I would definitely recommend JayWay to anyone thinking of visiting Romania and Bulgaria! A great itinerary and everyone we met through the company were the best!!
- Ed, Paul & Jonathan - New York
Custom tour packagesSofia
Sofia is a compact city with an impressive historical center. All the highlights of the city are close together, so it's easy to explore on foot. Sofia feels like a big city, but you’ll also find a nice mix of neighborhoods. Each district feels distinct and cozy. That variety extends to the sights as well. There’s so much to see in Sofia, from grand churches to Habsburg-influenced buildings with stunning designs. There's also the occasional archeological site from the city's ancient incarnation as Serdica. Sofia may seem inscrutable at first, but that just means there’s more to discover. It’s the perfect destination for people who like to find something unique around every corner while taking in beautiful architecture. Sofia is a lovely place to wander off the beaten path. You'll find fun surprises down every winding street.
A laid-back big city with an ancient past. There's more to Sofia than meets the eye.
Besides the sights, which range from historic to quirky, Sofia offers a vibrant dining scene. There's more than enough cutting-edge cafes and restaurants to enjoy. The food and drink are reasonably priced and the local cuisine is hearty. Meat lovers are in luck. But diners who prefer lighter fare needn’t worry. There are also plenty of Bulgarian recipes featuring fresh vegetables. Be sure to explore outside of the city when you visit. There are many excellent day trips from Sofia and places to stay overnight, including Plovdiv and Rila. Sofia will open up the region to you. You’ll have a wonderful time enjoying this atmospheric destination, its cuisine, history and culture. Sofia is a lovely city and a highlight of travel in Bulgaria.
Popular itineraries featuring Sofia
Spend some time in Sofia on a tour that takes in other cities in Bulgaria and neighboring countries. Our custom tour packages including Sofia and other destinations throughout Bulgaria and Europe make multi-city trips hassle-free. We take care of getting you from place to place, accommodation, excursions and activities.
from $3,400Hidden Christmas Markets of Eastern Europe: Transylvania to Bulgaria
from $2,900Orthodox Cultures of The Balkans
from $3,150The Best of Bulgaria: From Sofia to the Coast and Back
from $3,700Best of Bulgaria & Romania in 11 Days
from $4,575Romania & Bulgaria: Capitals, Coast & Countryside
from $7,375UNESCO Heritage in Romania & BulgariaThings to do in Sofia
Besides the fascinating stories of Sofia's long history, the city also provides an excellent base for further exploration of the country, with a combined day trip to two of Bulgaria's UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Rila Monastery and Boyana Church being one of the best sellers in our selection. When we send you your customized itinerary you will be able to choose additional excursions to include in your vacation package or consider for adding later.
Rila and Boyana Private Day Tour (UNESCO Heritage)
Rose Valley and Koprivshtitsa Private Tour
Traditional Bulgarian Dinner and Wine Tasting Private TourWhere to stay in Sofia
When traveling with us, you don't need to worry that your hotel won't live up to its star rating. All of the accommodation options we offer in Sofia have been hand-picked and provide the perfect base for exploring this city. We can offer options from a nice B&B to luxury hotels providing the city's best views (one even has Roman ruins in its foyer). Once we start preparing your customized itinerary we will present our recommended options for you to select from.
Urban Design Hotel
Comfortable rooms, each with its own character and modern design.
Classic Modern Hotel
Comfortable accommodation in prime location.
Luxury Heritage Hotel
An impressively massive communist-era hotel, this is a uniquely styled location with old-fashioned five-star luxury. Great views of the city.
From our team
What we love about Sofia
When I think about Sofia, I can’t help but remember the fabulous traditional cuisine and local wines at Shtastlivetsa Restaurant. No matter how many other good places I’ve tried, I keep coming back here whenever I'm in town. As for the city itself, my favorite thing is to walk from the Atanas Burov Square, admire the surrounding palaces, cut through the Royal Garden, go around the Nevski Cathedral, and stop on a bench in the little park in front of Sofia University.
Olivia
Trip Planner Team Leader
Where can you go from Sofia?
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Glowing Reviews From Our Guests
The JayWay Travel experience is customized and personalized. Each trip will be unique to you and it is a wonderful way to ensure you focus on what matters most while travelling (sights, activities, etc.) rather than booking hotels, transfers, etc. that take up so much of your time and energy.
- Todd & Jennifer - Ontario
You are the kings and queens of travel!
- Dale, Anne & John - Arizona
Frequently Asked Questionsabout Travel to Sofia
How long should I stay in Sofia?
We recommend spending 2-3 days in Sofia. First, you need a full day to cover the most important attractions in the city center. For a day trip, you should definitely visit the unique, UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery and Boyana Church. Another possible day trip includes Rose Valley, the ancient Thracian tombs at Kazanluk, and the town of Koprivshtitsa, preserved in its full 19th century glory. The latter day-trip can also be done while traveling between Sofia and Bucharest, Veliko Tarnovo, or the Black Sea.
What are Sofia's must-see sights?
Everything worth visiting is around the city center. Your bucket-list should start with the Aleksander Nevski Cathedral, Bulgaria’s most impressive cathedral. Next, there’s the 6th century Byzantine-style St. Sofia Church, the Sofia Synagogue (Europe's third largest), and the Banya Bashi Mosque. As for museums and palaces, you should check everything surrounding the inner City Garden, including the National Art Museum, Theatre, Opera, and Archeological Museum, the Military Club, and Government and Presidential palaces. Last but not least, the National History Museum is a wealth of information, covering 8,000 years of history.