Top Sofia Arts & Design

Enjoy a lighter side of Sofia when you prebook your ticket to the Museum of Illusions Sofia online, guaranteeing you entry even at busy weekends during the school vacation. You'll gain access to 4,300 square feet (400 square meters) of educational entertainment, packed with riveting illusions, fascinating feats of physics, mysterious artworks, and scientific inventions, many with interactive elements too.

Sofia is rich in colorful street art—if you know where to look. This self-guided tour leads you to the best graffiti, murals, and public art in the city and tells you about the artists and stories behind each work of art. Choose to follow along via Google Maps or a PDF file and set your own pace as you explore the city.

See two of Bulgaria's top attractions in one day on this self-guided tour that allows you to combine the convenience of a tour with flexibility of independent travel. By taking a shared shuttle, you can visit the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery, in Rila National Park, in the morning and then in the afternoon explore the charming and historic city of Plovdiv, which is considered the cultural capital of Bulgaria.

Sofia is a compact city, but discovering its main landmarks can take time. Skip the hassle of research and get oriented in the city in just a couple of hours on a walking tour that’s tailored to first-time visitors. From onion-domed churches and the main cathedral to mineral springs, a mosque, museums, and galleries, get a sense of the city and its history in a fun, interactive way.

Reaching the Seven Rila Lakes by public transport typically involves two buses, a shuttle and most of your day. Take the pain out of transportation—while maintaining total independence—with this cost-effective shared transfer. Visit both these beautiful glacial lakes and the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with ample time for hiking.

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.

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 in a small group, and discover landmarks including the Skopje Fortress, Memorial House of Mother Teresa, and Old Bazaar, with insights provided by your guide.

Immerse yourself in one of Bulgaria’s signature sights at the Rila Monastery on this convenient day trip from Sofia. Delve into the history of the medieval landmark and its fresco-coated church, with plenty of free time to explore on your own. There's also time to include a visit to Boyana Church, with its pre-Renaissance frescoes, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sofia has so many museums, that the locals don’t even know for their existence. In this walking tour, the guide will tell what happened here millions of years ago and will lead you through the historical periods, through Аncient times, Мiddle ages, Кingdom era, and Socialistic era. Join the untypical city tour to have a bigger picture of Sofia, that never sleeping beauty.

Embark on a quest where you will uncover the secret stories from the communism era of Sofia. Solve clues and unlock stories on your phone, as you discover the National Art Gallery, the Soviet Army Monument, and many more. As you solve challenges, the story unfolds and exact directions on your phone will guide you to the next location. So, are you up for an exciting city game? - Walk along Sofia’s city centre and visit the Temple of Bulgarian Martyrs, the Sofia University, and lesser-known places. - Enjoy a uniquely crafted story brought to you by our talented writers. - Walk along the streets filled with remnants of communist times. - Enjoy the most interesting attractions from the communist past of Sofia. - Try a new type of experience, the perfect mix between a tour, outdoor escape game, and treasure hunt. - Visiting the inside of the attractions you will encounter is not required for the game

Most tours stop at Buzludzha. We include the Shipka Freedom Monument — the hilltop battleground where Bulgaria's liberation was decided in 1878 — and the only rose museum where you see Bulgarian rose oil made the same way it has been for three centuries. Three iconic experiences, one small group, one passionate local guide. Maximum 8 people means you get real conversations, real stories, and real Bulgaria.

IMPORTANT: Entrance in the monastery is only allowed with covered shoulders and covered knees. So please make sure you have appropriate clothes. Often called the 8th wonder of the world, the Seven Rila lakes are legendary for their beauty and awesomeness. They are one of the most visited natural sites of Bulgaria. We combine them with a visit to the Rila Monastery. The Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila, better known as the Rila Monastery is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. The tour starts at 08:00 and finishes around 19:00. The driver will pick you up, will take you to the Monastery and will show you around. After that he will take you to the lift to the 7 Rila Lakes, you will be able to go up to the lakes, the driver will stay down and wait for you there. When you come back, he will pick you from the lift and bring you back to Sofia.

This day tour of Plovdiv and Koprivshtitsa from Sophia saves you the headache of renting a car and navigating Bulgaria’s roads on your own. Your transportation and itinerary are taken care of, and you'll discover the highlights of both cities. Discover the influences of the Romans, Thracians, and Byzantines as you walk through Plovdiv, and see the homes of some of Koprivshtitsa's most famous residents.

Knowing the best spots for insight into Bulgaria’s socialist past can be difficult. Visit the Museum of Socialist Art for insight into the People's Republic of Bulgaria, and get an intimate look at examples of socialist realism, political sculptures, and archival footage from the era. Benefit from regular opening hours to visit at a time that suits you.

Pre-book tickets to Rila Monastery to explore a UNESCO World Heritage Site with more than 1,000 years of history. Booking Rila Monastery tickets online combines the convenience of advance planning with skip-the-line admission and the flexibility to arrive at any time of day—without being limited to a fixed tour schedule. Your tour also includes an e-guide to further enhance your experience.

Sofia is home to incredible murals, quirky street art pieces, and stylish graffiti. But where is the best art in the city? Join our street art and graffiti tour to discover Sofia’s thriving urban art scene. Our team is made up of artists and city guides on a mission to place Sofia on the global street art map while enabling the local street art scene through events, urban art projects, and walls. Throughout the Sofia street art and graffiti tour you will experience a part of the town that is in the exact city center, yet of the beaten paths - all surrounded by artworks on the walls.

Discover the cultural heritage of Sofia at some of the city’s top galleries and museums on a group walking tour. Admire the works of Bulgarian artists of the past and present and gain insights into the city’s art scene. You’ll enjoy stories about the works and their creators along the way. Itinerary highlights include the Alexander Nevsky Crypt Museum, National Art Gallery, and Sofia City Art Gallery.

Did you know that there are Christian tombs dating back to the 3rd and the 4th century under St. Sophia church? Prepare for a loaded experience as we explore the remains of an early Christian necropolis and stroll through a labyrinth of sarcophagi! Feel like the protagonist of a mystery novel as we tour the underground and explore the tomb pits, stone tombs, stone sarcophagi, the typical late antiquity masonry tombs with semi-cylindrical vaults, as well as the separate Honorius Tomb, I will tell you many thrilling stories from the history of the ancient church of St. Sophia throughout the centuries. Come rain or shine, this is a great experience for all the brave explorers at any time of the year!

Discover Sofia's vibrant art scene on this engaging tour that takes you through the largest National Gallery in Bulgaria, featuring 1,700 artworks across 28 halls. Explore the Royal Palace, once home to the kings of the Third Bulgarian Kingdom, now showcasing a rich art collection and an ethnographic museum. Conclude your journey at the Sofia City Art Gallery, preserving the city's artistic heritage since 1928. This tour is perfect for art enthusiasts eager to delve into Bulgaria's cultural history. - Visit the newest National Gallery, featuring a diverse art collection - Explore the Formal Royal Palace with its ethnographic exhibits - Discover the Sofia City Art Gallery, highlighting local artistry - Perfect for art lovers interested in Bulgarian and international art history

Discover Sofia's captivating secrets through an immersive audio journey that puts you in complete control of your adventure. Unlike rigid group tours, you'll uncover exclusive historical narratives and hidden stories that most visitors never hear, from ancient Roman ruins to Soviet-era mysteries. Our expertly crafted narration brings each location to life with compelling storytelling and fascinating details, delivered through crystal-clear audio that's both engaging and easy to follow. Choose your own path through Bulgaria's dynamic capital, spending as much time as you wish at each remarkable site while experiencing the city like a knowledgeable local friend sharing their most treasured insights.

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.

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.

With its mixture of Communist architecture, contemporary city life, and neoclassical charm, Sofia offers a great location to perfect your photography—not least because some of the best views are uncrowded. This private tour lets your instructor focus exclusively on your group, teaching you everything from managing manual camera settings to honing composition, controlling light, and using your creativity in post-processing.