A city that has been claimed by the Byzantines, the Greeks, the Romans and countless tribes as their own, Sofia even today holds scattered remains of its colourful past in a cultural mosaic that makes the city extra special.  Handed over to Bulgaria in the 9th century as Serdica, it soon grew to become the pulse of feudal society and was named Sredets (Slovak). An eclectic mix of Oriental and European, Sofia offers the best of both worlds to the1.25 million people who call this city home.

A taste of history

The second oldest city in all of Europe, Sofia was around even in the Neolithic times. In fact, you will find that a settlement of the Chalocolithic age still remains in the heart of modern day Sofia.

Razed to the ground during the invasion of the Huns, Sofia rose again under the Byzantine rule and became a major trading centre under the Bulgarians in the twelfth century (it was first part of the Bulgarian empire after 441 AD before the Byzantines arrived). The Turks won Sofia in 1382 and it continued to thrive under them until the feudal conflicts of the nineteenth century. In 1879, with the rise of the Third Bulgarian Kingdom, Sofia became the seat of power once more.

A visit to Sofia today will take you back centuries - the several thousands year old public buildings, ancient streets and imposing towers and castle gates stand as silent guardians of the city's past. A lot of the ancient city of Serdica now lies buried under newer buildings - the Sheraton hotel holds below its foundation the ancient city council, the Rila hotel has below it an exquisite Roman villa, the national historical museum conceals several basilicas and even the Sofia Mineral baths are built above the ancient Roman baths.

A rose by any other name...

Sofia has been variously named Serdica (Thracian), Triaditsa (Byzantine), and Sredets (Slav) until it got the name it goes by today. Sofia was named after the Saint Sofia basilica in the 14th century. The city motto proclaims 'It grows but does not age', and indeed Sofia is truly timeless.

Take a dip!

Sofia is famous for its hot and cold springs and no visitor should leave without experiencing the healing power of the mineral water baths. You'll find several options at the city centre or further out in Gorna Banya, Kniazhevo, Ovcha Kupel, Ivaniane and Bankya.

When it comes to seaside charm, Varna is hard to beat. This quaint city is a mosaic of the old and the new, with modern cultures coexisting with the ancient. The balmy weather makes it a haven for sun bathers and the Black Sea laps gently at the shores of Varna Bay, bringing with it warm breezes and sunny days. During summer, you can spend all day at the beach - the sun never lets up for a minute! Any time of the year is fine for a visit and it's with good reason that balneotherapy (curing illnesses by bathing) is so popular here.

For travellers who manage to tear themselves away from the beaches, Varna has plenty to offer in its art galleries, museums and historical buildings. The city is also a great base to explore places further down the coast - the Aladzha monastery in the hills, the Balchik palace and the Kamchiya nature reserve are just some of the treasures that await you.

Bourgas has plenty in store for art aficionados and history buffs. Archaeological pieces, cultural and ethnic archives, art and even natural history are all beautifully preserved in wonderful old buildings replete with character.

The St. Cyril and Methodius Cathedral with its imposing altar of wood and rich frescoes adorning the walls is a must see on a trip to the marketplace. The Armenian Church near the Bulgaria Hotel dates back to 1855 when it was built by the minority community of Armenians to practice their faith and is another not to be missed feature of the city.

For the musically inclined looking for a taste of the local performing arts scene, the opera house, the theatre and the philharmonic hall are as much a feast for the eyes as they are a delight for the soul.

A slight detour from the city centre will take visitors to the Sea Garden, which is a tastefully designed park peppered with statues and flowers of every hue. A delightfully decadent forked staircase trails its way down to the beachfront from the park, so you can splash around in the water or run barefoot through the dark sandy beach. There are entertainment options galore at the Sea Garden - if you fancy trying your luck at the roulette, there's the casino; if you have little children in tow, the zoo is sure to be a highlight. But the real treasure of this coastal park is the open air theatre which hosts the International Folklore Festival and Golden Orpheus Pop Festival each year. Another beach worth visiting lies to the north of the city near the salt mines in the Izgrev Quarter.

Daytrips from Bourgas

Lakes: The area around the Bourgas Lake is a bird watcher's delight, with regular nesting by herons, pelicans and ibis. The salt mines bordering the lake lead up to the 10 km long Atanassovo Lake where birds from as far as Bosphorus and Gibraltar make their stopovers at the nature reserve. There are also some good spots for angling, swimming or just having a little picnic. The bird sanctuary at Mandren Lake to the south of Bourgas is also great for rowing. Those looking for a spot of balneo therapy would do well to head for the lake Pomorie.

Mineral Water Baths: Around 13 km from Bourgas (towards Aitos) is what can only be called spa heaven! The 16th century mineral baths created by the Ottomans are built over what was once the site of the ancient Roman town of Aetos. A holiday home, a clinic and a quintessentially Bulgarian balneo-spa complete the picture.

St. Anastassia Island: Located 3 miles out to sea, the island has a remarkably preserved church at its heart. The island was made famous when it became the home of exiled revolutionaries in the 1920s, anti fascists in the 1940s and later by communists who named it ‘Bolshevik'.

Kraimorie(Kafka): This little village en route the fortress at Pirgos is a pleasant stopover for holiday makers. A beach and holiday homes make it worth a longer trip if you have the time.

The Otmanli Park: This 6000 decare forested land near Choukalya caape is a rich hunting ground for game and has bungalows conveniently located for visitors looking for a longer stay.

Resort Towns: For a journey back in time, the cultural centres at Nessebar in the north and Sozopol in the south will not disappoint. Replete with iconic buildings and marvellous architecture, a trip to either of these resorts is well worth the drive.

Museums and Art Galleries

District Museum of History: Founded in 1925, this museum has a collection of archaeological treasures from colonies that existed along the Black Sea coast.

The Ethnographic Museum: This museum offers visitors a chance to see local costumes, traditional masks, accessories, fabric and craftwork. The building the museum is housed in is itself a cultural monument and dates back to 1873, when it was a house of one of the locals.

The Museum of Nature and Science: Visitors to the museum can see over 1200 reptile and insect exhibits and over 140 marine and plant life exhibits, all endemic to Strandzha.

Art Gallery: Bourgas' Art gallery houses both Bulgarian and foreign pieces, including some iconic work from the Renaissance period.

Bulgaria's second largest city (and the largest of the Upper Thrace) is also the administrative nerve centre of the Plovdiv Province.  

Plovdiv has over 200 archaeological sites (30 of which are of great national importance) spanning the centuries and the city's millennial history. The most famous of these are the Nebet Tepe area, the Roman theatre and the stadium dating back to the 2nd century AD and monuments like the Kuyumdzhiev, Balabanov, Lamartine, Georgiadi, Nedkovich and the Hindian houses that epitomize Bulgaria's National revival style of architecture. The old town spans the three hills of Plovdiv (Nebet Tepe, Dzhambaz Tepe and Taksim Tepe) and is earmarked as a preservation site for the Bulgarian Renaissance style of architecture. You'll find the style unique and hard to miss - both on the outside and the inside.

The museums of Plovdiv have over 30,000 Bulgarian cultural treasures, including the priceless 6th century BC Panagyurishte Golden Treasure (six decorated vessels made of gold and weighing a whopping 6000 kgs).

Museums of Plovdiv

Be sure to check these museums off your list as you go along!

- The Archaeological Museum
- The Ethnographic Museum
- The Historical Museum
- The Natural Museum
- The City Art Gallery
- The Bulgarian Museum of Aviation

With a vantage point at the edge of the Central Fore Balkan, Veliko Turnovo has a setting that is both dramatic and historic. Often compared to Constantinople in its heyday, this magnificent city was capital of the second Bulgarian kingdom in the 12th century and remained at the centre of things until 1874 when the first constitution of Bulgaria was adopted. Even today, Turnovo continues to be a hub of the arts, culture, administration and economy.

Turnovo deeply influenced the spiritual and political canvas of the country. Located amidst the hills of Tsarevets, Momina Krepost, Sveta Gora and Trapezitsa, the city is home to a very unique and distinctive style of mural work, vibrant mosaics, cultural masterpieces and memorable architecture. Zachary Zograf and Kolio Ficheto are among many Bulgarian masters who have left their mark on Turnovo.

The city preserves its past in the old town, where homes and workshops display the fine craftsmanship in their magnificent facades and breathtaking interiors. 

Turnovo Tourist Sights

Tsarevets: The medieval ruin of Tsarevets is an old fortress that was the stronghold of the time. It holds within its walls the old royal palaces and was once guarded at its three entry points. Head to the top of the hill and you're sure to be enthralled by the church. While the original built in the Early Christian era was destroyed, a new one has been built in its place, frescoes and all.

Nightlife: In the midst of this medieval splendour it is sometimes easy to forget you're also in the heart of modern Bulgaria. Veliko Turnovo is home to the country's second largest university and is buzzing with activity late into the night. Great Bulgarian food in cafés and restaurants will keep your palate pleased while the local clubs and bars will get you on your feet and help you let your hair down!

Rock Climbing and the outdoors: The limestone rocks that surround this city are steep and make a great spot for rock climbing. The valleys surrounding these are breathtakingly beautiful, so you'll have great views from the top. For hikers, trails like the Negovanca, Dryanovo or Preobrajenska wind their way through scenic spots, caves and even monasteries up to lookout points where you can catch a bird's eye view of the area.

Theatres: The Poltava and Konstantin Kissimov are good places to catch the latest Bulgarian box office hits.

Shopping: When it comes to shopping, the city centre and the streets of Nezavisimost and Vasil Levski are a good place to start.  The Europe Trade Centre is a great mix of shops and cafes, so you can take regular breathers between stores. For old fashioned arts and crafts, there's no better place than the Samovodska Charshia, which dates back to the 19th century.

Tsarevgrad Turnov - Sound & Light Show

A spectacular sound and light show helps visitors take in all the sights. The performance kicks off every evening with a set of three lasers dancing out a dramatic tale to the sound of a voiceover, clanging church bells and more!

The show takes you through the ages, from the Ottoman invasion to more recent history. The show is organized on request and only if at least 30 people show up. This isn't hard on most days, but do be prepared to turn away if there aren't enough people. You can call + 359 (62) 63-69-52 to book a show.