Sofia

This gorgeous Russian Orthodox church is located in central Sofia. It was built by Russia after the liberation of Bulgaria. The grave of Saint Archbishop Seraphim is located under the main floor - believers still visit for pilgrimages, leaving notes with wishes and prayers.

Encircled withing a courtyard of modern dwelling buildings, Rotunda of St George is the oldest preserved structure in the city, which has also been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. The beautiful cupola holds a fourteenth-century portrait of Christ surrounded by four angels.

Here you can view excellent displays of folk art and crafts. The museum has several different collections of items such as traditional clothing, copper objects, woodcarving, ceramics, and more. It is a rather compact space, but the guide provides comprehensive information about the exhibits.

Boyana Church is the oldest Orthodox church in Sofia. This medieval construction, set in a green area at the foot of the mountains, was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites due to its renaissance-style frescoes. In the church you can see 89 scenes with 240 human images.

A lesser-know attraction, the National Opera and Ballet is Sophia's hidden gem. Performances are of very high quality, and good seats are easy to get (and incredibly great value). This is also the place to go and listen to classical music by great masters like Wagner and Rossini.

Vitosha, one of the most popular streets in Sofia, is certainly the place to be on a sunny day. This spacious boulevard has many cafés and shops, and is teeming with leisurely strollers and shoppers at almost any given time. The Vitosha Mountain dramatically dominates the skyline in the south.

The famous Statue of Slaveikovs is located in its namesake Slaveikov Square. The statue eternalizes two poets, a father and son, sitting on a bench. Feel free to sit down right next to the famed Bulgarian publicists and capture the moment on camera.

A different way to discover what the city has to offer in terms of culinary delights, a food tour is good for those looking to discover some under-the-radar family-run restaurants and sample some incredible local cuisine. One company that offers such tours is Balkan Bites:

The museum has remained largely under the tourist radar despite its rather comprehensive collection of military artifacts. Army uniforms and weapons dating back to 1876 all the way through to the times of WWI are on display, as well as WWII tanks and military jets directly outside the building.

The Bells Monument outside the city centre of Sofia was installed in 1979, when UNESCO declared it International Year of the Child. The monument presents more than 70 bells from across the world, on pillars that are marked with a message from children from the respective nation. Occasionally, the seven main bells, one for each continent at the top of the central pillar, ring along to parades or events held around the monument.

Set panoramically against the scenic backdrop of a snowy mountain range, the National History Museum contains a great selection of art and archaeological finds. This is a must-see for anyone interested in learning more about Bulgarian history and art.

The Snail House is a quirky place and a perfect spot for anyone interested in architecture. This has become one of the most popular places in Sofia and will probably win first prise for being the oddest picture in your photo album when you come home.