Where to Stay in Sofia

Sofia is the capital and the biggest city of Bulgaria. It is surrounded by large green areas and located at the foot of Vitosha, the country’s popular mountain and ski center. With a history of more than 7000 years, Sofia is one of the oldest cities in Europe and offers many things to visitors. In our “Where to Stay in Sofia” article, you will find the best hotels and recommended places to stay.

Thanks to its long history, Sofia has many tourist spots to visit, such as the National History Museum, which is one of the biggest in Eastern Europe, many churches, an old Ottoman mosque, and Soviet monuments. You may also like the wide cobblestone boulevards, interesting boutiques, and delicious restaurant menus.

Best Area to Stay in Sofia

The best areas to stay in Sofia are Centrum (City Center), Vitosha Boulevard, Oborishte, and Lozenets.

Known as one of the safest and most affordable cities in Europe, Sofia is a very ideal place for tourists. With its wide network of metro, trolleybus, tram, and bus lines, it offers easy transportation for everyone. This makes it possible to stay anywhere in the city. Still, we have prepared a list of the best areas to stay in Sofia for you. Don’t forget to check it before booking your hotel in Sofia.

Sofya Centrum (City Center)

Sofia City Center, especially recommended for those visiting Sofia for the first time, is a great area to see both the old and modern faces of the city. By staying in the center, you can be within walking distance of many tourist attractions. Eagle Bridge, the National Palace of Culture, the National Theatre, and the Russian Monument Square are some of the landmarks surrounding the city center. You can also take a walk along the “Yellow Cobblestones,” visit St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and the beautiful Royal Palace in the heart of the city center.

The area also offers many places where people who love shopping and nightlife can have a good time. Hotels in Sofia City Center have options for every budget and taste, from luxury chains to hostels.

Grand Hotel Sofia ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Very close to tourist spots like the National Theatre, Grand Hotel Sofia offers 5-star service to its guests. The hotel has a terrace with a beautiful city view, a good fitness center, a restaurant, a bar, and free parking. The rooms include a TV, air conditioning, toiletries, and a safe. The hotel is also known for having 400 original artworks.

VIKO Boutique Apart Hotel ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Located in a central area, VIKO Boutique Apart Hotel offers 4-star service. It has a bar, restaurant, parking, large family rooms, free Wi-Fi, and airport transfer service. The rooms have a simple and modern design with a TV, air conditioning, a seating area, and a minibar.

Hotel Leda (Budget-Friendly) – A good option for budget travelers in Sofia City Center, Hotel Leda is known for its spacious family rooms. The hotel has a nice terrace where you can relax, along with a restaurant, bar, and free Wi-Fi access.

Vitosha Boulevard

Vitosha Boulevard, one of the smallest but most loved areas of Sofia, is especially popular with shopping lovers. The area gets its name from Vitosha Mountain, the fourth highest peak in Bulgaria, and stretches from St. Nedelya Square to South Park. Seen as one of the most luxurious parts of the city, it has a wonderful shopping street closed to traffic. You can find many designer stores, cafes, and restaurants with gourmet menus here. Popular tourist attractions like Yuzhen Park, the National Palace of Culture (NDK), Sveta Nedelya Orthodox Church, and the Sofia Courthouse are also very close by.

Grand Hotel Millennium Sofia ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Located in the heart of the city and the boulevard, this hotel offers 5-star service. It has a swimming pool, spa center, fitness gym, restaurant, and bar, all with a great city view. The large rooms have a TV, air conditioning, mountain or city views, a minibar, and a work desk.

Les Fleurs Boutique Hotel ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – This 4-star hotel is right on the main shopping street and is known for its beautiful interior design. It offers a unique and stylish holiday experience with a restaurant serving local dishes, a bar, and spacious rooms.

Rosslyn Central Park Hotel Sofia ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Located on the pedestrian-only Vitosha Boulevard, this hotel offers a stylish 4-star stay. The spacious rooms have a modern and bright design and include a TV, air conditioning, work desk, tea/coffee making facilities, and a minibar.

Oborishte

Oborishte is located just east of Sofia city center, only a few steps away on foot. This small area is especially preferred by those looking for a quiet hotel close to the center. Within Oborishte, you’ll find places that attract theater and cinema lovers, such as the National Opera, Sofia Drama Theatre, Puppet Theatre, and the House of Cinema and Theatre. Other places to visit in the area include the Vasil Levski Monument, Doctor’s Garden, Zaimov Park, and the National Museum of Military History. The variety of hotels in Oborishte also makes it ideal for families with children or those looking for budget options.

Hyatt Regency Sofia ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – If you’re looking for a luxurious and pleasant stay in Sofia, the famous chain hotel Hyatt Regency Sofia is a perfect choice. The 5-star hotel features a spa center, fitness gym, a nice restaurant with a great city view, a bar, and a swimming pool.

Light Hotel ⭐⭐⭐ – One of the budget-friendly hotels in Oborishte, Light Hotel offers 3-star service. Located on a quiet side street, it has a gym and a bar. The rooms have a simple design and include a TV, work desk, air conditioning, and a seating area.

Hotel Lion Sofia ⭐⭐⭐ – Just a few steps from the metro station, Hotel Lion Sofia is a 3-star hotel. It has a restaurant and a bar and is pet-friendly. The rooms include a TV, air conditioning, a work desk, and a minibar.

Lozenets

Lozenets is a large area located south of Sofia’s city center, near Vitosha. It stretches from South Park in the west to Borisova Gradina Park in the east. Considered one of the city’s cool neighborhoods since the communist era, Lozenets is also known by some as a sophisticated and expensive area. While walking its streets, you’ll come across many nice bars, cafes, restaurants, and boutique shops. The hotels in this area are also quite stylish.

Impresamente Art Hotel – Located in the heart of the pleasant Lozenets area in Sofia, this hotel stands out with its spacious rooms. It is pet-friendly and offers free private parking, free Wi-Fi, large family rooms, a bar, and airport transfer service.

Legends Hotel ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – About a 5-minute walk from the metro station, Legends Hotel offers 4-star service. The hotel includes a gym, parking area, and 24-hour reception. Rooms feature a TV, air conditioning, a seating area, and a minibar.

Maison Sofia – MGallery ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – One of the most stylish hotels in Lozenets, Maison Sofia – MGallery offers 5-star service. It has an indoor swimming pool, a spa and wellness center, a fitness gym, parking, and a bar.

See also: Where to stay in Varna