Sofia is a city that’s rich with history, culture, and many influences from a variety of empires including Greek, Roman, Ottoman, and the Soviet Union.
I spent one day in Sofia and have put together this Sofia Sightseeing Guide to help you plan your trip!
WHERE IS SOFIA
Sofia is the capital city of the Balkan nation in the west of Bulgaria. The population of Sofia is 1.2 million.
Click here to see the location on Google maps.
HOW TO GET HERE
The two most common ways of reaching Sofia are by plane or train.
By Plane:
Sofia International Airport is very well connected with daily flights from inside Europe and also international arrivals from Asia and the Middle East.
I always use Skyscanner to search and book all of my flights as they generally have the cheapest rates.
By Train:
Arriving in Sofia by train is the next best option for reaching this beautiful city in Bulgaria.
Daily trains operate in and out of Sofia Station, connecting Sofia to other major cities in Eastern Europe such as Turkey, Romania, and Hungary to name a few.
Traveling around Europe by train is one of the best ways to get around at an affordable cost. I highly recommend purchasing a Eurail Pass to make the most out of your Europe trip.
There are many different passes available that give you access to the majority of trains, buses, and boats within 31 countries in Europe!
Click Here to get your Eurail Pass today!
SOFIA SIGHTSEEING – TOP 3 THINGS TO DO IN SOFIA
ST. ALEXANDER NEVSKI CATHEDRAL
The Saint Alexander Nevski Cathedral is nothing short of amazing! Located in the heart of the city, a visit to this symbolic masterpiece is a must on your Sofia sightseeing route.
St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral is 148 feet tall at its highest point and it comprises metal from Berlin, mosaics from Venice, and marble sourced from Munich.
12 bells, weighing a total of 23 tonnes, occupy the bell tower and one could only imagine the decibels they can emit.
The outside of the Alexander Nevski Cathedral boasts gilded domes and ornate archways, and on the inside are great artworks, five aisles and stained glass windows.
The cathedral is also said to hold up to 10,000 people at a time!
Entrance Fee: There is no charge to enter the St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral, though a donation is welcome. Photography inside the cathedral is allowed however a 10$ fee is required for this.
CHURCH OF ST. GEORGE ROTUNDA
The St. George Church is a unique, red brick rotunda that is thought to be the oldest building in Sofia.
The church is amid the remains of old Roman buildings and I definitely recommend adding it to your list of things to do in Sofia.
Built in the 300s, it’s a wonder that the Church of St. George Rotunda still stands unscathed!
Inside the rotunda is detailed medieval frescoes that were painted over when the church was converted to a mosque sometime in the 1600s.
Search All → Hotels, Hostels & Apartments in Sofia
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VITOSHA BOULEVARD
Vitosha Boulevard is the main walking street in Sofia, lined with cafes, bars, restaurants, and retail stores.
Vitosha is quite a long street and known to be more expensive than other parts of the city but it is a must-see on your list of things to do in Sofia.
Vitosha Boulevard is named after Vitosha Mountain which is located right next to the city.
My recommendation is while you are strolling down Vitosha Boulevard, be sure to check out all the little side streets too!
WHERE TO STAY IN SOFIA
Sofia has thousands of accommodation options to choose from, so I have narrowed it down to a few of my personal favorite places to stay in Sofia to fit the needs of budget backpackers and luxury travelers.
See the list of accommodations below that I personally recommend:
Luxury: Sense Hotel Sofia
Mid Range: Best Western Premier Sofia Airport Hotel
Budget: Hostel Mostel Sofia
For all other accommodations in Sofia, Search on Booking.com
WHAT TO PACK FOR SOFIA
When visiting Sofia, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you:
Must-Have Travel Essentials
Hidden Money Wallet
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Reusable Water Bottle
The GRAYL GeoPress is the best reusable bottle that allows you to purify water from anywhere!
Travel Backpack
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Quick-Dry Travel Towel
The most compact, lightweight, and quick-dry towel for traveling!
Portable PowerBank
Keep your phone, laptop, and accessories charged while you’re on the go with the Anker PowerBank!
MORE EUROPE TRAVEL GUIDES
- Croatia Travel Guide: Yacht Week In Croatia
- Budapest Travel Guide: 5 Things To Do In Budapest
- Switzerland Travel Guide: 8 Day Switzerland Itinerary
- Paris Travel Guide: 2 Days In Paris
- Istanbul Travel Guide: 5 Things To Do In Istanbul
- Sofia Travel Guide: 3 Things To Do In Sofia
- Milos Island Greece: 15 Best Beaches In Milos
- Sifnos Island Greece: 7 Best Beaches In Sifnos
FINAL THOUGHTS – THINGS TO DO IN SOFIA
If you have any questions about things to do in Sofia Bulgaria, please leave me a comment below and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.
TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!
Search and book accommodation worldwide.
Compare and book cheap flights to anywhere.
Find tickets, tours, and experiences around the world.
Book buses, trains, and transfers online in advance.
Search all rental cars in your next destination.
Need travel insurance for your next trip?
THANKS FOR READING
Hey friend, thanks for reading this guide!
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