Howdy all. After a few days in Istanbul on my Dhaka to Dakar Mission I was hitting the road to bash my way fast through Europe. I was really heading through Europe FAST – I was stopping in Sofia basically just to break the journey. I had considered taking a bus straight to Skopje, North Macedonia where I did want to spend a bit of time, but it was a much longer journey and therefore overnight and I was trying to avoid overnight buses, so I decided to stop in Sofia first, and I thought I might as well have a day there to sight seeing so it would be two nights.

To get a bus out of Istanbul, international or domestic, you go to this giant bus hub called ‘Otogar’. Actually I went there the day before to buy me a ticket, and at the time I actually didn’t know what the next stop on the journey would be. I decided I would check out all my options and make the call.

I got out of the metro stop which is in the centre of this large … what could you call it? It’s like a square, and on every side there are countless offices of different bus companies. One side is mostly domestic and on the other side it’s mostly international, I think. So I went to the section with companies with buses to the Balkans. It was basically down to not wanting to take an overnight bus that I eventually settled on Sofia as the destination. There are buses to everywhere from the Otogar, Athens, Skopje, Tirana, Romania and further on into Europe. Even super long distance buses to Italy or Germany. I could find myself in Spain within three days all by land, if I wanted. But – I did not. In the end I went with a company called ‘Metro’.

It was the next day then when I turned up and caught the bus to Sofia. Bulgaria and Greece border Türkiye to the east, and the bus took around 9 -10 hours to get to Sofia on a gloomy rainy day – at least in Istanbul. I arrived in Sofia around 9pm I think, and it was pitch dark and I walked to the budget digs I had at the Hotel Paradise. Check out the review for more on this interesting place I stayed.

It was then up early the next morning to get into a day of sight seeing. This time around I thought I would give you a quick overview of the places I visited.

The Museum of Socialist Art

This was probably the most interesting place I visited in Sofia. The art in question is mostly a park of socialist statues, with a lot of Lenin statues along with statues to Bulgaria’s first communist leader, Georgi Dimitrov. The museum was easily reached along an interesting metro ride, and begins with a video retelling the communist story of Bulgaria. Also there is an exhibition of paintings and works from the communist years which was also worth visiting.

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

This church was completed back in 1924 and is a massive Orthodox cathedral, one of the ten biggest orthodox churches in the world. It’s a wonderful structure and a place to find a bit of quiet and reflect. Underneath is a crypt, entered on the side of the cathedral, which houses a curious museum of idols.

The Church of Sveta Sofia

This is a significant church in this part of the world. There has been a church on this site since the 4^th century AD or so and the basis of the current church dates back to the sixth century. The structure has endured much and there are ruins beneath it – Roman ruins, which are worth checking out. The church was at one point converted into a mosque during Ottoman rule, and has been rebuilt after an earthquake. Just a short walk from the Nevsky Cathedral.

Not far away again is the tiny but adorable and photogenic Church of Nicholas the Wonder-Worker. I couldn’t go inside on this day but it’s something a little special.

Rotunda Church

Now living the large courtyard of a large building, this historic church is a small church, not surprisingly in the shape of a rotunda. It was built in the 4th century AD, and doesn’t allow any form of photography inside. It dates back to the city of Serdika, a Roman city on this site which eventually became, one presumes, Sofia. It is surrounded by ruins as well. It still is a functioning church, and although it’s very small, it’s definitely worth popping your head in.

The Ancient Ruins of Serdika

More ruins exist under Sofia and they have been excavated in recent decades. Today you can see the excavation in the middle of town, and walk down under a square all by the Serdika metro station. It’s definitely very cool, and you also can see another small church, to Saint Nedelya and the Banya Mashi Mosque all in that little part of town.

You will also see perhaps Sofia’s most well-known monument the statue of Saint Sveta Sofia, who represents wisdom and stands aloft a column with a wreath in one hand and an owl in the other. This replaced a statue of Lenin (now I believe in the Museum of Socialist Art) in the year 2000. This statue has caused a bit of controversy with many conservatives believing it was somewhat ‘racy’. What do you think?

I walked from the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral all the way to Serdika and the ruins taking in everything in the order I writ about it in the post. I think actually I did a really good job in covering a lot of this city in one single day. Of course there is more, but these are, I think and from what I understand the ‘essentials’ if you like.

Next I move on to the city of Skopje, the curious and a little strange capital of North Macedonia, so stay tuned for that one! Thanks for joining me today, take care wherever you are in the world and May the Journey Never End!