but sightseeing and museum tours are best conducted outside of worship hours.
20th Century Jewish History
Despite a long history of Judaism in Bulgaria, the community experienced turbulence in the 20th century. The kingdom joined the Axis in 1941, and anti-Semitic policies followed. The synagogue was hit by an Allied bomb in 1944. On the positive side: In 1943, civilians, religious leaders, and politicians united to stop the deportation of 50,000 Bulgarian Jews to Treblinka extermination camp. Today, Sofia has a church, mosque, and synagogue coexisting within meters of one another.
Address: Exarch Joseph Street 18, Sofia 1000, Bulgaria
11 Tours and Activities to Experience Sofia Synagogue
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The Most Affordable Private Sofia Walking Tour
Lovers of history will thrill to this action-packed private walking tour that takes you from the 4th-century Rotunda of St. George to grand 20th-century architecture. Stops include the Ottoman-era Banya Bashi Mosque, the Cathedral St. Alexander Nevski with its glorious icons, and the Ivan Vazov National Theater.
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From
$17.30
Price varies by group size
From
$17.30
Price varies by group size
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Private City Tour of Sofia
Check off Sofia’s key landmarks in minimum time on this comprehensive private chauffeured city tour. Exploring with your private guide, see Cathedral Saint Alexander Nevski, Saint Sofia Church, the Banya Bashi Mosque, Borisova Gradina gardens, the National Art Gallery, and so much more. Tour includes door-to-door transport but excludes any entrance fees.
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From
$35.84
Price varies by group size
From
$35.84
Price varies by group size
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
The religion in and around Sofia
Sofia is one of the oldest cities in Europe, placed at crossroads. Life here began around the thermal springs. The traces of many cultures are found in the city. Despite the natural and human vicissitudes Sofia retains its spirit. Come with us and let’s see the ancient walls and temples, to drink the mineral water and feel like a local, and to understand why Sofia visitors become wiser.
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From
$67.33
Price varies by group size
From
$67.33
Price varies by group size
Explore Sofia with double-decker bus
This 1-hour bus tour offers a perfect introduction to Sofia for first-time visitors or those on a time-crunch. Take in unobstructed views of the city from the top of a double decker bus while you listen to commentary about landmarks passed along the way. Morning and afternoon departure times are available to fit your schedule.
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From
$23.17
From
$23.17
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Private Sofia City Tour by Bike
Take the opportunity to experience Sofia’s compact city center by bike. Accompanied by an English-speaking guide and equipped with a rented bicycle, make your way through many of the city’s green spaces. Ride through the centrally-located Boris Garden, Loven Park, and Yuzhen Park for an active exploration of Bulgaria’s capital.
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From
$48.19
Price varies by group size
From
$48.19
Price varies by group size
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Experience Sofia
When in Sofia it may seem initially there is not much to see. But you are just a step away from learning about not only the rich milenia history of the city but also about the local population of this part of the world - the ancient Thracians and their predecessors as the History museum will reveal to us some of the oldest artefacts discovered in this area.
Boyana church itself is a great example of the Medieval art and even with its secret it stays in our memory forever!
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From
$63.38
Price varies by group size
From
$63.38
Price varies by group size
Sofia Private City Tour
The Sofia City Tour is a great opportunity to discover its rich history and to get acquainted with its present.
The city of Sofia offers beautiful buildings, Romanesque remains, old churches, extremely interesting archaeological complexes and of course thousands of bars and restaurants where you can taste traditional Bulgarian dishes.
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From
$43.25
Price varies by group size
From
$43.25
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Private city walking tour of Sofia
In this 2,5h walking tour, you will have the chance to get a deeper understanding over local history, traditions, and habits. Pass by the must-see city landmarks and hear interesting stories related to their past and present use, famous people they are related to, and much more.
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From
$69.20
Price varies by group size
From
$69.20
Price varies by group size
Sofia walking tour
Sofia is one of the oldest cities in Europe. See it with a local guide by booking our Sofia walking tour. Learn about the history, culture and lifestyle of Bulgarians during a nice walk in the city center. Sofia walking tour would show you the main landmarks of our capital, plus leaving you with a nice impression of this part of Europe.
The tour could be in English, German, Spanish, Arabic and other languages.
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From
$148.29
per group
From
$148.29
per group
4 Balkan Countries and 3 Nights Cruise in Greek Islands from Sofia
Starting in Bulgaria, one of the oldest countries in Europe.
Ohrid the deepest and oldest lake in Europe and Balkan Pearl.
Albania where you will have a combination of history, culture, tradition, religion and nature in some of most renowned sites in Albania,
Visiting in Greece, Meteora, formed approximately 65 million years ago, Corfu, the undisputed Queen of the Ionian islands, Delphi, mystical place, Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games and Athens, labelled as the birthplace of democracy and home to some of the most famous philosophers.
Ending with a cruise on the Aegean Sea! Sail from Athens to dock on the legendary island of Mykonos, sail towards the shores of Turkey to visit Kusadasi sail to Crete to explore Knossos, and also sail, to Santorini, “The Black Pearl of the Aegean.”
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From
$2,706.23
From
$2,706.23
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Private Every Day Sofia Walking Tour
Be with your guide on a 3-4 hour private tour of Sofia showing you all for the fraction of the cost. Get an e-guide in your preferred language.
The best quality/price ratio tour in Sofia showing you all privately
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From
$35.84
From
$35.84
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
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