Guidebook for Sofia
Food Scene
This is a great restaurant. This restaurant's chef is one of the hosts on the Bulgarian MasterChef TV show and the food is delicious. :-) Highly recommended.
20 locals recommend
Chef's Restaurant
ulitsa "Lyubata"This is a great restaurant. This restaurant's chef is one of the hosts on the Bulgarian MasterChef TV show and the food is delicious. :-) Highly recommended.
Андрé
11 ul. AksakovFine restaurant and tasty food.
Umami
бул. "Джеймс Баучер Blvd "James Bourchier"Great place. Japanese cuisine.
L'etranger restaurant
78 ul. "Tsar Simeon"Fine French cuisine for special occasions.
Pastorant
16 ul. "Tsar Asen"Nice atmosphere and fine pasta.
Crystal Steak House
14 ul. AksakovVery fine restaurant If you are looking for a great stake.
JoVan The Dutch Bakery
37 ul. "Angel Kanchev"Wonderful Dutch bakery in downtown Sofia
King's Bakery
38 улица „Люботрън“Great bakery shop nearby.
Ashurbanipal
Best hummus in Sofia. Don't let the "CLOSED" sign fool you.
Ale House
42 ul. "Hristo Belchev"Great beer place.
Boom! Burgers
12 bul. "Tsar Osvoboditel"Great burger place.
Confetti
4 ul. "Graf Ignatiev"Largest selection of Italian gelato.
Leo's Pizza Trattoria
5 bul. "Nikola Y. Vaptsarov"Authentic Italian pizza.
Captain Cook Narodno Sabranie
ploshtad "Narodno sabranie"Great sea food.
Ракия Ракета Бар
17 bul. "Yanko Sakazov"Great Bulgarian cuisine and bar.
Moma Bulgarian Food and Wine
28 ul. "Solunska"Modern Bulgarian cuisine.
Made in Home
30 ul. "Angel Kanchev"Really great food and vegetarian options
Cosmos Restaurant / Космос
19 ul. "Laveleye"Bulgarian gourmet cuisine.
MARIONETTE Bar & Dinner
100 Blvd "James Bourchier"Nice bar and restaurant nearby.
Nepali Gurkha Restaurant
56 ul. "Tsvetna Gradina"Great Nepali food.
Soul Kitchen
13 ul. "Kokiche"Nice vegetarian food and outdoor space.
Sasaguri
9 до блVery good sushi bar.
Spaghetti Kitchen
9 ul. "6-ti septemvri"Good food and nice garden.
Good food on the main walking street in Sofia.
15 locals recommend
Social Cafe Bar & Kitchen restaurant
16 bul. "Vitosha"Good food on the main walking street in Sofia.
Tabiet Restaurant
76 Blvd "James Bourchier"very good restaurant nearby
Tavan
98 бул. „България“Great view and good food.
The Little Things
37 ul. "Tsar Ivan Shishman"Great vegetarian cuisine.
Shtastlivetsa
27 bul. "Vitosha"Good food in downtown Sofia.
DaOrganic restaurant
22 ул. „Алабин И. Вл.“Great bakery and vegetarian restaurant
Ресторант Victoria Piccola
26 bulevard "Cherni vrah"Good restaurant and pizza place.
Umamido Sofia
12Б ul. "Stefan Karadzha"Best ramen in Sofia.
2 Giraffes
Drinks & Nightlife
One of the trendiest clubs in Sofia. Great people and chalga music (Bulgarian ethno music).
13 locals recommend
Megami Club
бул. „Джеймс Баучер Blvd "James Bourchier"One of the trendiest clubs in Sofia. Great people and chalga music (Bulgarian ethno music).
Good place for a quick lunch or an evening retreat. Some Fridays or Saturdays they have live DJ's.
13 locals recommend
club ONYX
bul. "Tsar Osvoboditel bul. "Tsar Osvoboditel"Good place for a quick lunch or an evening retreat. Some Fridays or Saturdays they have live DJ's.
PM Club
ulitsa "Pozitano"Dance club in downtown Sofia.
Bedroom Premium Club
2 ul. LegeDance club
Planet Club Sofia
1 бул. „България“Very popular bar.
This is one of the most popular chalga (Bulgarian country music) place in the city. Beautiful women and well-built men having fun.
ReVue Fashion
28 ul. AksakovThis is one of the most popular chalga (Bulgarian country music) place in the city. Beautiful women and well-built men having fun.
This is one of the most popular and oldest chalga (Bulgarian country music) place in the city.
10 locals recommend
Biad Premium Club
16 ul. "General Yosif V. Gourko"This is one of the most popular and oldest chalga (Bulgarian country music) place in the city.
Beach Bar
106 ulitsa „Georgi S. Rakovski“Great outdoor bar.
By the Way
166 ulitsa „Georgi S. Rakovski“Great bar.
Memento Vitosha
32 bul. "Vitosha"Great coffee and cocktail bar.
One More Bar
3-5 ul. "Tsar Ivan Shishman"Great bar.
Casa De Cuba
1 ul. "Tsvetna Gradina"Great cocktails.
Sense Hotel Sofia
16 bul. "Tsar Osvoboditel"Great view of the city. Pricey
The Corner
35 bulevard "Nikola Y. Vaptsarov"Nice view from the top floor.
Yalta Club
20 bul. "Tsar Osvoboditel"The best electronic music club in Sofia.
бирария Халбите
72 ul. "Neofit Rilski"A nice pub in downtown Sofia.
Parks & Nature
South Park is one of the largest parks in the city. It is very well maintained. It is very lively especially during the weekends. It is just steps away from the apartment.
143 locals recommend
South Park
South Park is one of the largest parks in the city. It is very well maintained. It is very lively especially during the weekends. It is just steps away from the apartment.
Great place for a walk in the Vitosha park near Sofia. The site is accessible by a 6.27 km gondola lift from Sofia’s suburb of Simeonovo, and by road from the suburb of Dragalevtsi.
14 locals recommend
Aleko hut
улица „Буйновско ждрело“Great place for a walk in the Vitosha park near Sofia. The site is accessible by a 6.27 km gondola lift from Sofia’s suburb of Simeonovo, and by road from the suburb of Dragalevtsi.
Kopitoto
A great view of the whole city.
Golden Bridges
Great place for a walk in the nature.
This is Crystal Park - a place famous in the end of the 80's - it is where the first democratic protests were held, just before communism went away.
45 locals recommend
Crystal Garden
This is Crystal Park - a place famous in the end of the 80's - it is where the first democratic protests were held, just before communism went away.
Sightseeing
The St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is a Bulgarian Orthodox cathedral in Sofia. It is one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world, as well as one of Sofia's symbols and primary tourist attractions.
369 locals recommend
St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral
ploshtad "Sveti Aleksandar Nevski"The St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is a Bulgarian Orthodox cathedral in Sofia. It is one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world, as well as one of Sofia's symbols and primary tourist attractions.
With the participation of the UNESCO Banner of Peace children’s movement, the Bells Monument was built in 30 days
9 locals recommend
Park "Kambanite"
With the participation of the UNESCO Banner of Peace children’s movement, the Bells Monument was built in 30 days
Early-1900s Sephardic synagogue with an octagonal dome, large chandelier & museum on Jewish history.
54 locals recommend
Sofia Synagogue
16 Exarch Joseph StreetEarly-1900s Sephardic synagogue with an octagonal dome, large chandelier & museum on Jewish history.
6th-century Byzantine church with a largely brick interior, paintings & an underground crypt. The city is named after the church.
80 locals recommend
St. Sophia Church
2 ul. "Paris"6th-century Byzantine church with a largely brick interior, paintings & an underground crypt. The city is named after the church.
The most popular square in Sofia. It is named after Bulgarian writers Petko and Pencho Slaveykov. You can buy or exchange books here.
11 locals recommend
ploshtad "Petko R. Slaveykov"
ploshtad "Petko R. Slaveykov"The most popular square in Sofia. It is named after Bulgarian writers Petko and Pencho Slaveykov. You can buy or exchange books here.
At the heart of Sofia is ploshtad Sveta Nedelya, a pedestrianized square dominated by the distinctive Sveta Nedelya Church, whose broad dome dominates the vast interior chamber. Modern frescoes adorn every square inch of its walls.
7 locals recommend
ploshtad "Sveta Nedelya"
ploshtad "Sveta Nedelya"At the heart of Sofia is ploshtad Sveta Nedelya, a pedestrianized square dominated by the distinctive Sveta Nedelya Church, whose broad dome dominates the vast interior chamber. Modern frescoes adorn every square inch of its walls.
Small, unassuming orthodox church made of stone & filled with many ancient biblical murals.
31 locals recommend
Sveta Petka
Small, unassuming orthodox church made of stone & filled with many ancient biblical murals.
Presidential Palace (right), the former Communist Party Head Quarters (center), and TZUM - department store (left). Complex below displays the remains of the Roman city, Serdica, that once occupied this area.
12 locals recommend
ploshtad "Nezavisimost"
ploshtad "Nezavisimost"Presidential Palace (right), the former Communist Party Head Quarters (center), and TZUM - department store (left). Complex below displays the remains of the Roman city, Serdica, that once occupied this area.
The National Assembly (Bulgarian: Народно събрание, Narodno sabranie) is the unicameral parliament and body of the legislative of Bulgaria. Across it is the statue of Tsar Alexander II of Russia who liberated Bulgaria from Ottoman rule.
11 locals recommend
ploshtad "Narodno sabranie"
ploshtad "Narodno sabranie"The National Assembly (Bulgarian: Народно събрание, Narodno sabranie) is the unicameral parliament and body of the legislative of Bulgaria. Across it is the statue of Tsar Alexander II of Russia who liberated Bulgaria from Ottoman rule.
It is also a popular location for the youngest to arrange their meetings there. The lover’s bridge has been popular in recent years as an exhibition place too. Several open air art work exhibitions have taken place there.
Lovers Bridge
Mosta na vliubeniteIt is also a popular location for the youngest to arrange their meetings there. The lover’s bridge has been popular in recent years as an exhibition place too. Several open air art work exhibitions have taken place there.
Vasil Levski is the greatest Bulgarian national Hero. He was hanged by the Turks and at the place of his death the Bulgarians erected a monument.
24 locals recommend
Vasil Levski Monument
bulevard "Vasil Levski"Vasil Levski is the greatest Bulgarian national Hero. He was hanged by the Turks and at the place of his death the Bulgarians erected a monument.
Borisova Gradina
Largest park in Sofia.
The Boyana Church is a medieval Bulgarian Orthodox church. The Boyana Church was built in three stages: in the late 10th to early 11th, the mid-13th, and the mid-19th centuries.
102 locals recommend
Boyana Church Museum
3 ul. "Boyansko ezero"The Boyana Church is a medieval Bulgarian Orthodox church. The Boyana Church was built in three stages: in the late 10th to early 11th, the mid-13th, and the mid-19th centuries.
Eagle Bridge
33 bul. "Tsar Osvoboditel"Eagle's Bridge
The Church of St George is an Early Christian red brick rotunda that is considered the oldest building in Sofia
74 locals recommend
The Rotunda Church of St George
2 bul. Kniaz Aleksandar DondukovThe Church of St George is an Early Christian red brick rotunda that is considered the oldest building in Sofia
Lion's Bridge Station
Lion's Bridge
The largest, multifunctional conference and exhibition center in south-eastern Europe. It was opened in 1981 in celebration of Bulgaria's 1300th anniversary.
182 locals recommend
Park National Palace of Culture
Bulevard "Bulgaria"The largest, multifunctional conference and exhibition center in south-eastern Europe. It was opened in 1981 in celebration of Bulgaria's 1300th anniversary.
Its construction was completed in 1566, during the years the Ottomans had control of the city. The mosque derives its name from the phrase Banya Bashi, which means many baths. The mosque was actually built over natural thermal spas.
45 locals recommend
Banya Bashi Mosque
18 булевард „кн. Мария Луиза“Its construction was completed in 1566, during the years the Ottomans had control of the city. The mosque derives its name from the phrase Banya Bashi, which means many baths. The mosque was actually built over natural thermal spas.
It is the oldest higher education institution in Bulgaria, founded on 1 October, 1888 with the financial support of the brothers Evlogi Georgiev and Hristo Georgiev, whose sculptures are now featured on its façade.
99 locals recommend
Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski
15 bul. "Tsar Osvoboditel"It is the oldest higher education institution in Bulgaria, founded on 1 October, 1888 with the financial support of the brothers Evlogi Georgiev and Hristo Georgiev, whose sculptures are now featured on its façade.
The copper and bronze statue by the sculptor Georgi Chapkanov, stands on a 12m high pedestal.
30 locals recommend
Saint Sofia Monument
The copper and bronze statue by the sculptor Georgi Chapkanov, stands on a 12m high pedestal.
Very beautiful Russian church in downtown Sofia. It is the church of St. Nicholas of Miracle-Maker, known as the Russian church in Sofia. It was built by Russian workers during the Tsar Nikolay period and by its instructions.
104 locals recommend
Russian Church "Sveti Nikolay Mirlikiiski"
3 bul. "Tsar Osvoboditel"Very beautiful Russian church in downtown Sofia. It is the church of St. Nicholas of Miracle-Maker, known as the Russian church in Sofia. It was built by Russian workers during the Tsar Nikolay period and by its instructions.
Arts & Culture
The museum’s collection of New and Contemporary Bulgarian art from the period since Bulgaria’s Liberation in 1878 up to the 1990s consists of more than 30,000 individual pieces of paintings, prints and sculptures.The place has rich history.
178 locals recommend
National Art Gallery
1 пл. „Княз Александър I“The museum’s collection of New and Contemporary Bulgarian art from the period since Bulgaria’s Liberation in 1878 up to the 1990s consists of more than 30,000 individual pieces of paintings, prints and sculptures.The place has rich history.
Founded on 4 April 1878. It is named after "SS. Cyril and Methodius"; Saints Cyril and Methodius. They are the creators of the Glagolitic alphabet. The Cyrillic alphabet is named after Cyril.
42 locals recommend
Sts. Cyril and Methodius National Library
bulevard "Vasil Levski"Founded on 4 April 1878. It is named after "SS. Cyril and Methodius"; Saints Cyril and Methodius. They are the creators of the Glagolitic alphabet. The Cyrillic alphabet is named after Cyril.
Great museum for natural science down the street.
34 locals recommend
Earth and People National Museum
4 bulevard "Cherni vrah"Great museum for natural science down the street.
The museum includes a cloakroom, cafe, library and souvenir shop. It undertakes professional conservation and restoration of historical monuments, authenticity investigations and expert valuation.
111 locals recommend
National Museum of History
16 ul. "Vitoshko lale"The museum includes a cloakroom, cafe, library and souvenir shop. It undertakes professional conservation and restoration of historical monuments, authenticity investigations and expert valuation.
Ivan Vazov National Theater
5 ul. "Dyakon Ignatiy"The national theater.
National Opera and Ballet
30 bul. Kniaz Aleksandar DondukovSofia Opera House
The permanent exhibition can be seen in 8 different rooms which covered the period between 6th millennium BC up to 1940s.
78 locals recommend
Regional History Museum - Sofia
1 Platno.„Banski"The permanent exhibition can be seen in 8 different rooms which covered the period between 6th millennium BC up to 1940s.
Shopping
Supermarket Mandarin
булевард „Джеймс Баучър"Open 24/7.
The Central Sofia Market Hall, known popularly simply as The Market Hall is a covered market in the center of Sofia
73 locals recommend
Sofia's Central Market Hall
25 булевард „кн. Мария Луиза“The Central Sofia Market Hall, known popularly simply as The Market Hall is a covered market in the center of Sofia
The main walking boulevard in Sofia full of shops and restaurants.
81 locals recommend
bulevard "Vitosha"
bulevard "Vitosha"The main walking boulevard in Sofia full of shops and restaurants.
Paradise Center
100 bulevard "Cherni vrah"Very big shopping mall nearby.
Biggest market for groceries, spices and Middle-Eastern products in Sofia.
40 locals recommend
Zhenski Pazar Station
Biggest market for groceries, spices and Middle-Eastern products in Sofia.
Entertainment & Activities
Long-running zoo with regional & exotic species, aviary, aquarium, breeding & adoption programs.
45 locals recommend
Zoo Sofia
37-11 ul. "Srebarna"Long-running zoo with regional & exotic species, aviary, aquarium, breeding & adoption programs.