Sofia is one of Europe's oldest cities, sitting at the foot of the massive Vitosha Mountain. It is a place where history is literally layered; excavations in the city center reveal Roman ruins right next to modern subway stations. The city is famous for its "Square of Religious Tolerance," where a church, a mosque, and a synagogue all stand within a few meters of each other. The gold-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is the city's most iconic landmark and a symbol of Bulgarian Orthodox Christianity. Sofia has a laid-back, youthful energy with sprawling parks, wide yellow-brick boulevards, and a growing number of trendy bars and galleries. Its proximity to the mountains allows residents and tourists to go from the city center to ski slopes or hiking trails in less than an hour, making it a rare capital that offers both deep urban history and easy access to the Great Bulgarian outdoors.
Location: Sofia City Province, Bulgaria
Coordinates: 42.6977, 23.3219
Learn more: Wikipedia