Why go
- Capital and largest city of Bulgaria.
- Served by Sofia Airport (SOF).
History
Sofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria. It is situated in the Sofia Valley at the foot of the Vitosha mountain, in the western part of the country. The city is built west of the Iskar river and has many mineral springs, such as the Sofia Central Mineral Baths. It has a humid continental climate.
Where to stay
Sofia Center, pl. "Narodno sabranie" 4, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria · ihg.com
NPZ Dianabad, ul. "Tintyava" 15 Г, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria · adellaboutiquehotel.com
158, ul. "Knyaz Boris I" str, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria · arthotel158.com
Ivan Vazov, Vitosha Blvd 89B, 1463 Sofia, Bulgaria · grandhotelmillenniumsofia.bg
Sofia Center, ul. "Ivan Denkoglu" 40, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria · junohotel.com
1, General Gurko St str, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria · grandhotelsofia.bg
Sofia Center, Shipka Street 14, 1504 Sofia, Bulgaria · crystalpalace-sofia.com
Sofia Center, Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd 16, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria · sensehotel.com
Sofia Center, Oborishte St 63, 1504 Sofia, Bulgaria · oborishte63.com
Pette Kyosheta, Vitosha Blvd 106, 1463 Sofia, Bulgaria · centralparkhotel.bg
Sofia Center, Solunska Street 30, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria · thracia.rosslyn-hotels.com
Sofia Center, bulevard "General Eduard I. Totleben" 8, 1606 Sofia, Bulgaria · astoriagrandhotel.bg
Sofia Center, ul. "Stara Planina" 6, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria · eurostarssofiacity.com
Sofia Center, Todor Alexandrov Blvd 14, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria · hotelanel.com
Sofia Center, Vitosha Blvd 21, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria · lesfleurshotel.com
5, pl. "Sveta Nedelya" Square, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria · sofiabalkanpalace.com
g.k. Lozenets, Blvd "James Bourchier" 100, 1407 Sofia, Bulgaria · hotel-marinela.com
Enj. Ivan Ivanov 10 Blvd, g.k. Serdika, bul. "Inzhener Ivan Ivanov" Road 10, 1379 Sofia, Bulgaria · hotelsimona.com
Sofia Center, ul. "Hristo Belchev" 46, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria · artplazahotel.bg
Sofia Center, Hristo Botev Blvd 69, 1303 Sofia, Bulgaria · bristolhotel.bg
29 "Knyaginya, Sofia Center, Knyagina Maria Luisa Blvd 29, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria · introverthotels.com
Sofia Center, ul. "Osogovo" 49, 1303 Sofia, Bulgaria · hotelcityavenue.com
Maria Luiza 131 Blvd, Knyagina Maria Luisa Blvd 131, 1202 Sofia, Bulgaria · wyndhamhotels.com
g.k. Lozenets, ul. "Bigla" 30, 1407 Sofia, Bulgaria · platform.quendoo.com
Sofia Center, Vasil Levski Blvd 27А, 1040 Sofia, Bulgaria · hoteldowntownsofia.com
g.k. Lozenets, bul. "Sveti Naum" 23, 1421 Sofia, Bulgaria · lozenetzhotel.com
Geo Milev, ul. "Liditse" 1, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria · hotel-europe-bg.com
Sofia Center, ul. "Tsar Kaloyan" 6, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria · hotelrila.bg
Sofia Center, Vasil Levski Sq, 1504 Sofia, Bulgaria · hyatt.com
g.k. Lozenets, Bulgaria Blvd 1, 1421 Sofia, Bulgaria · hilton.com
Indoor
Indoor
Restaurants & places to go
Regional, Balkan, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-23:00 Features: air conditioning Wikipedia: bg:Къща на Стефан Тасев · 1 Елин Пелин, София, 1164 · podlipitebg.com
Ice Cream, Pastry, Ice Cream · Затварят между 22:00 и 00:00. Сладолед се продава през цялата година, ~30 вкуса по пролет-есен, ~15 в зимно време. Малки… · afreddo.com
Pizza, Fast Food · Работното време през уикенда е приблизително. Предлагат малки пици (стават за ~8мин). По обяд имат избор от няколко ястия и десерта.… · pizzavia.eu
Ice Cream · Продават 8 вкуса сладолед, кроасани, десерти с бутер тесто, кексове. Opening hours: Mo-Su 09:00-22:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, vegan… · savigelato.com
Sushi, Restaurant · Silhouette all-you-can-eat Sushi and Fusion. Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:00-22:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, air conditioning · facebook.com
Italian, Restaurant · Italian food American grill Opening hours: Mo-Su,PH 12:00-24:00 Features: vegetarian options, air conditioning · spaghetti-kitchen.com
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Кафе, сладкарница и пекарна. Opening hours: 07:00-19:30 Features: step-free access · 49 Екзарх Йосиф · neshtosladko.com
Bulgarian, Restaurant · Собственик: Клаулли Фоксуел ООД (Веселин Денков) Година на придобиване: 2006 Цена на придобиване: 668 хил. лв. Opening hours: Mo-Su… · vodenitzata.com
Fish And Chips, Fast Food · Магазин за пържена и печена риба Opening hours: 07:00-22:00 Features: step-free access · 61 Васил Стефанов · ribko-bg.com
Bubble Tea, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su,PH 11:00-21:00 Features: takeaway, air conditioning · chatime.bg
Restaurant · Limoncello is a restaurant in Buxton, Sofia, offering Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, fresh pasta, pizza, risotto, seafood, main courses and… · limoncello.bg
Cafe · "Пекарна за вкусотии с квас" Предлагат хляб, баница, козунаци, щрудели, бисквити, еклери, браунита, торти. Всичко е вегитарианско и имат много веган… · medikanela.com
Banitsa, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-18:30 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, step-free access, air conditioning · 13 Петко Д. Петков, София, 1231 · banicabg.com
International, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-23:00 Features: outdoor seating, vegan options, air conditioning · 14 бул. Пенчо Славейков · happy.bg
Western, Salad, Pasta, Fish, Fish And Chips, Potato, Barbecue, Restaurant · Opening hours: PH,Mo-Su 11:00-24:00 Features: vegan options, air conditioning · 17… · niagarabg.com
Fast Food · Стрийт рецепти от близкия Изток Opening hours: 10:00-24:00 Features: step-free access · 52 Коста Лулчев · eddys.bg
Kebab, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-21:00; Sa-Su 10:00-20:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, step-free access · 9 бул. Княз Александър… · gogrill.bg
Burger, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Th 09:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 09:00-24:00; Su 09:00-23:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, air conditioning · hesburger.bg
Asian, Fast Food · Opening hours: 10:00-06:00 Features: takeaway, delivery, vegetarian options, air conditioning · woktowalk.com
Sandwich, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:00-22:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, air conditioning · 33 бул. Александър Стамболийски, София · restaurants.subway.com
Balkan, Barbecue, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:30-21:00 Features: takeaway, step-free access, air conditioning · bdsfood.bg
Chinese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo 17:00-22:00; Tu-Su 11:00-22:00 Features: vegan options · fuligun.wordpress.com
Beef Bowl, Fish, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-24:00 · бул. Джеймс Баучер · captaincook.bg
Donut, Fast Food · Opening hours: Tu-Fr 11:00-18:00; Sa 10:00-17:00 · facebook.com
Bagel, Cake, Coffee Shop, Donut, Sandwich, Tea, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 07:00-20:00; Sa-Su 08:00-20:00 Features: outdoor seating, air conditioning · coffee-fellows.com
Japanese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:30-22:00 Features: outdoor seating, air conditioning · 179 Георги С. Раковски, София, 1142 · hamachi.bg
Traditional, Bulgarian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:30-23:00 · 1 Рачо Димчев, София, 1000 · tavern2.izbata.bg
Cake, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 07:30-20:00; Sa,Su 08:30-20:00 Features: outdoor seating · metcake.bg
Turkish, Lebanese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:30 - 22:30 Features: air conditioning · 19 Ангел Кънчев, София, 1000 · mezzagrill.bg
Mediterranean, Greek, Restaurant · Opening hours: 12:00-23:00 Features: outdoor seating, air conditioning · 110 бул. Симеоновско шосе · namoosbg.com
Greek, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 12:00-23:00 Features: outdoor seating · namoosbg.com
Indian, Restaurant · Opening hours: 08:00-22:00 Features: takeaway, vegan options · 8 Георги Бенковски, София, 1000 · satsanga.bg
Barbecue, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 08:30-23:00; Sa,Su 11:00-23:00 Features: outdoor seating, air conditioning · 3 Сан Стефано, София, 1504 · am-gul.com
French, Restaurant · Opening hours: 11:30-23:30 · 3А Николай Хайтов · este-restaurant.com
German, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-23:00 Features: outdoor seating, vegan options, air conditioning · fenerite.com
European, Restaurant · Opening hours: 10:00-24:00 Features: outdoor seating, air conditioning · 1 Никола Габровски · 101bardinner.com
Moroccan, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:00-23:00 Features: vegan options, air conditioning · 27 Ангел Кънчев, 1000 · annette.bg
Grill, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su,PH 08:00-23:00 Features: outdoor seating, air conditioning · 64 Крум Попов · arcadiagrill.bg
Middle Eastern, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Sa 08:30-22:00; Su 09:00-18:00 Features: air conditioning · facebook.com
Lebanese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 13:00-23:00 Features: outdoor seating, air conditioning · 56 Бигла, София, 1164 · ilibeirut.com
French Tacos, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 11:30-22:00; Su 12:00-21:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, vegetarian options, air conditioning · frenchtacos.bg
Italian Pizza, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-22:00 Features: outdoor seating, air conditioning · 38 Цар Иван Асен II · pizzadonvito.com
Ramen, Restaurant · Opening hours: 12:00-22:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, air conditioning · 12Б Стефан Караджа, София, 1000 · umamido.be
Spanish, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 17:00-01:00 · 38 бул. Княз Александър Дондуков · vinoandtapas.com
Steak House, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-24:00 Features: outdoor seating · 14 Аксаков · gradskilegendi.com
381 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →
Airports
Sofia Airport (SOF) 7.8 km to the centre
Sofia, 22, BG — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 25 airlines (Bulgaria Air, Wizz Air, easyJet, Alitalia…) · direct flights to 41 destinations incl. Athens, Berlin, Bucharest, Frankfurt, Larnaca… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 25 airlines, 41 direct destinations
- Bulgaria Air FB (Embraer 190, A319, A320, ATR 42, Embraer 175) · 24 routes: Amsterdam, Athens, Barcelona, Berlin, Bourgas, Brussels, Bucharest, Frankfurt, Larnaca, London, Madrid, Malaga, Milano, Moscow, Palma de Mallorca, Paphos, Paris, Prague, Rome, Tel-aviv, Varna, Vienna, Warsaw, Zurich
- Wizz Air W6 (A320) · 14 routes: Barcelona, Beauvais, Bergamo, Bologna, Charleroi, Dortmund, Dubai, Eindhoven, Hahn, Larnaca, London, Madrid, Rome, Valencia
- easyJet U2 (A319, A320) · 4 routes: Berlin, London, London, Manchester
- Alitalia AZ (A319, A321, Embraer 190) · 2 routes: Milano*, Rome
- Lufthansa Cargo LH (A320, A321, A319, A320) · 2 routes: Frankfurt, Munich
- Aegean Airlines A3 (Dash 8-400) · 1 route: Athens
- Aeroflot Russian Airlines SU (A319) · 1 route: Moscow
- Air Berlin AB (737-700) · 1 route: Berlin
- Air France AF (A320, A321) · 1 route: Paris
- Air Malta KM (A320) · 1 route: Athens
- Air Serbia JU (ATR 72) · 1 route: Belgrade
- American Airlines AA (A320) · 1 route: London*
- Austrian Airlines OS (Fokker 100, A319, A320, A321, F70) · 1 route: Vienna*
- British Airways BA (A320) · 1 route: London
- Cyprus Airways CY (A320) · 1 route: Larnaca
- Czech Airlines OK (A319, Embraer 190) · 1 route: Prague*
- El Al Israel Airlines LY (737-800) · 1 route: Tel-aviv
- Ethiopian Airlines ET (A319, A320, A320) · 1 route: Frankfurt*
- Finnair AY (737-700) · 1 route: Berlin*
- Iberia Airlines IB (A319, A320, Embraer 190) · 1 route: Madrid*
- LOT Polish Airlines LO (Embraer 175, Embraer 170) · 1 route: Warsaw
- Olympic Airlines OA (Dash 8-400) · 1 route: Athens
- Qatar Airways QR (A320, A321) · 1 route: Bucharest
- Tarom RO (ATR 42) · 1 route: Bucharest
- Turkish Airlines TK (A320, 737-800) · 1 route: Istanbul
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Lesnovo Airfield 28 km to the centre
Lesnovo, 23, BG
Slivnitsa Airfield 30 km to the centre
Slivnitsa, 23, BG
Breznik Airfield 35 km to the centre
Pernik, 14, BG
Sofia West Airfield 39 km to the centre
Radomir, 14, BG
Vratsa Airfield 65 km to the centre
Vratsa, 06, BG
Where things are
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping
base map © OSM
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
Tourist season
May – September
The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.
Shoulder season
April, October
Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.
Worth avoiding
Deep winter
Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Sofia Airport (SOF); 8 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: SOF has direct flights to 41 destinations on 25 airlines (incl. Athens, Berlin, Bucharest, Frankfurt, Larnaca…).
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Sofia (София), Bulgaria. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.
Trains & rail
Rail operator
Rail operator
Rail operator
Rail operator
Private aviation
On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.
Broker · Any aircraft via operators worldwide · Global charter broker with 30+ offices; private jets, group charters and cargo.
FBO, charter, management · Managed fleet · FBO network and management across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Praetor, Bombardier Challenger & Global, Gulfstream · Fractional ownership and jet cards in North America and Europe.
Charter, management · Large-cabin & VIP airliners · Geneva-based operator known for large-cabin and VIP airliner charters.
Charter, management, FBO, MRO · Managed fleet worldwide · General Dynamics company: charter, completions and FBOs in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the US.
Tours & experiences
Sightseeing