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Free Walking Tour Sofia

Join the free walking tour of sofia, bulgaria, organized by the 365 association, free  sofia walking tour.

The free sightseeing walking tours of Sofia are organized by the 365 Association and they’ve been a favorite of both locals and visitors alike since 2010. The idea of the tours is to feel as if you are walking with a friend. A city is best explored with just the right balance between historical facts, entertaining delivery and charismatic local tour guides. 

A great way to start your visit to Sofia would be to join the general sightseeing walking tour -  Free Sofia Tour which includes all the main landmarks in the city center. In just 2 hours we’ll cover the city’s long and turbulent history and visit more than 20 different places. You can also join us for the free Sofia Jewish Tour which takes you through the fascinating story of the Bulgarian Jewish Community. Other available tours are the Sofia Communist Tour which is highly popular among those wishing to learn more about Bulgaria’s communist past. Those who love experiencing local traditions and food might be more attracted to our Sofia Food & Culture Tour . And last but not least, for those who love to go off the beaten path the Sofia Alternative Tour is all about the city’s hidden gems.

Rain or shine, holiday or a regular weekday, our team of licensed tour guides is available to show you around every single day of the year.

Pictures from our walks

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Sofia, Bulgaria

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Sofia, Bulgaria photo

Sofia sigts

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What if i am the only person, what if it’s cold and raining, what if i am coming with a bigger group, can you organize a private tour for us, is the tour wheelchair-friendly, get inspired by the free tour community blog.

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Free walking tours in Sofia

Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, will captivate you with its diversity. Here, history seamlessly blends with modernity. Explore the Orthodox churches with their golden domes, visit the imposing St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and stroll through cobblestone streets in the old town.

Urban parks offer you an oasis of tranquility, and Vitosha Mountain invites you to hike in summer and ski in winter. The culinary scene is vibrant, with traditional dishes and modern restaurants, not to mention the hospitality of its inhabitants.

Sofia is a destination that enchants with its authenticity and cultural diversity.

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Free Sofia Sightseeing Tour

Overview of the tour in Sofia

Dear guests, The Free Sofia Sightseeing Tour expects its guests two times a day, every day. The best attraction in Sofia according to TripAdvisor users. Approved by Tourist Service Municipal Company at Sofia City Municipality. The sightseeing tours of Sofia are organized by professional guides from a non-profit organization. Every tour is both fun and educational, the perfect introduction to the city and its thousands of years of history. If you are an organized group of ten people (10+), please, after booking the tour, contact us at least 24 hrs in advance to get information on our private tours policy. For organized groups 10+ our Association will arrange a tailor-made tour for you. Otherwise, our guides have the freedom of refusing your participation.

This activity includes:

• The Palace - National Art Gallery
• Monument of Stefan Stambolov
• Church of St. Nicholas the Miracle-Maker
• Sofia Synagogue
• Sofia's Central Market Hall
• Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski
• Saint Petka Church
• Ivan Vazov National Theater
• National Museum of Natural History
• National Ethnology Museum
• Sofia University "St. Climent Ohridski"-Faculty of Theology
• Sveta Nedelya Church
• St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
• City Garden
• Bulgarian National Bank
• Cathedral of Saint Joseph
• Bulgarian Archeological Museum
• Banya Bashi Mosque
• St. George Rotunda Church
• Central Universal Store (Tsum)
• Sofia Monument
• St. Sophia Church
• Mineral Water Springs
• Central Public Bathhouse
• Council of Ministers
• Former Communist Party Headquarters

Meeting point

Palace of Justice

Sofia City Court/Palace of Justice - Corner of Alabin Str. and 2 Vitosha Blvd., Sofia 1000, Bulgaria.

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The route is indicative. Tours run all year long despite the weather.

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Free Sofia Original Walking Tour

Explore Sofia through a Different Lens

Sofia the capital and largest city of Bulgaria has a lot to offer you. Our free Sofia original walking tour provides you with an amazing view site of the mountain and the National palace of culture and Archaeological museum. The beautiful city is rich with history and a lot of worthy sites that make it worth a stop. On this free Sofia walking tour, we show you the hidden gems of this city. 

This Free Sofia Walking Tour will expose you to the rich history of this city and the beautiful architecture that dots its landscape. Some of the most remarkable points to visit are the Boyana Church and St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral among many other highlights. This Free Sofia original walking tour takes you through all the highlights of the city as our tour guides thrill you with the history of it all.

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• Backpackers

Why Tour With Us

• Only the best locations: With expertise in local culture and modern art, our diverse destinations bring you authenticity beyond the reach of any other travel company.
• Perfect Prices: Our prices are perfectly tailored for an interesting and immersive discovery of the city through a different lens.
• Terrific Tour Guide: Each tour guide brings something unique to the table – one of which is being terrific!
• Remarkable Sights:  We’ll take you to all the noteworthy sights in the city of Sofia.
• Fast Booking: In less than 5 minutes through our user-friendly websites and guides you can book your preferred tour.
• Instant Support: Travelling gives rise to queries, concerns, and doubts; so, we make sure that we’re always here to put your mind at ease

TIP: If you want to know where to find live music, the best clubs to go to, and the best restaurants to eat in – we’ll make sure you get all the inside info!

Of course, this experience will only be complete if you join us at night for our Free Sofia Pub Crawl to be part of the bouncing nightlife!

N.B.: The tour may take one of the several routes through the city depending on the guide, the needs of the group, and the weather on the day.

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The 2 Best Free Walking Tours in Sofia, Bulgaria

Last Updated on January 13, 2021 by Nina Ahmedow

In August, I traveled to Sofia for a long weekend to explore the Bulgarian capital. The best way to do this was by joining not only one but three free walking tours in Sofia. Free tours are a great way to discover a city because you will have someone knowledgeable tell you all you need to know. As these tours are free they’re the ultimate way to save money when you travel, although it’s a nice gesture to leave a small donation at the end as all the guides are volunteers.

Since Sofia is not a particularly large city it practically lends itself to walking tours which is why it was so easy to do three walking tours over a weekend without getting tired. All the tours were held in English and are worth joining for different reasons as you will find out in this review of two very contrasting free walking tours in Sofia, Bulgaria. By the way, I consider walking tours one of the best ways to meet people when you are traveling solo .

Sadly, the first free walking tour I joined in Sofia is no longer offered. It was an amazing walking tour focused on the last Bulgarian monarchy. But there are still two other tours I can tell you about. And when you’re tired from all the walking make sure you head to one of the vegetarian or vegan restaurants in Sofia .

Comparison of Two Free Walking Tours in Sofia

Free sofia tour.

The second tour I did was the Free Sofia Tour which is probably the most popular one. It lasts two hours and starts at the Palace of Justice on Vitosha Boulevard. It summarizes Bulgarian history and culture and takes you to many of the major buildings in the capital. The tour takes place daily, and you won’t have to worry about missing it as there will be a huge crowd waiting. In fact, when I went they had to split the crowd into four groups which were still pretty large. This made it a bit difficult to follow the guide’s explanations throughout the tour, but it’s the price for the tour’s popularity and not the organizers’ fault.

Since I went they have added another date every day, so this should make the groups a bit smaller.

The Free Sofia Tour is definitely a good way to learn something about the city and determine which places you might want to go back to for a more detailed look. You’ll learn a lot about the city, and while you could obviously simply read these facts on Wikivoyage, it is certainly more fun to be with a group of people and learn things from someone who actually lives in the city.

What put me off personally a bit was the fact that some of the jokes seemed rather scripted. I understand that not every tour can be an original and authentic experience, but when things are obviously staged it makes the whole event suffer a bit. Regardless of this, the Free Sofia Tour is likely the easiest way to get a feel of Bulgaria’s capital. ​ The Free Sofia Tour takes place at 10 am, 11 am, 2 pm, and 6 pm from April to October and at 11 am, 2 pm and 6 pm from November to March.

Sofia Graffiti Tour

The Sofia Graffiti Tour was the second street art tour I did, the first one being the Lisbon Street Art Tour. The Sofia Graffiti Tour was a big contrast to the previous tours and a great ending to the free walking tours in Sofia as it is entirely dedicated to the current atmosphere in the city. It’s the only tour in Sofia that is fully centered around the city’s colorful graffiti culture. With guide Stella being from the same city as my father I knew the tour was going to be good.

The Sofia Graffiti Tour was also the longest of the tours lasting almost three hours and had the perfect group size with seven people in total. It was a fantastic way to see the diverse street art in Sofia and helped me to see areas of Sofia I hadn’t previously explored. I saw some outstanding pieces on this tour but sadly wasn’t able to take a picture of my favorite piece as there were people taking pictures in front of it.

I was excited by the fact that Stella particularly pointed out female graffiti writers who seem to have quite a presence in Bulgaria’s capital. Sofia’s graffiti scene is rather diverse, and I wish I could have seen more of it. The tour provides an excellent overview of the various types of graffiti that are present in Sofia and gives you enough ideas to go out and keep exploring street art on your own.

The tour offers a brief explanation of the history of graffiti in the beginning so it’s suitable even to people who don’t know much about graffiti. I do, however, think that you will get more out of this tour if you have at least a general interest in street art. I highly recommend this tour if you are into hip hop culture or graffiti in particular.

The Sofia Graffiti Tour takes place Fridays to Mondays at 3 pm (October to April) or 6 pm (May to September) and starts at Saint Sofia statue taking you all the way to the National Palace of Culture.

What about you? Have you joined any of the free walking tours in Sofia or elsewhere? Let me know in the comments.

About Nina Ahmedow

Welcome to Lemons and Luggage! I'm Nina Ahmedow, a travel content creator who has traveled to more than 25 countries on three continents. Born and raised in Germany but currently living in the Netherlands, I love exploring the world through vegan food. Here, I share travel and sustainable living tips from a vegan perspective.

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The Best Free Walking Tour in Sofia Bulgaria – Yellow Paves

Sofia the capital of Bulgaria has some really fascinating sightseeing around the city centre. This the second oldest city in Europe, and there are so many historic attractions to see. Possibly the best walking tour in Sofia Bulgaria is the Yellow Paves tour, which takes in many of the main Sofia attractions along the way.

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The Yellow Brick Road Free Walking Tour in Sofia

If you’re looking for a free walking tour, Sofia is a great place to be. And the Yellow Brick Roads walk is one of the best. The yellow bricks stretch from TZUM in the city centre out to the Tzar Liberator Monument, next to the famous Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.

Along the way, you will pass by many of the major tourist attractions of Sofia, whilst walking along those amazing yellow cobblestones. Whilst you hum the tune of Elton John’s “ Goodbye Yellow Brick Road “. And here’s how to navigate this amazing free walking tour in Sofia.

What are the Sofia Yellow Paves?

These yellow cobblestones were given to King Ferdinand I as a wedding present way back in 1893. Back then Sofia was not well developed and did not even have a single paved road! The construction of these royal yellow paved roads in 1907 was intended to transform Sofia into a fashionable city, up there with the best in Europe.

And so the Yellow Brick Roads were constructed between the royal residence and the National Assembly building, a few blocks away. The yellow bricks are now famous now a symbol of Sofia city and one which is truly unique. In fact, you can only find similar Hungarian yellow bricks in Budapest and Vienna.

1: Serdika Metro Station

Begin your walking tour at the remarkable Serdika Metro Subway station. This is no ordinary subway station, for it also doubles as an archaeological museum. You will find semi-preserved ruins of a 4th century Basilica, and a collection of Roman ruins and historical objects from the same period.

Serdika is an astounding subway station to visit, as you pass under the busy roadway to your next stop. Make no mistake, y ou can easily spend an hour or two meandering your way through the extensive archaeological ruins and artefacts.

2: Church of St.Petka of the Saddlers

Next stop is just outside the subway station, the remarkable church in the centre of Sofia. The church is Bulgarian Orthodox , is half buried, and has walls 1m thick.

Be sure to pay the small entry fee to go inside and see the mural paintings dating back to 14th, 15th, 17th and 19th centuries. You will be instantly transported back into turbulent medieval times when you enter this incredible little church.

Right next to the Church of St.Petka of the Saddlers is the gargantuan department store TZUM. This is located in the city centre of Sofia. TZUM was built in 1955 as a massive 7 storey department store. Back in the day, it was very popular with 120,000 shoppers per day using TZUM.

After the 1989 revolution, the number of daily shoppers dropped sharply to 7,000 and is now somewhat deserted, with just a sprinkling of expensive boutique stores available. It’s still worth a peep inside, especially the lovely courtyard inside the main buildngs .

4. Church of St. George

This is the oldest building in Sofia , built in the 4th century by the Romans. Amazingly it is still standing and is famous for its fresco paintings inside, dating back to the 12th Century.

The church is a little tricky to find, surrounded on all sides by multi-storey buildings. There is a public entrance just to the west of the National Archaeological Museum, right at the start of the yellow cobblestones. In my opinion, this is the most amazing of all Sofia sights. That’s because it carries tremendous historical significance, and it’s not really one of the well known Sofia tourist attractions.

5: National Archaeological Museum

This building is a former Ottoman mosque in the heart of the city built way back in 1474. The museum was established here in 1905. If you don’t want to enter the museum, there are many ancient Roman carvings on display out the front.

Around the back of the museum, you will find a chic cafe, which happens to be open 24 hours. One of the more popular spots in Sofia for the local hipsters, and a great place to refuel for the rest of the walking tour.

The National Archaelogical Museum is also where you will encounter the first of the yellow cobblestones, as they extend east towards the Tzar Liberator monument.

6: Prince Alexander of Battenberg Square

This is the largest square of Sofia , named after Prince Alexander Joseph of Battenberg, the first prince of modern day Bulgaria. Battenberg Square is also the site of the infamous coup in 1944 which transformed Bulgaria into a communist state.

The square backs onto City Park, a popular place for Sofia locals to come to relax and socialise . It has a beautiful fountain and wonderful gardens throughout the park. It also hosts the occasional open-air concert and opera. Take your time to stroll around these beautiful gardens as part or your Sofia walking tour.

Be sure to admire the “Ivan Vasoz” National theatre at the rear of City Park, one of the most beautiful structures in Sofia .

7: National Art Gallery

The former Royal Palace was transformed into Bulgaria’s National Art Gallery in 1946 after the monarchy was abolished. The palace itself was built back in 1880.

Closed on Mondays, this Art Gallery is open to the public. It is well worth a look inside, particularly if you are interested in medieval art. The gallery holds Bulgaria’s largest collection of Medieval paintings.

8. The Russian Church

The Church of St.Nicholas the Miracle Maker is a Russian Orthodox Church with striking golden domes. This was built in 1907 in the style of 16th-century Russian churches and makes for a striking sight in the middle of the city. You are welcome to go inside and admire the magnificent artwork, just remember to remove your hat.

Note that you will need to leave the beloved yellow pavers to see this church, for it’s across on the other side of “Tsar Osvoboditel Boulevard”.

9. Tzar Liberator Monument

This striking monument was built in 1901 to honour the Russian Emperor Alexander II who freed Bulgaria from the Ottoman Rule in the 1877 Russo-Turkish War. It is quite an impressive black granite monument depicting a mixture of Gods and military heros .

The Tzar Liberator Monument is surrounded by the striking yellow cobblestones. In fact, this is the end of the Yellow Brick Road, which stretches over 1km from the National Archaeological Museum.

10: Best Sightseeing in Sofia

You might say that this is saving the best for last. From the Tzar Liberator Monument, if you cross the busy Tsar Osvoboditel Boulevard you will find a collection of some of the best sightseeing. If you’re still wondering what to do in Sofia , you can fill in a few hours at this group of nearby attractions. They are all within about 2-minutes walk of each other.

• National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria
• Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
• National Academy of Arts
• National Gallery
• St.Sophia Church
• Monument of Tzar Samuil
• Monument Volunteer

I can highly recommend a small cafe at the front of the National Academy of Arts. Whilst it’s a little expensive, the food is amazing, and you are treated to million dollar views of the most impressive of all Sofia attractions – the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. Priceless.

Getting Back to the City Centre

It is about a 15-minute walk back to the city centre starting point, or you should be able to easily hail a taxi from this busy tourist district.

Alternatively, there is a subway station at the front of the Museum of Palentology (near the Alexandar Nevsky Cathedral). For a very small cost, you can easily catch a subway back 1 station to the Serdika Metro station. Just purchase a ticket at the vending machine inside the station.

I hope you get to enjoy this wonderful Sofia tour of the Yellow Brick Road. Catch this on a nice summer day and you will have one of the most delightful and memorable tours imaginable. Sofia is really so full of scenic beauty and ancient history, and this walking tour helps you to see a lot of it. Enjoy your walk!

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Free Tour of Sofia

• 9.50 / 10 2,760 reviews | 36,915 travellers Mina is a fantastic guide! 8 Jericho

What better way to get to know Sofia than with a free tour in English?! Explore the main sights in the Bulgarian capital with this walking tour.

At the appointed time we'll meet in front of the Palace of Justice , a perfect place to start our free tour of Sofia. From there we'll walk to the heart of the old town, which will surprise you with every step we take. 

During this visit, we'll get to know part of Sofia's history. This city is a reflection of each of the cultures and ideologies that have lived here. You'll get to see all of its different architectural styles!

One of our stops will also be the Sveta Nedelya church and the coat of arms of Sofia, and then we'll visit the small hermitage of Sveta Petka , whose curious stone façade will surprise you!

The tour will pass the Roman ruins before reaching the Banya Bashi Mosque , one of the hallmarks of the Ottoman past of the Bulgarian capital. We'll also admire the Sofia Synagogue and discover the terrible episodes that took place in the city during the Second World War.

Other buildings we'll see during the visit are the Sofia Museum , the Bath House , the Bulgarian Communist Party headquarters , the Parliament , the Ivan Vazov National Theatre and the Royal Palace . Then we'll visit the Church of St. Sophia , whose ancient early Christian temple gave its name to the city.

To round off the free tour of Sofia, we'll see the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral , considered one of the most beautiful Orthodox buildings in the world. The tour will end admiring this beauty after 2 hours of sightseeing.

This free tour doesn't admit groups of more than 6 people, even if they book the activity separately. If your group is larger than 6 people, we recommend booking this private guided tour of Sofia .

More Information

The activity takes place with a guide that speaks in English.

English speaking guide

Not included

When to book.

You can book up until 30 minutes before the activity as long as there are still places. Book now to guarantee your spot.

Type of voucher

Electronic. Show the voucher on your phone.

Accessibility

Wheelchair accessible. This must be indicated in the reservation. An accompanying person is required. Accessible toilets.

Frequently asked questions

Q - Why do this activity with Civitatis?

A - At Civitatis we guarantee the best quality and prices, click here if you want to know how we select our activities.

Q - How to book?

A - To reserve the activity, choose the date and complete the form on this page. You will receive your confirmation immediately.

If you have any other questions please contact us.

Free cancellation

Meeting point, where does the activity end.

Palace of Justice

Alexander Nevski Cathedral

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Free Walking Tour Sofia

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Free tours in sofia.

The free tours in Sofia are an awesome way to get to know the city better. As you would see there are different free tours in Sofia, which will show you amazing things about the city and leave you with a cool experience.

Joining one or all of those free tours in Sofia will be a great addition to your stay in the Bulgarian vibrant and artistic capital.

Beginning with the one and only known so far free food tour,

Table of Contents

Balkan Bites

Have you ever heard before about a free food tour? I haven’t either. That’s why when I heard about the free food tour, Balkan Bites, I was very excited to join it.

The tour lasts for approximately 2 hours and takes you to several different locations around the city. During the tour, all of the food you are going to try is free. Of course, they are only samples. Don’t expect when you go on the tour to get a free four-course menu. No.

The free food tour manages to collect quite enthusiasts who want to taste some of the amazing local cuisines.

During the tour we visited 5 spots and tried the following:

• Restaurant Bagri – bites with hummus and cheese dip
• Slice of banitsa at a small bakery in the underpass in the center
• Skaptoburger – yes, the burgers are not traditional Bulgarian food, but you will understand why they are part of the tour when you go on it. Note that you don’t get a whole burger, the burgers are split so everyone can try them.
• Mekitsa and coffee – a mini mekitsa with powdered sugar
• Hadjidraganovite izbi – more bites, with different types of cheese and a shot of wine. This was our last stop and because part of the people had already left before that (because they needed to catch their flights, not because they didn’t like it) there was more for us.

I was almost going to forget to mention that if you are a vegetarian you have nothing to worry about, the people joining the tour are usually separated into two groups, one of which is vegetarians.

Where: Park Crystal, in front of the big head statue of Stefan Stambolov

When: Every day at 2 PM

Balkan Bites website / Facebook

Sofia Graffiti Tour

This is so far my favorite free tour in Sofia. I’ve learned so many interesting things about graffiti and street art in Sofia.

Do you also enjoy beautiful street art? You will love this tour.

Sofia is full of street art with interesting stories behind and with nice and very cool ideas.

The tour I’ve joined was guided by a boy named Tsvetan. He was very passionate about what he’s doing. He has a lot of knowledge about graffiti and street art, which he will share with you.

Sofia Graffiti tour is a walking tour that lasts for approximately 2 hours. It takes you to discover some awesome places and amazing art.

This tour will show you a different perspective of the city.

Where: The Statue of Sofia (Serdika metro station)

When: Every Saturday and Sunday at 3 PM

Sofia Graffiti Tour website / Facebook

Sofie Free Walking Tour

Sofia free walking tour is the best way to get to know the city in a few hours and learn about the history of Sofia.

When I went to the tour, I wasn’t able to stay to the end of it, but for the time I was walking with the group, even I learned a lot of things about Sofia that I didn’t know before that.

The tour was guided by a very smiley and sunny girl named Svetla. If you listen to her carefully and answer her question, she will give you candy.

Where: Palace of Justice

When: Every day at 11 AM and 6 PM

Sofia Free Walking Tour website / Facebook

Photo credit: Sofia Free Tour Facebook page

Those three free tours so far I have taken personally part of them and I’m sharing everything experienced. About the others on the list, I still haven’t taken the tours personally. But I know for sure they are awesome and I can’t wait to experience them as well.

Communist Trabant Tour

The free tours in Sofia continue with the free Communist Trabant tour.

This tour will take you back to the communist times of Bulgaria .

Where: Next to Starbucks and the National Palace of Culture (Fridtjof Nansen Str.)

When: Every Saturday and Sunday at 10 AM

Communist Trabant Tour website / Facebook

Sofia Green Tours 

Exploring Sofia by bike is an awesome idea. The city is becoming more and more bike-friendly.

Where: National Theater ‘’Ivan Vazov’’

When: From April until November at 11 AM and 5 PM

Hiking Tour

Hiking tour in the city? This is one of the reasons to visit Sofia , the closeness with Vitosha Mountain. The mountain is just 30 minutes away from the city center.

The free hiking tour takes you to the beautiful Boyana waterfall, Boyana lake, and Boyana church.

For this tour, there are some expenses to have in mind: transfer to Boyana and back by taxi and entrance fee for the church, 2 leva (1 euro) for students, and 10 leva (5 euro) regular ticket.

Where: National Theater ”Ivan Vazov”

When: From April until November at 11 AM

Sofia Green Tour website / Facebook

READ NEXT: Hikes near Sofia

These Sofia free tours are awesome, aren’t they?

All of these free tours in Sofia are donation based. To participate in them you don’t need to pay anything. Though, I would encourage you to tip your guide. The people/guides doing it are very passionate about what they do. This is their job, and this is how they make their living. So, if you like the tour show them some love and support.

For more information about the tours, visit their websites or Facebook pages.

Which of these free tours in Sofia would you like to join?

Thanks for reading, 

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Free Walking Tour Sofia

This week, I have been staying in Sofia Bulgaria to explore the city and learn about Bulgarian History. I used eDreams to get the cheapest flight from the UK. One of the best things I did was the free walking tour Sofia.

There is a free 2 hour walking tour in Sofia that starts at the palace on Vitosha and it is run by Free Sofia Tour ( website here) . It is well worth doing, as you will learn a lot about Sofia’s history, culture and buildings. Here is my review of our free walking tour Sofia with Anna on Thursday.

Sofia Free tour – Meet at the Palace on Vitosha

For the free walking tour Sofia, you meet outside the palace on Vitosha, next to the big lions (you will see them!) Look for the crowd of people and the guide’s holding ‘Free Sofia Tour‘ boards. All of the guides are very friendly and will come and introduce themselves to you.

If there is a big group, there may be more than one guide, and they will split you into smaller groups by the ‘Moses’ technique, a bit like the parting of the Red Sea!

A Brief History of Bulgaria

At the Lions, you will get an initial explanation of the complex history of Bulgaria. The city of Sofia 6000 years old. The Romans settled in 1st Century and the 7th century was the settlement of the ancient Bulgarians.

Bulgaria was then conquered by the Byzantine Empire. The second conquest of the Bulgarians was followed by the conquest of the Ottoman empire who ruled for 5 Centuries (1396–1878).

In the 19th Century, the city of Sofia was being constructed as the capital of the Bulgarian state. However, it was then taken over by the communists until the Berlin Wall came down.

There was then a peaceful transition to democracy and Bulgaria joined EU in 2007.

Bulgarian history is, of course, much more complex, but our guide Anna gave us an excellent summary in just 10 minutes!

The Palace of Justice

Palace of justice (meeting point) is actually now the Bulgarian courts. In the 90’s for a short time it was the national history museum.

The Lion is national animal, but there have never been any lions in the national area! If you look at the lions outside the palace, one lion is modelled incorrectly – crossing his feet! The one on the right has the correct posture!

Church Saint Sunday of Sofia

On the tour, you will walk round towards Church Saint Sunday. This was originally built in wood.

It is a Bulgarian Orthodox Christian Church. Every Orthodox Country has it’s own church (e.g. Russian Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, Romanian Orthodox) and each has a slightly different style. Bulgarian Orthodox Churches tend to be shorter and simpler on the outside and elaborate inside.

There is a story behind this Church. In 1925, Bulgaria was still a monarchy, but an illegal communist party was trying to take over! The Dome of this Church was rigged with explosives in attempt to assassinate the Tsar. However, the Tsar wasn’t in the Church at the time it exploded. He was late!!!!

Saint Sofia

You will walk round to see the statue of Saint Sofia – the beautiful, but contradictory figure! Saint Sofia is beautiful and carrying Pagan symbols from Roman goddesses – slightly offensive to the Christians! Lenin was up there originally!

Serdika Roman Ruins in Sofia

As they dug deeper to lay the second metro line in Sofia, they uncovered the Roman Ruins of Serdika. There’s no old town on the surface of Sofia – you have to go beneath rather than in!

Underneath the metro link, they discovered the remains of a Roman wall and Church, which is why the second metro line took so long to build (20 years!) because of the excavations!

Religion in Sofia Bulgaria – The Square of Tolerance

A Mosque, a Catholic Church, an Orthodox Church and a Synagogue are all within a few minutes walk of each other in central Sofia, and this is the so called Square of Tolerance.

Under the Ottoman Empire, citizens who weren’t Muslim were taxed more heavily than those who were. But people were allowed to follow the religion they wanted as long as they constructed their own temples.

Only one mosque left in Sofia. Baniya Bashi mosque. Mosque with a bath. It’s fully functional but doesn’t call to prayer because of city sound guidelines.

I loved hearing the Urban myths from Anna, our free Sofia tour guide. One story was that it was decided Sofia should have European looking skyline. But, they couldn’t destroy the minarets because of foreign journalism, so they left explosives on minarets and waited for a thunderstorm! This is urban myth!

It is more likely that most of the mosques fell into disrepair and were converted.

The Jewish Population of Bulgaria

The Sofia Synagogue was built in 1909 (look for the large black dome). It is the biggest in the Balkans and the biggest Sephardic in the world. There are still 8000 Jewish people in Bulgaria and at least half live in Sofia.

During WW2, Bulgaria was on the side of the axis. Axes power armies sent message to the Bulgarian Tsar saying that they wanted to go to Greece – with or without Bulgaria’s permission. Of course, it was a better move to give permission, so the Bulgarians joined the axes powers and signed contracts. The Bulgarian Tsar wanted to save Jewish Population of Bulgaria because the public found out what was happening on concentration camps due to a leak of information.

Now, the Bulgarian Tsar couldn’t simply say no to Hitler, or lie to him on the whereabouts of the Bulgarian Jews. Instead, the Tsar continually delayed sending them to Hitler – he kept saying he was sending the Jewish people and successfully prolonged the until the end of the war.

Many of Bulgaria’s Jews then emigrated to Israel when the state of Israel was created.

Presidents Palace in Sofia

After you have visited the Square of Tolerance, you will have the chance to wash your hands in the water of the Mosque Bath House, before progressing on to the Presidents Palace.

The guards at the Presidents Palace are similar to what you might see at Buckingham palace in that they cannot move until break/changeover. Don’t prod fem or make them laugh, of course! Admire the stunning 19th Century Uniforms. If you are lucky, you will catch the changing of the guards ceremony.

You will also see where the modern buildings surround and contrast with St George’s Rotunda. This is an early Christian red brick Rotunda that is seen to be Sofia’s oldest building and is situated within ancient Roman ruins of Serdika. The brick walls of the Rotunda are 1.4m thick!

Free walking tour Sofia – The Rain came Down!

At this point, the heavens opened and it started chucking buckets! I didn’t have an umbrella, but the friendly guide and fellow travellers were happy to share theirs! Some people left the tour at this point, as the rain really was heavy. This is not typical weather of this time of year (summer), but Bulgarian weather is changeable. so be prepared.

What was amazing was the way that everyone kept their spirits up, and the guides were still in such a positive mood, I wanted to finish the tour! So we visited a few more monuments and historical sites before ending up at the stunning Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

The beautiful Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is the finale of the Free Sofia Waking Tour, and rightly so! The stunning gold domes are evidence of more of a Russian influence, as most Bulgarian Orthodox Church as plainer on the exterior.  It is named after Alexander Nevski himself, who was a Russian Tsar who saved Russia from invading Swedish troops in 1240.

It is currently the largest Orthodox Cathedral in Eastern Europe, although Belgrade are currently attempting to build one bigger!

Contrary to popular belief, the Alexander Nevski Cathedral is not the most important Church in Sofia, the Sofia Church opposite is, because this Church is the one that gave Sofia it’s name.

Your Sofia Free Tour ends here!

At the end of the free walking tour Sofia, you have the chance to donate to support the free Sofia tours. You can also ask for discount vouchers for some of the other paid tours on offer, including the Communist Tour and the Cultural Tour!

At the end of the tour, I highly recommend that you have something to eat and drink at La Cattedrale and then pay to enter the Alexander Nevsky Crypt museum (6lv), where you will see some stunning Orthodox icons from all over Bulgaria. Photos are allowed in the Crypt museum, but no flash.

Have you ever been on the free walking tour Sofia? Would you like to go? If you are interested, please comment below.

Where to Stay in Sofia

If you are on a budget and solo travelling, I highly recommend the Art Hostel. It’s a great location and there’s a really cool bar where you can meet other travellers.

Should you have a more generous budget, consider the Metropolitan Hotel or the Novotel. There are also extensive options on  Air BnB , which include apartments and homestays so that you can live like a local.

You may also like to read about my visit to the  Rila Monastery  and  How Cheap is Sofia .

Continue Reading

I totally love Bulgaria as a solo female traveller. It’s the perfect mix of Churches, Castles and mountains for me. I have written a number of articles on Sofia and you may be interested in reading these:

• Exploring the Museum Village of Koprivshtitsa
• Belgrade vs Sofia
• Bulgaria Itinerary – 10 days
• Reasons to visit Bulgaria

Templeseeker

Hi, I'm Amy and I have over 25 years of travel experience. I love seeking out temples, Churches and other religious and historical buildings. My BA (Religions and Theology) and MA (South Asian Studies) were gained from the University of Manchester. When I'm not blogging about Europe, Asia and the Middle East you will find me at home in Liverpool with my husband and Blake the Patterdale terrier! Come and join me on my templeseeking journey around the world!

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365 Association Sofia Tours

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Communist Walking Tour of Sofia

Private city walking tour of Sofia

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How to get to Boyana Waterfall and Boyana Lake from Sofia?

The Vitosha Boulevard – Sofia’s main shopping street

Self-guided sofia tour.

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• self-guided tour

There are a number of reasons why one might prefer exploring the city on their own. And while we’re best at guiding walking tours in Sofia and Plovdiv we are also here to help you out if you’ve decided to do things at your own pace and time. If you prefer doing that here’s our suggestion for a self-guided Sofia tour that will take you around the city’s main landmarks. You should be able to cover the route in around two hours.

1. Start:  Palace of Justice

As with all our tours, the Palace of Justice is the perfect place to begin your journey. It is situated right next to the pedestrian part of Sofia’s main street – The Vitosha Boulevard. Look out for the two lion statues at the very front and you will never miss it. Apart from the countless shops, restaurants, bars and cafes around, the area is also really well connected by tram and metro. Nearest metro station is Serdika.

2. Sveta Nedelya Church

You should be able to see the green domes of this church if you are standing in front of the Palace of Justice. Sveta Nedelya Church is a typical Bulgarian Orthodox church which is the predominant religion in the country. It dates back to the 10th century but it has been through a lot. The last time it was destroyed was in 1925 when the biggest terrorist attack in Bulgarian history happened. An attempt to assassinate the Bulgarian King – Boris III during a funeral service, initiated by a far left wing of the Bulgarian Communist Party. Even though the king survived as he was late to the funeral, more than 200 people died and around 500 more were injured.

3. Statue of Sofia

If you continue further in the same direction you will see a statue of a woman. That’s the statue of Sofia. Erected in 2000 as a new symbol for the new millenium. However, there is some controversy surrounding the statue as it was initially placed as the Statue of St Sofia – an early Christian martyr. However, she has nothing to do with our city. The city actually got it’s name from the church St Sophia (Hagia Sophia) that you’ll see later on on this self-guided tour. To this day even a lot of locals are confused about the origins of the city’s name.

4. Church of St. Petka

By now you should be very close to the underpass of the Serdika metro station. Go downstairs and you will stumble upon an old and small church. That’s right, that’s the church St Petka of the Saddlers. It dates back to the 15th century when Bulgaria was part of the Ottoman Empire. Churches built around that era are easily recognizable by their modest look. Believe it or not, this church has 2 floors as a large part of it is under the ground. If you are willing to learn more about this church make sure to check out our full St Petka Of The Saddlers article .

5. Largo Square ruins

Right next to the church and the metro stations are the newly excavated roman ruins. They are now part of a large complex showcasing Sofia’s roman past. These are largely dating back to the 2nd to 6th centuries when Serdika (Sofia’s name at the time) was at its peak. A large part of the ruins are houses of people. However, you will also stumble upon ruins of an old bathhouse, pipe system and more. Part of this open-air museum is free of charge and you can walk freely around the ruins. If you want to explore further, you can enter the area under the Maria Louiza boulevard by paying a very small fee.

6. Banya Bashi Mosque

Right at the other end of the Roman ruins you see the Banya Bashi mosque – Sofia’s only functioning mosque at the moment. It dates back to the 16th century and is a perfect example of the city’s Ottoman heritage. It was recently renovated, so feel free to enter it and see it in its full glory.

7. Sofia Synagogue

Opposite the mosque you should see a building that looks like a train station. That’s Sofia’s old Central Covered Market – Halite. Right behind it you will see a building with a black dome. That’s the Sofia Synagogue! Replacing a few older synagogues in the area this is one of two functioning synagogues in Bulgaria – one in Sofia and one in Plovdiv. Dating back to 1908, this synagogue is also home to a great museum following the story of the Bulgarian jewish community culminating in the unique act of the saving of the local jewish community during WW2.

8. Bath / Museum of Sofia

If you go back to where the mosque was, right behind it you will see a large and extremely beautiful building with a fountain in front. This one is a local favorite. That’s Sofia’s former public bath. A unique blend of architectural styles create this building’s unmistakable look. The bathhouse was closed in 1986 and after several decades of decay part of it is now housing Sofia’s History Museum. There are ongoing debates about the future of this building but a project to turn half of it back into a bath is gaining momentum. Fingers crossed.

9. Mineral waters

At both sides of the former mineral baths you will see water fountains. However, we highly recommend you get to the left side of the building and cross the tram lines. You will find yourself among dozens of natural mineral water taps and locals filling in their empty bottles. The mineral waters really are one of Sofia’s main symbols, along with the Vitosha mountain . It’s the reason why the city existed in the first place and why the Romans made it and important center. Some also believe in the healing powers of these waters. Here’s our guide Alex with more information:

10. The Largo of Sofia – Council of Ministers and Parliament

Going back to the previous stop and continuing in the direction of the imposing white building will find yourself in the middle of 3 huge buildings dating back to Sofia’s communist days. The area was heavily bombed during WW2 and most of the existing buildings were destroyed. This allowed the new communist power to completely reconceptualize the area after WW2 and comply with the new standards of socialist architecture. The 3 buildings are now referred to as the “triangle of power” housing the Council of Ministers, Parliament and Presidency. Here’s our guide Stefan with more information about the area and also a bit of context of everything you’ve seen so far:

11. Former Communist Party Headquarters

Even though this is also part of the Largo we decided that it deserves its own paragraph. Out of the 3 imposing buildings this one (the middle one) is by far the most legendary one. Built as the headquarters of Bulgaria’s Communist Party it was full with many communist symbols that you could no longer see. Like for example, the red star that was at the very top. Today, it’s where the Bulgarian flag stands. As of September 2020 the building houses the Bulgarian Parliament. That’s right, after so many years the parliament was moved. Why that happened remains unclear. This building’s location and spaciousness are often pointed out as the key reasons.

If you are interested in learning more about Bulgaria’s communist past you can join our Sofia Communist Tour or check out our article dedicated to Bulgaria’s Most Legendary Communist Monuments

12. Presidency

To continue to the presidency you will need to go down the underpass where you will see more Roman ruins, most notably Serdika’s eastern gate – one of the entrances of the fortress. Continue right and you will be in front of the central entrance of the presidency. Right in front of it two guards in a classic late-19th century uniform would be standing. They are part of the Bulgarian National guard. They change every round hour and if you are lucky you might stumble upon one of the more impressive ceremonies.

13. Rotunda of St George

What’s more valuable in the area is what’s hidden inside the yard of the Presidency. If you enter it from the left side of the central entrance you will see Sofia’s oldest building – the Rotunda of St George. Dating back to the 4th century this is truly a unique treasure as inside you will also be able to see century-old frescoes and more.

14. City Garden

The city garden is Sofia’s oldest park, laid out during the Ottoman period. Then it was the king’s private garden. Today – one of the liveliest places in the city. During winter time it’s also the place to get festive in Sofia as it is home to the city’s traditional Christmas market.

15. National Theater Ivan Vazov

The most famous landmark in the city garden is undoubtedly, The National Theater. In fact, it’s so significant that people refer to the park in front of it not as the “city garden” but as “The garden in front of the National Theater”. The teater is Bulgaria’s most prestigious stage for any performer. Performances are held only in Bulgarian.

16. National Gallery (Former Royal Palace)

At the northern end of the park you will find a beautiful yellow building. That’s our former royal palace! And while it might not be the most impressive royal palace you’ve seen it was once truly impressive on the inside. Today, it houses the National Art Gallery and National Ethnographic museum.

17. Russian Church

If you follow the path behind the National Gallery you will arrive at yet another church. This one however, looks very different from all the others you’ve seen so far. That’s the Russian church! Executed in a style that is uniquely Russian it is also known as the place that makes all your wishes come true. How so? Find out in our article dedicated to the Russian church .

18. St. Sophia Basilica

By now you should be seeing huge golden domes in the distance. Continue in their direction. Right before you get to the big cathedral, to your left-hand side you will see a large red-brick building. That’s probably the most important building in Sofia. That’s the St Sophia (Hagia Sophia) basilica that gave the name to our city. Built in the 6th century it was outside of the city’s fortress walls. However, it was the biggest landmark that was close by. And eventually, people started calling the actual city like that. It became official around the 14th century. Hagia Sophia, translated from the Greek means Holy Wisdom or God’s wisdom. If you’re already confused about the name, make sure to check out our detailed explanation on why the city is called Sofia . If you have the time, make sure to visit the undreground museum of the church.

19. End: St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

And of course, the grand finale! What you probably see on every single postcard of the city of Sofia – The Alexander Nevski Cathedral. It was built as a symbol of the establishment of the 3rd Bulgarian state, after the 500-year long Ottoman rule. It’s Bulgaria’s largest church and a true architectural masterpiece. Make sure to enter it not only through the main entrance but also through the small door on the left side of the central entrance. That’s where you’ll find a great icon museum with an incredible collection of Bulgarian icons.

While we hope you found this useful we must say that there’s no better way to explore Sofia than with an enthusiastic, funny, knowledgeable and entertaining local guide. Our free sightseeing walking tours are running every single day and over the past 10 years have proven to be the go-to option to explore Sofia’s city center. The tours run multiple times a day and you’ll be missing out on a really good time if you decide not to join. Free Sofia Tour is also ranked as TripAdvisor’s #1 tour in Sofia. We’ll be waiting for you in front of the Palace of Justice!

Also check out:

Top 10 Things to Do in Sofia

Sofia – Capital of Bulgaria – The Ultimate Guide

Parks & Gardens in Sofia

Top 7 Best Day Trips from Sofia

Related posts

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30 Years German Reunification – A Special Tour with German Ambassador Christoph Eichhorn

We are starting our research on Sofia, we are hoping to come there around 5/6/22. You mentioned you have tours many times of the day, can you tell me what other times are there since I only saw 11: am.

Hello Harriet! Our free walking tours are currently happening every single day at 11AM. As soon as international travel resumes freely we’ll be expanding our schedule to multiple times a day. You can check our home page for the most up to date information once you arrive in Sofia.

Great tour of Sofia with Kris. Very professional and with such a fabulous sense of humour. I really recommend this tour.

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Budget And Invest

15 Free Walking Tours in Europe’s Top Cities

Posted: January 4, 2024 | Last updated: January 4, 2024

For those who love to travel and explore, Europe is a spectacular place filled with culture, history, and delicious food. The best way to enjoy the complete European experience is to walk around on foot. However, it can be daunting when you’re new to the city. Don’t worry because there are a lot of phenomenal guided tours that you can utilize.

1. Alternate Berlin Walking Tour in Germany

If you’re interested in the art scene in Berlin, then Alternate Berlin Walking Tour is perfect for you. They’ll take you through graffiti-filled streets with a vibrant entourage of colors from different artists. You’ll also be able to visit Kreuzberg to explore several bars and restaurants for a hearty meal or a delicious beverage.

2. Brasov Free Walkabout Tour in Romania

Though Brasov is a small city, it’s filled with 200 years of culture and history, making it ideal for history nuts to explore. This tour will take you to some major landmarks, including the Black Church. The guides are super friendly and knowledgeable, so they’ll talk you through medieval architecture and historical background.

3. Free Sofia Tour in Bulgaria

This two-hour tour is nothing short of an adventure. To get to know more about the capital, they will take you to visit several attractions in Bulgaria, such as St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and Hagia Sophia. The starting point of the tour is outside of the Royal Palace of Justice, anywhere between 11 am to 6 pm.

4. Good Vienna Tours in Austria

Sometimes, we don’t have enough time to go around the entire locale within our short stay. However, this tour will ensure you get to see all the stunning landmarks and sites in time to head back home. The guide tells you about the hottest spots in Austria and the best things to do here.

5. New Europe Tours In Czech Republic

From significant places like the Astronomical Clock and the Old New Synagogue to the Old Jewish Quarter and Prague Castle, you’ll explore the gorgeous city fully with New Europe. Since this is a top-rated tour, make sure to join in at 10 am, 12 pm, or 2 pm so you don’t miss out.

6. Budapest Free Walking Tour in Hungary

Having two main tours every day, this tour is exceptional with its informative guides and the best route for maximum fun. You’ll be exposed to Budapest’s rich history while also seeing iconic places like Buda Castle and Chain Bridge.

7. New Rome Free Tour in Italy

Italy is one of the best cities in Europe. However, it can be pretty expensive for tourists to take paid tours with hefty tickets that cost a kidney and then some. However, we have good news for you because, with the New Rome Free Tour, you can explore places like the Temple of Hadrian, the Pantheon, and much more, all for free.

8. Undiscovered London Tour in the UK

If you want a unique experience where you visit remote areas and major tourist sites like Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey, then this tour is what you’ve been looking for. It’ll take about two hours, and the time starts at Green Park station at 11 am every single day.

9. FreeDam City Walking Tour in Amsterdam

In three hours, you will get to know more about Amsterdam than you’ve ever known. The guides talk about various red light districts along with several fun stories about the politics and history of the place. It starts at the Exchange Stock, so be sure to get there on time.

10. Chocolate Walking Tour in Zurich

What’s a fun way to discover the city of Zurich while also tasting delicious sweet treats along the way? The Chocolate Walking tour will take you through ten different shops where you can taste a variety of different chocolates. Additionally, you also get to see the major highlights of the glamorous city.

11. Legends of Bruges Tour in Bruges

From picturesque canals to the Church of Our Lady, you’ll get a complete adventure filled with riveting history that will make you want to dig deeper. But that’s not all. You’ll also be able to taste a pint of bubbly beer as your guide lets you in on all the best places to visit in Bruges.

12. GuruWalk Tour in Dresden

The tour guide named Klaus, a local living in Dresden since 1974, helps guide you through the locale’s best spots. From Theaterplatz to the Zwinger to the Dresden Castle, you’ll get to unveil the city’s hidden gems. The best part about it is that you also get to absorb a lot of history, making it a unique experience.

13. Montmartre Tour in Paris

From 11 am to 2:30 pm, you can venture through the streets of Paris with Montmartre Tours. On the tour, you can take Instagram-worthy vineyard pictures that have vibrant and vivid colors. On top of that, you’ll also be able to observe Picasso’s workshop up close.

14. Castle Tour in Prague

When you visit the castle alone, you’ll only get to see the typical tourist spots there, but if you go on the castle tour, then the guides will take you to all the hidden areas that are a must-see. The time starts with a tram ride up the hill. They even have a reliable tagline, saying they never cancel at any time, irrespective of rain, hail, or snow.

15. Dublin Dark Side Free Walking Tour

Lasting about 2.5 hours, the Dublin Dark Side Tour takes you through church graveyards and secret alleyways for a genuinely spooky adventure. The guide tells you stories about serial killers, the Hellfire Club, and cannibals as well. Reach Barnardo Square in time so you can experience a once-in-a-lifetime escapade.

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Explore The Wabash Cultural District With Historical Walking Tour

Press release.

WABASH — Lace up your walking shoes and get ready to embark on an immersive journey through time as Downtown Wabash Inc. and the Hometown History podcast present the Wabash Historical Tour.

This exciting excursion promises to captivate history enthusiasts and curious minds alike, offering a unique opportunity to uncover the rich tapestry of Wabash’s past while discovering its vibrant present.

The historical walking tour invites participants to stroll through the iconic streets of downtown Wabash, where every corner holds a piece of the community’s history. This free tour promises to be both educational and entertaining, providing a fresh perspective on familiar landmarks and hidden downtown gems.

While listening to the podcast, one is able to experience the Wabash Cultural District through storytelling. Award-winning podcaster Shane Waters of Arc Light Media weaves compelling narratives that bring the community’s history to life.

“The purpose of the historical walking tour is to tie together the unique history of Wabash and to present it in a way that is interactive and immersive,” said Waters. “Wouldn’t it be great if we had a time machine, where we could explore what bricks were laid in order to make Wabash the charming city it is today? Well, I haven’t found a time machine yet, but I have found a way to make the past come alive through sound design and visual cues.”

The historical tour unfolds entirely within the Wabash Cultural District, nestled in the heart of downtown Wabash. As listeners navigate through the streets, the audio spotlights cultural jewels that endow Wabash with its distinctive charm, such as the iconic Honeywell Center and the historic Eagles Theatre. This tour offers more than just visuals. It delves into the storied past of these landmarks and other installations that ignited a cultural boom in the area.

Participation in the tour is completely free of charge, making it available to everyone in the community. The tour lasts about 35 minutes and spans a little over half a mile. There are no hills involved, and the route is wheelchair and stroller-accessible. Visitors and community members are encouraged to invite friends and family and head downtown to partake in this unforgettable experience.

“My hope is that this tour allows visitors and locals alike to appreciate our hometown of Wabash,” said Waters. “It is my belief that we have a lot to learn from the stories of yesterday, and I am very appreciative that I get to be the one to tell them.”

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