Hidden Sofia: A Self-Guided Audio Tour
- 1.5–2 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Sofia is one of Europe’s most surprising capitals, with seven thousand years of history hidden in plain sight. On this self-guided audio walk, I’ll also show you treasures that reveal how Bulgaria’s capital has reinvented itself through the eras. You’ll also discover how the city’s unique lack of a distinct Old Town creates a compact territory where ancient Serdica meets modern Sofia. The tour starts on St. Nedelya Square, from where you’ll weave through vibrant boulevards and tucked-away courtyards. You’ll walk through peaceful parks and descend into underground archaeological complexes to walk Roman streets. You’ll also hear how communist symbols were transformed into democratic spaces, and Neoclassicism, Art Nouveau, and Modernism found their way into the city’s architecture. By the end of this tour, you’ll have a greater understanding of how Sofia’s absence of an Old Town has created one of Europe’s most fascinating archaeological centres.
Inclusions
What's included
- Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
- Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
- App for Android and iOS
- Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
- Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start
What's not
- Smartphone and headphones
- Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour
- Food and drink
- Transportation
Itinerary
The tour starts on St. Nedelya Square, above the ancient Roman forum of Serdica, from where you’ll weave through vibrant boulevards and tucked-away courtyards.
Explore the Square of Tolerance, home to the Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Nedelia, the Catholic Cathedral of Sofia St Joseph Parish, the Central Synagogue, and the Central Mosque
On this tour, you'll pass by the Regional History Museum of Sofia. Along the way, you’ll learn about Bulgaria’s history from its Roman Empire roots through Ottoman rule and the Communist period, to modern times.
Stroll through Roman Serdica, where Emperor Constantine declared ”Serdica is my Rome” – before choosing Constantinople instead
Visit the 4th-century St. Georgi Rotunda Church, Sofia’s oldest building that’s served various purposes throughout the years
Take in the Banya Bashi Mosque, the only active mosque in Sofia
Explore the Square of Tolerance, home to the Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Nedelia, the Catholic Cathedral of Sofia St Joseph Parish, the Central Synagogue, and the Central Mosque
Explore the Square of Tolerance, home to the Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Nedelia, the Catholic Cathedral of Sofia St Joseph Parish, the Central Synagogue, and the Central Mosque
Stand in the former Presidential Palace of the Republic of Bulgaria, where Tsar Boris III died mysteriously after meeting Hitler in 1943
You’ll walk through peaceful parks where locals meet for chess and morning coffee, and descend into underground archaeological complexes to walk Roman streets.
On this tour, you'll pass by the Ivan Vazov National Theatre. Along the way, you’ll learn about Bulgaria’s history from its Roman Empire roots through Ottoman rule and the Communist period, to modern times.
On this tour, you'll pass by the Tsar Samuil Monument. Along the way, you’ll learn about Bulgaria’s history from its Roman Empire roots through Ottoman rule and the Communist period, to modern times.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
5.0
- 53
- 40
- 30
- 20
- 10
Ratings come from 3 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- This self-guided audio tour starts in St. Nedelya Square. Before arrival, please install the mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operated by
- VoiceMap Audio Tours
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How it compares in Sofia
- Its from-price is 90% below the median of the 611 experiences we list in Sofia.
- It is shorter than most of them.
- By number of reviews it ranks 204 of 611.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Sofia
Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, lies below Vitosha mountain, mixing Roman ruins, golden-domed churches, mineral springs and a busy café culture.
Sofia sits in a high basin at the foot of Mount Vitosha, and its centre layers Roman Serdica, Orthodox Bulgaria and the Ottoman and Soviet eras. The gold-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, completed in the early twentieth century, is the city's best-known building. Close by are the fourth-century rotunda of St George, the Banya Bashi Mosque and the remains of Roman streets that show through glass in the metro stations.
Top-ranked sights in Sofia: Rila Monastery, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Ivan Vazov National Theatre.
Special offers in Sofia
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
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