Jump to navigation

Quick Contact

Call us
for an instant response
2830 2899
Visit us
for a face-to-face chat
Find a store
Ask for a quote
expected reply 4 hours
Get a quote
  • Destinations
  • Holidays
  • Flights
  • Tours
  • Business Travel
  • Experiences
  • DEALS
  • More...
    • Travel Insurance
    • Gift Cards
    • Careers
  • Get a Quote
  • Contact
menu
CONTACT
2830 2899
  • Destinations
      1. col1
        1. Travel Blog
        2. Flight Centre Brochures

        3. Destination Guides
        4. Oceania
        5. Australia
        6. Fiji
        7. New Zealand

        8. Africa
        9. Kenya
        10. Mauritius
        11. South Africa
      2. col2
        1. Asia
        2. Cambodia
        3. China
        4. India
        5. Indonesia
        6. Japan
        7. Malaysia
        8. Philippines
        9. Singapore
        10. South Korea
        11. Taiwan
        12. Thailand
        13. Vietnam
      3. col3
        1. North, Central America & The Caribbean
        2. Canada
        3. Mexico
        4. United States

        5. South America & Antarctica
        6. Argentina
        7. Brazil
        8. Chile
        9. Colombia
        10. Peru
      4. col4
        1. UK & Europe
        2. France
        3. Germany
        4. Greece
        5. Italy
        6. Netherlands
        7. Spain
        8. Switzerland
        9. Turkey
        10. United Kingdom
  • Holidays
      1. col1
        1. Popular Destinations
        2. Cambodia Holidays
        3. China Holidays
        4. Japan Holidays
        5. Malaysia Holidays
        6. Maldives Holidays
        7. Myanmar Holidays
        8. Philippines Holidays
        9. South Korea Holidays
        10. Sri Lanka Holidays
        11. Thailand Holidays
        12. USA Holidays
        13. Vietnam Holidays
      2. col2
        1. Beach Holidays
        2. Bali Holidays
        3. Boracay Holidays
        4. Da Nang Holidays
        5. Koh Samui Holidays
        6. Phuket Holidays

        7. City Breaks
        8. Bangkok Holidays
        9. Beijing Holidays
        10. Seoul Holidays
        11. Singapore Holidays
        12. Tokyo Holidays
      3. col3
        1. Types of Holidays
        2. Active Travel
        3. Cruise Holidays
        4. Dive Holidays
        5. Family Holidays
        6. Health & Wellness
        7. Luxury Holidays
        8. Ski Holidays
  • Flights
      1. col1
        1. Hot Flights
        2. Flights to Bali
        3. Flights to Bangkok
        4. Flights to London
        5. Flights to Los Angeles
        6. Flights to Melbourne
        7. Flights to New York
        8. Flights to Paris
        9. Flights to Phuket
        10. Flights to Singapore
        11. Flights to Sydney
        12. Flights to Toronto
        13. Flights to Vancouver
      2. col2
        1. International Flights
        2. Flights to Asia
        3. Flights to Australia
        4. Flights to United Kingdom
        5. Flights to Europe
        6. Flights to New Zealand
        7. Flights to North America
        8. Flights to Africa
        9. Flights to Middle East

        10. Class of Travel
        11. Round the World Travel
        12. Companion Airfares
      3. col3
        1. Airlines
        2. Cathay Pacific Airways
        3. Cathay Dragon
        4. Qantas Airways
        5. British Airways
        6. American Airlines
        7. Qatar Airways
        8. Hong Kong Airlines

  • Tours
      1. Tour Locations
      2. Tour Companies
      3. Tour Types
      4. Day Tours
  • Business Travel
      1. Testimonials
      2. Travel News
  • Experiences
      1. col1
        1. Active Travel
        2. Cruise Holidays
        3. Dive Holidays
        4. Family Holidays
        5. Health & Wellness
        6. Luxury Holidays
        7. Ski Holidays
  • DEALS
      1. Adventure Treks of a Lifetime
      2. Holidays on Sale!
      3. Bonus Free Nights!
      4. Dubai Stopover
      5. Travel Gift Card
      6. Travel Insurance
      7. Subscribe for Deals
      8. more
  • More...
      1. Travel Insurance
      2. Gift Cards
      3. Careers
  • Get a Quote
  • Contact
  1. Travel Destinations
  2. Europe
  3. Bulgaria
  4. Sofia
Print this page
Sofia
Country
Bulgaria
Overview
Gallery

Sofia Destination Guide

Sofia Holidays

While many visitors pass through Sofia on their way to the ski slopes and hiking trails of nearby Mount Vitosha, those who stay a while to explore Bulgaria’s capital are pleasantly surprised by what they find.

Wide boulevards, charming parks and gardens, excellent museums and galleries and a handful of architectural gems mix with a modern culture and a vibrant, youthful nightlife scene. With more than 2,500 years of history here, there is much to uncover before journeying out to enjoy the beauty of the Bulgarian hinterland.

Top Attractions »

Get your bearings at Vitosha Boulevard, the city’s main commercial artery where locals and visitors alike go to stroll, shop at the high-end stores, and socialise at the restaurants, bars and cafés. Once familiar with the main strip, branch out to visit a number of stunning historic churches throughout the city, the most iconic being the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral with its Neo-Byzantine architecture, cascading domes and striking interiors.

Other must-visits include the nearby Saint Sofia Church with its fascinating crypts and archaeological tour, and the World Heritage-listed medieval Boyana Church. Other architectural and cultural highlights include the Royal Palace, which now houses the National Art Gallery, and the National Archaeological Museum, which resides in a gorgeous Ottoman mosque that dates back to 1474. The gardens and parks of Sofia offer a delightful respite from the city streets, with Borisova Gradina being one of the more beautiful green spaces to explore and enjoy. 

Launch Sofia photo gallery »

The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
The Sofia Public Mineral Baths

Eat and Drink »

Restaurants and eateries can be found along the main strip of Vitosha Boulevard and even in the city’s public gardens. For a unique culinary experience (at a good price) visit the Central Sofia Market Hall on Marie Louise Boulevard. On the upper level you’ll find authentic Bulgarian cuisine being served up at several little eateries.

Local specialties to try include shopska salata, a salad of fresh tomato, cucumber, onion, peppers, white brine cheese and parsley, and sofiyska banitsa, a golden baked pastry stuffed with cheese and/or spinach, which is a popular breakfast item.

When it comes to wine, opt for the Bulgarian varieties on offer, especially Mavrud and Shiroka Melnishka loza, which are only grown in Bulgaria. Nightclubs are continuing to pop up around town to cater to the local and visiting night owls, but if a low-key affair is more your style take a seat at one of the bars, cafés, pubs and cocktail lounges in downtown Sofia.

Where to Stay

The ideal place to stay in Sofia is the city centre, or within short walking distance, to ensure you have easy access to transport, restaurants, shopping and sightseeing activities. There are plenty of plush accommodation options available, from stylish boutique hotels to big-name 5-star chains.

Shopping 

Vitosha Boulevard, with its charming strip of boutiques, is the place to splurge on high-end goods, while Hristo Botev Street (parallel to Vitosha) offers more affordable stores. A smaller yet ever-popular shopping street is Pirotska, which offers a lovely atmosphere for a casual stroll and an afternoon of window shopping.

Pop into the upscale TZUM department store complex for a Sofia-style shopping centre experience. When it’s time to buy unique souvenirs and treasures, head to the Alexander Nevsky Square Flea Market. Set in front of its namesake church, this is the place to buy Russian hats, antiques, lace, embroidery and handmade crafts and dolls.

Sofia Like a Local

Until 1986 the Sofia Public Mineral Baths, which are set inside a beautiful early 20th-century building, served as a bathhouse for locals to soak in the region’s natural mineral water. The baths are now closed, but locals still congregate at the public taps to fill up plastic containers of the warm mineral water, which is said to promote health and wellbeing. Bring a bottle to fill up and see for yourself, or simply sit in the quaint garden and enjoy the atmosphere.

Other Destinations in Europe

  • Croatia Destination Guide
  • Greece Destination Guide
  • Malta Destination Guide
  • Turkey Destination Guide

Sofia Travel Deals

  • Sofia Airfares and Flights
  • Travel Insurance
  • Car Hire

Browse Destinations

  • Africa »
  • Asia »
  • Australia »
  • Canada »
  • Caribbean »
  • Europe »
  • Middle East »
  • Mexico & Central »
  • New Zealand »
  • Pacific »
  • South America »
  • United Kingdom »
  • USA »
  • 28302899
    Talk to a Travel Expert
  • +852 9092 3775Message us on WhatsApp
  • Ask an Expert »A consultant will contact you
  • eNewsletter »Subscribe to our eNewsletter
  • Find a Store »Your nearest Flight Centre

Be the first to hear about exclusive discounted travel deals; and travel inspiration to help you plan your next getaway.

Subscribe
*Travel restrictions and conditions apply. Prices are per person in HKD, exclude taxes & subject to availability. Price for "Companion airfare" is per person and applicable when minimum two people are travelling together. Prices for “holiday packages” are only applicable when two people are travelling together, unless otherwise specifically stated. Prices are correct at time of publication and are subject to change without notice. Contact your Flight Centre travel consultant for full terms and conditions.
© Flight Centre (HK) Limited. Travel Agent Licence Number: 350062, 7th Floor, Island Place Tower, 510 King's Rd, North Point, Hong Kong

Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Contact Us
Facebook Instagram WhatsApp