Loading map...
location.beaches.districts
location.beaches.districts_subtitle
City Center
hotelsHistoric heart with Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Roman Serdica ruins, Vitosha Boulevard shopping, and main attractions. Mix of all eras in one area.
Oborishte
hotelsUpscale residential area with embassies, Doctor's Garden park, trendy cafes, and Sofia University. Elegant 19th-century architecture.
Vitosha District
hotelsSouthern area near Vitosha Mountain with Boyana Church (UNESCO), National History Museum, and access to mountain hiking and skiing.
faq.title
faq.subtitle Sofia
Sofia is one of Europe's cheapest capitals. Budget €35-50/day easily. Good meal €5-8, beer €2, taxi across town €3-5. Excellent value destination.
Bulgarian Lev (BGN), pegged to Euro at 1.95 BGN = 1 EUR. Not Eurozone yet. Cards accepted most places but carry some cash. ATMs widespread.
YES - notorious problem. NEVER take taxis from arrivals hall. Either use Metro (cheap, fast, direct), or call Yellow Taxi/OK Supertrans. Scam taxis charge 10x normal rate.
Yes! Take bus 66 or 93 to Simeonovo, then gondola up. Or hike from Dragalevtsi. Black Peak (2290m) is full-day hike. In winter, skiing available. Nature in 30 min from center!
Travel Tips
Useful tips for visiting Sofia
Take metro from airport - Line M4, only 1.60 BGN, 20 minutes to center. Clean, safe, and scam-free!
Visit free walking tour - excellent way to understand Sofia's complex history (Roman, Ottoman, Communist). Tips-based, starts at Palace of Justice.
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is free and stunning. Crypt museum below has amazing icon collection for 6 BGN.
Bulgarians shake head for 'yes' and nod for 'no' - opposite of most cultures! Takes getting used to.
Weather
Average temperature by month
Now
-5°
-5°49%7 м/с
Today
1°-6°
1°-6°Tomorrow
6°1°
6°1°Thu6°0°
6°0°Fri5°1°
5°1°Sat3°0°
3°0°Sun
1°-3°
1°-3°Mon-1°-3°
-1°-3°4°
-4°Jan
7°
-2°Feb
11°
1°Mar
17°
5°Apr
21°
10°May
25°
13°Jun
28°
15°Jul
28°
15°Aug
23°
11°Sep
18°
6°Oct
11°
2°Nov
5°
-2°Dec
location.transport.title
location.transport.subtitle
location.transport.metro
—location.transport.tram
—location.transport.bus
—location.transport.trolleybus
—| location.transport.title | location.transport.price | location.transport.app | location.transport.note |
|---|---|---|---|
location.transport.metro | — | — | — |
location.transport.tram | — | — | — |
location.transport.bus | — | — | — |
location.transport.trolleybus | — | — | — |
Prices
Cost of food, accommodation and services
Cafes & Restaurants
Budget meal
10 - 18 лв
~14.0 $
Mid-range
25 - 50 лв
~37.5 $
Fine dining
80 - 200 лв
~140 $
Street Food
Local dish
5 - 12 лв
~8.5 $
Drinks
Coffee
3 - 6 лв
~4.5 $
Local beer
4 - 7 лв
~5.5 $
Groceries
Water 1.5L
1 - 2 лв
~1.5 $
Prices are approximate and may vary by season and area.
Accommodation
Hotels and rental prices
Hostel dorm
20 - 35 лв / night
~27.5 $
Guesthouse
60 - 100 лв / night
~80.0 $
Hotel 3★
120 - 200 лв / night
~160 $
Hotel 5★
250 - 600 лв / night
~425 $
Prices are approximate. Book in advance during high season.
location.payment.title
location.payment.subtitle
location.payment.accepted_cards
VisaMastercard
location.payment.contactless_available
location.payment.atms
widespread
location.payment.mobile_payments
Apple PayGoogle Pay
location.payment.cash
Cards increasingly accepted. Lev local currency. Cash still common for markets, small shops. Mix of EU modernization and Balkan cash culture.
location.payment.currency_exchange
Lev (BGN) pegged to Euro. EU member but NOT Eurozone - uses own currency. Cards at Vitosha Boulevard shops, Mall of Sofia, hotels. Cash culture persists - Central Market Hall (Halite), street vendors cash. Metro accepts cash/cards for tickets. UniCredit, DSK Bank, First Investment Bank ATMs widespread. Very affordable EU capital - budget-friendly Eastern Europe. Cyrillic alphabet, rich history, mountain backdrop!
location.payment.tipping
10%
10% appreciated in restaurants. Not mandatory. Round up for taxis.
Safety
High safety level
Tourist area with low crime rate
Sofia is generally safe. Take normal precautions. Avoid unlicensed taxis - use apps. Some pickpocketing in touristy areas. Stray dogs are friendly but numerous.
What to see
Attractions and points of interest
