Refreshed November 13, 2025
Short, practical, and calm, this guide gives you the key answers you need to plan Sofia without fuss: best time, easy ways to move around, what things cost in Euros, where to base yourself, what to do, and smart day trips.
Quick answers for Sofia
- Best time to visit Sofia: May–June and September for mild days and clear walks; December for Christmas lights; Dec–Mar for snow on nearby mountains.
- How many days in Sofia: 3–4 days covers the core sights plus one day trip (Rila Monastery or Plovdiv).
- Average daily budget (per person): €45–€70 shoestring, €75–€120 mid, €140–€200 comfort.
- Getting around Sofia: Metro for airport and cross-town hops; trams and buses for short skips; taxis and ride-hailing are good value.
- Is tap water safe in Sofia? Generally fine; carry a bottle and refill.
- Power plug: Type F (Type C fits), 230 V / 50 Hz.
- Tipping: Round up or add ~10% in restaurants.
What is the best time to visit Sofia?
Sofia has four seasons. May–June brings green parks and café terraces; September blends warm afternoons with lighter crowds. July–August can feel hot by midday—plan early starts and shaded breaks. Winter has a cosy feel: hot soups, Christmas markets, and ski days in the mountains near the city. Spring and autumn also price well for stays.
Sofia weather by month
| Month | High/Low (°C) | Rainfall | Crowds | Price level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 3 / −3 | Low | Low | Low |
| Feb | 6 / −2 | Low | Low | Low |
| Mar | 11 / 1 | Low–Med | Low–Med | Low |
| Apr | 16 / 6 | Med | Med | Med |
| May | 21 / 10 | Med | Med | Med |
| Jun | 25 / 14 | Med | Med–High | Med |
| Jul | 28 / 16 | Med | High | High |
| Aug | 28 / 16 | Med | High | High |
| Sep | 23 / 13 | Med | Med | Med |
| Oct | 17 / 9 | Med | Med–Low | Med–Low |
| Nov | 10 / 3 | Low–Med | Low | Low |
| Dec | 5 / −1 | Low | Med (markets) | Med |
Use this as a practical baseline; check a local forecast before you fly.
How to get to Sofia
By air: Sofia Airport (SOF) sits close to the centre. Metro Line 4 reaches the core in ~25–35 minutes with one simple change for many hotels. Taxis are metered and still fair value by EU standards—confirm the rate before you go.
By train/bus: Trains exist on the main axis; intercity buses are often faster and more frequent. The station and bus terminals are next to each other north of the centre, so changes are easy.
By car: Motorways link Sofia with Plovdiv and coastal routes. Buy the e-vignette before you use motorways. In town, parking rules vary by coloured zones—your hotel can advise.
Transport options into Sofia
| Option | Typical time | Typical cost (one-way) | Book at | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight to SOF | 2–4 h from many EU hubs | Varies | Airline/app | Metro to centre; taxis and ride-hailing available |
| Train (regional) | Half-day between nearby capitals | €25–€60 | Rail sites | Scenic but slower on some legs |
| Intercity bus | Varies | €8–€25 | Bus apps | Frequent and good value |
| Car hire | Daily | from €30/day | Major brands | Vignette needed for motorways |
How to get around Sofia
- Metro: Clean and quick. Handy lines: Line 4 (airport), Line 2 (north–south). Buy a day ticket or use contactless at the gates where enabled.
- Trams & buses: Good for short hops. Expect short waits outside rush hour.
- Taxis / ride-hailing: Low base fare by EU standards; use apps or rank taxis with clear branding.
- Walking & cycling: The core is compact. Many main sights sit within a 15–25 minute walk of each other.
- Driving: Skip for inner-city days. If you have a car for onward travel, leave it at your hotel or use a monitored lot.
Where to stay in Sofia
Choose a base that fits your plan: core sights and cafés in the centre, a leafy neighbourhood for quieter nights, or a spot with easy metro access.
Areas and who they suit
| Base | Good for | Price (€/night, double) | Pros | Watch-outs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Centre (around Vitosha Blvd & Serdika) | First trip, café culture, easy metro | €60–€140 | Walkable core, shops and food all around | Busy at peak times |
| Oborishte / Doctor’s Garden | Museums, leafy streets | €70–€150 | Calm blocks, parks, galleries | Fewer late-night spots |
| Lozenets | Longer stays, metro access | €55–€120 | Residential feel, quick trains | Some hills; plan your station |
| Near Sofia University | Culture, budget eats | €50–€110 | Easy tram/metro, student energy | Can feel lively at night |
| Around NDK (National Palace of Culture) | Events, cross-town access | €60–€130 | Central, transport options | Construction pops up at times |
(Rates are mid-range estimates. Big weekends and holidays can push prices up.)
What to do in Sofia (top picks with quick tips)
- St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral: Step inside for gold icons; early morning light is best.
- Roman Serdika ruins: Glass-roofed site near Serdika station; combine with a coffee stop on Vitosha Blvd.
- National Palace of Culture (NDK) & park: Wide paths, fountains, and city snapshots.
- Boyana Church (UNESCO): Medieval frescoes; book your time and keep the visit short and focused.
- National Museum of History: Pair with Boyana Church (they sit on the same side of town).
- Food crawl: Shopska salad, grilled meats, banitsa for breakfast—then a sweet stop for krem karamel. For a handy intro to local classics, see our Bulgarian cuisine piece.
- Try this next: Bulgarian cuisine: banitsa & shopska salad
- Vitosha Mountain: Walk the lower trails or take the lift when running; carry water and a warm layer.
- Street art lanes: Duck into side streets around the centre for small galleries and murals.
- Evening pause: Watch the light change over the cathedral dome, then find a quiet wine bar.
Planning beyond the city? Our Bulgaria Travel Guide gives a broader plan for mountains, the coast, and loop trips.
- Start here: Bulgaria Travel Guide
Day trips from Sofia that are worth it
- Rila Monastery: A landmark with striped arcades and mountain air. Best as a full-day with an early start. Consider a short hike nearby if time allows.
- Seven Rila Lakes: Alpine bowls linked by trails; check weather and take layers even in summer.
- Read our day in the Rila mountains: Seven Rila Lakes story
- Plovdiv: Roman theatre, Kapana creative district, and relaxed cafés. Trains and buses both work; buses tend to be quicker.
- Vitosha’s higher trails: Pick a clear day, pack water and snacks, and bring a windproof layer.
Looking at the Black Sea for a later leg? Bookmark our coastal guides and save them for when you plan that stretch:
Costs and money in Sofia
- Coffee: €1.50–€3
- Casual lunch: €6–€10
- Dinner (mid range): €12–€22
- Museum ticket: €4–€10
- Airport → centre (metro): a few Euros; taxis are still fair value—check the rate and use an app if you prefer
- Budget per person/day:
- Shoestring: €45–€70 (hostel/private room, metro/trams, street eats)
- Mid: €75–€120 (3*–4*, mixed dining, city tickets, occasional taxi)
- Comfort: €140–€200 (4*–boutique, taxis, guided day trips)
Cards are widely accepted; carry some cash for small cafés and kiosks. Decline dynamic currency conversion at terminals.
Is Sofia safe?
Yes—use standard city sense. Keep your bag zipped on trams, use licensed taxis or ride-hailing, and watch for small tricks around busy squares. In winter, pavements can be slick—good shoes help. Emergency number: 112.
What to pack for Sofia
- All seasons: comfy shoes, light rain shell, Type-F adapter, refillable bottle.
- Summer: sunscreen, hat, airy layers.
- Shoulder months: mid-layers and a warm evening top.
- Winter: insulated coat, gloves, boots with grip.
- Church visits: modest dress helps (shoulders and knees covered).
Three to four days covers the core sights and one day trip without rushing.
May–June and September are sweet spots. December is lovely for lights and winter mood.
Use the metro for quick cross-town hops, then trams and buses for short runs. Taxis and ride-hailing fill the gaps.
In the city, yes in most cases. If you’re unsure in a rural setting, use bottled or filtered water.
No by EU capital standards. Mid trips land around €75–€120 per person per day.
For first timers: Centre around Vitosha Blvd and Serdika. For calmer streets: Oborishte/Doctor’s Garden. For longer stays: Lozenets with easy metro access.
Yes for motorways—buy the e-vignette before you go.
Yes, start early, check conditions, and carry layers even in summer.
