Sofia – Capital of Bulgaria – The Ultimate Travel Guide

Sofia is Bulgaria’s capital and largest city. Situated in the very heart of the Balkan peninsula,  it is one of Europe’s oldest cities. While still undiscovered by many, more and more people are now falling in love with the city’s unique east meets west vibe.

HISTORY OF SOFIA

For the past 6000 years, this city has seen it all. Once called Serdica – an important trade center in the Roman empire. Then conquered by the Bulgarians in the 9th century, then conquered by the Byzantine Empire, then re-claimed by the Bulgarians, and then a stronghold of the Ottoman empire. After Bulgaria gained its independence in the late 19th century, Sofia was chosen as the country’s new capital. It’s now been capital for 140 years.

The city’s appearance today has been widely shaped by the twists and turmoils of the 20th century. Up until WW2 Bulgaria was a parliamentary monarchy and Sofia’s architecture was influenced by the examples of Austrian, French, and German architecture. The second half of the 20th century saw Bulgaria firmly locked behind the Iron Curtain. Therefore, architecture and urban planning were reconceptualized to fit with the new communist ideas. After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, Bulgaria started its transition to democracy and is now a member of NATO and the European Union. All of this creates the unique blend that is Sofia today.

WHAT TO DO IN SOFIA

Sightseeing in Sofia

Sofia’s city center is very compact and most of the city’s main landmarks are situated within walking distance. Our best suggestion for any first-time visitor is one of the city’s daily free walking tours. The tours run 365 days a year and include all of Sofia’s most famous buildings and places to visit. The city tours are both fun and educational.

Having done that, explore further with our Top 10 Things to do in Sofia list.

Museums in Sofia

You already know that Sofia has a long and turbulent history. That’s the perfect recipe for all museum lovers. There is a wide range of museums and galleries in Sofia. Here are some of our favorites:

• National Archeological Museum – Did you know that Bulgaria ranks 3rd in Europe when it comes to the number of archeological sites and findings (after Italy and Greece)? The country’s rich archeological heritage is best presented in this museum. You will find it right in front of the Bulgarian Presidency building in the heart of Sofia.
• The Red Flat – Everyday Life in Socialist Bulgaria is Sofia’s new and first communist history museum. Actually, it is not a museum in the traditional sense. As the name suggests it is actually a flat. By entering the home of a typical Bulgarian family from the 1980’s you will be able to experience the lifestyle of people in the former Eastern Bloc like never before.
• Sofia History Museum – Situated in the building of the former central public bath, this museum follows almost all historical periods (with the exception of the socialist period). However, its main focus is the history of Sofia from 1878 to 1944.

Galleries in Sofia

• Square 500 National Gallery – You will find it right behind Sofia’s most famous landmark – the St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. The “Bulgarian Louvre” boasts a rich collection of both Bulgarian and foreign art.
• Sofia City Gallery – home to some of Sofia’s best temporary exhibitions. It’s the best place in Sofia for all lovers of photography.
• National Art Gallery & Ethnographic Museum – housed in the former Royal Palace, it’s where you’ll find some of the great examples of Bulgarian art.

EATING IN SOFIA

Wondering where to eat in Sofia? That is indeed a tricky question as Sofia is home to plenty of great restaurants that offer great value for money.

Best Traditional Restaurants

Bulgarian food is not to be missed when visiting Sofia. Going to a traditional restaurant is a must for any visit to Bulgaria. Here are some of our favorites:

• Pod Lipite (Under the Linden trees) – one of the oldest garden restaurants in Sofia. It dates back to 1926 and is part of the list of Bulgarian Cultural Monuments. The name was given by the great Bulgarian writer Elin Pelin. You will find it near the main park in Sofia (Borisova Gradina). The traditional meals are prepared based on original old recipes. Many of the products they use are from their own farm.
• Manastirska Magernitsa – situated in the very center of Sofia, this is where you can try real monastery food. The recipes have been collected carefully for many years. Apart from the great traditional decorations this restaurant also has a charming garden, perfect for the warm sunny days.

Other Restaurants

Of course, there are countless other options if you’ve already had enough of the Bulgarian cuisine:

• Aubergine –  pairing local craft beers with its meals Aubergine’s talented chefs use their imagination in order to create astonishing dishes. They draw inspiration from the local traditions, as well as international gastronomy. Accommodated in an old house on a quiet street close to the National Palace of Culture this restaurant offers a cozy and warm atmosphere. It also has a peaceful garden.
• Tenebris – a unique experience for the adventure-seeking foodies. Imagine letting go of the visual and immersing yourself in a completely different world. One full of taste, texture, sound, and real human interaction. You will spend a few hours with your friends in pitch-black darkness, trying to guess what you are actually eating. A visually impaired host will be your guide on this culinary journey while giving you interesting insights.
• Ninja Bowl Sofia – if you are looking for international flavors, Asian fusion cuisine, poke bowls, Thai curry, and so much more – look no further.
• Sweet & Salty Bakery Cafe – there’s hardly a better place for brunch and breakfast in town

Learn more about traditional Bulgarian food and must-try dishes in our Guide to Bulgarian Cuisine 

The beautiful Moma restaurant in the center of the city

NIGHTLIFE IN SOFIA

Best bars in Sofia

• Bar Petak (Bar Friday) – a.k.a. everyone’s favorite “bar of the week” is situated in a hidden place in central Sofia. Outside area, large party-hard ground floor and a smaller chill zone on the second floor. This is where you can meet the coolest people in town from Monday to Sunday. Music is the essence of Bar Petak, they strive to unlock horizons while making you dance.
• Sputnik – home to Sofia’s best cocktails
• Dada Culture Bar – a place to relax, meet up with friends, listen to some good live music, and occasionally attend an interesting cultural event.
• Abordage  – this is Sofia’s favorite place for board games – the perfect place to have fun with your travel buddies and enjoy draft live beer, craft beer, tea, coffee, non-alcoholic beverages, and cocktails
• The New Sofia Pub Crawl – If you only have limited time in Sofia why not visit 5 different bars in just one night with a pub crawl of Sofia’s unique and hidden bars?

Clubs and Live Venues

• Exe Club – one of Sofia’s newest clubs quickly became a favorite of a lot of locals. Every Friday this club offers an event with trap and hip-hop music. Every Saturday – house & techno music with international guest DJs
• Sofia Live Club
• National Palace of Culture – a hub for all sorts of cultural events, concerts, exhibitions and festivals. Make sure to check their program while in Sofia.
• Sofia Opera and Ballet House – Bulgaria is proud to have a long history and high standards of opera and ballet performances. Therefore, if you are a fan, visiting the local opera & ballet house is a must
• Hall Bulgaria – for the lovers of classical performances, it’s where the Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra performs most often.  
• Terminal 1

A great way to check what events are happening in Sofia during your visit is this website. They’ll keep you up to date with the most interesting performances in town.

Sofia at Night? Is it Safe?

There’s nothing to worry about! Despite Bulgaria’s reputation as the cradle of organized crime, corruption, etc, the streets of Sofia are very safe, and violent crimes are a rarity. Poorly-paved streets and pavements are going to be your main worry after a glass or two. Watch your step!

GETTING AROUND

There are countless ways to travel around Sofia. However, there is one option that is not available and that’s Uber. Uber and all uber-like services are currently banned in Bulgaria. Therefore, you’ll have to stick to the traditional means of transportation.

Coming from the airport? – Here’s how to get from the Airport to the city center.

Public Transport

Most of the city’s cultural life is situated in the center of the city. Therefore, walking is the best option to navigate the city. However, if you need to use the public transport, we are here for you! Sofia has it all – trams, buses, trolleybuses, marshrutka (a local type of mini-bus). Public transport in the city is very affordable at a fixed rate of 1.60BGN (around 0.80EUR) per journey. A day card for unlimited use of all public transport will cost you 4BGN (around 2.00EUR).

Check out our full guide to Sofia’s public transport.

Metro

Sofia’s metro network is relatively new and it’s locals’ favorite way to get around. There are 2 functioning metro lines. A 3rd one is currently being built. The city’s key points (such as the Sofia Airport, Sofia Central Railway and Bus Stations, and historical center) are all well connected with the metro.

If you are planning on using the metro, make sure to read our Guide to Sofia metro

Taxis in Sofia

Taxis are very affordable in Bulgaria. A ride from the Sofia airport to the center should be around 20 BGN (10 EUR). Anywhere within the city – around 15 BGN (8 EUR). However, you should be careful as there are a lot of scammers.

More about taxis in Sofia.

Rent-A-Car

Renting a car is a good option if you are planning on exploring what Bulgaria has to offer outside of the capital. However, if you are just visiting for a few short days and are not planning any day trips, Sofia’s compact city center and public transport network are more than enough for you to explore what the city has to offer.

Cycling

Unlike many European capitals, cycling is not a popular option in Sofia. That is largely due to the city’s limited cycling infrastructure and countless underpasses. However, if you feel adventurous enough…

Check out more about cycling in Sofia, bike rentals and infrastructure here.

Parking

Parking in Sofia is might be tricky, especially if you are considering finding a spot in the center of the city. We recommend you check out our extensive Sofia Parking Guide before you start your journey.

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ACCOMMODATION IN SOFIA

Sofia offers a really good value for money when it comes to accommodation options. There’s something for every taste and budget. In fact, even 5-star hotels are quite affordable. Especially if you compare them to 5-star hotels in most of Europe.

AirBnB in Sofia

Airbnb options in the city are extremely affordable, varied and offer great quality. If Airbnb is your choice, we recommend that you stick to the city center as that would give you the opportunity to explore it by just walking. And trust us, Sofia is best explored on foot.

Hostels/Hotels in Sofia

If you prefer staying in hostel/hotel there are plenty of options such as Hostel Mostel, 123 Hostel, R34, Grand Hotel Sofia, Intercontinental Sofia, and many many more.

DAY TRIPS FROM SOFIA

Bulgaria has so much to offer and only those who dare to explore further are lucky to see it. Bulgaria’s capital is a great base for countless day-trip options.

Vitosha Mountain

The closest and most accessible option for an escape from the big city is Sofia’s Vitosha mountain. Sofia’s biggest natural landmark and a favorite of all locals.

Plovdiv

Bulgaria’s second largest city and 2019’s European Capital of Culture is just 2 hours away from Sofia and a must. If you’re going there, here’s a great list of things to do in Plovdiv.

Rila Monastery

The Rila Monastary is probably the most visited landmark in Bulgaria. A UNESCO world-heritage site, there’s nothing like it in the world.

Spendinig more time in Bulgaria? Here’s our extensive list of day trips from Sofia.

Last updated: February 2022