Sofia travel guide

Photo of skyscrapers in the business district of Sofia, Bulgaria.
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Introduction to Sofia

Home to more than 1.4 million people and the magnificent South Park, Borisova Gradina Park, and St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia is an adventure awaiting you. With a unique historical background and an incredible variety of natural and architectural beauty, Sofia is a highlight in Bulgaria. This municipality of Bulgaria is a travel destination with plenty to offer curious travelers.

Explore this culturally-rich town and easily plan your trip to Bulgaria. Welcome to Guide to Europe’s comprehensive Sofia travel guide.

Easily accessible from Sofia airport, Sofia is the perfect base for a memorable and unique vacation in Bulgaria any time of the year.

You'll learn more fascinating facts about Sofia as you explore this spectacular town.

Traveling to Sofia is especially rewarding for anyone eager to connect with locals and learn more about their unique culture and traditions.

Get ready to explore and learn more about the town of Sofia below!

Top services in Sofia

Here on this page, you'll find all the top travel services in Sofia, Bulgaria. Check out the cheapest and most popular flights offered by 401 airlines that fly to Bulgaria. Browse the 399 top-rated tours available to you in Sofia. We make it easy for you to find and book the top services in Sofia.

Enjoy the convenience of planning and booking every detail of your trip to Sofia, including flights, accommodations, activities, and more, in one place. Book with Guide to Europe to get an expertly-curated and fully-customizable itinerary and experience the best of Sofia on your vacation in Bulgaria.

Get answers to questions about the routes and services offered in Sofia from our free 24/7 customer support. Continue reading to learn how you can enjoy a stress-free and memorable vacation in the town of Sofia!

Learn more about Bulgaria

There are many reasons to visit the town of Sofia, but a trip to Bulgaria needs no explanation.

Exploring Bulgaria, which spans 110,994 square kilometers, is an adventure of a lifetime. Bulgaria offers an abundance of truly magical places to discover, including cultural, historic, and scenic sites of significant value to both locals and travelers.

As the home country of many world-famous attractions like the spectacular South Park, Borisova Gradina Park, and the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, you’re all set for a unique and memorable travel experience in Bulgaria.

Click or tap the link below to discover more about Bulgaria.

What to see in Sofia

Photo of Alexander Nevski Cathedral in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Sofia has something for everyone. Regardless of age and interest, travelers have the best time exploring every corner of the town.

Read on to discover the best places to visit and find out what to expect from the town of Sofia.

Top attractions in Sofia

Home to plenty of top attractions, Sofia is more than just a wonderful town in Bulgaria. Sofia is a travel hotspot and a great place to experience a mix of the traditional and modern culture of Bulgaria.

One fascinating sight in Sofia is the unforgettable South Park. Considered one of the most well-known attractions in the town, a visit to this spectacular travel destination is something you shouldn’t miss on your trip to Sofia.

South Park is open for visitors at any time of the day and is located at Sofia, Bulgaria.

For more information about what you can expect during a vacation in Bulgaria, check out our list of top attractions in Sofia below. Discover the best places to visit in Sofia, including the fascinating South Park, Borisova Gradina Park, St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, National Palace of Culture, and Park "Geo Milev".

Map of attractions

Use this map to find the location of all top attractions in Sofia.

Things to do in Sofia

Photo of sunset over the beautiful Vitosha mountain in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Enrich your travel experience in Sofia by joining tours and activities. Sofia offers an exciting selection of top-rated tours and it's easy for every traveler to find something to their liking. Take the opportunity to catch the top attractions on a tour, stay active with an adventurous excursion, or learn something new about the local history or culture of the town.

Discover the most popular experiences in Sofia below.

Most popular experiences in Sofia

Traveling is all about gaining new experiences. You can have that and more in the town of Sofia.

Sofia offers numerous tours and activities for travelers to choose from. Historical Tours, Bus Tours, and Private Day Trips are only a few of the many experiences you can book for your holiday in Bulgaria.

Explore the most popular experiences you can join in Sofia by clicking on one of the top-rated tour categories below.

Top tours & tickets starting in Sofia

Travelers in Sofia can choose from 20 categories of top-rated tours and tickets. If you're curious about what the most frequently recommended experiences in the city are, Cultural Tours is the answer.

The most popular tour in Sofia is the fantastic Half Day Tour around Sofia and the mountains with Thermal Spa. By joining this highly recommended tour, travelers get to learn more about what makes Sofia one of the best travel destinations in Bulgaria.

Sofia also offers plenty of budget-friendly tours and activities that promise travelers a unique experience in the city. The affordable Sofia Self-Guided Audio Tour is the cheapest tour in the town, and is a popular Historical Tour. This experience costs around 5 EUR and allows travelers a great time in Sofia. This Historical Tour is available in 8 languages: German, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Japanese, and English. Around 2 travelers have given this activity an average rating of 2 stars out of 5.

Secure an unforgettable experience for your upcoming trip to Sofia and book a top-rated tour in the town. Discover the best tours, activities, and tickets in Sofia below.

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Search for things to do in Sofia

Discover the best things to do in Sofia. Choose from 399 fantastic tours and activities available in the town.

Select your dates and number of travelers in the search bar below to receive the best recommendations for your vacation in Sofia. Click the green button to view your options.

Vacation packages in Sofia

Photo of Russian St. Nicholas church in the centre of Sofia city, capital of Bulgaria.

The best and easiest way to visit Sofia is by booking a vacation package. A vacation package includes everything you need for a worry-free and perfectly planned holiday in Bulgaria.

Booking a vacation package to Sofia means spending less time planning and more time enjoying your vacation. A vacation package includes everything from flight tickets, accomodation, and a rental car, to 24/7 personal travel support and a carefully planned travel itinerary. You can also take your vacation in Sofia to the next level by adding tours, tickets, and activities to each day of your trip.

Apart from providing you with everything you need to travel comfortably, your vacation package to Sofia is also fully customizable. In other words, you can add or remove services at your own convenience, to create the perfect vacation for you and your travel companions.

On our website, you will find 93 unique vacation packages to Sofia, including flight tickets, hotel reservations, and recommendations for the best sightseeing spots, restaurants, bars, and activities.

Continue to the next section to learn more about what types of vacations you can book in the town of Sofia.

Popular types of vacations in Sofia

The most popular way to experience Sofia is by visiting the town as part of a road trip across multiple destinations in Bulgaria. However, it is also common for travelers to go to Sofia on both shorter and longer getaways, to get a break from everyday life, relax, and experience something new.

With Guide to Europe you can find road trips, city breaks, and weekend getaways in Bulgaria, ranging from budget to luxury. Whether you’re planning a multi-day road trip across Bulgaria, or you just want to enjoy a few days exploring Sofia, there is a vacation package for you.

Discover the most popular vacation packages in Sofia below.

Top vacation packages in Sofia

Travelers have a great selection of vacation packages to choose from in Bulgaria. In fact, you can choose from as many as 93 different top-rated vacation packages to take you to Sofia, and even more if you expand your search to include a bigger area of Bulgaria.

To help narrow your choices down, here are some of the best vacation packages for exploring the town of Sofia.

For an epic vacation, discover Sofia and other top destinations in Bulgaria on a top-rated holiday like the 10-Day Bulgaria Road Trip from Bankya to Plovdiv and Samokov. This vacation package provides travelers with tons of opportunities to experience not only the most popular attractions in Sofia, but also in other top places to visit in Bulgaria. If Lions' Bridge, Holy Trinity Park, Russian Monument Square, South Park, and Golden Bridges are on your bucket list, this is the perfect vacation package for you.

If you would like to go on a budget vacation in Sofia, book the popular Cheap 3-Day Bulgaria Road Trip Vacation from Plovdiv to Bankya and spend as little as 190 EUR. This vacation will take you on a journey to experience some of the most incredible attractions and sights in Sofia, including the fantastic Old Town of Plovdiv - Architectural Reserve, Alyosha Monument, Singing Fountains, Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis, and Ancient Stadium of Philipopolis.

Get more Sofia vacation ideas on this site and discover the greatest selection of vacation packages in Europe. Scroll down to find the best vacation packages in Bulgaria that match your needs and budget.

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Find vacation packages in Sofia

Discover and compare 93 vacation packages that take you to the wonderful town of Sofia.

The best flights, hotels, and activities in Sofia get fully booked quickly. Use the search tool below to find the best vacation packages in Bulgaria. Your customized holiday package to Sofia is only a few clicks away!

How to get to Sofia

To get to the town of Sofia the fastest way possible, travelers from outside Bulgaria can travel by plane. International travelers can fly to Sofia by booking flights with any of the 66 airlines that offer direct flights to Sofia airport. Some airlines that operate flights to Sofia airport are Lufthansa, United Airlines, Ryanair, British Airways, and Delta Air Lines. Go to this page to compare all flights to Sofia.

To reach the town of Sofia, travelers can choose from various airport transfer options available at Sofia airport.

If you're looking for the best flight ticket deals to Sofia, knowing the cheapest travel time and which airlines offer the most affordable flights is helpful. Luckily, we have this information for you. Discover more about the cheapest and most popular flights to Sofia airport and Sofia below.

Find cheap flights to Sofia

Photo of an architectural ensemble of three Socialist Classicism edifices in central Sofia.

Over the years, more airlines have started offering flexible and direct flights to Sofia, making it one of the most accessible travel destinations in Bulgaria. However, it is usually cheaper to fly to Sofia, Bulgaria, in May.

The cheapest one-way flight to Sofia costs around 15 EUR and is offered by the airline Ryanair. The flight leaves on June 3 at 2 and departs from Henri Coandă International airport in Bucharest, Romania.

The cheapest round-trip flights to Sofia cost approximately 60 EUR in total. The departure flight leaves on August 17 and the return flight is scheduled on August 27. The flight time is around 1 hour per way.

The return flight is operated by Sofia.

Use the search tool below to find the cheapest flights to Bulgaria and the town of Sofia from your city of departure.

Popular flights to Sofia

Travelers visiting Sofia in Bulgaria can fly to Sofia airport directly from 2269 destinations worldwide.

The three most popular routes to Sofia airport and the town of Sofia in Bulgaria depart from Albany airport in Albany, Australia, Santa Rosa airport in Santa Rosa, Argentina, and Mid Delta Regional airport in Greenville, the United States.

Travelers can fly to Bulgaria by choosing from from 1 weekly flight(s) from Albany; from 1 weekly flight(s) from Santa Rosa; and from 1 weekly flight(s) from Greenville.

The airline that operates most flights to Bulgaria is Emirates. Emirates offers 696 scheduled flight routes to Bulgaria.

Discover the most popular flights to Sofia below. Click to view flights to Sofia, Bulgaria from destinations all across the globe.

Where to stay in Sofia

Photo of Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia, Bulgaria.

An essential factor to consider when traveling to a new place or country is accommodation. While visiting a town as fantastic as Sofia is always exciting, any avid traveler knows that accommodations often make or break the vacation experience.

The best place to stay in Sofia usually depends on travelers' needs and preferences. However, booking accommodation in downtown Sofia offers a ton of benefits.

Staying at the heart of the town allows you to easily walk to many of the top sights and dining areas in Sofia and cut down on your travel expenses. Centrally-located accommodations are also an excellent choice for travelers in Sofia planning to go on a quick tour or drive to the neighboring regions.

For example, honeymooners or travelers on a romantic getaway in Bulgaria can experience the ultimate relaxation at one of the 5-star or 4-star hotels in Sofia. Travelers whose purpose is sightseeing can also find plenty of mid-range hotels to budget-friendly accommodations in the town, allowing access to many of the top attractions in Sofia.

Learn more about the most popular places to stay and the top-rated hotels in Sofia in the next sections.

Popular types of accommodation in Sofia

While each type offers varying amenities and rates, there is no denying that Sofia provides a great selection of lodging options ready to cater to every kind of guest.

Budget accommodations are also incredibly popular among travelers in Sofia. Cheaper alternatives allow travelers to save on accommodation costs and have more to spend on other experiences.

Select the type you prefer to compare options under each category and find the best accommodation.

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Search for accommodation in Sofia

Use the Accommodation Search tool below to find available stays in the town of Sofia on specific dates. This handy feature also allows you to compare prices and amenities.

Enter the preferred check-in and check-out dates. Then, select the number of guests and rooms. Click the Search button to find all the available hotels and places to stay in the town of Sofia that match the information provided.

Car rental in Sofia

Photo of aerial view of Ivan Vazov Theatre in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Experience the freedom and convenience of a self-drive vacation by renting a car for your adventures in Sofia. Sofia has 10 car rental companies ready to provide you with the perfect vehicle for your travels.

Automatic cars for rent in Sofia start from 19.27 EUR per day or 134.88 EUR per week. The cheapest automatic rental car is an Opel Corsa.

If you prefer driving a manual car, you’ll find multiple options for rent in Sofia, starting from 11.24 EUR per day or 78.71 EUR per week. The cheapest manual rental car is a Chevrolet Spark.

Learn more about the different types of cars you can rent in Sofia, Bulgaria, below.

Popular types of car rental in Sofia

Discover and choose from our broad range of popular car rental options in the town of Sofia to find the best car for your travel plans. Travelers in Sofia can choose from small cars, medium cars, large cars, estate cars, mini vans, SUVs, convertibles, premium cars, camper vans, mini campers, vans, cars. All car rentals come with CDW insurance for added protection throughout your trip.

Renting a car is a popular choice among travelers who want to explore Bulgaria at their own pace. The most popular type of car rental among small groups of travelers in Sofia is a TopLevel.

Another very popular type of car to rent in Sofia is a TopLevel. This car is particularly popular among couples and solo travelers touring the town of Sofia.

Check out all options available in Sofia and book the car rental for your upcoming adventures in Bulgaria below.

Search for car rental in Sofia

Get ready to hit the road and explore the beautiful town of Sofia. Find the best deals on a variety of popular car rentals in Sofia, Bulgaria, or any other destination in Europe by using the search tool below.

Enter your pick-up and drop-off location, driver's age, and dates. Click the green button to view your options.

Popular destinations to visit after Sofia

Photo of aerial view of the University of Kliment Ohridski in Sofia, Bulgaria.

The town of Sofia is just one of the many unique and scenic destinations you can visit in Bulgaria. So if you're itching for another cultural adventure, a relaxing road trip, an action-filled city break, or a memorable weekend getaway, know that Bulgaria has it all.

Bulgaria is calling, and the country is asking you to experience its culture and diversity to the fullest! Take the opportunity to visit other captivating places in Bulgaria that are as magical as the town of Sofia. The most popular travel destinations in Bulgaria are listed below. Click on the name of the place you want to explore next to learn more about it.

All the best destinations in Bulgaria

When unsure of where to go next, use the map below. This map shows the locations of all the best destinations in Bulgaria. Use the map to plan your trip and find the best routes.

Domestic flights from Sofia

Photo of sunset aerial view of the National Palace of Culture in Sofia, Bulgaria.

A taste of Bulgaria through a visit to Sofia can often reignite a traveler's passion for adventure. When this happens, the best way to satisfy this wanderlust is to book a domestic flight from Sofia to another remarkable destination in Bulgaria.

To begin your search for the best or cheapest flights from the town of Sofia to other spectacular locations in Bulgaria, jump to the last section of this travel guide.

Search domestic flights from Sofia

Traveling to another city or region in Bulgaria? Use the flight search tool below to quickly find the cheapest one-way or round-trip flights from Sofia to different local destinations.

Enter all the necessary information and click or tap on the Search button to see a list of the available domestic flights in Bulgaria on the selected dates.

Popular domestic flights from Sofia

Travelers in Bulgaria can catch flights to domestic airports in Varna, Plovdiv, and Burgas. Domestic flights in Bulgaria are operated by 10 airlines: Wizz Air, Tarom, Ryanair, Sky Express, and British Airways. There are around 11 scheduled flight routes operating to Sofia on a weekly basis.

From Sofia, travelers can book scheduled flights to 3 domestic destinations. The most popular flights from Sofia depart to many top-rated destinations in Bulgaria and are offered by Wizz Air, Tarom, and Ryanair.

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