One of Sofia’s most distinctive and most imposing buildings, the Alexander Nevski Memorial Church is dominated by brightly coloured, glittering onion domes- very similar to the domes of St Basil’s in Moscow. The marked resemblance to the Russian cathedral isn’t coincidental - this cathedral was built as a mark of gratitude to the Russians who liberated Bulgaria from the Turks.

The Alexander Nevski Cathedral seats a congregation of 5,000 and is sumptuously decorated with mosaics, alabaster, onyx, Italian marble, and frescoes. In addition, there’s a large Crypt Museum within the church that boasts a superb collection of religious icons. The Cathedral is Sofia's best-known monument, and you should certainly visit it, more so if you like traditional religious art and architecture.  

Bulgaria’s finest of art and artefacts are housed in the National History Museum and its collection is undoubtedly the best in the country. The museum has on display exhibits dating as far back as the time of the Thracians; there are Roman mosaics, Bulgarian enamelled jewellery and plenty of other priceless treasures.

 One of Sofia’s oldest buildings, the Rotunda of St George started life sometime in the 4th century, as a Roman temple. Over the centuries which followed, and with successive changes in rulers, the Rotunda too changed hands and character; it metamorphosed from temple to church and then a mosque. At present, renovations being carried out in the building have revealed some lovely medieval frescoes. 

The perfect place to while away time, or to rest your feet after a hectic day of sightseeing. Boris’ Garden is a huge expanse of woods, lawns, flowerbeds, lakes and fountains, and is popular with walkers and people with time on their hands. It also encloses a sports stadium and an open-air theatre, where performances are regularly held.

An excellent collection of exhibits relating to the culture of the Bulgarian people through the ages, the National Archaeological Museum offers a good insight into the country’s cultural and social history. Of equally great interest is the building in which the collection is housed- it’s nearly six centuries old, and used to be the Great Mosque of Sofia during the years of the Turkish rule. It’s an extremely impressive building with very elaborate ornamentation.

There are a number of other places worth having a look at: the old Tzarkva Sveta Sofia (the Church of St Sofia); the Banya Bashi Mosque and the 14th century church of Sveta Petka Samardzijska (St Petka of the Saddles) with some of the most beautiful frescoes in the city. The National Ethnographical Museum, the National Church History and Archaeological Museum, and the National Art Gallery are among the best in the country, and deserve a visit if you’re keen on art and culture.