Sofia

Travel Guide

Sofia
Sofia
Sofia
Sofia
Sofia

Bulgaria’s capital offers thousands of years of history and culture, beautiful architecture, exciting nightlife, modern malls and mountain pursuits.

Since the end of Communist rule in Bulgaria, Sofia has reinvented itself as a lively, cosmopolitan city. Stroll in the shadows of Byzantine buildings, gold-domed churches and Communist-era monuments to find modern shopping malls, acres of parkland, elegant boulevards and a lively café culture. With some of Europe’s most beautiful architecture and ski slopes on its doorstep, Sofia has plenty to show its visitors.

Marvel at the beauty of the multi-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. Look inside at its Byzantine-style murals. Next to the cathedral, find the sixth-century Church of St. Sofia, which gave the city its name. See the Rotunda of St. George, thought to be the city’s oldest church. The redbrick structure was built by the Romans in the fourth century. Visit the 16th-century Banya Bashi Mosque.

Investigate some of the 650,000 artifacts inside the National Museum of History. Learn about Bulgarian art from the 19th and 20th centuries at the National Art Gallery.

Go on a shopping spree to the city malls. These include the Bulgaria Mall and The Mall, one of the largest malls in Sofia. Stock up on fresh fruit and vegetables at the market on Graf Ignatiev. Take a break from shopping and sightseeing for a drink at a pavement café or picnic at Borisova Gradina Park.

Sofia sits at the foot of the Vitosha Mountain, a 7,513-foot-tall (2,290-meter) peak. Trek along its numerous marked paths in the spring and summer or go skiing in the winter.

To experience Sofia’s nightlife, visit Vitosha Boulevard, Sofia’s main shopping street. Choose from a large concentration of trendy bars and cafés. For music and dance, visit Sofia Opera and Ballet.

Sofia is a compact city. Many sights are within easy walking distance of each other. Alternatively, get around by public transportation or rental car. With thousands of years of history, rich cultural pursuits and a lively social scene, Sofia is a fascinating and increasingly popular vacation destination.

Where to stay in Sofia

Sofia showing a house and heritage architecture

Sofia City Center

4/5(32 area reviews)

Noted for its museums and historic sites, there's plenty to explore in Sofia City Center. Top attractions like Slaveykov Square and Ivan Vazov National Theatre are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Serdika Station or Lavov Most Station to see more of the city.

Sofia City Center
Default Image

Lozenets

4/5(4 area reviews)

Unique features of Lozenets include the spas and bars. Make a stop by Sofia Zoo or Borisova Gradina Park while you're exploring the area.

Lozenets
Default Image

Mladost

4/5(4 area reviews)

While you're in Mladost, take in top sights like Inter Expo and Congress Center or Winter Palace of Sports, and hop on the metro to see more the city at Mladost 1 or Business Park Station.

Mladost
Monument to the Liberating Tsar featuring a square or plaza, a monument and a statue or sculpture

Sredets District

While visiting Sredets District, you might make a stop by sights like Monument to the Liberating Tsar and Borisova Gradina Park.

Sredets District
National Museum of History featuring interior views and heritage elements

Vitosha District

Vitosha District is noteworthy for its spas, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Mount Vitosha and Boyana Church.

Vitosha District
Sofia Court House which includes heritage architecture and signage

Rajon Triaditsa

If you're spending some time in Rajon Triaditsa, Vitosha Blvd and National Palace of Culture are top sights worth seeing.

Rajon Triaditsa
Sofia Balkan Palace
Sofia Balkan Palace
5 out of 5
5 Sveta Nedelya Square, Sofia, Sofia
The price is CA $163 per night from Jul 30 to Jul 31
CA $163
CA $182 total
Jul 30 - Jul 31
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Sofia. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,006 reviews)
"Fantastic, very luxurious."

Reviewed on Jul. 12, 2025

Sofia Balkan Palace
Grand Hotel Millennium Sofia
Grand Hotel Millennium Sofia
5 out of 5
89B, Vitosha Blvd., Sofia, Sofia
The price is CA $224 per night from Jul 20 to Jul 21
CA $224
CA $250 total
Jul 20 - Jul 21
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Sofia. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 coffee shops/cafes. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (440 reviews)
"Absolutely loved this property and all that it offers. From the very helpful staff, to the beautiful amenities, our last night in Sofia ended on a great note due to this hotel."

Reviewed on Jun. 16, 2025

Grand Hotel Millennium Sofia
InterContinental Sofia by IHG
InterContinental Sofia by IHG
5 out of 5
4 NARODNO SABRANIE SQ, Sofia
The price is CA $162 per night from Aug 9 to Aug 10
CA $162
CA $181 total
Aug 9 - Aug 10
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Sofia. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 3 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (668 reviews)
"Delightful service team and well appointed. Perfectly located for touring the area."

Reviewed on Jul. 13, 2025

InterContinental Sofia by IHG
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
ATM Aparts Sofia
ATM Aparts Sofia
3 out of 5
Poligona Area, Building 44, Entrance A, Sofia
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Sofia. Enjoy free WiFi, an airport shuttle (surcharge), and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions The Mall and Arena Armeec ...
8/10 Very Good! (70 reviews)
"Nice apartment. All fine."

Reviewed on Jun. 25, 2025

ATM Aparts Sofia
Dunav Apartment House
Dunav Apartment House
3.5 out of 5
Dunav street 38, Sofia, Sofia City Province
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Sofia. Enjoy free WiFi, in-room massages, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Sveta Petka Samardzhiiska Church and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2 reviews)
"Excelent location, comfort and clean room friendly staff"

Reviewed on Jun. 7, 2025

Dunav Apartment House
DOT Sofia
DOT Sofia
3.5 out of 5
ul. Bratya Miladinovi 46, Sofia, Sofia City Province
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in Sofia. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and onsite spa services. Popular attractions Sofia Synagogue and Central Sofia ...
10/10 Exceptional! (9 reviews)
You will not find a better place.
"This is an unbelievable hotel experience. If you like modern art and architecture you will not find a better place. It's a 12 on a scale to 10. The ground floor restaurant is next level. If you get a chance to stay here, stay here."

Reviewed on Jun. 28, 2025

DOT Sofia
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Sofia

4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
8
5 - Excellent 23%
4 - Good
22
4 - Good 63%
3 - Okay
3
3 - Okay 9%
2 - Disappointing
2
2 - Disappointing 6%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

The locals were not very welcoming, warm and helpful. Perhaps language barrier reflected into their disposition. The city itself has lots to offer given its rich history of 6000+ years. Beware of the taxis, most meters are altered.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

The old part of the city is wonderful

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Beware of the local taxis. The meter is more than often faulty and when you point it out, they pretend to not know English at all. Otherwise taxi ride is meant to be cheap, when you come across an honest driver, which was rare in our experience.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Sofia is my home town.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Enjoyed the pedestrian mall and its many restaurants. Public transit, which I use whenever I travel, was frequent but the payment system leaves a lot to be desired.

4/5 - Good

BS

Overall Sofia was nice. Highly recommend to hike the Seven Rila Lakes!!

Cities near Sofia