The Palace Sofia is the National Gallery branch housed in Sofia’s former Royal Palace, in the city centre. You can visit for temporary exhibitions of Bulgarian and foreign art, and combine the gallery with other sights around the central square.
- Location: 1 Knyaz Alexander I Square, 1000 Sofia.
- Regular hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; the ticket office closes at 5:30 p.m.
- Individual ticket: €8; concession tickets are €4.
- From Kniaz Boris Hotel: about 1.0 km.
Which Sofia landmark is called The Palace?
The Palace is the National Gallery’s branch in Sofia’s former Royal Palace, not a separate palace or hotel. The former palace complex also houses the National Ethnographic Museum, so check which institution and exhibitions you want to visit.
The building was developed after Bulgaria’s Liberation in 1878 and Sofia’s selection as capital in 1879. Viennese architect Viktor Rumpelmayer adapted a former Ottoman konak, and the palace officially opened on 26 December 1882. Under Knyaz Ferdinand I, architect Friedrich Grünanger designed a three-storey northeastern wing built between 1894 and 1896; that wing now houses the National Ethnographic Museum.
After 9 September 1944, the building became the seat of the Council of Ministers. In 1953, the state assigned the former palace to the National Art Gallery and the National Ethnographic Museum.
The National Art Gallery and its setting
The Palace presents temporary exhibitions of Bulgarian and foreign art in the former Royal Palace. Its central address puts you within reach of other city-centre stops on foot; for a green-space break nearby, the City Garden Sofia visit guide covers the central park.
The palace’s architecture reflects its successive building phases, from the original adaptation by Rumpelmayer to Grünanger’s later northeastern wing. The two museums share the complex, but The Palace is the National Gallery branch to look for when planning an art visit.
Hours, tickets and exhibitions to check
The National Gallery gives The Palace’s regular visiting hours as Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., with ticket sales ending at 5:30 p.m. It is closed on Mondays, official Bulgarian holidays, Christmas, New Year’s Day and Easter. Hours, prices and exhibitions can change, so check the official site before you go.
An individual ticket costs €8, while the €4 concession applies to pensioners, people aged 65 and over, and students. Admission is free for children, pupils and people under 18; visitors with physical disabilities; art-school pupils and students; museum and gallery employees; journalists; and members of specified professional and museum organisations. A ticket at all branches costs €2 every Thursday.
If you plan to visit more than one gallery, combined tickets are available. The Palace with Kvadrat 500 costs €15 individually or €7.50 at the concession rate; the same prices apply to a combined ticket for The Palace and the Museum of Christian Art. A ticket covering all three costs €25 individually or €12.50 at the concession rate.
Guided tours in Bulgarian and English cost €40 and require advance booking by phone at +359 87 914 7678. For other visitor enquiries, The Palace gives +359 2 980 00 93 and office@nationalgallery.bg.
Nearby sights for the same outing
The Palace’s central location makes it straightforward to pair the gallery with other sights in Sofia’s historic centre. You can plan a walk that continues from Lavov most toward the historic centre using this Sofia walking route from Lavov most.
For a gallery-focused visit, start at The Palace, then decide whether to add Kvadrat 500 or the Museum of Christian Art; the combined tickets cover those pairings. If you would rather keep the outing outdoors, the City Garden is another central stop.
FAQs
What is The Palace in Sofia?
It is a National Gallery branch housed in Sofia’s former Royal Palace. The complex also contains the National Ethnographic Museum.
What are The Palace hours?
Regular visiting hours are Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., and the ticket office closes at 5:30 p.m. It is closed on Mondays and specified holidays.
How much are The Palace tickets?
The individual ticket costs €8, with a €4 concession for pensioners, people aged 65 and over, and students. There are also free-admission categories and a €2 Thursday ticket at all branches.
Are guided tours available at The Palace?
Guided tours in Bulgarian and English cost €40 and require advance booking by phone.