Which one to choose in Sofia
Two churches in Sofia. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia has no online ticket listed; Boyana Church has 17 tickets and tours to book. The table and the two notes below put them side by side; the full pages have what to see, the ticket and the timing for each.
Sofia, Bulgaria
Entry to the cathedral is free. The crypt below houses the national gallery of icons, one of the finest collections of Orthodox painting in the Balkans, with a separate small ticket that is among the best value in Sofia. A photography permit inside the church costs a token sum and is sold at a desk by the door. Guided walking tours of Sofia include the cathedral and cost several times that;
Sofia, Bulgaria
The ticket is cheap and the rules are unusual: only eight people may be inside at a time and only for ten minutes, to protect the frescoes from breath and heat. In practice you buy a ticket at the small building by the gate and wait your turn in the garden, rarely more than twenty minutes. A guide inside costs a small extra fee and is well worth it, because the ten minutes pass fast and the paintings need pointing out.
| Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia | Boyana Church | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Cathedral | Church |
| Height | 53 m | — |
| Opened | 1882 | 980 |
| Tickets and tours on GetYourGuide | none listed | 17 |
| Official website | yes | yes |