How many days do you need in Sofia?

The top 8 places in the centre take about 1 day at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 3 days for the top 20 places within walking distance.

What are the top things to do in Sofia?

Highlights: Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Banya Bashi Mosque, Saint Sophia Church, National Archaeological Museum, Bulgaria and Saint Nedelya Church. The map has 30 things to do in total.

How do you get from the airport to Sofia city centre?

Sofia (SOF): M4 metro (Terminal 2) ≈ 25 min

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Sofia Things to do and walking itinerary

Bulgaria

Sofia travel guide

30 things to do in Sofia, where to stay, airport transfers. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.

Top things to do in Sofia

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral — Bulgarian Orthodox cathedral in Sofia, Bulgaria (visit ≈ 120 min)
Banya Bashi Mosque — mosque in Bulgaria (visit ≈ 30 min)
Saint Sophia Church — church building in Sofia, Bulgaria (visit ≈ 30 min)
National Archaeological Museum, Bulgaria — archaeological museum in Sofia, Bulgaria (visit ≈ 120 min)
Saint Nedelya Church — Metropolitan Cathedral Church in Sofia (visit ≈ 35 min)
Ivan Vazov National Theatre — theatre in Sofia, Bulgaria (visit ≈ 20 min)
Central Synagogue of Sofia — Sephardic Jewish congregation and synagogue in Sofia (visit ≈ 30 min)
Saint George Rotunda Church — Early Christian red brick rotunda that is considered the oldest church building in Sofia, Bulgaria (visit ≈ 30 min)
National Art Gallery of Bulgaria — art museum in Sofia, Bulgaria (visit ≈ 120 min)
Russian Church, Sofia — church in Sofia, Bulgaria (visit ≈ 30 min)
Georgi Dimitrov Mausoleum — former tomb in Sofia, Bulgaria (visit ≈ 15 min)
Cathedral of St Joseph, Sofia — cathedral (visit ≈ 35 min)
Seven Saints Church — church building in Sofia, Bulgaria (visit ≈ 30 min)
Monument to the Tsar Liberator — equestrian monument of Alexander II in the centre of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria (visit ≈ 15 min)
National Museum of Military History — museum in Sofia, Bulgaria (visit ≈ 120 min)
Sofia Zoo — zoological garden in Sofia (visit ≈ 150 min)
Saint Petka of the Saddlemakers Church — medieval Bulgarian Orthodox church in Sofia (visit ≈ 30 min)
Largo — architectural ensemble of three Socialist Classicism edifices in central Sofia (visit ≈ 15 min)
Battenberg Mausoleum — memorial tomb in Sofia, Bulgaria (visit ≈ 15 min)
Serdica — ancient city of Bulgaria (visit ≈ 60 min)
National Gallery for Foreign Art — Bulgarian gallery located on St. Alexander Nevsky Square in Sofia (visit ≈ 120 min)
Monument to the Soviet Army — monument located in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria (visit ≈ 15 min)
Cathedral of the Dormition, Sofia — church in Sofia, Bulgaria (visit ≈ 35 min)
Russian Monument — monument in Sofia, Bulgaria (visit ≈ 15 min)
Sarmadzhiev House — house in Sofia, Bulgaria (visit ≈ 15 min)
National Polytechnical Museum — museum in Bulgaria (visit ≈ 120 min)
Earth and Man National Museum — Mineralogical museum in Sofia, Bulgaria (visit ≈ 120 min)
Borisova Gradina — park in Sofia, Bulgaria (visit ≈ 45 min)
Amphitheatre of Serdica — Roman amphitheatre in Sofia, Bulgaria (visit ≈ 60 min)
City Garden — public garden in Sofia, Bulgaria (visit ≈ 45 min)

1-day Sofia walking itinerary

Starting point: Vitosha Boulevard. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.

Day 1 (≈ 4.1 km · 5,530 steps · 55 min on the way): Ivan Vazov National Theatre → Alexander Nevsky Cathedral → Saint Sophia Church → National Archaeological Museum, Bulgaria → Saint George Rotunda Church → Banya Bashi Mosque → Central Synagogue of Sofia → Saint Nedelya Church

Where to stay in Sofia

Vitosha Boulevard: Pedestrian street lined with cafés and restaurants.
Serdika / Centre: Historic centre where two metro lines meet.
Oborishte: Quiet, elegant area near the Nevsky Cathedral.
Lozenets: Green, quiet and local; close to South Park.
Central Station Area: Train and bus stations; the lowest prices.

Getting from the airport to Sofia

Sofia (SOF): M4 metro (Terminal 2) ≈ 25 min

Getting around

The centre is walkable; the metro is fast and cheap, and trams and buses use the same ticket. You can tap on with a contactless card.

Classic places to eat

Hadjidraganov's Houses: Traditional Bulgarian food with live folk music.
Shtastliveca: Modern Bulgarian cuisine in the centre; aubergine and kavarma.
Moma Bulgarian Food & Spirits: A modern take on Bulgarian village dishes.
Manastirska Magernitsa: Traditional Bulgarian dishes from monastery recipes.
Tsentralni Hali: Covered market from 1911; snacks and banitsa.
Chevermeto: Spit-roast lamb and Bulgarian dishes with a folk dance show.
Divaka: Generous Bulgarian grills and shopska salad.

Romantic views

Borisova Garden (Afternoon): The city's oldest park, with a pond and shady paths.
Doctors' Garden (Afternoon): A small, quiet park scattered with ancient stones.
Lovers' Bridge (Evening): A popular meeting point, as its name says, leading to Vitosha Boulevard.
Vitosha Boulevard (Evening): A pedestrian street with Mount Vitosha in the background.

Football stadiums in Sofia

Balgarska Armia Stadium: Home of PFC CSKA Sofia
Georgi Asparuhov Stadium: Home of PFC Levski Sofia
Ovcha Kupel Stadium: Home of PFC Slavia Sofia
Lokomotiv Stadium: Home of FC Lokomotiv 1929 Sofia

Good to know before visiting Sofia

Fine: Motorways require an e-vignette.
Fine: Smoking indoors is banned.
Warning: Check the tariff on taxi windows or use an app.
Bulgaria adopted the euro in 2026; prices may still be shown in both currencies.
Some Bulgarians shake their head for yes and nod for no.
Cover shoulders and knees in Orthodox churches.

Emergency: 112
Plugs: C/F, 230V
Tap water: Tap water is safe to drink.
Tipping: About 10% is customary.

Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Bulgaria, Wikivoyage — Bulgaria, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10

Sofia travel FAQ

How many days do you need in Sofia?: The top 8 places in the centre take about 1 day at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 3 days for the top 20 places within walking distance.
What are the top things to do in Sofia?: Highlights: Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Banya Bashi Mosque, Saint Sophia Church, National Archaeological Museum, Bulgaria and Saint Nedelya Church. The map has 30 things to do in total.
Where to stay in Sofia?: Vitosha Boulevard: Pedestrian street lined with cafés and restaurants. Other options: Serdika / Centre, Oborishte, Lozenets and Central Station Area.
How do you get from the airport to Sofia city centre?: Sofia (SOF): M4 metro (Terminal 2) ≈ 25 min
How do you get around Sofia?: The centre is walkable; the metro is fast and cheap, and trams and buses use the same ticket. You can tap on with a contactless card.
What is the emergency number in Sofia?: Emergency: 112.
Do you tip in Sofia?: About 10% is customary.

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