Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, is one of the Eastern European destinations that have been making their way into the world of tourism in recent years. Rich in history, art, culture and completely surrounded by nature, it is full of wonderful attractions and things to do! Not only that: it is a really cheap destination, so you can stay in the centre regardless of your budget! But which streets and accommodation are recommended? Here are all our tips on where to stay in Sofia!
Useful tips: the best neighbourhoods to stay in
Let's start with the assumption that Sofia is a fairly cheap city. All the more reason why it is best to sleep in the historical centre, the Sofia Center. It's suitable for everyone and you can find great deals: if you're looking for nightlife and fun, we recommend Bulevard Vitosha, full of clubs and the hub of the city centre's nightlife; if you're travelling with your family or want a bit more peace and quiet, we recommend the Oborishte area, between the Aleksandr Nevsky Cathedral and Park Zaimov.
Outside the centre, the most suitable districts for families are Lozenets and Vitosha. Both are surrounded by greenery and very quiet, but Vitosha is located at the foot of the mountain of the same name, quite far from the centre. Only consider it if you come to Sofia in winter, as the ski slopes are not far away. It is also a good neighbourhood to save money. If you are looking for nightlife and entertainment, we recommend Studentski, Sofia's university district, which is very lively both during the day and at night, thanks to its many clubs. This is also a good area to save money.
Recommended areas to save money: Studentski, Vitosha
Recommended areas forfamilies with children: Sofia Center (Oborishte), Lozenets, Vitosha
Recommended areas foryoung people: Sofia Center (Bulevard Vitosha), Studentski
Bestaccommodation: We have selected the best hotels, B&Bs and hostels in Sofia. Discover our recommendations and book on Booking
If you are in Sofia on business or as a one-day stopover to other destinations, consider sleeping near the airport. Find the best solutions and selected hotels on booking.com
Sofia area guide
Sofia, despite being the capital and largest city in Bulgaria, is truly a city on a human scale, rich in green areas. It covers about 490 square kilometres and is home to just under 1,500,000 inhabitants.
The subdivision of the city is very simple: Sofia is divided into 24 districts, each of which may contain several districts. Those of most interest from a tourist point of view are the central ones, which develop from the centre area and Bulevard Vistosha, one of the city's main arteries.
Areas to avoid: suburbs such as Filipovtsi, Fakulteta, Moderno predgradie and areas near stadiums when there are matches. Similarly, in the evening it is best to avoid station areas and subways, especially if you are alone.
Sofia Centre
The historical centre is definitely the best area to sleep in Sofia, especially if you are visiting the Bulgarian capital for the first time or just staying for a weekend. Here you will be in the centre of the city, close to the main attractions! You'll be within walking distance of the wonderful Aleksandr Nevsky Cathedral, the large Tsentrali Hali market, St John's Rotunda and some of the most important museums.
In addition, Sofia is a very cheap destination, so even if you are travelling cheap here you will have no problem finding accommodation.
If you arelooking for night life, then we recommend Bulevard Vitosha, the main street, full of clubs and shops. If you are looking for a quieter area or are travelling with your family, head towards Oborishte, between the Aleksandr Nevsky Cathedral and Zaimov Park.
Finally, if you stay here you can get around easily on foot! Several areas are pedestrianised, the attractions are all close together and there are great parks! The neighbourhood is also served by public transport!
Average prices in the district range from around €20.00 for low-cost accommodation to €170.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
3-star hotel, rooms with desk, TV, private bathroom and linen. Continental breakfast and free Wifi | |
Hostel behind Bulevard Vitosha. Free WiFi, garden with terrace, free air conditioning, coffee corner. Private rooms, shared bathroom. Ideal for young people | |
Hostel a few steps from Bulevard Vitosha. Free WiFi, shared kitchen, terrace, garden and laundry. Private rooms, private or shared bathroom. Ideal for young people | |
5-star hotel near the Aleksandr Nevsky Cathedral. Swimming pool, spa and wellness centre, gym, restaurant. Ideal for couples |
Lozenets
Photo by MrPanyGoff. Lozenets is one of the quietest and most beautiful areas in Sofia! It is a residential neighbourhood, as well as one of the most expensive areas in the capital. Just south of the city centre, the district is completely surrounded by greenery, between the large parks of South Park and Loven. The latter is also home to Sofia Zoo. Also, in the northern part, is the National Palace of Culture.
This district is especially recommended for families with children or, more generally, for those seeking peace and quiet and who want to stay in the middle of nature! In addition to large green areas, the area has many amenities, including shops, restaurants and trendy clubs!
Finally, by staying here you can get around on foot or by transport. From the National Palace of Culture you can reach the Aleksandr Nevsky Cathedral in about 25 minutes on foot. Alternatively, the area is served by the M2 metro line and tram line 10.
Average prices in the district range from around €15.00 for low-cost accommodation to €150.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
5-star hotel with an indoor pool, 6 restaurants, 4 bars, a fitness centre, panoramic city and mountain views. Possibility of family rooms and many facilities. Free WiFi | |
Flat with private parking and free WiFi. It has 2 rooms and a sofa bed . Suitable for families or small groups. | |
80s-style hotel with family rooms. Free parking and pets allowed. |
Studentski
Photos of Apostoloff. Studentski is the university district of Sofia! Located in the southern part of the city and bordered to the north by Loven Park, this is where most of the university departments are located. There are no particular attractions, but it is a very lively neighbourhood, at any time of the day or night!
Given these characteristics, it is definitely recommended for young people and those in search of nightlife: the area is full of clubs open until late! But not only that, it is also one of the cheapest areas in Sofia, making it ideal for those who want to save even more on accommodation!
Finally, staying here requires taking transport. The neighbourhood is served by the M1 and M4 metro, and from the G.M. Dimitrov stop you can get to the centre by getting off at the Serdika stop (near the Statue of St. Sofia) in just 10 min.
Average prices in the neighbourhood range from around €20.00 for low-cost accommodation to €100.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
3-star Aparthotel with a choice of room, studio, one- or two-room flat. Private parking and WiFi connection. Ideal for couples, families and small groups | |
Residence with free WiFi, air conditioning, shared lounge and terrace. Units with lounge and private bathroom. Ideal for couples and young people | |
30 sqm flat. Studio apartment with equipped kitchenette and full bathroom. WiFi connection and lift. Ideal for couples | |
4-star hotel with spa and wellness centre, parking, restaurant and bar. Airport shuttle service. Ideal for couples |
Vitosha
Photo by Original author and uploader was Elena Chochkova (Елена Чочкова). Finally, we recommend the Vitosha district. In this case, this area is especially recommended if you have already visited the city or if you come in the winter to ski, as you will be not far from the city's big ski facilities.
On the other hand, however, it is quite far from the centre. The district is developed at the foot of the mountain of the same name and the best area to stay in is definitely Boyana, where the famous church is also located or where paths lead to the waterfall of the same name.
The Vitosha district is especially recommended for families and nature lovers: you will be within walking distance of numerous hikes, you will have a wonderful view of the mountains and the area is very quiet. There is, of course, no shortage of accommodation and amenities!
Finally, if you stay here, you will necessarily have to use transport. The area is partly served by the metro: from the Boyana Church, for example, you first have to take the bus line 64 to the Vitosha Metrostation, from there you can then take the M2 metro line to the centre (1 h).
Average prices in the district range from around €25.00 for low-cost accommodation to €150.00 for high-budget solutions - compare the selection of the best accommodation on booking
Recommended accommodations
Accommodation | Description |
|---|---|
3-star hotel with restaurant and WiFi. Rooms with mountain or city views. Ideal for couples | |
Hostel with WiFi, 24-hour reception, garden and vending machines for snacks and drinks. Single, double or triple rooms, private bathroom. Ideal for young people | |
90 sqm flat with 2 bedrooms, equipped kitchen, two bathrooms, washing machine and terrace. Ideal for families and groups of up to 6 people | |
5-star hotel with kids' club, 24-hour reception, free WiFi, restaurant and garden. Ideal for couples and families |
Countries near Sofia where to stay
Regardless of the type of your trip, whether you are travelling for business or leisure, whether you are staying two nights or a whole week, the best solution is always to sleep in the city. As we have seen, Sofia is a really inexpensive destination, where you can find great accommodation at very competitive prices even in the city centre!
Moreover, there are not many alternatives for staying in the surroundings. Outside Sofia there are mainly small resorts, with very little tourist offer. Also, you have to take into account travelling time and the cost of possible trains and buses, which are not always on time. You could consider renting a car, but doing the maths is not at all convenient. It is easier to stay in the centre of Sofia!
