Straddling ancient Serdica and modern Bulgaria, Sofia wears its 2,000 years of history in layers—Roman streets under glass walkways, medieval churches tucked beside Ottoman baths, and grand 19th‑century boulevards lined with linden trees. The city is compact and walkable, framed by Vitosha Mountain, so you can see a lot without rushing.

Expect a mix of Orthodox iconography, socialist-era monuments, and street art. Food lovers will find hearty Bulgarian cuisine—shopska salad, banitsa, slow-braised kavarma—alongside creative, chef-led spots and third‑wave coffee bars. Nightlife ranges from rakia bars to speakeasies hidden behind unmarked doors.

Practical notes: the currency is the Bulgarian lev (BGN), tap water is widely drinkable, and dress modestly for churches (shoulders/knees covered). Sofia’s metro is clean and useful; taxis are inexpensive; and weekend markets are great for local honey, rose jam, and ceramics to take home.

Sofia

Sofia’s heart is a handsome ensemble: the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral’s gold domes, the red‑brick 4th‑century St. George Rotunda, and the elegant Ivan Vazov National Theatre facing the City Garden. Underfoot, the Serdica archaeological complex reveals the Roman cardo and decumanus you can literally stroll through.

Food and coffee are standouts. Start with flaky banitsa at local bakeries, then trace Bulgaria’s wine renaissance—with Thracian grapes like Mavrud—at intimate bars. When you want green space, Borisova Gradina and the slopes of nearby Vitosha deliver.

Where to stay (handpicked options):

• Browse apartments and family-friendly homes on VRBO Sofia.
• Compare hotels by neighborhood and price on Hotels.com Sofia.
• Design-forward: Sense Hotel Sofia (rooftop views of the cathedral, spa, indoor pool).
• Business-friendly with mall/airport access: Novotel Sofia.
• Budget/social vibe with breakfast included: Hostel Mostel Sofia.

Getting to Sofia (flights, trains, buses):

• From within Europe: compare flights, trains, and buses on Omio (flights), Omio (trains), and Omio (buses). Example flight times: London 3h15m; Vienna 1h30m; Istanbul 1h15m. Off‑peak one‑way fares often $40–$150.
• Intercontinental: check competitive options via Kiwi.com (flights) or Trip.com (flights).
• From nearby capitals: Bucharest–Sofia train ~9–10h; Thessaloniki–Sofia bus ~5–6h (search on Omio trains and Omio buses).

Local transit: the M4 metro runs between Sofia Airport and the city center in ~20–25 minutes. Taxis to downtown are typically 20–30 minutes depending on traffic; use reputable companies or ride‑hail apps.

Day 1: Arrival, First Tastes, and Golden Domes at Sunset

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off travel with an espresso at Fabrika Daga (industrial‑chic roastery; excellent flat whites) or Drekka (specialty beans and pour‑overs). Walk Vitosha Boulevard for a first look at the mountain, then detour into the Serdica archaeological zone to see Roman streets under glass and the 4th‑century Rotunda of St. George glowing with frescoes.

Evening: Dinner at Moma (modern takes on classic Bulgarian recipes in folk‑art rooms; try the slow‑braised pork knuckle and shopska salad) or Made in Blue (a sky‑blue townhouse with seasonal plates—roasted beet salad, lamb with bulgur). Nightcap at the Sense Rooftop Bar if you’re staying nearby, or Sputnik (space‑age cocktails; the basil‑raspberry “Cosmonaut” is a crowd‑pleaser).

Optional activity: Get oriented on a small‑group city walk:
Guided Walking Tour of Sofia

This hits the National Theatre, Largo, and cathedral area in about 2 hours.

Day 2: Icons, Museums, Markets, and Wine

Morning: Breakfast at Rainbow Factory (legendary banitsa, ajvar toasts, and strong cappuccinos). Visit Alexander Nevsky Cathedral early for quieter photos; step next door into St. Sofia Basilica for austere beauty and catacombs. Art lovers: the National Gallery “Kvadrat 500” holds Bulgarian masters and European works.

Afternoon: Quick lunch at Supa Star (rotating soups—tarator in summer, bean soup year‑round) or Skaptoburger (award‑winning burgers with local craft beer). Continue to the Sofia History Museum inside the old Mineral Baths; fill a bottle at the nearby hot mineral fountains. Swing by the Banya Bashi Mosque and the splendid Sofia Synagogue (check hours).

Evening: Ease into Bulgaria’s wine scene with a guided tasting:
Wine and Tapas Boutique Bulgarian Wine Tasting

Expect Mavrud, Rubin, and Melnik served with local cheeses and lukanka.

Dinner & drinks: Try Raketa Rakia Bar (retro décor, 40+ rakias; order the shopska and kyufte meatballs) or Cosmos (creative tasting menus spotlighting Bulgarian terroir). For a late bar, Hambara is a candlelit, unmarked institution; Bar Petak spins eclectic DJ sets.

Day 3: UNESCO Day Trip — Rila Monastery and Boyana Church

Spend the day among forested peaks and frescoed walls on this classic Sofia day trip. Dress code for churches: shoulders and knees covered.

From Sofia: Rila Monastery & Boyana Church Day Tour

Typically 8.5–10 hours with transport included. You’ll see Boyana’s 13th‑century frescoes up close, then continue to the 10th‑century Rila Monastery ringed by arcades and murals by Zahari Zograf. Try mekitsi (fried dough) with sheep’s yogurt and honey from local vendors near the monastery, and bring a light jacket—mountain weather can shift fast.

Seasonal swap (late spring–early autumn): If you’re keen on hiking, opt for the alpine lakes:
7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour

This combines chairlifts, high‑country views, and the monastery; it’s a full, active day.

Back in Sofia: Casual dinner near NDK (National Palace of Culture): Shtastlivetsa does homestyle Bulgarian mains (oven‑baked cheverme pork, grilled trout) and comforting desserts like tikvenik (pumpkin strudel).

Day 4: Parks, Last Bites, and a Playful Museum (Departure Day)

Morning: Grab a quick banitsa and yogurt at Furna or Mekitsa & Coffee. Walk Borisova Gradina’s leafy paths to Eagle’s Bridge, or if weather’s clear, take a short taxi to the Simeonovo gondola for panoramic Vitosha views (check operating hours). Prefer a central fix? Pop into the National Archaeological Museum for Thracian gold and medieval treasures.

Late morning (family‑friendly option): Squeeze in a quirky stop before you go:
Admission Ticket to the Museum of Illusions in Sofia

It’s a fun, quick visit near the center—great for photos and kids.

Lunch & departure: Have a final feast at Hadjidraganov’s Houses (wood‑beamed rooms, live folk music at times; try clay‑baked kavarma) or Little Things (garden seating with seasonal Bulgarian produce). Allow ~20–25 minutes on the metro to the airport; taxis are typically faster off‑peak.

Nightlife add‑on (any evening you choose):

Meet travelers and discover hidden bars on a sociable circuit:
Sofia Pub Crawl Tour of The Hidden Unique Bars

Expect five distinctive venues, from vinyl dens to rakia specialists.

Extra day or swap ideas (from Sofia):

• Plovdiv - Group Day Trip from Sofia

  

  Explore Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited city—Roman theatre, Kapana creative district, and 19th‑century mansions.

Coffee & food cheat‑sheet: Rainbow Factory (breakfast toasts, banitsa), Fabrika Daga (roastery café), Chucky’s (espresso bar), Skaptoburger (craft burgers), Supa Star (soup spot), Moma (modern Bulgarian), Made in Blue (seasonal plates), Cosmos (tasting menu), Raketa Rakia Bar (Bulgarian classics + rakia), Shtastlivetsa (comfort food), Hadjidraganov’s Houses (folk setting), Furna and Mekitsa & Coffee (bakeries), Sputnik, Hambara, Bar Petak (cocktails/nightlife).

With its compact center, generous green spaces, and mountain backdrop, Sofia is perfect for a long weekend. You’ll sample centuries of history, vibrant food and wine, and one of the Balkans’ most important monasteries—without ever feeling rushed.