| 1. Start at the Statue | | | | the city's hottest tourist spot, dominates the skyline. |
| Start your city tour at the statue of St. Sofia, a 24m | | | | Considered the heart of the city, it was built |
| bronze statue of the goddess protector of the city, | | | | between 1904 and 1912, commemorating the Russian |
| erected atop a pedestal on the Sveta Nedelya | | | | soldiers who perished in the Bulgarian War of |
| Square. The citizens of Sofia are said to love the | | | | Liberation. The square in front of the church hosts a |
| statue but the church condemns it, contending that it | | | | colorful street market selling souvenirs, antiques and |
| is not a religious rendition of a saint. They may have | | | | bric-a-brac throughout the year. Everything from |
| a point: The golden saint, wearing a form-fitting gown | | | | Russian fur hats and lacquered boxes to icons and |
| with a plunging neckline, looks more like a Greek | | | | embroidery is for sale. |
| goddess. | | | | 4. Do some shopping & have funTo round off |
| 2. Ancient Rotunda | | | | your day you can take a relaxing shopping stroll along |
| Head over to the Sheraton Hotel Sofia, which was | | | | Vitosha Boulevard – the city’s main shopping |
| built in front of the oldest building preserved in Sofia, | | | | thoroughfare. The boulevard, now closed to all traffic |
| the 4th-century St. George Rotunda. The ancient | | | | except trams, is lined with jewelries and fashion |
| church is situated amid the remains of the ancient | | | | boutiques with designer clothes by world-famous |
| Roman town of Serdica. The magnificent dome is | | | | brands. Vitosha Boulevard is also the hub of |
| protected by UNESCO and the church functions at | | | | Sofia’s nightlife, hosting many cafes, bars, |
| present as a museum. | | | | restaurants, and disco clubs. |
| 3. Admire the splendor of the Cathedral | | | | 5. |
| The golden dome of St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral, | | | | |