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Discover Sofia's Wonders

Sofiya is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria. The city is at the foot of Vitosha Mountain in the western part of the country. Being in the centre of the Balkan peninsula, it is midway between the Black Sea and the Adriatic Sea, and closest to the Aegean Sea.[16][17]

Sofia has been an area of human habitation since at least 7000 BC.[3] The recorded history of Sofia begins with the attestation of the conquest of Serdica by the Roman Republic in 29 BC from the Celtic tribe Serdi, raided by Huns in 343-347 AD and 447 AD, conquered by Visigoths in 376-382 AD, conquered by Avars and Slavs in 617 AD, and on 9th April, 809 Serdica was surrendered to Krum of Bulgaria.[18] Bulgarian rule lasted until 1018, in 1040 and 1193-1382, which was interrupted by more than a century of Byzantine rule, several years of Serb, Hungarian and Crusader control, and by nearly five centuries-long Ottoman rule until Bulgarian rule was restored in 1878.[18] During World War II Sofia was bombarded by the UK and US Air Forces and at the end of the war, it was seized by the Soviet Army.

Being Bulgaria's primate city, Sofia is a hometown of many of the major local universities, cultural institutions and commercial companies.[19] Sofia is one of the top 10 best places for start-up business in the world, especially in information technologies.[20] Sofia was Europe's most affordable capital to visit in 2013.[21]

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Description

Downtown is where you will find Sofia's major historical sites, ranging from Roman, Byzantine and 20th century architecture to Neoclassical Stalinist constructions. This is also where the city’s business and commercial heart is located, with major shopping avenues and entertainment areas. Near the Alexander Nevski Church is the Oborishte district, a charming residential and commercial area, with a fine array of small, boutique-style shops, galleries and restaurants. Studentski Grad, as the name suggests, is home to the majority of Sofia’s 16 universities, hence a heavily populated student area. The arts and social scene is particularly bohemian and vibrant. If you want to escape the bright lights of the city for something more serene, you can head out to the Boyana district. This district is located at the foot of Vitosha Mountain, perfect for wandering amongst the forested lower slopes and breathing the fresh mountain air.

Useful information

Population:

Approximately 1,3 million (2025)

Currency:

Bulgaria officially adopted the euro on 1 January 2026.

Emergency Info:

Emergency: 112
Fire Brigade: 160
Police: 166

Opening Hours:

Most shops are open from 10am until 8pm on weekdays and between 11am and 7pm on weekends. Big shopping malls are normally open from 10am to 10pm.

Do & See

Aleksandar Nevski Memorial Church

This is the most popular tourist attraction in Sofia. The beautiful orthodox cathedral was built in 1912 and took 30 years to complete. The cathedral was created in honour of the Russians soldiers that died in the Russo-Turkish war and holds up to 10,000 people.

Balkan Bites Food Tour

A different way to discover what the city has to offer in terms of culinary delights, a food tour is good for those looking to discover some under-the-radar family-run restaurants and sample some incredible local cuisine. A reputable company that offers such tours is Balkan Bites.

Borisova Gradina

One of the nicest green areas in the city, Borisova Garden is where locals come to spend a leisurly afternoon when the weather allows. Nearby are Vasil Levski and CSKA Stadiums, so the park will fit well into football lovers' itineraries. There are a few cafes and children's playgrounds on premises.

Boyana Church

Boyana Church is the oldest Orthodox church in Sofia. This medieval construction, set in a green area at the foot of the mountains, was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites due to its renaissance-style frescoes. In the church you can see 89 scenes with 240 human images.

Boyana Waterfall

Boyana Waterfall is a natural waterfall that can be reached going up from the Boyana neighbourhood, Boyana Church. Marked paths of two levels of difficulty are available, but the shorter route is much steeper and better for dry weather. Guided tours are offered by Sofia Green Tour.

Ethnographic Museum

Here you can view excellent displays of folk art and crafts. The museum has several different collections of items such as traditional clothing, copper objects, woodcarving, ceramics, and more. It is a rather compact space, but the guide provides comprehensive information about the exhibits.

Ivan Vazov National Theatre

This old, ornate building is a perfect place to go for some of the best postcard-ready photos in town. Its main draw; however, are the many shows held here. Check the schedule to see what performances are currently put on. Tickets may be bought online.

Monument to the Soviet Army

A must-see landmark, the Monument to the Soviet Army is a nostalgic reminder of socialist times. It shows a brave soldier surrounded by hard-working members of the proletariat looking ahead to the bright future that awaits. Located at the eastern entrance to Borisova Gradina park. During the summer months, Sundays take on a special rhythm as people gather next to this monument with a speaker to dance salsa and bachata. Anyone passing by is welcome to join in.

Dining

Art Club Museum

This café is located just behind the Archaeological Museum. One of its main draws is the spacious, airy outdoor seating area. The cafe serves light snacks, sandwiches, salads, pizza, and some substantial foods. Alcoholic drinks and cocktails are on offer.

Chevermeto

If you want to get the full Bulgarian experience, visit this authentic restaurant, which fuses local cuisine and performing arts together to offer guests a unique evening of entertainment. Acquaint yourself with Bulgarian culinary traditions and enjoy a show put on by guest dancers and musicians.

Happy

Happy, Bulgaria’s most beloved chain restaurant, stands out from typical chains. The menu is impressively diverse, featuring everything from burgers, grilled meats, and pizza to fish dishes and even sushi. Their drink menu offers options ranging from alcoholic beverages to refreshing non-alcoholic choices like lemonade pitchers. Card payments and reliable Wi-Fi are also available. Happy has multiple locations in Sofia. If you’re in the city centre, the branch located in front of the iconic Sveta-Nedelya Cathedral is the most convenient option.

Made in Home

Booking in advance is a must at this Sofia restaurant due to its high popularity with diners, but mostly among visitors to the city. The menu is dominated by Eastern European flavours interspersed with Turkish and Middle Eastern ones. Desserts are not to be missed.

Moma Bulgarian Food & Wine

As the name reveals, the restaurant specialises in local flavours and serves some of the best traditional food in town, all in a modern Bulgarian interior gesturing towards the country's rich cultural heritage. Start or finish off with a shot of rakia, a local variety of brandy.

Panorama Restaurant

Located at the reputable Marinela Hotel, Panorama is an upscale dining establishment with a view, but do book in advance to ensure being seated by the window. Cuisine served is European, with a special emphasis on seafood. Evening dining is accompanied with live piano music.

Sage Bistro

Run by two chef brothers, one of whom used to be the head chef at the reputable Kempinski Panorama, Sage Bistro is a rustic restaurant that serves traditional Italian cuisine in an intimate setting. Pasta is freshly made in-house, and the restaurant is especially known for its superb seafood.

SkaraBar

SkaraBar is an incredible find for meat-lovers. The menu features a dizzying assortment of grilled meats ranging from chicken to beef and lamb, and several fish varieties on offer as well. Ambiance is laid-back and portion size generous. There are three locations throughout Sofia.

Cafes

Art Club Museum

Ciccione Panini Bar

The Ciccione Panini Bar, with three other locations in Sofia, offers a wide range of Italian-inspired light meals and snacks. In the summer, the courtyard-like covered seating area is ideal for a quick lunch break or even an evening glass of wine. The cafe operates on a self-service basis.

Confetti

Confetti does stand out for the quality and freshness of its ice creams and the impressive variety of flavours. There are definitely plenty of desserts to choose from, including cheesecake, tiramisu, and other cake varieties.

Memento Cafe

The cafe's location on the main pedestrian boulevard and the cushy outside seating area makes it a perfect place to shoot the breeze and people-watch. Come for coffee or tea during day time and excellent cocktails at night, when guest DJs play groovy sets.

Nedelya

If you enjoy pairing your coffee with a good slice of cake, Nedelya, located right in front of Sofia Mall, is the perfect stop. Although it’s a small café, it offers a variety of cakes, good-quality coffee, and friendly English-speaking staff. They accept card payments and also provide free Wi-Fi.

Rainbow Factory

A small, cosy cafe with a modern air to it, the Rainbow Factory serves solid sandwiches and food, but what keeps customers coming back for more are, without a doubt, the incredible desserts served here. They also serve set breakfasts and specialty coffees, rumoured to be high quality.

Social Cafe Bar & Kitchen

One of the newest additions to the capital's cafe scene, Social Cafe Bar & Kitchen is a hip young establishment that offers some unusual flavour combinations. Pizzas served here are made the right way, thin crust, and the menu features many elevated Mediterranean classics.

Supa Star

It's all about the soups and sandwiches at this homely, centrally located cafe. Soups come in many light and hearty varieties, which include vegetarian and vegan options. Soups vary by day and location, but some flavours include cream of broccoli and spinach, pumpkin, fish, and many more.

Bars & Nightlife

Bar FlipFlop

FlipFlop is one of the newest additions to Sofia's bar scene. The hip venue serves a range of beers and cocktails, and is a real magnet for the young crowd. Sundays are reserved for 'lazy Indie nights', and DJ sets are hosted on Fridays and Saturdays.

Barfly

Barfly offers a great mix of locals and expats right in the heart of the city. It’s located on the second floor next to McDonald’s on Vitosha Boulevard. Grab a seat by the window to enjoy views of one of Sofia’s main streets and watch the trams glide by. The bar has a good selection of drinks and regularly hosts live music events.

Bedroom Premium Club

Sofia's prime nightlife venue, the Bedroom is one of the leading clubs on the capital's party scene. With its incredible dance shows, excellent drinks and impeccable service, the club is currently the to-be place for the young and beautiful of Sofia and beyond.

Club Mixtape 5

Sofia's underground music and event venue, Mixtape 5 keeps its hand on the pulse and regularly hosts both well-established and up-and-coming musicians, playing in genres ranging from reggae to hip hop to electronic music. The venue is spacious, which prevents overcrowding. Smoking is not allowed.

Hambara Bar

The tucked away gem of a bar might be quite hard to locate. Walk down a small alley and seek out a door with no identifying sign on it, give it a knock and wait to be let into the candle-lit space of this underground bar. The absence of electricity truly creates a unique atmosphere.

J.J. Murphy's

J.J. Murphy's is a cosy pub that was first founded in Cork, Ireland but has expanded all the way to Sofia. Enjoy live music while sipping on a pint, or come here and watch a football match. Live music shows are put on every now and then. There is a garden designated for smokers.

McCarthys Irish Pub

Sofia has a few Irish pubs, but McCarthy’s stands out as the most popular meeting spot for the city’s expat community, especially among visitors from English-speaking countries. Its location is hard to beat, just a few steps from Vitosha Boulevard, making it an easy and perfect stop to include in your Sofia bar-hopping route.

Motto

Motto is a cool and contemporary restaurant and bar that serves a fine selection of cocktails. The wood-and-glass veranda, and on summer days the outdoor patio, look inviting for a lunch or an evening drink with pleasant music playing in the background. Their food menu vary daily.

Shopping

Art Shop Hand Made

For something a little different, pay a visit to this tiny shop packed to the brim with hand-made, unique items. The display includes dolls, home decor, jewellery, and various knick-knacks made of cloth, hand-painted silk and ceramics, all fruit of an enthusiast's work.

Central Sofia Market Hall

The sleek Central Market Hall is more of a tourist attraction than a busy authentic bazaar, but it is certainly worth a quick look around if time allows. It mostly sells produce such as local cheeses and meats, but there are few souvenir shops inside as well.

Dobrev's Cheese Store

The Dobrev family first established the brand in 1994, and has opened several dairy shops around town since then. The stores specialise in high-quality cheeses: curd, ricotta, white and yellow cheeses, mozzarella, and many more. Other dairy products are on sale, as well as coffee and sandwiches.

Elephant Bookstore

The bookstore features a large selection of literature in English, which makes it a very tourist-friendly place for literature enthusiasts. On top of books, there are lots of fun, quirky souvenirs and accessories to choose from.

Mall of Sofia

This is the first mall and currently one of the most popular ones in Sofia. Brands represented include Replay, Bobo Zander, Ceelio, Esprit, Kenvelo, Mango, United Colors Of Benetton, Lee Cooper, Adidas, Speedo and Intersport. You can also watch a movie in the movie theatre.

Market

If the hustle of the market is more your thing, there are all manner of antique and craft stalls selling everything from religious icons to lace doilies scattered around the Alexander Nevski Cathedral. It's a good place to come if you're looking to buy local souvenirs.

Paradise Center

The mall is located some 4 km outside of the city centre, but is now reachable by metro, which has made it much more accessible to the public. Inside a range of international brands are represented. An amusement park with several thrill rides operates on the rooftop, and there is a 4D cinema inside.

Serdika Center

The Serdika Center opened in early 2010, and is the biggest mall in Sofia. Much like other city malls, Serdika is home to multiple international brand stores and boutiques. Its vast space is packed with all manner of shops, selling clothing, beauty products, accessories, and more.

Tourist Information

Passport & Visa

Bulgaria can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of most European countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travellers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport, but must have a valid ID with them during their stay.

Sofia International Airport (SOF)

Sofia International Airport is located 10 kilometres away from Sofia city. There are shuttles running between the two terminals every 30 minutes. There are two bus lines, 84 and 384, that run between Sofia Airport and they city centre. The journey takes approximately 20 minutes and tickets can be bought at newspaper kiosks, or the ticket machine in Terminal 1. Metro line 1 runs directly to the airport. Change to line 2 to reach all major central districts of Sofia, as well as the central railway station. Journey time is about 30 minutes. Taxis and car rental companies are available for hire at the airport.

Public Transport

Sofia has a network of public transport options that will enable you to easily get around the city and its surrounding suburbs. The fastest and most convenient way to travel from one point to another is by metro. The two lines cross at the Serdika station, and you can pay directly by tapping your debit/credit card. There is also a network of buses and trams that run around the city. Tickets for those can be bought in advance or directly inside.

Taxi

There are a dozen big taxi companies operating in Sofia. You can call and order a taxi or hail one down the street. Yellow taxi Sofia is probably the most popular in the city. They have their own app called 'Yellow'.

Electricity

In Bulgaria, the standard power outlets are Type F and Type C, which are compatible with most European plugs. The voltage is 230V, and the frequency is 50Hz.

Pharmacy

You can easily find a pharmacy in Sofia. Ask your hotel for assistance if you need help finding one. You can normally find everything from medicine and cosmetics to food and other products.

Phone

Country Code: +359 Area code: (0)2

Post

There are post offices scattered throughout the city and mailboxes, which are yellow.

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