Top Sofia Art & Culture

Learn what life was like in communist-era Bulgaria on a Sofia city walking tour. Meet your informative guide in central Sofia and check out the buildings and monuments that testify to its and Bulgaria’s 45 years on the eastern side of the Iron Curtain. See the Largo complex, former home of Bulgaria’s Communist Party; the Monument to the Soviet Army; the National Palace of Culture and more as your guide explains communist ideology and the everyday lives of Bulgarians during the controversial Cold War period.

Grab your passport and head over the border to Serbia on this full-day tour of Nis from Sofia. Learn about the turbulent history of former Yugoslavia as you visit the Nis concentration camp; visit city sights including the Roman ruins of Mediana, the Skull Tower, and the Nisava riverfront; and sample delicious Serbian cuisine with lunch (own expense) at a local grill house.

The Rila Monastery and Boyana Church are two of Bulgaria’s most impressive UNESCO World Heritage sites and this full-day tour from Sofia visits both in one day. Tour the medieval Boyana Church, famous for its magnificent 13th-century frescoes; admire the natural landscapes of the Rila Mountain Nature Park; then explore the churches and caves of the Rila Monastery complex.

Visit the fascinating city of Plovdiv on a full-day tour from Sofia, and explore ancient ruins, some of Bulgaria’s most historic landmarks, and the city’s Ethnographic Museum. This full-day Plovdiv trip includes pickup and drop-off at a central location in Sofia, a guided walking tour of Plovdiv, and admission to the museum and the Plovdiv Roman Theatre.

Admire the sights of Sofia by night before dinner and a folklore show on this evening tour. Take a panoramic drive around Bulgaria’s capital to see its illuminated highlights, including the floodlit Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, National Palace of Culture, and more. Then, savor a 3-course Bulgarian dinner complemented with a live folklore show of traditional local music and dance. Dinner, show, air-conditioned transport, and central hotel pickup and drop-off included.

Visit two notable World Heritage sites of Bulgaria — Rila Monastery and Boyana Church — recognized by UNESCO for their religious significance, historical attributes and Byzantine architecture. Travel to the outskirts of Sofia in the comfort of your own private vehicle and let a personal guide lead you on a tour of both landmarks. A light lunch is included in your full-day itinerary.

Zip around Sofia’s historic landmarks in a traditional Trabant car on this private 2-hour tour. Learn about life in Bulgaria during the communist era as you pass landmarks such as the National Palace of Culture, the former Headquarters of the Communist Party, the Central Department Store, and the State Archive Agency.

Immerse yourself in the beguiling beauty of two of Bulgaria’s most spectacular sights on a full-day trip from Sofia. Admire the natural splendor of rural Bulgaria as you travel to the Rila Monastery, a sacred structure cradled by the dense pine forests of the mountains. Delve into the history of the medieval landmark and browse the intriguing exhibitions of the on-site museum. Continue to Boyana Church to gaze at the fascinating pre-Renaissance frescoes that decorate the walls within. Please note, entrance fees are not included on this tour.

Explore two Bulgarian and Serbian medieval masterpieces on this 9-hour tour to Boyana Church and Poganovo Monastery from Sofia. First, visit the UNESCO-protected Boyana Church just outside Sofia, to admire its 13th-century frescoes, considered some of the best examples of medieval Bulgarian artistry. Then, cross into Serbia to the Poganovo Monastery to view its artworks and treasures, and absorb its deep spirituality. Tour includes a Serbian lunch, air-conditioned transport, and Sofia hotel pickup and drop-off.

Forget planning routes, researching sites, and boning up on history. See all Sofia’s key attractions and learn the stories behind them too on this great-value small-group walking tour: perfect for history buffs. Sights include the ruins of the Roman-era east gate, the 4th-century Rotunda of St. George, the Byzantine St. Sofia Basilica, the Ivan Vazov National Theater, and the Cathedral Saint Alexander Nevsky.

No visit to Sofia is complete without a trip outside the city, to explore the monuments and mountains adorning the picturesque Bulgarian countryside. With this full-day private tour, head into the mountains to see the celebrated Rila Monastery, where you can visit the monastery museum, see Rafail's Cross, and marvel at the frescoes in the Nativity of Mary church. Along the way, enjoy the sprawling mountain views, and stop for a lunch—at your own expense—to sample the local trout.

Dive deep into Bulgarian history on a 10-hour group tour to the Valley of the Thracian Kings region. Beginning and ending at your Sofia accommodation, comfortable transportation enables you to cover a number of destinations in a short amount of time. Along the way, listen to mysterious stories about Orpheus and Spartacus. You also enjoy guided visits to Ostrusha Tomb, Golyama Kosmatka Mound, and the UNESCO listed Tomb of Kazanlak.

Visit Plovdiv and Koprivshtitsa on a full-day trip from Sophia, and discover the art and architecture of two iconic Bulgarian cities. Stroll the narrow lanes of Plovdiv’s old town, and discover historic traces of the Romans, Thracians, and Byzantines who swept through this region. Continue to Koprivshtitsa for a walking tour to the homes of the city’s most storied residents, and learn how a local revolutionary committee freed Bulgaria from Ottoman rule during the Russo-Turkish war before ending your tour in central Sophia. 

Make the most of your time in the region on a private day tour to Niš in Serbia, and take advantage of round-trip transfer from your hotel to travel across the border with ease. Gain insight into Serbia’s past and present as you explore historic landmarks including Mediana, the Skull Tower, and the Crveni Krst concentration camp, and benefit from the personalized attention of your professional guide.

"Discover Bulgaria with dance" is the only workshop in Sofia that gives tourist the opportunity to explore the culture of Bulgaria with the art of dance. You will have the chance to learn a folklore dance and taste a traditional meal. At the same time our instructors will give you interesting trivial information and insights on the customs of the region. To top it off, you will take a photo in a traditional dance costume(garb).

Appreciating the diversity of Balkan culture can be difficult, especially with limited time in the region. Explore Macedonian culture on a day tour to Skopje from Sofia, and tick off another Balkan capital in just one day. Travel the distance with ease via private vehicle, and discover landmarks including the Skopje Fortress, Memorial House of Mother Teresa, and Old Bazaar, with insights provided by your guide.

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.

Explore Bulgarian customs and culture, and discover a pace of life far removed from the busy capital on this 8-hour history, spa and wine tour from Sofia. Follow your guide through Koprivshtitsa and admire the town’s 19th-century Bulgarian Revival architecture. Learn of the role the locals played in the struggle against Ottoman rule during the 1876 uprising, and gain insight into the town’s rich heritage. Head through the Rose Valley to the Thracian Temple of Starosel. Visit a local winery and spa, then return in comfort to Sofia.

Knowing the best spots to experience Bulgaria’s rich and varied cultural heritage can be tricky for visitors on limited time in the capital. Tick off Plovdiv, Asen’s Fortress, and Bachkovo Monastery in just 1 day on a small-group tour from Sofia. Save time with seamless round-trip transfer between landmarks, and learn about their Roman, Ottoman, and modern history from your professional guide.

Travel with a small group to Rila Monastery and Boyana Church, two UNESCO World Heritage sites. An informative guide points out 19th-century paintings depicting the Bulgarian Renaissance at the country’s largest monastery, set against the beauty of the Rila mountains. In the afternoon, visit Boyana Church to view its medieval frescoes. You’ll travel round-trip by air-conditioned minivan from Sofia’s Alexander Nevski Square.

Explore Sofia from a perspective rare to visitors on a 2-hour tour in a Russian military Jeep. In addition to providing round-trip hotel transport, your guide offers little-known facts about top landmarks and intimate stories about Bulgaria’s Soviet history. The itinerary features city center highlights, a preserved Communist-era suburb, and a monument often missed by visitors.

Enjoy a day away from the bustling capital on a small-group day tour to Niš in Serbia. Explore top attractions including Mediana, the Skull Tower, and Niš Fortress with your professional guide for intimate insight into the region’s history and culture, and benefit from round-trip transfer from your hotel to travel the distance with ease.

Want to know what makes Bulgarians tick? Then, get to know Bulgarian culture better on this small-group tour in Sofia. With an experienced local guide, learn the things everyone should know about Bulgarian life. Sample a traditional Bulgarian breakfast; learn the ‘horo’ national folk dance, and discover more about the country’s language, history, and regional customs.

Get an in-depth exploration of the Bulgarian capital on this full-day tour of Sofia. Set out from your hotel and travel in an air-conditioned minivan. Accompanied by a guide, visit Boyana Church, the National Historical Museum, Pancharevo Lake, and more. Take a walking tour through the city center and learn about Bulgarian history from your guide.