Sofia is a city that is often overlooked, too frequently shunted and added to “skip it” lists without a second thought. And, to be honest, it might be understandable at first sight of Bulgaria’s capital city.
Sofia is not beautiful and the few architectural gems it does have are often hidden by functional communist-era housing blocks, connected by a drab, sometimes crumbling pavement. However, this does not mean that Sofia isn’t worth visiting.
Despite its dreary exterior lies a lively metropolis that is just as likely to charm its visitors as a more traditionally beautiful city, which is why planning an itinerary for a few days in Sofia is a choice you will not regret.
Table of Contents
How Many Days in Sofia?
In my opinion, the ideal length for a Sofia itinerary is three days if you want to be able to see all of the main sites and still be able to dig a little bit deeper and get to know the city well.
In contrast, if you only plan to spend one day in Sofia, then you will only really be able to scratch the surface and leave with a list of things to do in Sofia the next time you visit.
Getting To & Around Sofia
Sofia is now a popular place for budget airlines Ryanair and Wizzair, connecting it to many other cities in Europe. It is easy to reach the centre of Sofia from the airport as it is directly connected to the easy-to-navigate Sofia metro.
If you arrive by bus from other cities like Plovdiv, it is worth knowing that the central bus station lies a bit outside of the city centre, however, it is also conveniently linked to the metro system. This makes it easy to get from the bus station to your accommodation at an affordable price.
Taxis are also affordable in Sofia, but you do need to be wary of taxi scams, just as you do in every city around the world. This can be better avoided if you call a taxi directly or use the Bolt app rather than hailing one directly off the street.
1, 2 or 3-Day Sofia Itinerary
Day 1 – Central Sofia Sites
Serdika Station
Begin your time in Sofia at Serdika Metro Station. While this may seem like an odd choice to begin sightseeing, it is worth noting the Serdika has a lot more to offer than just a metro line.
Serdika, which was the ancient name for Sofia, sits at the historical centre of the Bulgarian capital and in the metro station, you can see the ancient remains of the former city. Seeing these ruins truly puts into context just how old Sofia is and how long humans have been living in the city.
Another sight near the station would be the Church of St George Rotunda, which is a 4th-century church that sits among the ruins. It is still in operation today and, though it is certainly smaller than most of the other spectacular churches in Sofia, it is still worth a visit.
Sveta Nedelya Church
After marvelling at the ruins of Serdika, walk only about 100 metres to the Sveta Nedelya Church. This Eastern Orthodox church is one of the most important in Bulgaria and is defined by its incredible architecture.
The Church is located in Sveta Nedelya Square which is considered to be the geographical centre of Sofia and therefore has been a historical crossroads of the city for hundreds of years.
Though originally constructed in the 10th century, it has been reconstructed twice, once in 1867 where it took on the look it has today, and once more in 1933 after it was nearly destroyed in a bombing meant to assassinate the reigning tsar of Bulgaria.
The attack still remains the most deadly in Bulgarian history, with more than 150 innocent people killed.
Sofia History Museum & Central Mineral Baths
Close to the Sveta Nedelya Church is the Sofia History Museum. Located in what used to be the central bathhouse of the city, the building now houses relics and history from the city from its ancient past until 1944.
Outside of the museum, you will find a series of public fountains where you will notice locals filling up bottles and jugs of water, all giving off a faint smell of sulphur. This is because Sofia sits atop a bed of natural hot springs and these fountains spit out a never-ending stream of geothermally heated water.
It is safe to drink and the water is always around 35°C, so you will notice a distinct cloud of steam around the taps in the cooler months.
National Theatre Ivan Vazov
Named for who is arguably Bulgaria’s most famous author and playwright, the Ivan Vazov Theatre is one of the most famous and beautiful monuments in Sofia.
Opened in 1907, the theatre was considerably damaged during the WWII bombings in Sofia in 1943-44 and was reconstructed in 1945. It also sustained significant damage from a fire in 1923 but was reconstructed in 1929.
To this day, the theatre puts on some magnificent performances that are worth going to if you’re into theatre. Although the show will be in the Bulgarian language, it can still be worthwhile to see a lavish performance in such a historic building.
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
This beautiful Eastern Orthodox Cathedral was, up until the year 2000, considered to be the largest Orthodox cathedral in the world and some still claim it is the largest in the Balkans.
However, most reliable sources will say that the largest cathedral is the St Sava Church in nearby Belgrade, Serbia. Bulgarians say their claim is valid because the larger St Sava Church and another orthodox cathedral in Bucharest have yet to be fully completed.
Nevertheless, this grand cathedral is truly a stunning form of architecture and is the one monument you absolutely cannot miss when visiting Sofia. It is also free to enter if you choose not to take photos — which does cost an extra fee.
You can visit and learn about all of these monuments and more on a free walking tour run by Free Sofia Tour. While you won’t be able to enter any of the sites, the 2-3 hour walking tour will give you some excellent historic and cultural insight into Sofia and is a great starting point for enjoying the city.
Day 2 – Religious Sites & Sofia’s Culinary Scene
Sofia Synagogue
Make your first stop of your second day be the beautiful Sofia Synagogue. Sofia, and Bulgaria as a whole, has an incredibly interesting Jewish history that is different to many other European countries, especially countries allied with the former Axis Powers.
During WWII, Bulgaria was allied with the Axis Powers and received significant pressure from the Nazi government to deport its Jewish population to concentration camps. However, Bulgaria never did and is the only country that was allied with Nazi Germany to have saved its entire Jewish population — some 50,000 people.
Though the majority of the Jews in Bulgaria did eventually emigrate, there is still a presence in the capital, namely in the grand Sofia Synagogue. As the third-largest synagogue in Europe (the first is the Dohány Street Synagogue in Budapest), the building was first constructed in 1909 and is truly a beautiful work of architecture.
If you are interested in learning more about Sofia’s Jewish culture, then it can be worth taking the free Sofia Jewish Tour.
Banya Bashi Mosque
Though more than 80% of Bulgarians are of the Eastern Orthodox Christian faith (though most Bulgarians today are largely secular), there is a sizeable Muslim minority consisting mostly of those Bulgarians of ethnic Turkish descent.
One of the best monuments to Bulgaria’s Islamic history and Ottoman past is the Banya Bashi Mosque.
This beautiful mosque is located only a couple hundred metres away from the Sofia Synagogue, it was originally constructed in the 16th century when Bulgaria was under Ottoman rule.
It is possible to visit the mosque free of charge outside of prayer hours, just remember that you must remove your shoes before entering and women must cover their hair.
The presence of the synagogue, mosque, and Sveta Nedelya Church all within a few hundred metres of each other is a testament to the religious tolerance that has shaped Bulgarian culture for centuries.
Sofia Central Market Hall
Across the street from the Banya Bashi Mosque lies Sofia’s central covered market. Though at one point, this was the central marketplace where locals would do their shopping, today it operates as more of a shopping centre with a few food stalls and a number of cafes and restaurants.
Regardless of whether you were expecting the hall to be a bustling bazaar or not, this is still a great place popular with locals to grab a quick bite to eat, do a bit of shopping, or to pick up some local specialities and it is very much worth stopping by.
Ladies Market
About 200 metres behind the synagogue and central market lies the open-air Ladies Market. The name of this marketplace is deceiving, as people of all genders are welcome and present.
The Ladies Market operates daily and has a massive selection of just about everything you could possibly need, however, it is mostly full of local fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
If you are looking to get some fresh fruit when you’re in Sofia, then you are sure to find a much better selection and quality available at the Ladies Market that you will in any supermarket. Buying here also helps you to support local farmers and vendors, rather than a multinational supermarket chain!
Free Food Tour
Though Sofia is not a place that jumps to mind when most think of a “foodie destination,” the people at Balkan Bites are trying to change that! This innovative free food walking tour is one of the coolest things to happen to Sofia and it really would be a shame to visit the city without going on it.
The tour will last a couple of hours and will take you by some fantastic Sofia eateries, giving you a few samples to try, while also teaching you about both traditional Bulgarian cuisine and the new culinary movements in Sofia.
Though it is a food tour, don’t expect to get a lot of food on the walk (it’s mostly just small samples) as it is free. So it is definitely helpful to eat a decent lunch beforehand!
Day 3 – Explore Sofia’s Communist Past
Museum of Art from the Socialist Period
One of the best places to see communist remnants in Sofia is at the Museum of Art from the Socialist Period. This museum, located a little bit outside of the city centre, has a large collection of former communist monuments, statues, and posters that is very worth browsing through.
The most interesting thing about the museum is its courtyard filled with communist statues that used to decorate the city streets of Sofia.
Most notably, you can see the massive statue of Lenin that stood where the St Sofia Monument stands today and the Red Star that adorned the top of the Communist Party Headquarters — a Bulgarian flag flies in its place today.
The museum is located within easy walking distance from Georgi Dimitrov metro station and is easily reached by public transport. Don’t come here expecting to learn about the socialist regime in Bulgaria, this is solely an art museum with little to no historical context provided.
Former Communist Party Headquarters
Back in the city centre lies the former headquarters of the communist party in Bulgaria. This imposing building, close to Serdika Station, is a striking example of socialist architecture. It was here that the Red Star seen at the Museum of Socialist Art stood atop the spire.
As one of Sofia’s top landmarks, the building was completed in 1955 and serves as headquarters for the Party in Bulgaria until the collapse of the communist regime.
Today, it is used by the National Assembly of Sofia and there are talks of moving the parliament permanently back to the building. Of course, that decision meets its fair share of controversy in Bulgaria today.
Monument to the Soviet Army
Another of Sofia’s most famous, and controversial, landmarks is the Monument to the Soviet Army. Constructed as a testament to the Red Army that “liberated” Sofia in 1944, this is one of the most blatantly communist monuments still standing in Sofia today.
The monument is, however, perhaps best known for the street art it has attracted. The most famous is when the soldiers at the base were painted, overnight, to adorn the clothing of American superheroes.
National Palace of Culture
Another shining example of communist architecture is the National Palace of Culture, located close to the city centre.
This building, opened in 1981, was constructed to commemorate Bulgaria’s 1,300th anniversary and was seen, though it is in socialist style, as an example of nationalism that was discouraged under such regimes.
The Palace today is surrounded by a lovely park that is fantastic to spend a few chilled-out hours in. There is also a monument to the victims of the communist regime and even a bit of the Berlin Wall on display.
If you want to learn more about communism in Bulgaria, then we strongly recommend going on the Sofia Communist Tour, run by the same people behind the Free Sofia Tour.
Have More Time?
If you plan to spend more than 3 days, this gives you an excellent option to embark on a few day trips from the city.
One of the most popular day trips is to the Rila Monastery. Though it can be difficult to reach the monastery by public transport, you can arrange an affordable organised day tour from the city. This guided tour is a great option and takes you to both the monastery and Boyana Church.
Another popular place to visit is Vitosha Mountain, which is easily reached by public transport from Sofia city centre. The mountain offers ample hiking opportunities in the warmer months and a place for some great, affordable skiing in the winter.
If you have four or more days and would rather spend more time in the city itself, it can be worth checking out the city’s alternative scene. There is, for instance, a fantastic street art culture in Sofia, however, it isn’t necessarily concentrated in one distinct area. A great way to learn more about the street art scene and of notable Bulgarian artists is to go on a free street art tour.
The Sofia Grafitti Tour is run by the same people who do Balkan Bites and is really worth it. There is no need to book in advance and it is free of charge, but like all free tours, make sure to tip your guide what you thought the tour was worth as that is how they make their living.
Where to Eat & Drink in Sofia
Sun & Moon — This vegetarian restaurant and bakery is a favourite in the city. They have four locations across Sofia and serve a range of vegetarian and vegan-friendly dishes at affordable prices. They are open for both lunch and dinner and also have daily specials along with a regular menu.
Aubergine — If you’re looking for one of the best trendy eateries in Sofia, then look no further than Aubergine. This restaurant serves a range of “modern Bulgarian” cuisine that is incredibly healthy and seasonal. They also have an extensive craft beer menu and include a beer suggestion with every dish.
The Little Things — This hip restaurant located in a converted house on Shishman Street is one of the best restaurants in Sofia. They have a great, fresh menu and a number of daily specials that are all homemade and prepared to order. Keep in mind that this restaurant does get very popular, so it is advisable to book a table in advance.
Made in Blue — This is another of Sofia’s ultra-trendy eateries that is a very popular place to grab lunch or dinner. Located in a renovated house, Made in Blue offers modern versions of traditional Bulgarian food in a very cosy setting. They also have a number of vegetarian options available and serve some local craft beers.
Supa Star — Soup bars are incredibly popular in Bulgaria and if you want to try some of the best soup in Sofia, then head to Supa Star. This restaurant serves a range of soups that rotate on a daily basis, though they are always delicious!
Street Chefs — If you like burgers, then you can’t miss Street Chefs in Sofia. This trendy food truck serves a range of burgers, including a delicious vegetarian version, at affordable prices. They also have seating available with outdoor heaters to take the edge off even the most chilly of days.
Secret by Chef Petrov — If you’re celebrating a special occasion in Sofia or are just interested in Michelin-style dining, make sure to head to Secret by Chef Petrov. This high-end restaurant is a chef’s table style and offers a truly unforgettable dining experience in Sofia.
Crafter — This is an excellent place to go if you want to have a craft beer or a glass of Bulgarian wine. This trendy bar has a range of both local and international beers available and several great Bulgarian wines. They also have a helpful staff who are there to assist you in making the difficult choice of what to drink.
The Apartment — This is one of the most interesting bars in Sofia, as it is located in an apartment building and it feels as if you are just visiting a friend’s home, hence its name. It is famous for its raspberry wine, however, there are drinks and some snacks available.
Where to Stay in Sofia
Art ‘Otel – This hotel has a number of clean and comfortable rooms available and breakfast is included in the rooms rate. It is also conveniently located to all of Sofia’s main attractions.
Les Fleurs Boutique Hotel – Located on the thriving Vitosha Boulevard, this boutique hotel has a range of comfortable and stylish rooms to choose from, an unbeatable location and a great breakfast.
Hostel Mostel – If you’re travelling solo or on a budget, then you really can’t go wrong with Hostel Mostel. This is one of the best hostels in Sofia and is a great place to meet other travellers.
Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Sofia hotels!
Though not especially beautiful on the surface, Sofia has an undeniable charm and energy and it is sure to enchant visitors no matter how long you spend there.
Are you planning a trip to Sofia? Have any questions? Let us know in the comments!
Going to Sofia 2-6 April!!
Have a great time!
Tip from a local: the taxi company “Ok! Taxi” has a lot of fake duplicates that are hard to distinguish from the original so double-check the pricing before you get into of those
Thanks for the tip!
Thank you very much Maggie.
Leaving tomorrow for few days.
Looking forward to it!
Glad you found this helpful, Sebastien! Hope you have a great trip — Sofia is a fantastic city 🙂
Download the “Yellow” taxi app (search for yellow taxi sofia) , you can order the taxi there and it gives the price! Recommendable as taking taxis without this always ends with paying too much and/or discussions…
Thanks for providing information about Sofia, it is useful.
Thanks, Varun!