If you have some free time while you are in the city centre of Sofia, you can spend it in a pleasant and relaxed walk by the monuments, remained from the glorious past of the Bulgarian capital. Here you will find information about the archaeological sights from the time of the Roman city of Serdica - the predecessor of the present-day Sofia. We suggest a comfortable route for a walking tour with a starting point in front of the Archaeology Museum, opposite of the Presidency and a final point in the Doctor's Garden, behind the National Library.

This church, devoted to the Holy Wisdom (Hagia Sophia from the Greek), is one of the most ancient still operating Christian temples in Bulgaria and the world as a whole. It has been preserved to present day in the form it was built in the 6th century AD, in the time of Emperor Justinian I. The archeologists say that there were at least two earlier churches on the site. The first of them was erected in the beginning of the 4th century, that is right after the adoption of Christianity for official religion in the Roman Empire.

The Church of St. George the Victorious or mostly known as the Rotonda (because of its round shape) is located in the inner courtyard of the Presidency, in the city centre of Sofia and on the territory of the ancient city of Serdica. The church was built in the beginning of the 4th century AD on the latest. It is one of the oldest Christian temples in Europe. Besides with its original architecture of the central domed premises, standing on a rectangular base, St. George impresses with the well preserved fragments from five layers of frescoes, dating back to different historic periods. Indisputably the most interesting wall painting is that of an angel with spiritual human features, depicted under the dome in the 10th century.

The cathedral church of the Bulgarian patriarch St Alexander Nevsky is probably the most popular symbol of the Bulgaria's capital city and the country as a whole. Started in 1882 and completed in 1912, it is a strong reflection of the ideals desired by the Bulgarian people at the time - with financial funds gathered by every single Bulgarian orthodox family in the boundaries of Bulgaria at that time to be build a magnificent orthodox temple, which to adorn the beautiful capital of the future united Bulgaria. Although united Bulgaria was never accomplished and remained only an ideal, the magnificence of the Cathedral St Alexander Nevsky still reminds us about it and proves in an indisputable way that when Bulgarians are united they can create great deals.

The Central Military Club in Sofia is considered one of the masterpieces of the Bulgarian architecture in the decades after the Liberation from Ottoman government (1878). It still adorns the capital and attracts the eyes of tourists and locals. It was completed in 1907 following the design of the Czech architect Antonin Kolar and hid Bulgarian colleague Nikola Lazarov. The building is a remarkable representative of the Neo-Renaissance architectural style and features refined saloons, lavishly and stylishly decorated with marble, ornamented ceilings, Italian silk and art panels.

The Church of St Nikolay the Wondermaker in Sofia or simply the Russian Church, as it is mostly known among the locals, is one of the most beautiful and elegant orthodox temples in Bulgaria. Its construction started in the beginning of the last century and was completed in 1914. The design was worked out by the professor of the Saint Petersburg's Art Academy – Michael Preobrazhensky. The church follows the traditions of the Russian sacral architecture, which were formed in the 17th century. The most characteristic of them is the onion shape of the domes. The domes of St Nikolay are also covered by gold giving the church a unique grace.

The National Theatre "Ivan Vazov" is housed in a splendid Baroque building from 1907. It has been designed by the famous Viennese architects Hermann Helmer and Ferdinand Fellner, authors of a series of beautiful buildings of various theatres, operas and palaces in Vienna, Berlin, Rijeka, Odessa and other European cities. The theatre is located in the centre of Sofia, amidst a pleasant park, right opposite of the former Royal Palace. The facade is delicately decorated with relief and sculpture representation of gods and mythical personifications from the ancient Greek pantheon. In the warm months of the year a refreshing fountain is squirting in front of the building's front colonnade.

Built following the idea of Lyudmila Zhivkova and officially opened in 1981, the National Palace of Culture or mostly known as NDK (the Bulgarian abbreviation of the name) is one of the most characteristic symbols of Sofia. It features a prime position in the city’s cultural, social and business life. The spacious and picturesque square with fountains and flower beds in front of the palace is a favorite place for relaxing walks of both locals and tourists. A splendid view of the building's remarkable facade on the backdrop of the snow-capped Vitosha Mountain can be enjoyed from this square too. NDK has won "The world's best congress centre of 2005" award.