hi there You can down into the vault of the museum very easily... the entrance is inside the church.... if you are facing the altar it is to your left by the far wall.... you go down some steps and you will find the lady.. it was when we were there... selling the tickets.. you then have free reign to walk around under the church! hope that helps ps we all thought it very worth while going down there!

It is free to enter the church. If you want to take pictures inside you have to pay at the place where you pay for candles and postcards (10 lev). To the left of the main entrance you find a door behinde it are some stairs down to the crypt with some stunning icons (5 lev approx)

I would agree with what's posted above and add a few points. Find the central Mosque, it's close to the 'Largo' with all it's wonderful Roman ruins on display. Wander down Pirotska St, you'll pass the old indoor market and the central Synagogue. All worth visiting. Pirotska is a busy shopping street and there's a nice hotel there, called St Sofia. The rooms are very good and the price is quite reasonable. Carry on down and you'll find the famous Ladies Market. It's been gentrified recently but still has plenty of charm and colour. Be sensible though and don't wave huge wads of cash around while shouting in another language. Finally, it's Bulgaria... spelled with an 'a'. Have fun!