An AWESOME One Day In Sofia, Bulgaria Itinerary – A 24 Hour Guide!
Wondering how to spend one day in Sofia, Bulgaria? Well, you have come to the right place!
Bulgaria’s capital, Sofia, often gets a bad reputation, not because it is unsafe (because it’s actually very safe, which is great for us solo female travellers), but because it often gets labelled as one of the most boring cities in Europe.
After spending the weekend in Sofia, I have to say that I completely disagree. I think Sofia is a beautiful city with lots of history, green open space and some of the best bars and restaurants you could hope to visit on any city break.
Not only that, but Sofia is a very affordable city break for those looking for a quick European weekend escape.
I noticed that many Sofia itineraries recommend visiting nearly every church or other religious building in the city, which isn’t exactly my style. In this 24-hour Sofia itinerary, you’ll explore just one or two churches whilst enjoying lots more unique experiences.
So, what’s included in this one day in Sofia Itinerary?
Read on below to find out!
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Sofia At A Glance
🎡WHAT TO DO🎡
– Visit The St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
– Enjoy a Sofia street art tour
– Explore the Red Flat Museum
🛌🏻WHERE TO STAY🛌🏻
– Hostel Mostel (Hostel)
– Hotel Central Club Sofia (Budget)
– B1 Downtown Hotel (Mid-range)
– Art’Otel (Luxury)
✅Travel Essentials For Sofia✅
– Book travel with Flixbus & Omio
– Stay connected with an eSIM from Airalo
– Get covered by SafetyWing Travel Insurance
📅WHEN TO VISIT📅
Sofia is a great city that can be visited all year round but for the best weather and fewer crowds April-June and September-October can be a great time to visit!
About this one day in Sofia Itinerary
This itinerary follows the exact route I took during my day in Sofia which I booked as part of a larger 2-week trip through the Balkans.
I tried to create a strategic loop around the city that doesn’t involve too much zig-zagging back through places you’ve just walked (although full disclosure, there is a small bit of that during stops 6 and 12 on this itinerary).
Your itinerary will look like this:
- Stop 1 – Cafe 1920
- Stop 2 – Explore the KvARTal Old Jewish Quarter
- Stop 3 – Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky
- Stop 4 – National Art Gallery (Optional)
- Stop 5 – City Garden & National Theater “Ivan Vazov”
- Stop 6 – 369 Bakery
- Stop 7 – National Palace of Culture
- Stop 8 – Walk Down Vitosha Boulevard
- Stop 9 – Time For Lunch
- Stop 10 – Visit The Red Flat
- Stop 11 – Visit The Monument of Saint Sofia – Patron of the City and Ancient Serdika
- Stop 12 – Walk down Tsar Shushman
- Stop 13 – Dinner and Drinks
Stop 1 – Breakfast at Cafe 1920
Stop 1 on this itinerary is breakfast at Cafe 1920. Cafe 1920 has to be one of the best places for brunch food in Sofia, and I loved it so much I went twice during my weekend in Bulgaria. Whether you’re craving savoury or sweet, veggie or vegan, there is a dish to suit every palate. I really recommend trying the “Potato Pan” for a warm and hearty breakfast.
This cafe is very popular and therefore gets quite busy, so I recommend trying to get there as early as possible so you can get your day started!
📍Cafe 1920
⏰8am – 8pm
Stop 2 – Explore the KvARTal Old Jewish Quarter
Just around the corner from Cafe 1920 is the KvARTal Old Jewish Quarter. The Old Jewish Quarter is located between 4 boulevards, which include Alexander Dondukov Boulevard, Maria Louisa Boulevard, Slivnitsa Boulevard and “Vasil Levski” Boulevard.
This area is known to have some of Sofia’s best graffiti and street art, so take the opportunity to meander through these streets filled with character and charm as you slowly make your way to stop 3.
Stop 3 – Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky
The St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral has to be the most iconic monument in Sofia, and rightly so; it is a stunning building that deserves all the recognition it gets. The Cathedral was completed in 1912 after building works initially began in 1882 (better late than never, right?).
The Cathedral was built to honour Russian soldiers who died in the Russian-Turkish war in the 1800s, and the Cathedral was named after a Russian Prince from the 13th Century.
I recommend spending some time admiring both inside and outside the cathedral. Not only is the architecture impressive, but the paintings within the Cathedral itself are simply remarkable (and don’t forget to look up at the ceilings). Please ensure that you are wearing modest clothing (shoulders and knees covered) when you enter the church.
The Cathedral is free to enter, but there is a €5 photography fee. I actually didn’t know about this at the time and only found out after the fact, which meant I unknowingly took pictures without paying this fee. Thankfully, I didn’t get caught and avoided a telling-off, but I would definitely not have taken this risk if I had known.
Stop 4 – The Palace – National Art Gallery (Optional)
For those of you who are into art, I’ve added a visit to The Palace – National Art Gallery. It is located right next to the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.
The Gallery comprises art exhibitions from all over the world, including Bulgaria, India, Nigeria, and so much more.
Honestly, this wasn’t really my thing, and I only went inside to seek solace from the pouring rain. However, if you are an art lover, you will definitely enjoy your time here. Tickets cost 6 BGN (€3) and are half-price for students and pensioners.
Stop 5 – City Garden & National Theater “Ivan Vazov”
From the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (or the art gallery), you can then take a stroll over to the City Garden, where you’ll be able to take a little rest break and enjoy the green open space and the impressive water features.
En route to the City Garden, you should also pass the Church of St. Nicholas the Miraclemaker, which is a Russian church. If you are an admirer of unique architecture, then this will be worth a 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 was built in the early 1900s and is easily recognisable with its impressive deep red walls, gold embellishments and tall white columns.
Stop 6 – 369 Bakery
The next stop on this itinerary involves a little snack break (because you deserve it). Now this stop does require a small detour, however, if you are a lover of sweet treats and pastries, I promise you it is worth it.
369 Bakery has some of the best pastries in Sofia (this place was recommended to me by a local, so that’s how you know it’s genuinely good). Here I tried one of the best cinnamon buns I’ve ever eaten because it wasn’t just any cinnamon bun… it was a Crème Brûlée cinnamon bun! They, of course, do other pastries as well as coffee and other drinks, but 369 is most famous for this special cinnamon bun.
📍369 Bakery
⏰9am – 6pm
Stop 7 – National Palace of Culture
While I don’t think you need to go inside the National Palace of Culture, I do think it’s worth visiting the grounds. The building is located in a very large garden where you can find an extremely impressive water feature and a lion statue.
The outdoor area reminded me of similar open squares and cultural spaces I visited in Ljubljana and Sarajevo, and is well worth the stroll.
If you are into architectural photography, you’ll get the opportunity to get some very cool photos here.
Stop 8 – Walk Down Vitosha Boulevard
From the National Palace of Culture, you can then easily make your way down Vitosha Boulevard, which is the main shopping street in Sofia.
As you walk down Vitosha, you will be able to see the beautiful domed roof of the St Nedelya Church at one end and the stunning mountain range that surrounds the city at the other.
The St Nedelya Church looks great to admire from afar as you walk down Vitosha, but if you want to, you can absolutely go and take a look around, as it won’t cause much of a detour.
Stop 9 – Time For Lunch
Hopefully, by now, all this walking and exploring has worked up an appetite so that you’re ready for lunch.
There are two places I recommend for lunch on this itinerary, which also happen to be two of the best places to try traditional Bulgarian Food in Sofia. The first is Shtastlivetsa Restaurant, which is located on Vitosha Boulevard, or Q-ftetaria, which you can find in Slaveykov Square (located just around the corner from Vitosha).
📍Shtastlivetsa Restaurant
⏰11:30am – 6pm
📍Q-ftetaria
⏰12pm-11pm
Stop 10 – Visit The Red Flat
The Red Flat is one of the most popular museums in Sofia. I really liked this museum because it’s completely different from the traditional style museums you can normally find in most cities.
At The Red Flat, you can expect an interactive and immersive experience that will transport you back to the 1980s in communist Sofia. Here you will witness what an average Bulgarian family lived like during the Cold War.
This museum is super informative and engaging as you’ll listen to an audio description on the way around the flat, and you are also encouraged to touch and interact with all the items and belongings 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 11 – Visit the Archaeological exhibition “Ancient Serdika”
The Ancient Serdika Archaeological Exhibition showcases ancient artefacts that were unearthed from the ancient city of Serdika during Roman times.
En route to the museum, you will pass by the famous monument of Saint Sofia, which overlooks the city. The statue is fairly new to the city, only being erected in 2000.
In the same area, you can also find Tsentralna Banya Park, which is home to the beautiful old Central Baths building and fountain, where the city used to house its famous public mineral baths. These are no longer in use, but the building is absolutely beautiful to look at.
Around the corner from here, you will find the Ancient hot springs of Serdika. Here you can fill up your water bottle where the old springs from the Roman times once stood.
Check out these guided Day trips in Sofia ⬇️
🥾 Free Sofia Walking Tour – 4.9⭐ – Discover Sofia’s top landmarks and hidden gems with a knowledgeable local guide (perfect for first-time visitors).
🎨 Graffiti & Street Art Tour – Explore Sofia’s vibrant street art scene and learn the stories behind its most iconic murals.
🍷 Wine Tasting – Sample a curated selection of Bulgarian wines paired with local cheeses in a relaxed, small-group setting.
🍽️ Free Food Tour – Taste your way through Sofia’s culinary scene with stops at family-owned restaurants and traditional eateries.
Stop 12 – Tsar Shishman
From the Museum and the springs, it’s time to make your way down towards dinner, which is located on a road called Tsar Shishman. I actually love this road because it is filled with lots of independent stores and a very quirky bookshop called “Elephant Bookstore”. So I’d recommend spending some time exploring this street before heading for dinner.
Stop 13 – Dinner and Drinks
Your final stop on this day trip in Sofa is dinner at “The Little Things” restaurant and drinks at “5L Speakeasy” which are both located in Tsar Shishman.
The Little Things is a cosy restaurant that feels as though you’re having dinner in someone’s living room. The menu is small and offers international European cuisine. The food here is so delicious, and the vibes are immaculate.
5L Speakeasy is a cool and quirky speakeasy bar that is very well-hidden, and there is also a small challenge involved to get inside (which I’m not going to reveal because that would just spoil the fun). The cocktails here are amazing, and the staff are super friendly and ready to help give you recommendations.
📍The Little Things
⏰12pm – 11pm
📍5L Speakeasy
⏰5pm-2am
Other Things To Do in Sofia
If you would prefer to explore other options for your 24 hours in Sofia, then I have listed some alternative and top-rate activities for you below!
Other Sites To Visit In Sofia
As I mentioned earlier in this post, I haven’t included every single Sofia landmark on this itinerary (mainly because a lot of them are religious buildings). However, if you would like to see more, here are some of the other places you can visit:
- Church of Saint Sofia
- St George Rotunda Church
- The Presidential Palace
- Banya Bashi Mosque
- Sofia Synagogue
- Former Communist Party Headquarters
Free Walking Tour
Want to learn more about the history of Sofia from a local? Then I recommend this free walking tour. This tour will take you to a lot of the places already recommended in this itinerary, but you’ll be able to get lots of information about the history and culture from a local and very knowledgeable guide.
Graffiti walking tour
Want to see a more colourful side of Sofia? This top-rated graffiti walking tour is a unique way to explore the city’s bold street art culture, with stories behind each mural, plus photo ops galore. It’s perfect if you’re into urban creativity or want a break from traditional sightseeing.
Wine Tasting
Treat yourself to this authentic Bulgarian wine tasting experience, where you’ll sample local reds, whites, and rosés which are paired with traditional cheeses and breads. It’s a relaxed, small-group session rated 4.8 and ideal for solo travellers or friends.
Food Tour
You don’t often find the words “Free” and “Food Tour” in the same sentence, but this is exactly what you can find in Sofia. Don’t miss this free Balkan Bites food tour.
You’ll visit four locally owned eateries and taste authentic dishes like banitsa and Bulgarian yoghurt. Spots fill quickly (because of free food, obviously), so make sure to reserve in advance.
Sofia Pub Crawl
If you’re a solo traveller looking to meet others who enjoy the drinking and party scene, then this Sofia Pub Crawl tour will be a great option for you. This tour will take you to some of the best pubs and bars in Sofia (and not the typical tourist traps).
How To Get To Sofia
Flight
Sofia is a well-connected city; you can easily get here from most main European airports. I always search for cheap flights using Skyscanner. Both Ryanair and Wizz Air fly into Sofia, so you should be able to get some good budget deals if you time it right!
To get from the airport to the city centre, you can take a direct train to Serdika Station, which will cost around €6. However, if you would prefer to take a taxi, this should cost you no more than €15-€20. There is no Uber in Sofia, but there is an equivalent called TaxiMe.
Bus
Sofia is also well connected by both national and international bus routes. It’s fairly easy to get here from other countries in the Balkans, such as Serbia, North Macedonia and Romania.
I used Flixbus to hop between Balkan cities as it’s super cheap, surprisingly comfy, and runs several times a day. You can also compare all options using Omio, which shows both buses and trains in one search.
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 Euros 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 either Trainline.com or Omio.
How To Get Around Sofia
Sofia is a very walkable city, and on this specific itinerary, you do not need to take public transport; however, if you would like to explore public transport options, you’ll be pleased to know the city is well connected via a metro and tram network.
On both the metro and the trams in Sofia, you can use your contactless debit card as a form of payment, so you don’t need to worry about purchasing tickets. However, there are also day pass options for those who do not have contactless cards.
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 the top sites.
Hostels
- Hostel Mostel – A great social hostel option for those looking to meet other travellers.
- Green Cube Hostel – A very clean hostel located close to the central bus station. Best suited for travellers looking to keep 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 One Day In Sofia Enough?
I do think one day in Sofia is more than enough to see all of the best sites in the city, and for this specific itinerary I have created, I have ensured that you’re not spending your whole day rushing around the city.
With that being said, I haven’t included every single Sofia landmark on this itinerary (mainly because a lot of them are religious buildings), so if you would like to see more, then I would recommend spending at least 2 days in Sofia.
And if you’re planning to loop through the Balkans, make sure to check out my 2-week Balkans itinerary or 10-day Albania guide to keep the adventure going.
What Currency Do They Use In Bulgaria?
In Bulgaria, they use the Bulgarian Lev, however, some establishments and tour providers will accept the Euro. This is solely at their discretion, so I would recommend having local currency on you at all times!
Is Sofia Safe for Solo Female Travellers?
Yes, Sofia felt very safe as a solo female traveller. 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.
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Happy Exploring
I hope this itinerary has helped you plan the perfect 24 hours in Sofia, Bulgaria. Whether you’re stopping through on a longer Balkans trip or enjoying a quick city break, Sofia is full of charm, history, and hidden gems worth discovering.
If you’re sticking around, don’t miss my guide to spending an amazing 2 days in Sofia, which is ideal for squeezing even more out of your visit. Planning to venture further? I’ve mapped out an epic 2-week Balkans itinerary that includes Sofia and connects you to unforgettable stops like Skopje, Lake Ohrid, and Sarajevo.
If you have any more questions or need help planning your trip, feel free to drop me a message.
