Sofia certainly takes culture seriously, although, during summer, its pre-eminence is closely rivalled by neighbouring Plovdiv or Varna. In keeping with European tradition, Sofians enjoy ballet, opera and theatre. These are of such high quality and low price, visitors are advised to have a look, despite language difficulties. The city's official arts centre, Natsionalen Dvorets na Kulturata or National Palace of Culture (NDK), ploshtad Bulgaria 1, Yuzhen Park (tel: (02) 916 6369 (tickets); website: www.ndk.bg), is a colossal modern structure incorporating concert halls, exhibition spaces, congress facilities and the Lumière Cinema. Most major cultural events take place here. The box office is to the left of the main entrance.

Tickets to cultural events are available from the NDK, for all major venues, or from the individual venue box offices. Check what's on via the English-language weekly Sofia Echo supplement (website: www.sofiaecho.com), the monthly Sofia City Info Guide, the quarterly Sofia - The Insider's Guide, the quarterly Sofia In Your Pocket and the monthly booklet Programata (website: www.programata.bg).

Music: Bulgaria Hall and Bulgaria Chamber Hall, ulitsa Aksakov 1 (tel: (02) 987 7656), is the top venue symphonic concerts and boasts a showpiece pipe organ. The National Radio Orchestra is highly recommended. Sofia National Opera and Ballet, ulitsa Vrabcha 1 (tel: (02) 987 7011; website: www.operasofia.com), hosts the main opera and ballet performances in one of Sofia's most impressive buildings. Operas are usually performed in the original language, with Bulgarian surtitles. The foyers, balconies and main hall are painted with scenes from various well-known operas. Stefan Makedonski State Music Theatre, ulitsa Panayot Volov 3 (tel: (02) 442 321), stages lighter operettas and musicals. Finally, Eastern Orthodox Church services offer a perfect opportunity to hear highly skilled choirs chanting amid incense and flickering candles.

Theatre: The theatre season runs from early October to late June. Naturally, plays are staged in Bulgarian but the high standard of the performances can make a visit to the theatre a memorable experience. Naroden Teatar Ivan Vazov (Ivan Vazov National Theatre), ulitsa Dyakon Ignatiy 5 (tel: (02) 811 9219; website: www.nationaltheatre.bg), is an impressive neoclassical building and home to the national theatre company. Works by eminent Bulgarians and classical writers are staged here. Sofia is famous for a sophisticated puppet tradition and it is not all geared for children - Kuklen Teatar (Central Puppet Theatre), ulitsa General Gurko 14 (tel: (02) 988 5416), gives regular performances for all ages. NATFIZ (National Academy of Theatre and Film Arts), ulitsa Rakovski 108A (tel: (02) 987 9862), puts on a range of experimental performances, including mime.

Dance: The Sofia National Opera and Ballet, ulitsa Vrabcha 1 (tel: (02) 987 7011; website: www.geobiz.com/sfopera), hosts ballet in Sofia. Arabesque is a highly regarded and excellent modern dance troupe, which usually performs at the NDK, 1 ploshtad Bulgaria, Yuzhen Park (tel: (02) 9166 2300; website: www.ndk.bg).

Film: Sofia has a large film-going audience and has around 20 cinemas, most of which show recent foreign films, predominantly American, in their original version with Bulgarian subtitles. The best screen venue, however, is the eight-screen Multiplex in the subway of the NDK, ploshtad Bulgaria 1, Yuzhen Park (tel: (02) 951 5101; website: www.ndk.bg), and most film festival events take place here. Tickets cost about Lv5 - prices are often reduced for matinee performances. Other good cinemas include huge multiplex Arena, bulvard Todor Aleksandrov 64 (tel: (02) 920 9999; website: www.kinoarena.com) and independent Euro Cinema, bulvard Aleksander Stamboliski 17, for classy European films and non-mainstream.