The back story
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The back story
Old Sofia: Serdica to the Largo
Roman streets under the metro, a 4th-century rotunda, a mosque, a synagogue and a cathedral within a few hundred metres.
Neighbourhood guide · Serdica & the Largo
Old Sofia: Our Favourites
Sofia’s ancient heart: Roman Serdica, the Rotunda of St George, the mosque, the synagogue and the mineral baths, with where to eat, drink and stay.
What's onThis week in Sofia
What to see
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Walk the Roman streets
Ancient Serdica Complex
The excavated streets and buildings of Roman Serdica in the heart of the city, around the Serdika metro station.
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The oldest building in Sofia
Rotunda of St George
A 4th-century Roman brick rotunda in a courtyard behind the Presidency, the oldest building in Sofia, with medieval frescoes inside.
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Monumental Sofia
The Largo
The monumental 1950s ensemble at the heart of Sofia, built over the Roman city, with the Presidency and government buildings.
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Ottoman Sofia
Banya Bashi Mosque
The working Ottoman mosque of 1566, beside the hot springs, attributed to the great architect Mimar Sinan.
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Moorish Revival splendour
Sofia Synagogue
The great Sephardic synagogue of 1909, one of the largest in Europe, with a magnificent domed interior.
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A bath palace of 1913
Central Mineral Baths & Sofia History Museum
The striped Vienna Secession bath palace of 1913, now the Regional History Museum, with hot mineral water fountains outside.
пл. Бански 1Explore View on map
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Thracian gold
National Archaeological Museum
Bulgaria’s great archaeological museum, in a 15th-century Ottoman mosque, with Thracian gold and Roman treasures.
Съборна 2Explore View on map
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Folk costumes and crafts
National Ethnographic Museum
Bulgarian folk costumes, crafts and traditions in the former Royal Palace.
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A market hall of 1911
Central Market Hall
The historic covered market of 1911 on Maria Luiza Boulevard, with food stalls, cafés and shops.
бул. Княгиня Мария Луиза 25Explore View on map
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The Women’s Market
Zhenski Pazar
Sofia’s biggest open-air market, full of fruit, vegetables, cheese, spices and bargains.
бул. Стефан СтамболовExplore View on map
Where to eat
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Bulgarian classics, done well
Moma Bulgarian Food & Wine
A stylish restaurant for modern Bulgarian cooking and Bulgarian wines, a short walk from Vitosha Boulevard.
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A vaulted cellar
Hadjidraganov’s Cellars
A traditional tavern in vaulted cellars in the centre, with hearty Bulgarian food, local wine and folk music.
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Simple and authentic
Izbata Tavern
A traditional tavern in a brick cellar, serving Bulgarian dishes such as banitsa, sirene cheese and stews at fair prices.
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Soup of the day
Supa Star
A small, cheerful soup bar with daily-changing homemade soups, perfect for a quick, warming lunch.
бул. Княз Александър Дондуков 17Explore View on map
Cafés
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Bulgaria’s coffee pioneer
Dabov Specialty Coffee
The roastery that brought specialty coffee to Bulgaria, founded by Cup of Excellence judge Jordan Dabov, with coffee bars around the city.
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A café among antiquities
Art Club Museum
A café and restaurant in a garden beside the National Archaeological Museum, among Roman stones and old trees.
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Hundreds of teas
Tea House Sofia
A calm tea salon with a long list of loose-leaf teas and herbal blends.
Bars
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A bar by candlelight
Hambara
A hidden, candle-lit bar in an old building in the centre, one of Sofia’s most atmospheric places for a drink.
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Beer and grills
Halbite
A big, lively beer pub near the Five Corners, with beer, grills and Bulgarian pub food.
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Beer on Dondukov
Dondukov Beer Hall
A beer hall on Dondukov Boulevard.
бул. Княз Александър Дондуков 14Explore View on map
Where to stay
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Around the Rotunda
Sofia Balkan Palace
A grand hotel in the Largo, wrapped around the courtyard that holds the 4th-century Rotunda of St George.
пл. Света Неделя 5Explore View on map
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Built over a Roman amphitheatre
Arena di Serdica
A hotel built over the remains of the Roman amphitheatre of Serdica, which you can see inside.
Будапеща 2-4Explore View on map
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By the Women’s Market
Hotel Sveta Sofia
A hotel on Pirotska, the pedestrian street near the Women’s Market.
Пиротска 18Explore View on map
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Art and design
Arte Hotel
A boutique hotel on Dondukov Boulevard, steps from the centre.
бул. Княз Александър Дондуков 5Explore View on map
Share your Old Sofia tips
Favourite corner of old Sofia? Share it with other visitors.
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