Fun Things To Do in Sofia – A Perfect 3 Day Itinerary
Are you thinking about visiting for a few days and interested in fun things to do in Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital city?
Sofia is high on our list of European cities worth getting to know. Based on our time here, we feel this is a great 3 day destination as part of a longer trip within Bulgaria or the wider Balkans. Alternatively, if you live in Europe, coming here is a very affordable weekend getaway option.
In recent years, we’ve made quite a few trips to the Balkans including Croatia, Bosnia Herzegovina, Serbia, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Montenegro, Albania and North Macedonia and love this part of the world.
So from our own time in Sofia, we’ve pulled together loads of ideas of things to do together with practical tips that will save you time and stress on the ground! Read on and you’ll be all set to discover the best of one of Europe’s most historical, affordable and accessible cities.
Why Is Sofia Worth Visiting?
Let’s start with the big question!! Why is Sofia worth my time when there are many better known capital cities in Europe to visit? Well, here’s a few great reasons:
- Sofia is a walkable and green city. Public parks overflow with free events!
- Public transportation from the airport & in town is reliable and cheap.
- Bulgarian food and wine is delicious, varied and very affordable.
- The city feels like an open air museum with many accessible ancient sites.
- Grab a bus & in 30 minutes you can be hiking in the mountains.
- Accommodation is much cheaper in Sofia than in most European capitals.
- Over-tourism is not a concern so you won’t be fighting crowds.
- Bulgarian people are welcoming, friendly and great company!
Is Sofia An Expensive City To Visit?
No, it’s a great value destination on the whole. Expect to pay around USD $70 a night at a quality 3 star hotel in the city center with breakfast. Budget USD $30-50/day for food, drinks and tips for any free walking tours.
Many museums are free or very reasonable to visit as are ornate churches dotted around the city. Going hiking around the city mountains, exploring the many city markets and parks are also free!
We found lots of little stores for daily needs like water that locals frequent and again prices are very reasonable. Shoppers rejoice! There’s no shortage of affordable retail therapy in Sofia!!
If you prefer to stay or eat at more exclusive places, then obviously you’ll need to up your budget. Also day trips out of town will add to your costs but if you use a local shuttle bus (see later details on visiting Rila Monastery) you can save a bit.
Size & Geography of Sofia
Sofia has a great location in the western part of Bulgaria surrounded by mountains. It’s actually pretty easy to experience both Sofia and more of the country in a week or two.
With a Black Sea coastline of almost 400 km, and several mountain ranges where hiking and ski-ing is popular, Bulgaria is becoming more popular with travelers who might have previously visited Turkish and Greek coastlines.
To give you a sense of perspective for travelling beyond Sofia, Bulgaria is slightly larger than the US state of Tennessee and less than half the size of the UK (around 45%).
Getting To And Around Sofia
Sofia is well served by airlines from within Europe and if you’re coming from further afield, you connect internationally via Istanbul, Frankfurt, Dubai, London etc. The airport has 2 terminals, and the international one T2 connects directly to the metro into town.
Getting Into The City by Metro requires you to buy a ticket from a ticket machine which you will find after you leave the baggage claim area.
You need local currency to buy your ticket, so use one of the ATMs to get yourself a small amount of cash. Then head to the newsagent a little further on and buy yourself a water or small snack to get your change.
The tickets costs 1.6 LEV which is less than 1 Euro (at our time of travel in 2024). The whole process is pretty straightforward and we recommend you use the metro if you can!
It’s around 20 minutes ride to Serdika, which is the main central station. If your accommodation is in the city centre, you can walk to your hotel from here. Main attractions are well signed posted around town in English.
Alternatively pre-book a taxi via your hotel or booking agents for a hassle free transfer if you have more luggage or less mobility. Cost of this directly to our hotel was around 17euros/$18 and also took 20 minutes.
3 Day Sofia Itinerary
Here’s our suggestions on how to plan your days to include the main city sights along with time in the mountains and the option of a day trip from town.
We are all different and so mix and match these fun things to do in Sofia to suit your own interests and pace. What’s great about this city is it’s totally possible just to chill and enjoy cafes, parks, picnics and many historic sights without loads of complicated logistics 🙂
Day 1: Sofia
Morning: Central Sofia/Free Walking Tour.
Afternoon: Serdika/ Rakia Museum.
Dinner at a local Bulgarian restaurant.
Day 2: Sofia
Morning: Central Park/Russian District & One of the Museums.
Afternoon: Trip to Vitosha Mountain.
Maybe an outdoor concert or theatre visit in the evening after a relaxed dinner on the Boulevard.
Day 3 – Day Trip to Rila Monastery
Fun Things To Do In Sofia Over 3 Days
Sip A Morning Coffee On Vistosha Boulevard
Sofia is very walkable and nowhere more so than the central pedestrian Bulevar Vitosha. It’s also a great way to start to orientate yourself to the city layout.
You’re spoilt for choice as cafes and restaurants with outdoor seating line either side of the iconic street. Come here early in the morning when this main artery of city life is at its most peaceful.
There are so many choices of cafes from traditional to very modern. We liked Coffee Fellows with contemporary decor, great service and delicious coffee.
This street is named after Vitosha Mountain. As you sit here, you will see its gentle slopes and peaks that rise to just under 3,000m. In winter, this area is a ski resort. Turn 180 degrees in your chair and you’ll see the Palace of Justice in the distance.
The mountain is very accessible by bus from the city center (#122 but do double check with your hotel). If you enjoy hiking, there are many trails and the option of riding a lift to the top.
A variety of on-line bookable tours are offered with hiking guides to help get you from town, around the mountain and back stress free!
Nearby Vitosha Boulevard you will find Pirotska Street which was the first pedestrian street in Sofia. Shoppers rejoice! You will discover Pirotska is chockablock with shops, cafes and the Central Market Hall.
Walk To The National Palace of Culture & Park
It’s a pleasant walk along the Boulevard. Spend an hour or two exploring its length at a leisurely pace.
As you head towards the mountain, you will come to the end of the pedestrian zone. Cross over the street and you’ll arrive at a large park where city life continues.
There was a massive book fair going on when we were here. Hundreds of stalls with books for everyone along with local artists showcasing their paintings, honey, jams and wines.
There is a metro station here at the park (National Palace of Culture – M2 Blue Line) if you’re coming here by public transport.
You can’t miss the fountains and outdoor cafe below a huge building which is the National Palace of Culture. It’s huge and an ‘in your face’ example of the brutalist style of architecture from Bulgaria socialist times. The Palace opened to coincide with Bulgaria’s 1300th anniversary in 1981.
Serdika Area of Sofia
If you arrive from the airport into town by metro you likely to have already seen Serdika metro station signs and its unique tourist attraction of Roman remains. There’s a number of great sights around Serdika, so you can spend a few hours exploring this part of town. Here’s our suggestions:
Church Of St George’s Rotunda
This small church is incredible! It’s hard to believe it was built in the 4th century, is truly beautiful and very accessible to visitors allowing us all to admire centuries old frescos.
There are dress codes when entering most churches and cathedrals. Either wear (or bring) more modest clothing if you want to peek inside here which we would highly recommend.
And there is more. The church is surrounded by Roman Fortress ruins which are remarkable to walk around. They sit undisturbed which is a miracle given they are smack in the middle of multi-story government city buildings.
Visit The Ancient City of Serdika & Roman Ruins
At Serdika (Serdica) station, you’ll immediately recognise that you are in a living museum with glass covered walkways over a Roman town!
Actually, Serdika has evidence of being a town back as far as 6000 BC, long before the Romans came along.
Although there were clues that an ancient city had been built here, there weren’t ever any serious excavation efforts. So this main site remained ‘lost’ for centuries until work started on a metro tunnel in 2010!
Outside there are several information plaques with QR codes so you can ‘self tour’ the ‘streets’, small church and bath houses. Again it’s free to wander around!
As you look up from the ruins, you will see a large mosque – Banya Bashi – and two other churches. This is Sofia’s Square of Tolerance, named from events in 11AD when the ruling emperor issued an edict of toleration!
Sveta Petka Church is tucked away in this area too. Maybe its location is symbolic of the Bulgarian spirit as it was built during Ottoman rule (14th century) when religious freedom was limited.
St Sofia – Patron Of The City
When you’re in this part of town, you can’t help but see a 20m high statue of a woman holding an owl in her left hand and a wreath in the other.
You’re looking at St Sofia who is the patron of the city and she presides over what used to be main west gates to the city.
St Sofia’s monument appears to have created a ‘love it/hate it’ debate since it was hastily erected over 2 days in 2000, replacing one of Lenin that stood in the same spot and came down after socialist rule ended.
Many feel it ugly but like many experiences when travelling, it’s a story worth listening to and then you can decide how you feel about it.
Join A Free Bulgarian Food Walking Tour
We find that when we visit a city for the first time it can be a bit bewildering to find interesting places to try local food and wines. One way to do this is to book a food tour with a local guide!
Sofia offers a FREE ‘Balkan Bites’ 2-2.5 hr tour which is the perfect way to learn a little about traditional foods and insider tips on affordable restaurants in town.
This tour takes you to 5 different restaurants/shops where you can sample breakfast breads (savoury and sweet); fusion foods (think Sri Lanka and Bulgaria!); Bulgarian yoghurt ice-cream (delicious!), traditional appetizers with tomatoes, garlic and Bulgarian traditional wine.
As well as trying some great local food, it’s a brilliant way to explore some of the side streets of the capital and to take note of a few notable spots along the way to return to later.
For more information about the Tour use this Balkan Bites Free Walking Tour link. They also offer a pub crawl tour.
We also suggest the GuruGuide Free walking tours of Sofia. We loved having only 5 people max in the group tour we did here. It means more of a chat as you walk around and we definately learnt more about the city and its culture as a result. Highly recommended!
Seven Saints Church & ‘Grandpa’ Dobri Dobrev
It was while we were walking on the Balkan Bites tour that we passed by a pretty church and stopped to take a photo or two. There’s a heart warming story connected to this part of Sofia.
A Bulgarian man called Dobri Dobrev gave up all things material in life and each day would head into Sofia and beg for money across the city.
What was not known at the time was that he never spent a penny he received. Later it emerged that he donated over 40,000 Euros to several prominent city churches and monasteries including Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.
A much loved and respected Bulgarian, he died in 2018 at the grand age of 103 – hence the Grandpa Dobri name!
St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
This beautiful church which can accommodate 5,000 people was built on the highest part of the city of Sofia so as to be visible to all. It is a stunning sight as you approach the gold domes and magnificent steps and well worth a walk up from the city.
Step inside to get a sense of the scale of the cathedral. We heard all the seats were removed during Covid and this has caused less people to attend. It certainly seemed quiet but we visited on a Saturday!
You will also see St Sofia Church next to the cathedral where there is a monument to the unknown soldier. Across from this are the National Opera and Ballet Houses.
Keep walking and you can meander through a sort of antiques/flea market. There are all sorts on display from old socialist items to assorted cameras, swords and handicrafts. It’s a fun stroll back down the gentle hill.
Numerous of small cafes are dotted here and all around Sofia so when you’re in need of a break, you will have plenty of choice here.
National Drink Tasting At Sofia’s Rakia Museum
Location: bul. Patriarch Evtimiy 22: Open 11am to 6.30pm. Rakia Museum Tours & Tastings. Costs 15 Euros/30 Leva.
For something a little different and a break from walking around, head to the fairly new Rakia museum in central Sofia. Rakia is the national spirit of Bulgaria. Like many regional ‘fruit based brandy’ tipples it’s pretty potent!
The facility is operated by a prominent rakia producer, but the ambience is low key and relaxed.
After a short explanation of how Rakia is made and its evolution to the present day, why not sample 3 different rakia drinks in a relaxing outdoor courtyard. With ample shade from well established gardens, this is a little oasis of tranquility.
Take it from us – it’s very easy to spend an hour here as you taste and discover new flavors. Rakia tastings are served alongside a small cheese and sausage plate.
Rakia museum is a fairly recent addition to Sofia. We have to applaud the significant efforts made to add such a unique experience within the city, celebrating traditional Rakia making.
The staff speak English, are very welcoming and excellent hosts. Head here for a unique and fun experience in Sofia.
‘Meet’ St Cyril and Methodius – Creators Of Cyrillic Script
Two brothers from Bulgaria, together with 5 helpers, are widely proclaimed as creators of the Slavic cryrillic alphabet which is still used across the region by millions today.
We learned this became the 3rd official alphabet within the EU, along with Greek and Latin, after Bulgaria joined in 2007.
Being here on 24th May is quite the experience! Families celebrate by getting dressed up and coming to town. Many eat out in town to celebrate this national holiday called Day of Slavonic Alphabet, Bulgarian Enlightenment and Culture. What’s cool is that North Macedonia and Serbia also celebrate this holiday!
The city is lively and full of music, concerts in the parks and generally it’s one big street party.You can spot a monument of the brothers in front of the National Library in Sofia.
Stop to Smell The Roses in City Park, Sofia
Bulgaria is one of the world’s biggest rose growing nations and the product is sought after by perfumies worldwide! Walking through the city parks in late spring/early summer your senses will be awakened by their fragrance and beauty.
Don’t miss a visit to City Park Sofia, sometimes called Central Park! You will see a small green concession stand as you enter the park. The reason that Sofia has so many parks is thanks to one of its kings who had a love of nature.
He decreed space be set aside for planting and while not popular at the time for this directive, time has proved his insight as the city has so many green spaces for its residents and visitors to enjoy.
During ‘socialist’ years, this small green kiosk was the only place where you could buy a copy of The New York Times newspaper (often days old!).
Enjoy A Show At Ivan Vazov Theatre
Continue walking through the park and you will arrive at the National Theatre. This building is a stunning piece of architecture; the oldest theater in Bulgaria and named after a much loved writer Ivan Vazov.
Fountains add to the atmosphere especially early evening with setting sunshine lighting up the building’s columned front.
Today’s structure was rebuilt several times after fires and being bombed during WW2 and hosts a wealth of performances. Check out what’s on during your visit at their National Theatre. Here is the Google Maps Link to The National Theatre in Sofia.
When we visited, it was high school ‘prom’ weekend and the national holiday. Graduates and their families gathered en masse on the steps of the National Theatre for photographs. Very cute to see!
Russian Church
Yes, we are suggesting you visit quite a few churches in Sofia, but honestly they shine out across the city with colour and beautiful aesthetics.
Almost fairytale in its look, this green, gold and white church is beautiful as it pops out of the skyline of Sofia. Much smaller than some of the others in town, this church was one of the few to stay operating during socialist years in Bulgaria.
There is a tradition when visiting this church to leave a written note for help at the grave of Bulgarian Saint Sobolev who was revered for performing a number of miracles.
The small park around the church is peaceful with several statues and benches with good shade for a respite from the sun.
Enjoy Bulgarian Food With a Modern Twist
There is perhaps an assumption that food here is quite stodgy and heavy but we can categorically say that’s not the case. We ate some fantastic food in Sofia and it was easy as a vegetarian to find variety from breakfast cafes to restaurant dinners.
If you want a casual dinner like salad, pizza and a beer/wine, just head to Vitosha Boulevard. There’s a great buzz and plenty of options. Prices might be a little higher here but they’re still great value. Salad and a glass of wine – $10-15 USD.
For a different experience, we recommend heading to Manastirska Magernitsa Restaurant, Han Asparuh 67, 1000 which serves great food in a historical home which is a unique setting. You can sit out on the patio area or inside where rooms have traditional decor.
Staff are friendly and English is widely spoken (as it is pretty much everywhere around town). Just be prepared to wait a little while for your food when it’s busy. Book ahead – just send them an email!
Another suggestion is Hadjidraganovite Kashti, a great location and a wide menu with something for everyone.
If Bulgarian food isn’t for you, there are many different options from Italian to Greek to Asian! Takeaways are all around the city!
Visit One of Sofia’s National Museums
Sofia has numerous outdoor ‘museums’ as we’ve mentioned and also several national museums. If you love history, visit at least one. They are a great option if the weather isn’t great for outdoor activities.
National Museum of Archaeology is a dive into the fascinating history of Bulgaria through many civilizations and if you love history, don’t miss it!
National Gallery – previously the Royal Palace merges together art exhibitions and a chance to see Bulgaria’s palace that served its royal rulers for a period of time after being freed from the Ottoman Empire.
Sofia History Museum
This is a unique museum as it was formerly the city’s mineral baths! It’s got a huge collection of objects from the ages which are displayed over 8 rooms, including insights into homes, clothing and historical entities.
Take a Day Trip to Rila Monastery
On your Day 3 in Sofia, why not take a day trip out of town. If you enjoy being in the mountains, book a tour to the stunning UNESCO Rila Monastery which sits at over 3700 feet above sea level and dates back to the 10th century when a hermit built an original structure here.
When you enter the arched entrance, the building literally takes your breath away. The rich mix of black and white striped arches flowing into red and then yellow domes is both unique and majestic. Really a stunning piece of architecture.
You will likely be as surprised as we were with the sheer scale of this monastery which attracts people from all over the world to admire it’s vastness yet very intimate decor.
It’s quite a journey getting here. You can take a daily shuttle from Sofia which leaves at 10am from just behind Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. The return trip gets you back to Sofia around 5pm. Here’s how to book your Rila shuttle tickets.
You can opt for guided or self-guided. It’s around EUR 30 pp. Since we were heading south to Skopje, we incorporated this excursion into our transfer with DayTrip.
Alternatively, book with one of the many on-line tour companies who offer day trips here. Usually, this includes a stop at the nearby Boyana Church, another UNESCO site.
Weather in Sofia – What to Expect
Sofia sits 2000 feet above sea level with a pretty moderate year round climate. In the summer months, expect warm days and maybe an afternoon shower or two periodically. However, we were here in May without any rain showers at all!
For warm days and longer daylight without oppressive heat come here May/June or September/October.
Winters bring colder spells including snow and it can be prolonged when freezing air masses sweep down from Russia. Expect freezing temperatures December/January.
You can combine a winter visit to Sofia, and ski close to the city if you head to the couple of slopes at Vitosha Resort (30 mins from downtown!). We have enjoyed ski-ing at Bankso which is much more affordable than most European or Colorado, USA resorts.
Bulgarian Food & Restaurant Suggestions
Bulgarians told us they have 3 ‘can’t live without’ foods – Bread, Yoghurt and Garlic! We learned there are breads for every ‘life event’ – new birth, graduations, birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, Easter and the list goes on!
Bulgarian yoghurt is like Greek except perhaps a bit thicker and it’s very tasty. Bulgarians believe the Greeks do a better job in the marketing department than their country. Maybe this is why many of us have never heard of Bulgarian Yoghurt nor seen it in our local supermarket.
Local Culture – What to Expect
English is widely spoken in Sofia and there is a relaxed feel as you walk around town with local cafes and parks filled with Sofia’s residents as well as visitors. At night, things liven up and there are plenty of bars and night clubs around town.
The majority of people living here are of Bulgarian descent, with around 10% of the population being of Turk heritage. Roma people are a minority part of the make-up of Bulgaria.
Sofia (& Bulgaria’s) culture today is shaped by a long and turbulent history. Way back in the 7th/8th century, Thracian tribal groups settled here, only to be overthrown when the Romans arrived. However, that didn’t last as with the decline of that empire, the Ottomans took over. Eventually, Russian troops helped to liberate the city and make Sofia the capital of an independent country in April 1879.
Socialist politics took over after the 2nd World War although Bulgaria was never part of the CCCP (Russian Federation). Its policies were closely aligned and restrictive for citizens until the 1990s.
Now Bulgaria is part of NATO too. Local people we met are happy to have a modern society with freedoms and no official religion enforced on them. That said, Orthodox Church is the main practiced religion here.
Where To Stay In Sofia
If you are only here for a few days, we suggest basing yourself centally. We stayed at the highly rated Niky Hotel which was in a perfect location (just off the Boulevard) and inexpensive. If you don’t have breakfast at your hotel, it’s easy to grab a coffee around here.
On a side note Sofia is popular with film makers. If you’re looking for Hollywood luxury, try the Grand Hotel Sofia or InterContinential Hotel smack in the middle of the city. Some big films shot here include parts of the Expendables, Hitman and Black Dahlia!
FAQs
Is Sofia Safe For Solo Female Travelers?
We have not traveled solo to Sofia but as women travelers, we are advised from guides and hotel staff that Sofia is family friendly and safe for all. Walking around downtown areas in the evenings was not a problem although we would suggest that you check with your hotel or host for specific advice for the area you are staying in.
Is It Safe to Drink The Tap Water in Sofia?
Yes. You will get the option of bottled or tap water in restaurants and hotels. We found it of good quality but if in doubt go to a local shop and buy some bottled. Bring your own reusable drink container to fill up as you walk around if you prefer.
Do I Need A Visa To Visit Sofia?
Not for a short visit from most countries including USA, Canada, UK. EU nationals can move around freely.
We found out that Sofia offers a high number of IT jobs and so you might bump into a digital nomad as we did. Connectivity is good and visas for longer stays in Bulgaria are fairly easily available.
Wrap Up – Things To Do In Sofia
Sofia will surprise you! If you long to visit a European city with fantastic history, diverse architecture, a laid back attitude, super tasty food which won’t blow your budget, come here for a few days.
If you can, explore more of Bulgaria and The Balkans. For more specifics on visiting Sofia use this Visitor Information Bulgaria Site.
