Bulgaria’s compact capital city – the highest in Europe – sits on a plateau encircled by mountains. Still a little rough around the edges after decades under a communist regime, there are, nevertheless, grand churches, museums, pavement cafes and eateries to satisfy all palates, plus an exciting nightlife. The city is easily explored on foot, but you can also jump on a trolleybus, tram or metro.
What to do
Central Sofia features wide boulevards flanked by elegant buildings and squares. Most must-sees are downtown.
My first stop was at Alexander Nevsky Church, with its gold leaf-capped domes, Venetian mosaics and elaborate chandeliers.
The National Art Gallery, Bulgaria’s largest art museum, houses over 42,000 works of art, and the Sofia History Museum walks you through the capital’s colourful past.
I spent…
