Sofia is the capital of Bulgaria, one of those cities that are often underestimated but which on the contrary are worth a visit. This city is a cultural and architectural mix: you will find Renaissance, Byzantine, Ottoman and even Soviet buildings, churches, mosques and synagogues.
If you have a trip of a few days in mind and a limited budget, Sofia is the ideal destination!
Why yes! Sofia is really very very cheap...💵💵
and you will realize it by reading this guide!
Inside you will find:
🗓️Best Time to visit
🚊Transportations
🏨 Where to stay
🏛️What to visit
☕️cafés
🍽️restaurants
🍹cocktail bar and nightlife
🎭activities
✨unusual places
📌1,3 and 5 day itineraries.
🎒excursions around Sofia.
And lots of other information and advice that will help you better plan your stay...
Happy reading!👀
The best time to visit Sofia is from May to September, when the days become more pleasant. But if like me you hate the atrocious heat and the freezing cold I recommend you visit the city during spring and autumn.
From the point of economic view Sofia is cheap almost all year round, with the exception of summer (July, August) when the influx of tourists is higher and prices increase. In spring and autumn prices drop considerably and you can find very low cost offers.
How to get around Sofia?
Although it is a large city, it is not as big as Paris or London so its center is very small and can be visited on foot. Here you will find the most important attractions, very close to each other. If you need to travel longer distances I recommend public transport transport such as the metro. I advise against the car especially because almost all the signs are in Cyrillic script and unless you know how to read it you might have difficulty.
If you visit Sofia for a few days, from 1 to 3 days, I recommend the hourly pass based on your needs:
•1 ticket cost: 1,60 BGN (€0,82)
•Multi -ticket carnet which includes 10 tickets at a cost of 12 lev (6€) (excellent for 1-2 days).It cannot be used by two or more people at the same time on the same trip so each traveler must purchase his own carnet. The single journey ticket is valid only for one journey without limitation of time or distance.
•day ticket 24 hours 4,00 BGN (€2,00);
•three day ticket 72 hours 10,00 BGN (€5,10)
Another very valid option is the Sofia City Card which allows you to travel on all public transport and get some discounts in some commercial activities (purchasable in metro stations).
How to get to the center from the airport?✈️
From Sofia Airport: Sofia airport is only a few kilometers from the capital and the most convenient and fastest way to get to the center is the M4 metro (yellow line), which you can take directly from the airport. A taxi is also highly recommended and economical (especially convenient if you have a lot of luggage)
Where to stay in Sofia?
This is a really cheap destination, so you can stay in the center regardless of your budget! But which are the most recommended neighborhoods? The historic center is certainly the best area to sleep in Sofia, especially if you are staying for a weekend. Here you will be in the center of the city, close to the main attractions! If you are looking for nightlife I recommend finding accommodation near Bulevard Vitosha, the main street, full of clubs and shops. If you are traveling as a family and are looking for a quieter area, Oborishte is the perfect neighborhood!
Now I have drawn up a list of hostels, bed and breakfasts and hotels suitable for every budget and need. Obviously they are the ones with the most positive reviews and the most recommended!
It is the main attraction of the city, as well as the symbol of Sofia. It was built in 1904 to celebrate the liberation of Bulgaria, at the hands of the Russians, from the hegemony of the Ottoman Empire. The structure is decorated with green and golden domes that dominate the 'outside and inside it has 5 large naves that can accommodate up to 6000 people.
Inside, the church boasts wonderful frescoes, more than 300 paintings and refined marble finishes, as well as the relics of the Russian prince Alexander Nevskij kept in a shrine next to the altar.
👣How to get there: reachable on foot from Church Sveta Sofia (220m- 1 min). Metro stop: Su Sveti Kliment Ohridski, lines M1 and M4.
🎟️Ticket cost: free entry
If you want to delve deeper into your visit you can visit the museum of Russian icons set up in the cathedral's crypt. The ticket costs 6.00 BNG (around €3).
In the same square, a stone's throw from the cathedral, there is the Church of Hagia Sophia, the oldest Orthodox church in the city. It is less flashy but is very important for the inhabitants because the city takes its name from this church.
👣How to get there: reachable on foot from St.Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (220m- 1min). Metro stop: Su Sveti Kliment Ohridski, lines M1 and M4.
🎟️Ticket cost: free
On the lower floors you can visit the remains of a Roman necropolis, paying a ticket of 6.00 BNG (€3).
The Russian Church of St. Nicholas is located in the center of Sofia and is one of the most notable buildings in Sofia.
The church, dedicated to the Tsar of Russia Nicholas II, was built on the remains of a mosque destroyed after the victorious war of liberation of the Turks. It served to seal the good relations with Russia.
👣How to get there: reachable on foot from St.Sofia Church (350m- 3min). Metro stop: Su Sveti Kliment Ohridski, lines M1 and M4.
🎟️Ticket cost: free
The church of Sveta Nedelya (Santa Domenica ) is dedicated to a 3rd century martyr, canonized by the Orthodox church.
👣How to get there: reachable on foot from Banya Bashi Mosque (350m- 5min). Metro stop: Serdika, lines M1 and M4.
🎟️Ticket cost: free
‼️If you want to take photos you have to pay 5,00 BGN (€2,50).
A stone's throw from the Church of Santa Domenica is the statue of Santa Sofia, which portrays a young woman with a laurel wreath in her right hand and an owl perched on the left, a symbol of wisdom. The statue was erected after the fall of Communism, replacing the statue of Lenin.
👣How to get there: reachable on foot from St,Nedelya Church (240m- 3min). Metro stop: Serdika, lines M1 and M4.
🎟️Ticket cost: free
The Banya-Bashi mosque was part of a larger bath complex, from which its name derives.
This mosque was designed in 1576, by the greatest of all Ottoman architects, Mimar Sinan, who built the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. Banya Bashi Mosque is not officially open as a tourist attraction and there is no entrance fee, however visitors are welcome outside of prayer times, including women, if dressed modestly. Remember to take off your shoes when you enter.
👣How to get there: reachable on foot from Sofia Monument (350m- 5 min). Metro stop: Serdika, lines M1 and M4.
🎟️Ticket cost: free
Add to
Details
Regional History Museum – Sofia / Регионален исторически музей – София
This building and its sophisticated neo-Byzantine architecture were once the city's public baths, opened in 1913. The structure remained in operation until 1986 and once offered the city's inhabitants swimming pools, saunas and rooms for massages and other types of treatments . Today it has been transformed into a museum and is surrounded by a beautiful park open to the public. Here it is possible to travel through the history of the city from Roman times to the Second World War.
👣How to get there: reachable on foot from Banya Bashi (300m- 4min). Metro stop: Serdika, lines M1 and M4.
🎟️Ticket cost: 6,00 BNG (3€)
St. George's Rotunda is considered the oldest building in Sofia.
It too has undergone many changes. At the beginning it seems to have been used as a source for mass baptisms, it was then transformed into a mosque during the Ottoman invasion and after the liberation from the Ottomans it returned to being a functioning church for a while.
👣How to get there: reachable on foot from St.Nedelya Church(180m- 2min). Metro stop: Serdika, lines M1 and M4.
🎟️Ticket cost: free
The royal palace, which once housed the Bulgarian royals, has now been converted into a beautiful art gallery. If you want to learn about the history of Sofia and Bulgaria, this is a stop you can't miss!
👣How to get there: reachable on foot from Church of St. Nicholas (170m- 2min). Metro stop: Serdika, lines M1 and M4.
🎟️Ticket cost: 10,00 BNG (€5,10).
It is the largest theater in Bulgaria and one of the architectural symbols of Sofia. The theater is named after the Bulgarian poet and writer Ivan Vazov.
By purchasing the ticket you will be able to see its interiors or attend one of the many shows offered by the theatre.
👣how to get there: reachable on foot from Church of St. Nicholas (260m- 4min). Metro stop: Serdika, lines M1 and M4.
🎟️Ticket cost: tour from 20.00 BNG (€10.20) / Shows variable, consult the calendar.
An unmissable stop is at the covered market in Sofia where you can breathe the true Bulgarian atmosphere and taste typical dishes. The market is very large, it has two floors where you can find stalls selling local products, souvenirs, clothing and much more..
👣How to get there: reachable on foot Banya Bashi Mosque (50m, 1 min). Metro stop: Serdika, lines M1 and M4.
🎟️Ticket cost: free entry
One of the places not to be missed is certainly the Boyana church, a small medieval jewel, perhaps the only one that has survived to the present day. From the outside it is nothing special, but all its internal walls are completely covered with frescoes created from since 1259, which reflect the exceptional achievements of medieval Bulgarian culture. In 1979 it was included in the list of UNESCO world heritage sites.
📍Distance: 8 km from the center of Sofia.
👣How to get there: I advise you to take part in a tour that includes both the Boyana Church and the Rila monastery, including transport. Accompanied by a guide you will discover all the secrets and history of these places. However, if you want to reach it independently I advise you to take the bus 64 to the Vitosha stop which leaves you a few minutes from the church or opt for the taxi, which is very cheap and could cost €10 return.
🎟️Ticket cost: 10,00 BNG (€5,10),prices for the organized tour, consult the prices in the link I attached👇🏼
One of the places not to be missed is certainly the Boyana church, a small medieval jewel, perhaps the only one that has survived to the present day. From the outside it is nothing special, but all its internal walls are completely covered with frescoes created from since 1259, which reflect the exceptional achievements of medieval Bulgarian culture. In 1979 it was included in the list of UNESCO world heritage sites.
📍Distance: 8 km from the center of Sofia.
👣How to get there: I advise you to take part in a tour that includes both the Boyana Church and the Rila monastery, including transport. Accompanied by a guide you will discover all the secrets and history of these places. However, if you want to reach it independently I advise you to take the bus 64 to the Vitosha stop which leaves you a few minutes from the church or opt for the taxi, which is very cheap and could cost €10 return.
🎟️Ticket cost: 10,00 BNG (€5,10),prices for the organized tour, consult the prices in the link I attached👇🏼
Located a two-hour drive away, Rila Monastery is one of the most famous tourist spots in Bulgaria and one of the country's UNESCO sites. If I had to choose just one place to visit, other than Sofia, this place would most likely be the one I would recommend. Its foundation dates back to the 10th century and during its history the monastery managed to survive the Turkish domination by overcoming numerous lootings and attacks. During your visit do not limit yourself to admiring its beautiful church and courtyard, like everyone else does. Inside the monastery there is a museum made up of 4 separate exhibitions: a historical museum, an ethnographic museum, an icon exhibition and a traditional Bulgarian room. Here you can decide whether to take four separate tickets or a single ticket which includes all four sections.( tickets for the museums can only be purchased on site).
📍Distance: 135km
👣How to get there: the most recommended option for tourists is to take part in an organized tour that includes the Rila Monastery and the Boyana Church. But if you like to travel independently to reach the Rila monastery you can take the direct bus "Traventuria Rila Monastery Bus" ( which includes two stops (the Boyana Church and the Rila Monastery) from St Alexander Nevski Square to the monastery.
🎟️Ticket cost: monastery and church free, combined ticket for the museum 20 BNG (about €10).For tour prices see the link👇🏼
Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria, after Sofia and one of the oldest cities on the continent, so much so that in 2019 it was named European capital of culture together with the Italian Matera. Plovdiv, the ancient Philippopolis, is truly a very pleasant city and deserves to be included in all travel itineraries in Bulgaria.
📍Distance: 156 km
👣How to get there: you can get there by taking a direct bus from Sofia central station to Plovdiv central station for the price of €8 (I recommend buying tickets from TrainLine). Or with an organized tour which however does not include the various entrance tickets to the attractions that you will visit. So I advise you to visit Plovdiv independently. In case you choose to participate I attach the link👇🏼
🎟️Ticket cost: if you choose to participate in an organized tour, consult the link below👇🏼
Add to
Details
Itineraries
1 Day Itinerary
☕️breakfast at Made in Blue
📍Alexander Nevski Cathedral
📍Sveta Sofia Church
📍Ivan Vazov National Theater
📍National Art Gallery (royal palace)
📍Russian church of St. Nicholas
🍽️lunch at Hadjidraganov's Cellars
📍Rotunda of San Giorgio
📍Cathedral of Santa Domenica
📍Statue of Hagia Sophia
📍Banya Bashi Mosque
📍Vitosha Boulevard
3 Day Itinerary
1 Day
📍Rotunda of San Giorgio
📍Cathedral of Santa Domenica
📍Statue of Hagia Sophia
📍Banya Bashi Mosque
📍Central Market
📍Sofia Museum of Illusions
2 Day
📍Alexander Nevski Cathedral
📍Sveta Sofia Church
📍Ivan Vazov National Theater
📍National Art Gallery (royal palace)
📍Russian church of St. Nicholas
3 Day
📍Boyana Church
📍Rila Monas
6 Day Itinerary
1 day
Alexander Nevski Cathedral,Sveta Sofia Church,National Art Gallery (royal palace),Russian church of St. Nicholas.
2 day
Ivan Vazov National Theater,Borisova Gradina Park, Sofia Zoo, National Palace of Culture, Vitosha Boulevard.
3 day
Rotunda of San Giorgio,Cathedral of Santa Domenica,Statue of Hagia Sophia,Puppet Museum.
Day 4
Banya Bashi Mosque,Central Market,Sofia Museum of Illusions,regional history museum, National History Museum.
Welcome guys! My name is Silvia, an Italian girl born and raised in Bari, Puglia.🇮🇹
My greatest passion is travelling, exploring the world outside of my home.🌍✈️
I don't know what I love more: traveling or planning trips. But I think both!
I love the feeling of being in a completely new environment with different people, culture and adventures.
This leads me to travel more and more, to share my knowledge, to help others plan their trips!
Save entire days of planning and research, I'll do it for you!👩🏽💻😴
Here you can purchase my travel guides so you can easily replicate my trips! You can also read and save my free guides. All guides and itineraries are equipped with an interactive map that can be opened directly on Google Maps. For easy access to itineraries and guides, download the Thatch App!
I also recommend that you sign up to receive a notification when I publish a new guide or when one is released and to receive special discount codes🥹
Check out my travel bucket list, I hope I can help you with planning or inspire you for your next trip.
Enjoy the reading! 👀
