🌍Where to Stay in Sofia

Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, is one of the oldest cities in Europe, a destination still not very touristy but rich in cultural attractions and with a sparkling nightlife.

In this article we go to the discovery of best areas to stay in Sofia, so as to help you choose according to your particular needs.

Where to Stay in Sofia

Sofia is not a small city, but fortunately the main attractions are grouped in a central area that can be easily visited on foot. So if you have chosen Sofia for a cultural holiday and to discover the city, the advice is to stay in the historic center.

The center of Sofia is quite large and those unfamiliar with the city may find it difficult to choose the best location.

So let's see specifically the main points where to sleep in the heart of Sofia, and let's discover other strategic areas indicated for every need.

However, keep in mind that Sofia is a safe city and well served by public transport. Regardless of the area you choose, you can move easily by metro, bus or taxi, in fact the latter are particularly cheap. Obviously the closer you are to the center, the more comfortable you will be.

Town center

The center is the best place to stay overnight in Sofia, you can move on foot to reach every attraction without having to take any means of transport. In addition to cultural visits, the center offers a wide choice of bars, restaurants and night clubs and is the ideal place for those looking for a bit of evening life.

The best thing is to choose a property around Vitosha Boulevard, the beating heart of the city, a long avenue full of shops, bars and restaurants.

At the end of Vitosha Boulevard is the area of Serdika, just as convenient for getting around both on foot and by public transport. Thanks to the 2 metro lines it is possible to reach any area of the city, even the airport.

Not to be missed in Serdika, right in the subway underpass, there is an incredible archaeological area completely free and close to the Sofia statue and the Mosque.

Vitosha Boulevard

As we said Vitosha Boulevard is the hub of the city, an unmissable stop for anyone who decides to visit the Bulgarian capital. A long pedestrian boulevard always animated with many clubs, restaurants and shops.

The ideal is to choose a structure in the streets surrounding Vitosha, so as to stay in a quiet area but a stone's throw from the nightlife and the main points of interest.

The neighborhood is full of trendy bars and restaurants of all kinds. I recommend going into the streets around the Boulevard where you will find more typical and cheaper places than those located on the famous boulevard.

Vitosha is also well served by public transport thanks to metro station GDR, which is located at the very beginning of the avenue and is also convenient for getting around to and from the airport.

In general Vitosha is perfect for all needs, both for young people and for shopaholics, but also for families with children who are looking for a safe place to go around even in the evening.

The neighborhood offers hotels of all kinds and for all budgets.

We stayed at the Niky Hotel and we had a great time. The value for money is excellent. The property is a 2-minute walk from Vitosha. The staff is very kind, they let us leave our suitcases after check out and they also did us the courtesy of printing our boarding passes.

Oborishte

Oberishte is a quiet neighborhood but very close to the center and here are some of Sofia's most significant attractions, such as the famous Nevsky Cathedral. The area is located a little further from the pedestrian area of Vitosha, which can still be reached in about 20 minutes on foot.

Oberishte is a well-kept area set amidst the beautiful Zaimov Park and Doctor’s Garden, a small garden with a statue of doctors killed during the Russian liberation in the center.

Lozenets District

If you are looking for a residential neighborhood not far from the center, the Lozenets district is for you. It is located south of the city about 2 km from the heart of Sofia. There are several parks and green areas.

The location is convenient to reach the main places of interest with a few minutes by taxi, by metro (European Union station) but also on foot. A pleasant 30 minute walk takes you to Vitosha Boulevard and other central areas.

The area is particularly suitable for business trips, there are many comfortable facilities near the metro station, shopping center and banks.

Hall of residence

Studentski Grad is the area of the university city, it is located southeast of Sofia about 6 km from the center. This is the best neighborhood for young people looking for nightlife and entertainment, with many places to party.

There are several restaurants, bars, taverns and discos, in short, the ideal place to experience the sparkling evenings of the Bulgarian capital.

The center can be reached in about 10 minutes by taxi, or by bus that connects the university district to the center of Sofia.

Vitosha District

Finally, let's talk about the Vitosha district, a rather decentralized area located southwest of the city, at the foot of the mountains; not to be confused with the homonymous Boulevard which, on the contrary, is located in the center.

The area is perfect for those who love nature, for those who want to explore the mountains and its trails during the summer and for those who want to stay a stone's throw from the slopes in winter and enjoy a hot meal in the hut.

Conclusions

We have seen in detail which are the main areas where to sleep in Sofia.

In summary we can say that the best solution remains the city center, in particular the area that extends from Vitosha Boulevard up to Serdika, convenient for visiting Sofia on foot.

Alternatively there is the area of Oberishte always quite central, or the neighborhood of Lozenets which is not far from the center.

For young people looking for the evening life university district it is the best place to stay overnight in Sofia.

While nature lovers can move a little from the city and stay in Vitosha District.