Hidden Sofia: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

5.0 (3 reviews) 1 h 30 min – 2 hours Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

3 reviews

5.0

Hidden Sofia: A Self-Guided Audio Tour — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Hidden Sofia: A Self-Guided Audio Tour, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

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.

Private and Luxury Private Sightseeing Tours Audio Guides Historical Tours Walking Tours Short term availability Weather Dependent - Low Agent Low Quality Product

At a glance

Duration: 1 h 30 min – 2 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–15
Audio guide: English
Written guide: English
Operated by: VoiceMap Audio Tours

Ages: Adults (6–120 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Lifetime access to this tour in English before your booking date and after it
Included: Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
Included: App for Android and iOS
Included: Flexibility to explore at your own pace with a self-guided GPS tour
Included: Directions to the starting point so that when you’re in the right place, the tour will start

Not included

Not included: Smartphone and headphones
Not included: Personal expenses for admission fees not included during the tour
Not included: Food and drink
Not included: Transportation

Itinerary

Stop 1

Passing by

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.
Stop 2

Passing by

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
Stop 3

Passing by

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.
Ancient Serdica Archaeological Complex

Passing by

Stroll through Roman Serdica, where Emperor Constantine declared ”Serdica is my Rome” – before choosing Constantinople instead
Stop 5

Passing by

Visit the 4th-century St. Georgi Rotunda Church, Sofia’s oldest building that’s served various purposes throughout the years
Stop 6

Passing by

Take in the Banya Bashi Mosque, the only active mosque in Sofia
Stop 7

Passing by

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
Catholic Cathedral of St Joseph

Passing by

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
Stop 9

Passing by

Stand in the former Presidential Palace of the Republic of Bulgaria, where Tsar Boris III died mysteriously after meeting Hitler in 1943
City Garden

Passing by

You’ll walk through peaceful parks where locals meet for chess and morning coffee, and descend into underground archaeological complexes to walk Roman streets.
Ivan Vazov National Theater

Passing by

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.
Monument of Tsar Samuil

Passing by

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.
Stop 13

Passing by

On this tour, you'll pass by the Monument of the Unknown Soldier. 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.
St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral

Passing by

The tour finishes at the Patriarchal Cathedral St Alexander Nevsky, whose golden domes are a reminder of Bulgaria’s Orthodox identity, but also honor Russian liberators.

Meeting point and pickup

Everyone meets at the meeting point.

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.

End point

This GPS-guided tour ends in front of the Patriarchal Cathedral St. Alexander Nevsky.

Using your ticket

VOICEMAP CODE

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Please check your email at the address you provided when you made this booking. You've been sent an eight character code you'll need to redeem your tour.

This code can be used by every member of your party. If you've booked for three people, for example, three people can download this tour using the same code.

DOWNLOAD INSTRUCTIONS

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Once you've received your code, please follow these steps:

Install the VoiceMap Audio Tours mobile app

Create an account

Select Tour Codes from the menu, then select Enter Codes

Enter your code then select Download Now

PLEASE NOTE

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You can download the tour at any time, before or after your booking date. It’s best to download the tour before you set off for the starting point.

This tour follows a set route and includes turn-by-turn directions. It works best if you start it in the right place and follow the directions from one location to the next.

When the download completes, you’ll see a screen with a photo of the starting point and directions to it. The red start button will become active when you are at the starting point.

Remember to bring your own headphones, unless you have booked a driving tour.

SUPPORT

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For technical support and other queries, please email [email protected]