Sofia, Bulgaria

Sofia

A relaxed capital with golden church domes, Roman ruins and a mountain on its doorstep.

  • All year
  • 1 night
Explore on the map
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Things to do

2 days in Sofia

Day 1

  1. MorningVisit the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the St. Sofia church.
  2. AfternoonWalk past the Roman ruins of Serdica and the central market hall.
  3. EveningHave dinner in the lively streets around Vitosha Boulevard.

Day 2

Hike Vitosha mountain, or visit Boyana Church's medieval frescoes.

What to eat

Banitsa pastry, shopska salad and grilled kebapche.

Local tips

Make the most of Sofia

Beat the crowds

Sofia is relaxed. The cathedral is beautiful in the late afternoon light.

Best photo spot

The golden domes of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.

Getting there

The metro runs from the airport to the centre.

Don't miss nearby

Rila Monastery, about 2 hours away, and Vitosha mountain right next to the city.

Good to know

Bulgaria uses the Cyrillic alphabet. Nodding means no and shaking your head means yes.

Secret spots

3 secret spots near Sofia

Our most hidden places around Sofia: fewer people, same wow. Unlock them with a route in Google Maps and a PDF guide of Sofia to take with you.

15 km away
55 km away
63 km away
Unlock the secret spots · €2.99+ VAT · one payment, valid for a year

Plan your visit

Getting to Sofia

Getting there

  • Sofia Airport (SOF)8 km away
  • Plovdiv135 km away
  • Niš135 km away

The centre is best explored on foot. Distances are in a straight line.

At a glance

Best timeAll year
TypeCity
Good forOld towns & architecture, Food
Getting thereCar or public transport
Stay1 night
CountryBulgaria

Questions

Sofia: good to know

Is Sofia worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like historic old towns and food. A relaxed capital with golden church domes, Roman ruins and a mountain on its doorstep.

How many days do you need in Sofia?

Plan 1 night. Our free 2-day plan above shows how to spend your time.

When is the best time to visit Sofia?

You can visit all year. Sofia is relaxed. The cathedral is beautiful in the late afternoon light.

How do you get to Sofia?

The nearest airport is Sofia Airport (SOF), about 8 km away. The metro runs from the airport to the centre.

What is there to see near Sofia?

Nearby hidden places include Bansko (97 km), Belogradchik Rocks (115 km) and Plovdiv (133 km).

Day trips from Sofia: 5 hidden places nearby
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