Where to Stay in Sofia: What You Need to Know
Accommodation in Sofia can seem really cheap, especially when you take into account the hotel fares you can find in other European capitals such as Rome, Paris or even Berlin. A hotel night in Sofia in a 2 or 3-star hotel can cost around 20 or 30 Euro, and even some of the (local chain) high-end 4 or even 5-star hotels can be very affordable, at around 50 Euro. See hotel offers in Sofia.
The last few decades have seen a surge in backpacker-friendly options. Hostels in Sofia tend to be new and therefore have higher price/quality ratios while being dirt cheap. See hostels in Sofia from €12/night.
Generally speaking, family-owned and Bulgarian chain hotels are cheaper than their international counterparts, and hotels such as the Radisson or Park Inn in Sofia tend to have the same fares that you would normally pay elsewhere in Europe.
When it comes to the quality of Sofia hotels, they tend to be either very good or absolutely dreadful. Some of them, especially the newly-built ones have excellent price/quality ratios, while the older budget ones tend to be frankly bad. It is always advisable to check the ratings and reviews before closing any booking.
If we’re talking about the best area to stay in Sofia, newbie travellers will find themselves more at ease in the central area, particularly around the Cathedral, while travellers looking for luxury at excellent rates, will find heaven in the Vitosha district, where 4-star hotels with pool and spa are cheap and great.
Best areas to stay in Sofia, Bulgaria: A Map
The main areas to stay in Sofia are the City Centre, as well as the neighbourhoods of Lozenets, Oborishte and Vitosha. Here you’ll find some information about these areas and how attractive they are for travellers, keeping into account their location, the transport connections, and the general feel of the neighbourhood. You will also find a small hand-picked selection of the best hotels to stay in each area.
Accommodation Options in Sofia
Hotels in Sofia
The best hotels to stay in Sofia
Hostels in Sofia
Hostels and cheap stays in Sofia
Apartments in Sofia
Would you like independence? Book an apartment in Sofia
Bed & Breakfast in Sofia
Inns, B&Bs and guest houses in several areas around Sofia
The Best Areas to Stay in Sofia, Bulgaria
1. Best area: Sofia City Centre
With its epicentre in the Serdika area, Sofia’s centre (Centrum) , the city centre covers the entire area framed by the boulevards where the city walls once stood.
This is the area where most tourist attractions are located.
The City Centre is also where the shopping and gourmet districts of the Bulgarian capital are located. It is well connected by metro, tram and bus and, overall, it is the best neighbourhood to stay in Sofia for visitors planning to visit the city and enjoy its attractions.
What makes this the best area to stay in Sofia
- City Centre
- Historical architecture
- Well-connected by metro and tram
Hand-picked hotels in this area
Our FavouriteHotel Anel is situated in the centre of Sofia, offering spacious rooms and free Wi-Fi internet access. Free private parking is available.
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Budget Option
Hotel Niky offers comfortable accommodation with light décor and seating areas. It is situated in a quiet street just off the main Vitosha Boulevard and a 5-minute walk away from the NDK Convention Centre
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Midrange Option
BW Premier Collection City Hotel offers rooms designed by Italian designer studio Claudio Bronzini with high quality materials and modern style. Free Wi-Fi internet access is available. All interiors are strictly non-smoking.
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Luxury Option
InterContinental Sofia offers two restaurants, a 24/7 fitness centre and city and mountain views. The hotel’s location provides easy access to the main historical and cultural buildings, as well as to the shopping area. Among the facilities at this property are a concierge service and ticket service.
2. East of the City Centre: Around Zaimov Park and Levski Cathedral
It is an elegant area full of things to see and places of leisure, its most outstanding monument being Alexander Levski Cathedral.
Park Zaimov is one of the biggest in the city and around it you can find the main Sofia Theatre, along with the city’s Medical Centre.
This area has a lots of cafés, restaurants and pubs, and it’s a great choice for nightlife and food enthusiasts.
Because it’s a mainly upper-class area, you can expect the accommodation here to be luxurious.
What makes this the best area to stay in Sofia
- Great restaurants
- Best area for nightlife
- Levski Cathedral
Hand-picked hotels in this area
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Our Favourite
Crystal Palace Boutique Hotel is situated in Sofia, 400 m from St. Kliment Ohridski Metro Station and 10 km from Sofia Airport. It offers views to Mount Vitosha and features a health and wellness centre. Access to the gym is free of charge.
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Budget Option
Victory Apartments features accommodation with a bar, a garden and a 24-hour front desk for your convenience. The aparthotel features both WiFi and private parking free of charge.
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Midrange Option
Sofia Residence Boutique Hotel is a 14-minute walk away from both the Alexander Nevski Square and Sofia University Metro Station. it offers air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi.
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Luxury Option
Hotel Anel is situated in the centre of Sofia, offering spacious rooms and free Wi-Fi internet access. Free private parking is available.
3. Around the Central Train and Bus Station
It is a well-connected area north of the City Centre.
Hotels and pensions in this area are inexpensive.
However, this is not the most attractive area to stay in Sofia.
There are lots of cheap hotels and some hostels.
Its position close to the metro and the central train and coach stations make it a good area to enjoy Sofia and explore the rest of Bulgaria.
What makes this the best area to stay in Sofia
- Central station
- Cheap hotels
Hand-picked hotels in this area
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Our Favourite
Budapest Hotel is within a 5-minute walk from the Central Train Station, in the very centre of Sofia. All rooms feature free Wi-Fi access. The metro station Luvov Most is within a 5-minute walk away.
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Budget Option
The family-run Hotel Orlando is situated in the Orlandovzi area of Sofia close to a green area, only a 10-minute drive from the city centre.
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Midrange Option
Apart Hotel Gardenia has city views, free WiFi and free private parking, set in Sofia, 1.4 km from Banya Bashi Mosque.
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Luxury Option
The Ramada by Wyndham Sofia City Center is situated within walking distance to tourist sights and commercial areas of the city, offering comfortable rooms in a modern building. Free WiFi is available in all areas.
4. Around NDK (National Palace of Culture)
The National Palace of Culture (NDK) is located in the south area of the centre of the city. It is the socialist-era monument par excellence in Sofia.
Built in 1981, this huge building is the largest multi-functional conference and exhibition centre in south-eastern Europe.
The area around NDK is mostly a business district with offices and a lively nightlife.
The hotels in this area usually have good quality and a business style.
What makes this the best area to stay in Sofia
- Cultural attractions
- Very central
Hand-picked hotels in this area
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Our Favourite
Rosslyn Central Park Hotel Sofia enjoys a central location on the famous pedestrian Vitosha Boulevard, lined with trendy coffees, restaurants, artisan shops and boutiques. The main sights of Sofia are within walking distance.
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Budget Option
Guest House 32 in Sofia centre offers free WiFi, a garden with a terrace, free air conditioning, free tea and instant coffee corner, as well as a restaurant. Ivan Vazov Theatre is 600 m away and NDK metro station is a 4-minute walk away.
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Midrange Option
Family Hotel Agoncev offers accommodation in a central, yet tranquil area in Sofia. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant.
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Luxury Option
The Grand Hotel Millennium Sofia is located in the heart of the city, at a walking distance from the vibrant city center area, filled with iconic historical and cultural sights, vast green parks and numerous government institutions. The hotel features spa centre, 5 restaurants, fitness centre, bars and shared lounges.
5. Lozenetz
This area of the Bulgarian capital is located in the south of the City Centre.
Lozenetz is home to Vasil Levski Stadium and South Sofia Park.
The district has many green areas and a peaceful residential atmosphere.
Hand-picked hotels in this area
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Our Favourite
Best Western Lozenetz Hotel is only 200 m away from the European Union Metro Station for easy access to all destinations in the centre of Sofia and offers modern rooms, private parking and free Wi-Fi.
6. Vitosha District
This bourgeois area of the city is located in the southwest, in the vicinity of the imposing Vitosha mountain.
It has a quiet and relaxed atmosphere and many luxury hotels at a great price.
It is the best area to stay in Sofia if you are looking for tranquillity and luxury.
This area is close to the ski slopes of Vitosha, one of the closest ski slopes to a capital city in the world.
What makes this the best area to stay in Sofia
- Luxury hotels
- Ski slopes
- Nature
Hand-picked hotels in this area
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Our Favourite
Tsarsko Selo Spa Hotel is situated on the foot of Vitosha Mountain, on the outskirts of Sofia, Tsarsko Selo Spa Hotel offers an extensive spa area with 2 pools.
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Budget Option
Family Hotel Diana offers a restaurant that leads into the garden, free WiFi and modern units with a flat-screen cable TV.
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Midrange Option
Family Hotel Agoncev offers rooms with private balconies overlooking a large park that is part of the property. Free of charge barbecue facilities are at guests disposal on site, as well as free parking. Sofia’s city centre is a 10 minutes’ drive away.
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Luxury Option
The All Seasons Residence Hotel is located in a picturesque residential district of Sofia, just a 10-minute drive from Sofia city centre. It has an stylish restaurant with garden views, and a lobby bar, where guests can enjoy a variety of drinks. The hotel also includes a kids club, a 24-hour front desk, and free WiFi access.
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|ES| Dónde dormir en Sofía, Bulgaria: Mejores zonas y hoteles.
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