About Sofia
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.
Cheap flights to Sofia
The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $828 from Toronto, travelling 17 Nov – 18 Jan. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.
- CHI Chicago to Sofia24 Nov – 9 Dec · SOF from$1,051
- EWR New York to Sofia11 Nov – 4 Dec · SOF from$1,044
- WAS Washington to Sofia10 Feb – 17 Feb · SOF from$1,061
- MIA Miami to Sofia11 Nov – 25 Nov · SOF from$1,060
- BOS Boston to Sofia1 Nov – 19 Nov · SOF from$1,030
- LAX Los Angeles to Sofia28 Dec – 15 Jan · SOF from$1,059
- YTO Toronto to Sofia17 Nov – 18 Jan · SOF from$828
- SFO San Francisco to Sofia8 Dec – 21 Dec · SOF from$1,072
Cheapest month to fly
Airlines travellers compared most often: United Airlines, Air Canada, Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines.
Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 20 Sep and 20 Oct 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.
Search flights to SofiaPlaces to visit in Sofia
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Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
ReligiousA massive Orthodox cathedral with gold domes, built to honor Russian soldiers who died freeing Bulgaria. Visit the crypt, which holds a collection of Orthodox icons.
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Boyana Church
Religious · 5 mi from centreA small medieval church at the foot of Vitosha, famous for its remarkably lifelike thirteenth-century frescoes. Visits are limited to short time slots to protect the paintings, so expect a brief wait.
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Vitosha Mountain
NatureA large mountain on the edge of Sofia with hiking trails, boulder rivers, and skiing in winter. Take the gondola from Simeonovo for quick access, and bring layers, as weather changes fast.
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Rila Monastery
Religious · 39 mi from centreBulgaria's most famous monastery, with striped arches and a richly painted church in a mountain valley south of Sofia. It is an easy day trip by tour or car, and modest dress is expected.
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Rotunda of St. George
HistoricA small red-brick rotunda from Roman times, believed to be Sofia's oldest building, hidden in a courtyard among government buildings. Look inside for the layers of medieval frescoes on the dome.
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National Palace of Culture
LandmarkA large congress and concert center from 1981, set at the end of a park with fountains. The park is a popular meeting spot, and Vitosha Boulevard starts right next to it.
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Vitosha Boulevard
NeighborhoodSofia's main pedestrian shopping street, lined with cafes, restaurants, and shops, with views of Vitosha mountain at its end. It is best for an evening stroll and dinner on a terrace.
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National Archaeological Museum
MuseumA museum in a former Ottoman mosque holding Thracian gold treasures, Roman statues, and medieval artifacts. It is compact enough to see in an hour, and it lies close to the presidency's changing of the guard.
Things to do in Sofia by type
22 tours, tickets and experiences across 6 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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City tours 7 experiences Custom Walking Tour in Sofia: Explore the City Your Way - Private Tour -
Art & culture 6 experiences Discover Rila Monastery with Optional Boyana Church Tour -
Tour & activities 6 experiences Climb to Musala Summit (2925m) -
Day Trips & Excursions 4 experiences Discover Koprivshtitsa and Plovdiv- Full day Tour -
Outdoor activities & Adventure 4 experiences Climb to Musala Summit (2925m) -
Gastronomy & nightlife 2 experiences Bulgarian Food & History Tour in Sofia – Includes Vintage Tram Ride
- Over 6 hours 7
- 1-3 hours 6
- 3-6 hours 1
- Couples 5
- Youth 5
- Senior 3
- Families 3
- Private 2
- Small group 2
Top experiences in Sofia
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 22 available.
Sofia City Walking Tour with Tasting – 2-Hour Guided Experience
From $48 per adult
Explore Sofia with Double-decker Bus
From $48 per adult
Bulgarian Grape Wine Tasting with Sommelier - Tour
From $59 per adult
Discover Rila Monastery with Optional Boyana Church Tour
From $29 per adult
Bulgarian Food & History Tour in Sofia – Includes Vintage Tram Ride
From $78 per adult
Private Sofia Night Tour with Bulgarian Folklore Show and Dinner - From 2 people
From $98 per adult
The Seven Rila Lakes Self-Guided Hiking Tour
From $30 per adult
Feel the City: Insider Walking Tour of Sofia With a Local Expert Guide
From $32 per adult
Discover Koprivshtitsa and Plovdiv- Full day Tour
From $23 per adult
Hidden Ancient Sofia: Underground City (Tickets Included)
From $57 per adult
Morning in Sofia: Traditional Breakfast and Cultural Walk - Private Tour
From $35 per adult
Custom Walking Tour in Sofia: Explore the City Your Way - Private Tour
From $49 per adult
Where to stay in Sofia
Popular hotels in Sofia, out of 183 properties you can book.
Novotel Sofia
From $130 per night
ibis Sofia Airport
From $84 per night
Eurostars Sofia City
From $101 per night
Crystal Palace Boutique Hotel
From $166 per night
Astoria Grand Hotel
From $110 per night
Mercure Sofia City
From $105 per night
Metropolitan Sofia member of Radisson Individuals
From $137 per night
Downtown
From $110 per night
Grand Hotel Millennium Sofia
From $214 per night
Grand Hotel Sofia
From $118 per night
Hotel Rila Sofia
From $60 per night
Vega
From $104 per night
Best time to visit Sofia
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Sofia is June and September, when average daytime highs are around 77–84°F and rain falls on about 5 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Sofia weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 69° 43° 5%
- Thu 22 Oct 69° 52° 72%
- Fri 23 Oct 59° 45° 84%
- Sat 24 Oct 61° 36° 1%
- Sun 25 Oct 58° 42° 17%
- Mon 26 Oct 54° 47° 20%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Bulgarian lev (BGN)1 US dollar ≈ лв1.74
- Language
- Bulgarian
- Calling code
- +359
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- Europe/SofiaUTC+3
Upcoming public holidays in Bulgaria
- Christmas EveБъдни вечер
- Christmas DayРождество Христово
- Second day of ChristmasРождество Христово
- New Year's DayНова година
- Liberation DayДен на oсвобождението на България от Oсманско робство
- Good FridayРазпети петък
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Sofia
These are the airports closest to central Sofia. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- SOF Sofia Airport4 mi (7 km) from the city centre
Getting around Sofia
Sofia has a well-developed, cheap, and efficient public transport system that consists of buses, trolleybuses, trams, and subway lines. The transport network can be confusing for visitors who do not know it well, but there is a journey planner.
On foot
Streets have adequate tiled pavements, especially in the city centre. However, they are frequently uneven and potholed, and walking is further made difficult by parked cars, street vendors and cafes. Except for areas in the very centre, pavements rarely have slopes for wheelchair access or designated lanes for bicycle riders. Pedestrian crossings are numerous and are relatively respected by drivers.
By mini-bus
Mini-buses (marshrutki) stop if you just wave a hand and are usually fast way to go somewhere without need to change the car, but they aren't common anymore. You pay to the driver when you get on the car. You must tell the driver if and when you want to get off. Marshrutki largely don't exist since 2011.
By taxi
Taxis in Sofia are yellow. Taxis can be caught on the streets or can be ordered by phone, they arrive fast and are reliable. A drive inside Sofia will rarely exceed €10 and a trip from the airport to the city centre €8-10.
Sofia travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Sofia?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Sofia is June and September, when average daytime highs are around 77–84°F and rain falls on about 5 days a month.
What is the weather like in Sofia?
July is usually the warmest month in Sofia, with average highs of 89°F (31°C). December is the coolest, with average lows of 32°F (-0°C). The wettest month is typically October, with about 97 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Sofia?
Sofia Airport (SOF) is the closest airport, about 4 miles (7 km) from the centre of Sofia.
How much are flights to Sofia?
The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to Sofia in the last 30 days was $828 from Toronto, travelling 17 Nov – 18 Jan. November is currently the cheapest month to fly, with fares from $828.
What currency is used in Sofia?
Sofia uses the Bulgarian lev (BGN). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ лв1.74.
What time zone is Sofia in?
Sofia uses the Europe/Sofia time zone (currently UTC+3). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Sofia?
Sofia has a well-developed, cheap, and efficient public transport system that consists of buses, trolleybuses, trams, and subway lines. The transport network can be confusing for visitors who do not know it well, but there is a journey planner.
What are the best places to visit in Sofia?
Top sights in Sofia include Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Boyana Church, Vitosha Mountain and Rila Monastery. A massive Orthodox cathedral with gold domes, built to honor Russian soldiers who died freeing Bulgaria. Visit the crypt, which holds a collection of Orthodox icons.
What are the top things to do in Sofia?
Popular experiences you can book in Sofia include Sofia City Walking Tour with Tasting – 2-Hour Guided Experience, Explore Sofia with Double-decker Bus and Bulgarian Grape Wine Tasting with Sommelier - Tour. Destina Holidays offers 22 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Sofia?
The most popular types of experiences in Sofia are city tours (7), art & culture (6), tour & activities (6) and day trips & excursions (4). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Sofia?
Popular areas for hotels in Sofia include Sofia. Well-reviewed options include Novotel Sofia and ibis Sofia Airport.
How many hotels can I book in Sofia?
Destina Holidays currently lists 183 properties in and around Sofia, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
