Where to stay in Sofia: best areas and neighborhoods

Sofia is divided into 24 districts, each of which may contain multiple neighborhoods. The most interesting ones from a tourist perspective are the central districts, which develop from the downtown area and Bulevard Vitosha, one of the city's main arteries.

Here are all our tips on where to stay in Sofia!

In a hurry? Here's our recommended accommodation

Useful tips: the best neighborhoods to stay

Foto di Travel365.

Not recommended areas: peripheral districts such as Filipovtsi, Fakulteta, Moderno predgradie, and areas near stadiums on match days. Likewise, avoid station areas and underpasses at night, especially when alone.

We assume that Sofia is a fairly cheap city. All the more reason, the best solution is to stay in the historic center, or the Sofia Center. It is suitable for everyone and you can find great deals: if you are looking for nightlife and fun we recommend Bulevard Vitosha, full of clubs and the hub of the historic center's nightlife; if you are traveling with your family or want a little more tranquility we recommend the Oborishte area, between the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the Park Zaimov.

Outside the center, the most suitable neighborhoods for families are Lozenets and Vitosha. Both immersed in greenery and very quiet, but Vitosha is located at the foot of the mountain of the same name, quite far from the center. Consider it only if you come to Sofia in winter, as the ski slopes are not far away. It is also an excellent neighborhood to save money. If you are looking for nightlife and fun we recommend Studentski, the university district of Sofia, very lively both day and night, thanks to the many clubs. This is also an excellent area to save money.

Best accommodation: we have selected the best hotels, b&bs and hostels in Sofia. Discover our tips and make your reservation on Booking

If you are in Sofia for work or as a one-day stopover to other destinations, consider the opportunity to stay near the airport. Find the best solutions and selected hotels on booking.com

Sofia Center

• Pros: Right in the action, walkable, close to top sights
• Cons: Can be pricey, busy vibes
• Main attractions: Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, St. George Rotunda, Central Market
• Average prices: From €50,00 per night - find top stays on Booking

Recommended accommodation

The historic center is definitely the best area to stay in Sofia, especially if you are visiting the Bulgarian capital for the first time or are just stopping for a weekend. Here you will be in the heart of the city, close to the main attractions! You will be a few steps from the wonderful Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the large Tsentrali Hali market, the Rotunda of St. George and some of the most important museums.
Furthermore, Sofia is a very cheap destination, so even if you are traveling on a budget you will have no problem finding accommodation here.

If you are looking for nightlife then we recommend opting for Bulevard Vitosha, the main street, full of clubs and shops. If you are looking for a quieter area or traveling with your family, head towards Oborishte, between the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and the Zaimov Park.

Finally, staying here you can easily get around on foot! Several areas are pedestrianized, the attractions are all close to each other and there are large parks! The district is however served by public transport!

Average prices in the neighborhood start from around €50.00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking

Lozenets

Foto di MrPanyGoff.

• Pros: Quiet residential area, lots of green spaces, close to the city center
• Cons: Higher rent prices, some areas not very walkable to the center
• Main attractions: South Park, National Palace of Culture (NDK), Sofia Zoo
• Average prices: From €45,00 per night - find top stays on Booking

Recommended accommodation

Lozenets is one of the quietest and most beautiful areas in all of Sofia! It is a residential neighborhood, as well as being one of the most expensive areas of the capital. Immediately south of the historic center, the district is completely immersed in greenery, including the large parks of South Park and Loven. In the latter there is also the Sofia Zoo. Furthermore, in the northern part, there is the National Palace of Culture.

This neighborhood is recommended above all to families with children or, more generally, to those looking for a bit of tranquility and want to stay in the middle of nature! The area has, in addition to the large green areas, numerous services, including shops, restaurants and trendy clubs!

Finally, staying here you can get around on foot or by public transport. From the National Palace of Culture you can reach the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in about 25 minutes on foot. Alternatively, the area is served by the metro line M2 and the tram line 10.

Average prices in the neighborhood start from around €45.00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking

Studentski

Foto di Apostoloff.

• Pros: Lively nightlife, affordable prices, young and energetic atmosphere
• Cons: Can be noisy, less family-friendly, farther from the city center
• Main attractions: Bars and clubs, university campuses
• Average prices: From €30,00 per night - find top stays on Booking

Recommended accommodation

Studentski is the university district of Sofia! Located in the southern part of the city and bordered to the north by the Loven Park, here are most of the university departments. There are no particular attractions, but it is a very lively district, at any time of day or night!

Given these characteristics, it is certainly recommended for young people and those looking for nightlife: the area is in fact full of clubs open until late! But not only that, it is also one of the cheapest areas of Sofia, ideal therefore for those who want to save even more on accommodation!

Finally, staying here it is necessary to take public transport. The district is served by metro lines M1 and M4, from the G.M. Dimitrov stop you can reach the center, getting off at the Serdika stop (near the Statue of Saint Sofia), in just 10 minutes.

Average prices in the neighborhood start from around €30.00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking

Vitosha

Foto di Original author and uploader was Elena Chochkova (Елена Чочкова).

• Pros: Surrounded by nature, great for outdoor lovers
• Cons: Far from the city center, limited infrastructure in some areas
• Main attractions: Vitosha Mountain, Boyana Church, Boyana Waterfall
• Average prices: From €35,00 per night - find top stays on Booking

Recommended accommodation

Finally, we recommend the Vitosha district. In this case, this area is recommended above all if you have already visited the city or if you come in winter to ski, you will be not far from the large ski resorts of the city.
On the other hand, however, it is quite far from the center. The district is developed at the foot of the mountain of the same name and the best area to stay is certainly that of Boyana, where there is also the famous Church or where trails start to reach the homonymous waterfall.

The Vitosha district is recommended above all to families and those who love nature: you will be a few steps from numerous trekking routes, you will have a wonderful view of the mountains and the area is very quiet. There is no lack of accommodation and services of various kinds!

Finally, staying here it will be necessary to use public transport. The area is partly served by the metro: from the Church of Boyana, for example, you will first have to take the bus line 64 to the Vitosha Metrostation, from here you can then take the metro line M2 to the center (1 hour).

Average prices in the neighborhood start from around €35.00 per night - compare the best accommodation on booking

Places to stay near Sofia

Regardless of the type of trip you are taking, whether you are traveling for work or leisure, whether you are staying for two nights or a whole week, the best solution is always to stay in the city. As we have seen, Sofia is a truly cheap destination, where you can find excellent solutions at very competitive prices even in the heart of the city!

Furthermore, there are not many alternatives to stay in the surrounding area. Outside of Sofia there are mainly small towns, with a very limited tourist offer. Furthermore, you have to take into account the travel time and the cost of possible trains and buses, which are not always punctual. You could consider renting a car, but when you do the math it is not at all convenient. It is easier to stay in the center of Sofia!

Sofia accommodation price map

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