Sofia
Bulgaria
- Safety rating
- 7.7/10
- Best time to visit
- May, June, and September offer mild weather, while winter is great for skiing on nearby Vitosha and Borovets.
- Population
- 1.3M
Overview
Bulgaria's laid-back capital layers Roman ruins, golden-domed cathedrals, and Soviet monuments beneath the slopes of Vitosha Mountain. Affordable, green, and increasingly hip, Sofia rewards travelers with mineral springs, lively galleries, and easy access to skiing and hiking.
Top attractions
See Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the ancient Serdica ruins, Boyana Church, and the Vitosha Boulevard promenade.
Getting around
An efficient metro, trams, and buses cover the city, and the historic center is comfortably walkable.