Spend An AMAZING 2 Days In Sofia, Bulgaria – A Sofia Weekend Itinerary
Wondering what to see during 2 days in Sofia, Bulgaria? You have come to the right place.
Sofia often gets a bad reputation as one of the least exciting cities in Europe. However, I strongly disagree! After my recent weekend visit I now firmly believe that Sofia is 100% worth visiting.
I found Sofia to be an incredibly fun city. Sofia boasts stunning architecture, abundant green spaces, and a rich history which means there are endless opportunities to immerse yourself in the vibrant local culture.
Plus, the city is also filled with so many trendy bars, cosy cafes, and delightful bakeries that won’t break the bank! What I also loved about Sofia was how safe I felt as a solo female traveller.
This 2-day itinerary for Sofia will prioritise seeing some of the top sites, uncovering unique experiences, and providing you with a well-rounded trip to the city. From indulging in mouthwatering local cuisine to uncovering hidden gems tucked away in charming neighbourhoods, this itinerary will ensure that you make the most of your time in Sofia.
So, what is there to do during a weekend in Sofia, Bulgaria? Read on below to find out!
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About Your 2 Days In Sofia
This 2-day Sofia itinerary will give you a play-by-play itinerary to follow for your first day in Sofia, followed by multiple options to choose from regarding how to spend your second day in Bulgaria.
Day 1
- Stop 1 – Cafe 1920
- Stop 2 – Explore the KvARTal Old Jewish Quarter
- Stop 3 – Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky
- Stop 4 – City Garden & National Theater “Ivan Vazov”
- Stop 5 – 369 Bakery
- Stop 6 – National Palace of Culture
- Stop 7 – Walk Down Vitosha Boulevard
- Stop 8 – Time For Lunch
- Stop 9 – Visit The Red Flat
- Stop 10 – Visit The Monument of Saint Sofia – Patron of City and Ancient Serdika
- Stop 11 – Dinner and Drinks
Read my in-depth one day Sofia Itinerary here.
Day 2
- Option 1 – Explore more of Sofia
- Option 2 – Book On A Guided Tour Of Sofia
- Option 3 – Visit Plovdiv
- Option 4 – Book a Day Trip From Sofia
Day 1
Stop 1 – Cafe 1920
Stop 1 on this itinerary is breakfast at Cafe 1920. If you are looking for some of the best brunch food in Sofia then Cafe 1920 has it all! Whether you want something savoury and hearty or have a bit of a sweet tooth, Cafe 1920 has all the options to suit any palette.
This cafe can get quite busy so head down early to secure your seat and avoid queues!
?Cafe 1920
⏰8am – 8pm
Stop 2 – Explore the KvARTal Old Jewish Quarter
If you want to see some of the best street art in Sofia then I recommend heading to the KvARTal Old Jewish Quarter which is just around the corner from Cafe 1920. The Old Jewish Quarter is located between 4 boulevards which include Alexander Dondukov Boulevard, Maria Louisa Boulevard, Slivnitsa Boulevard and “Vasil Levski” Boulevard and it is the perfect place to walk through to lead you on nicely to stop 3 on this itinerary.
Stop 3 – Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky
One of the best things to do in Sofia is visit The St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. It is unarguably one of the most popular sites to visit in Sofia and simply cannot be missed. The building is truly unique with its green-domed roofs and gold embellishments that can be viewed from the outside and the grandiose religious paintings and statues that you can find on the inside.
The Cathedral was completed in 1912 after building works initially began in 1882 and was named after a Russian Prince from the 13th Century.
The Cathedral is free to enter but there is a €5 fee if you would like to take photographs. I recommend spending some time admiring both inside and outside the cathedral as it is a truly spectacular piece of architecture.
Please also remember to dress modestly as this church is still open to worshippers.
Next door to the Cathedral you can also find the Palace – National Art Gallery which you can visit for just 6 BGN (€3). The Gallery comprises art exhibitions from all over the world including Bulgaria, India, Nigeria and so much more.
Stop 4 – City Garden & National Theater “Ivan Vazov”
From the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, you can then take a stroll over to the City Garden. This garden is beautiful, it has lots of green space and some impressive-looking water fountains.
During your walk to the City Garden, be sure to pass the Russian church of St. Nicholas the Miraclemaker. If you are an admirer of unique architecture then this will be worth the visit for you.
Located in the City Garden you can also find the beautiful Ivan Vazov National Theater which is the National Theatre of Bulgaria. The theatre is easily recognisable with its impressive deep red walls, gold embellishments and tall white columns.
Stop 5 – National Palace of Culture
The National Palace of Culture’s grounds are worth a visit, even if you don’t go inside. It is situated in a very large garden with an impressive water feature and a lion statue. If you are into architectural photography you’ll get the opportunity to get some very cool photos here.
Stop 6 – Walk Down Vitosha Boulevard
Starting from the National Palace of Culture, you can easily stroll down Vitosha Boulevard. As you make your way along Vitosha, you’ll catch a glimpse of the beautiful domed roof of the St Nedelya Church on one end and the majestic Vitosha Mountain on the other. St Nedelya Church is lovely to admire from afar but if you feel like taking a closer look it’s only a short detour from the next stop.
Stop 7 – Time For Lunch
By now all this walking and exploring has hopefully sparked an appetite for a delicious lunch. For a taste of authentic Bulgarian cuisine, I recommend visiting 2 fantastic spots. The first is Shtastlivetsa Restaurant, conveniently located right on Vitosha Boulevard. Alternatively, you can try Q-ftetaria in Slaveykov Square, just a short stroll away around the corner from Vitosha. Both are excellent choices to experience traditional Bulgarian flavours.
?Shtastlivetsa Restaurant
⏰11:30am – 6pm
?Q-ftetaria
⏰12pm-11pm
Stop 8 – Visit The Red Flat
One of Sofia’s most popular museums is the Red Flat. In my opinion, this museum was very different from the traditional museums you can usually find in most cities.
The Red Flat offers an interactive and immersive experience that will transport you back to the 1980s during communist Sofia. It is here that you can see what an average Bulgarian family during the Cold War looked like.
Throughout the museum, you’ll listen to an audio description and get the chance to touch and interact with all the items in the flat.
Tickets to the red flat cost 18 BGN (€9) and I recommend booking ahead as this is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Sofia.
Stop 9 – Visit The Monument of Saint Sofia – Patron of City and the Archaeological exhibition “Ancient Serdika”
A display of ancient artefacts unearthed from the ancient city of Serdika during Roman times can be found at the Ancient Serdika Archaeological Exhibition.
On your way to the museum, you’ll come across the well-known monument of Saint Sofia, proudly overlooking the city. This statue is a relatively new addition to the city, having been erected in 2000.
Nearby the museum and the statue you can also find Tsentralna Banya Park which is home to the striking old Central Baths building and a fountain marking the location of Sofia’s former mineral baths. Whilst the baths are no longer in use the architecture is stunning and well worth looking at. Just around the corner, you can also visit the Ancient Hotsprings of Serdika where you can even fill your water bottle from these springs.
Stop 10 – Tsar Shishman Boulevard Dinner and Drinks
After visiting the museum and the hot springs it’s time to head down to Tsar Shishman to wrap up the day with dinner and drinks. I loved this street because it was filled with character and charm. It’s lined with independent stores and is home to the wonderfully quirky “Elephant Bookstore” and I really recommend having a browse through here before dinner.
The last stop on day 1 of this Sofia itinerary is dinner at The Little Things and drinks at 5L Speakeasy bar.
The Little Things is a cosy and inviting restaurant that feels more like you are dining in a friend’s living room. The menu is small featuring a mix of European-inspired dishes and the food is super tasty.
For drinks, a visit to 5L Speakeasy is a must! It’s a hidden and stylish bar that requires a bit of a challenge to gain entry (although I won’t be revealing what it is because that would spoil all the fun for you). The cocktails are top-notch and it makes for the perfect end to your first day in Sofia.
?The Little Things
⏰12pm – 11pm
?5L Speakeasy
⏰5pm-2am
Day 2
As central Sofia is quite small, we have covered most of the best things to see in Sofia on day 1 of this itinerary. With that being said, I have provided some options below so that you can choose how you want to spend the rest of your 2 days in Sofia.
Option 1 – Explore more of Sofia
Whilst I realised that there aren’t too many more sites to see in Sofia, there are still one or two places that I did not include on day 1 of this itinerary that you might be interested in seeing:
- Church of Saint Sofia
- St George Rotunda Church
- The Presidential Palace
- Banya Bashi Mosque
- Sofia Synagogue
- Former Communist Party Headquarters
Option 2 – Book On A Guided Tour Of Sofia
There are quite a few tours you can book to help understand more about the arts, culture and culinary scene in Sofia on a deeper level which I have listed below.
Free walking tour
If you’re interested in diving deeper into Sofia’s history with insights from a local then I highly recommend booking this free walking tour. It already covers many of the sites listed in this itinerary however this tour comes with the added bonus of a knowledge guide who will share fascinating details of the city’s history and culture along the way.
Graffiti walking tour
One of the best ways to learn more about the art scene in Sofia is through this graffiti walking tour. Sofia is actually quite famous for its colourful street and graffiti art and this tour will take you to all the right places in the city to admire the best murals.
Wine Tasting
If you love wine, then this top-rated wine-tasting experience will be perfect for you. During the experience, you’ll get to try a variety of different Bulgarian wines along with some local cheeses and breads and learn more about the history of everything you are taste-testing.
Food Tour
If you want to explore more of Sofia’s foodie scene but don’t know where to begin or what restaurants are worth trying then this FREE food tour of Sofia with Balkan Bites is worth booking on to. The tour will take you to some of the best independent and family-owned restaurants in Sofia to enjoy some traditional Bulgarian cuisine. This tour has multiple 5* reviews and also comes highly rated for solo travellers in Sofia.
Bars and Restaurants In Sofia
If you’d rather skip the tour, here are a few bars and restaurants in Sofia that I enjoyed or that came highly recommended to me!
- Boho
- Rainbow Factory
- Manastirska Magernitsa
- Osteria Tartufo
- Sineva
- CinnaMoms Bakery
- 369 Bakery
- Tipsy
- BarME
- One Gallery
- Ale House
Option 3 – Visit Plovdiv
Plovdiv is said to be Europe’s oldest city and it is located just 2 hours from Sofia. You can book a coach to Plovdiv from Sofia’s central bus station for an easy door-to-door journey. I recommend booking your bus through either the FlixBus or GetbyBus websites for the best routes.
Bus times between Sofia and Plovdiv vary depending on the day, but the earliest bus from Sofia to Plovdiv is usually around 8 am and the last bus from Ploviv to Sofia is usually around 9 pm
Please note that you may be required to have a printed ticket rather than a mobile ticket, so be prepared for this beforehand.
Once you reach Plovdiv I recommend visiting the following places:
- The Ancient Roman Theatre: This is one of the best preserved in the world)
- The Kapana District: Home to quirky bars and cafes and lots of colourful street art
- The Old Town: Where you can admire the old buildings and the cosy cobbled streets
- Hisar Kapia: A beautiful stone archway that was once the gate to the city fortress
- Nebet Tepe: To get the best panoramic views of Plovdiv
Option 4 – Book a Day Trip From Sofia
Day trip to the 7 Rila Lakes
One of the most popular day trips from Sofia is this tour to the 7 Rila Lakes. This tour will take you to visit the beautiful mountains that surround Sofia and you’ll get to visit 7 different glacial lakes.
On top of that, you’ll also get to ride a chairlift through the beautiful mountains to the top of Rila National Park. This tour is one of the top-rated things to do in Sofia, so if you’re looking for a nature break after a day of exploring the city, this trip will be perfect for you.
Day Trip To Boyana Church and Rila Monastery
Another super popular tour to book from Sofia is this tour of Boyana Church and Rila Monastery. Located in the mountains that surround Sofia both the Boyana Church and Rila Monastery are UNESCO-listed heritage sites. Both buildings date back to Medieval times and are incredibly well preserved.
How To Get To Sofia
Flight
You can easily reach Sofia from most major European airports. I always search for cheap flights using Skyscanner. Both Ryanair and Wizz Air fly into Sofia so you can get some good budget deals if you time it right!
Direct trains from the airport to Serdika Station will cost around €6 to get you to the city centre. If you would prefer to take a taxi, it should cost no more than €15-€20. There is no Uber in Sofia but there is an equivalent called TaxiMe.
Bus
The bus network in Sofia is also well-connected both nationally and internationally. Getting here is relatively easy from places such as Serbia, North Macedonia and Romania, as well as other Balkan countries.
Check out both the FlixBus and GetbyBus websites for the best bus route options available.
Please note that if you are travelling by bus you may be charged a small bus station tax so make sure to have some cash on you (normally the bus stations will accept Euro if you don’t have local currency).
Train
There are both national and international train routes to Sofia. You can travel to Sofia by train from places such as Bucharest and even Istanbul. You can check viable routes on Trainline.com or Omio.
How To Get Around Sofia
This itinerary does not require a huge need to take public transport since Sofia is a very walkable city. There is an extensive metro and tram network throughout the city if you wish to explore public transportation options.
Sofia’s metro and trams accept contactless debit cards for payment, so you don’t have to worry about purchasing tickets. However, there are also day pass options for those who do not have contactless.
Where To Stay In Sofia
Central Sofia is fairly small, so no matter where you stay in the city you’ll always be close to all of the best tourist attractions in Sofia.
Hostels
- Hostel Mostel – A great social hostel option for those looking to meet other travellers.
- Green Cube Hostel – A very clean hostel located very close to the central bus station. Best suited for travellers looking to keep themselves to themselves.
Budget Hotels
- Hotel Central Club Sofia – A cheap and cheerful, but top-rated hotel option. You can expect some quirky designs here, such as Buddha Statues and egg chairs in the rooms but otherwise a great hotel.
Mid-Range Hotels
- B1 Downtown Hotel – A bright, modern and centrally located hotel perfect for those with a mid-range budget.
Luxury Hotels
- Art’Otel – One of the most beautiful and top-rated hotels in the city with lots of charm and character.
Is 2 Days In Sofia Enough?
If you’re visiting Sofia for the first time, then 2 days in Sofia is the perfect amount of time to truly experience the city (especially if you’re headed over to Sofia for a quick weekend break).
You can choose to explore at a relaxed pace over both days or dedicate one day to exploring the city and the next to a day trip or guided tour. With 2 days you will have the flexibility to tailor your trip to your interests and get the most out of your visit.
Although, if you are short on time then one day in Sofia is more than enough to see a glimpse of what this city has to offer.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Sofia?
Like most capital cities in the world, Sofia is one of those cities that you can visit all year round, and there will be something to do whatever the weather.
With that being said, I personally think there are 3 best times to visit. The first is May/June time during late spring/ early summer. During this time you can expect nice temperatures from between 21°C and 25°C which makes for ideal walking conditions. This is also before the main European summer holidays which means things will be much cheaper and less crowded.
Late September/Early October is also another great time to visit, again this is just outside of the summer holiday season and temperatures should still be a pleasant 16°C-25°C. During this time you will get to enjoy all the autumnal colours and foliage that come with this time of year. Sofia has lots of parks so you can really immerse yourself in the fresh and crisp autumnal atmosphere.
Finally, another great time to visit is early December to visit the Sofia Christmas Markets. The city turns into a magical winter wonderland at this time of year, so if you’re looking for a little Christmas sparkle then heading to Sofia during this time is also a great option.
What Currency Do They Use In Bulgaria?
Bulgaria uses the Bulgarian Lev, but some establishments and tour providers accept the Euro. This is solely at their discretion so I would recommend having local currency on you at all times!
What Should I Budget For Two Days In Sofia?
Sofia is a very budget-friendly city, often earning the title of one of the top 10 cheapest capital cities in Europe. The budget breakdown below is based on a budget to mid-range spend rather than luxury, and of course, ranges will vary depending on what you are doing. I would allocate your expenses as follows:
- Accommodation: €20-€60
- Transport: €5-€20
- Food: €5-€20 (per main meal)
- Drink: €3-€7 (wine, beer & cocktails)
- Activities: €5-€50
Is Sofia Safe for Solo Female Travellers?
As a solo female traveller, Sofia felt very safe. Not only did I feel safe, but I did not experience any moments of discomfort (like unwanted staring).
With that being said, I would make sure to take the usual precautions that you would during all city breaks, such as keeping your valuables hidden and not walking alone in quiet places at night. It is important to mention that I felt completely safe walking alone at night in Sofia on busy streets.
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Happy Exploring
I hope this itinerary has helped you plan the perfect weekend in Sofia. If you have any more questions please do not hesitate to reach out!
