• placement: fullWidthHero
  • path: destinations/hero
  • containerId: gpt-ad-797970733621
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "bulgaria/sofia",
  "destination": "Sofia",
  "title": "sofia",
  "type": "City",
  "city": "Sofia",
  "region": "Eastern-Europe",
  "country": "Bulgaria",
  "continent": "Europe",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

Sofia

Bulgaria

Romania & Bulgaria Travel Guide

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Shop Book
Sveta Nedelya Church in Sofia.

Christian Kober/AWL Images/Getty Images

Overview

Bulgaria's pleasingly laid-back capital is often overlooked by visitors heading to the coast or the ski resorts, but they're missing something special. Sofia is no grand metropolis, but it's a modern, youthful city, with a scattering of onion-domed churches, Ottoman mosques and stubborn Red Army monuments that lend an eclectic, exotic feel. Excavation work carried out during construction of the metro unveiled a treasure trove of Roman ruins from nearly 2000 years ago, when the city was called 'Serdica'. Away from the buildings and boulevards, vast parks and manicured gardens offer a welcome respite, and the ski slopes and hiking trails of mighty Mt Vitosha are just a short bus ride from the centre. Home to many of Bulgaria's finest museums, galleries, restaurants and clubs, Sofia may persuade you to stick around and explore further.

Must-see attractions

Explore all
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/top
  • containerId: gpt-ad-262630704396
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "bulgaria/sofia",
  "destination": "Sofia",
  "title": "sofia",
  "type": "City",
  "city": "Sofia",
  "region": "Eastern-Europe",
  "country": "Bulgaria",
  "continent": "Europe",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/middle
  • containerId: gpt-ad-76906158029
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "bulgaria/sofia",
  "destination": "Sofia",
  "title": "sofia",
  "type": "City",
  "city": "Sofia",
  "region": "Eastern-Europe",
  "country": "Bulgaria",
  "continent": "Europe",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}

Get a book. Get inspired. Get exploring.

Explore all books

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Sofia

  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/bottom
  • containerId: gpt-ad-387054944232
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "bulgaria/sofia",
  "destination": "Sofia",
  "title": "sofia",
  "type": "City",
  "city": "Sofia",
  "region": "Eastern-Europe",
  "country": "Bulgaria",
  "continent": "Europe",
  "refresh": 30,
  "refresh_limit": 3
}