Sofia has enough museums, churches, and street life to set aside at least 1 day to explore it. If you're based in the central city, all of Sofia's attractions can be viewed in a walking tour, outlined below, with only the Boyana Church and National History Museum requiring a 20-minute taxi journey. Both are located in the suburb of Boyana. It's best to hire a taxi to travel to Boyana Church and ask your driver to wait. The viewing of the tiny church won't take more than the 10 minutes each visitor is allowed, and the taxi driver then can drop you off at the National History Museum (just over 2km/1 1/4 miles away), a visit that could take up 3 hours, depending on your interest.
Feeling Devout -- The best time to experience any of Sofia's Orthodox Churches is when the domes are filled with the sonorous sounds of chanting, and the candelabras are ablaze with the flickering flames lit by the devout for the living and the dead. Religion is alive and thriving in Bulgaria, and the ritual and huge and varied community it serves -- from young vamps in figure-hugging jeans and snakeskin boots, to aged widowers in black bent over walking sticks -- can affect even the most jaded traveler. Note that candles for the dead are placed on the floor, while candles for the living are around eye height. Daily liturgy usually takes place at 8am and 5pm; at Alexander Nevski the Saturday vigil occurs at 6:30pm, while the Sunday evening Mass is at 9:30pm.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
