Sofia

Travel Guide
Borisova Gradina showing cycling, a garden and forests
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

4.5/5(231 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
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Lozenets

4/5(21 area reviews)

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

Lozenets
Sofia Court House showing signage and heritage architecture

Rajon Triaditsa

4/5(4 area reviews)

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

Rajon Triaditsa
National Museum of History featuring interior views and heritage elements

Vitosha District

4/5(3 area reviews)

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

Vitosha District
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Mladost

4/5(21 area reviews)

While you're in Mladost, take in top sights like Inter Expo and Congress Center or Borisova Gradina Park, 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 Central Military Club.

Sredets District
Grand Hotel Sofia
Grand Hotel Sofia
5 out of 5
1 Gurko Str, Sofia
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NT$4,023 per night from Mar 31 to Apr 1
NT$4,023
per night
Mar 31 - Apr 1
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Sofia. Enjoy breakfast, room service, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (950 reviews)
"Staff were very helpful. Room was incredibly spacious and the premium toilettes were great! Good value for money"

Reviewed on 2024/3/17

Grand Hotel Sofia
Sofia Balkan Palace
Sofia Balkan Palace
5 out of 5
5 Sveta Nedelya Square, Sofia, Sofia
The price is NT$4,123 per night from Mar 29 to Mar 30
NT$4,123
per night
Mar 29 - Mar 30
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Sofia. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (884 reviews)
Beautiful but not so clean
"The room is new and the service was great. Just the room wasn’t clean- there was a lot of dirt under the chairs in the room, and smell of smoking in a lot of places."

Reviewed on 2024/3/27

Sofia Balkan Palace
Grand Hotel Millennium Sofia
Grand Hotel Millennium Sofia
5 out of 5
89B, Vitosha Blvd., Sofia, Sofia
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NT$4,833 per night from Mar 31 to Apr 1
NT$4,833
per night
Mar 31 - Apr 1
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Sofia. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 coffee shops/cafes, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (276 reviews)
Great hotel - Can recommend!
"This is a great hotel in a very nice location. Quiet, perfectly located and it has nice big suites. The view from the higher floors are very nice, too. I can recommend and when I'm in Sofia this is usually the hotel I stay at."

Reviewed on 2024/3/25

Grand Hotel Millennium 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.
CityResidence Aparthotel
CityResidence Aparthotel
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 a terrace. Popular attractions Sveta Petka Samardzhiiska Church and Saint Sofia ...
7.8/10 Good! (53 reviews)
This place is decent.
"This is a good property. Good check in experience. I get the impression that alot of people who go to this property want "the moon on a stick". If you want value, cleanliness, quiet, and adequate facilities. This is fine."

Reviewed on 2023/7/2

CityResidence Aparthotel
Apart-Hotels-Sofia
Apart-Hotels-Sofia
3 out of 5
Iskar 96, Sofia, Sofia City Province
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Sofia. Enjoy free WiFi, dry cleaning or laundry services, and a Smart TV. Popular attractions Vasil Levski Monument and Oborishte ...
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
"Our stay was great at AHS. This place is new and it had everything we needed. There are many details that stand out about this place starting from the instructions. The host was really nice and made excellent recommendations. I hope to stay here again soon."

Reviewed on 2024/2/27

Apart-Hotels-Sofia
Agora Boutique Self Check In
Agora Boutique Self Check In
3 out of 5
16 Uzundzhovska str, Sofia, Sofia
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Sofia. Enjoy free WiFi, daily housekeeping, and private bathrooms. Popular attractions Ethnographic Institute with Museum and ...
10/10 Exceptional! (2 reviews)
"Agora Boutique is perfectly located right in the center of all the touristy things to do. Very comfortable, easy entry into building and room. Lots of restaurants right outside. 15 minute walk or less to all the free tours I joined, as well as museums, parks, and important religious buildings."

Reviewed on 2024/3/24

Agora Boutique Self Check In
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

Reviews of Sofia

4.2
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
86
" "5 - Excellent 44.791666666666664%
4 - Good
68
" "4 - Good 35.416666666666664%
3 - Okay
32
" "3 - Okay 16.666666666666668%
2 - Disappointing
2
" "2 - Disappointing 1.0416666666666667%
1 - Terrible
4
" "1 - Terrible 2.0833333333333335%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 15, 2020

Had some delicious food and locals very friendly. 

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Feb 23, 2020

I love Bulgaria❤️

4/5 - Good

Renee
Feb 12, 2020

Definitely recommend the malls. Vitosha. Sightsee. Live.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Dec 17, 2019

People are very polite, helpful. Sofia is a very clean City. Delicious food. Reasonable prices

5/5 - Excellent

Chris
Dec 1, 2019

Surprising

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Nov 19, 2019

Sofia is amazing, full of history and beautiful spots!