Sofia wears its 2,000+ years of history in layers you can literally walk through: Roman streets under glass, medieval churches tucked between socialist landmarks, and leafy parks framing grand Habsburg-era facades. The city’s golden-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral anchors a compact center where cafes spill onto cobblestones and tram bells set the rhythm.

Beyond the postcard sights, Sofia is a food city. Expect flaky banitsa for breakfast, grilled kebapche at convivial taverns, and modern-Bulgarian plates driven by seasonal produce and native wines like Mavrud and Melnik. Evenings can mean a mellow rakia flight, a rooftop sunset, or a live set at a storied club.

Practical notes: Bulgaria uses the lev (BGN); cards are widely accepted and tipping 10% is appreciated. Sofia’s metro links the airport to downtown in about 30–35 minutes, while taxis and ride-hailing are affordable. Dress modestly for churches and monasteries, and check current advisories before day trips into the mountains.

Sofia

At the crossroads of Europe and Asia, Sofia blends Thracian, Roman, Ottoman, and Soviet chapters into a walkable, park-filled capital. Top sights include the Rotunda of St. George (4th century), the Roman ruins of Serdica by the Largo, the Boyana Church with 13th-century frescoes, and the National Archaeological Museum inside a former Ottoman mosque.

Eat your way through old-meets-new Bulgaria: rustic taverns serving Shopska salad and slow-cooked kavarma, next to sleek kitchens reimagining classics with foraged herbs and local cheeses. Coffee culture is serious, and craft beer bars, wine bars, and rakia specialists keep evenings lively.

• Where to stay: Browse central stays on Hotels.com (Sofia) or apartment-style options on VRBO (Sofia). Specific picks: sleek design-forward Sense Hotel Sofia with a panoramic rooftop; reliable, business-friendly Novotel Sofia near The Mall; and budget-favorite Hostel Mostel Sofia with social common areas.
• How to get there: For flights within Europe, compare fares and times on Omio (Flights)—typical nonstop times: London–Sofia ~3h, Rome–Sofia ~1h45, Berlin–Sofia ~2h. From outside Europe, check Trip.com (Flights) and Kiwi.com (Flights); one-stop itineraries from New York are ~11–12h. For regional rail and coach to Sofia, use Omio (Trains) and Omio (Buses)—for example, Plovdiv–Sofia by train is ~2.5h and often under €10.

Day 1 — Arrive and First Tastes of Sofia

Afternoon: Land at Sofia Airport and ride the M4 metro to Serdika (about 30–35 minutes). Check in, drop bags, and take an easy orientation walk along Vitosha Boulevard to the City Garden by the Ivan Vazov National Theatre. Grab a specialty coffee at Chucky’s Coffee House or a pistachio eclair at Villa Rosiche.

Evening: Welcome dinner at Moma Bulgarian Food & Wine (embroidered interiors, grilled meats, seasonal salads) or Made in Blue (a 1930s house serving modern Bulgarian comfort plates like slow-braised lamb and beetroot carpaccio). Cap the night on the Sense Rooftop Bar with cathedral views or sample a Bulgarian wine flight at Grape Central.

Day 2 — Sofia’s Golden Domes and Roman Roots

Morning: Breakfast at Furna (still-warm banitsa and yogurt with honey) or Fabrika Daga / Rainbow Factory (eggs, flat whites). Visit the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and browse the outdoor icon-and-antique market. Step into the Basilica of St. Sofia, then continue to the National Gallery – The Palace for Bulgarian and European art.

Afternoon: Walk the glass-covered Roman streets of Serdica by the Largo and the 4th‑century Rotunda of St. George. Explore the National Archaeological Museum (Thracian gold, Roman statuary). Lunch in the atmospheric timbered rooms of Hadjidraganov’s Houses—order kavarma in a clay pot and grilled trout. Espresso stop at Drekka or DABOV roastery.

Evening: If schedules align, catch a performance at the Ivan Vazov National Theatre. Dinner at Cosmos, where chefs reimagine classics (think yogurt-marinated lamb, wild herb salads). Nightcap at The Cocktail Bar or garden-side One More Bar.

Day 3 — Eat Like a Local + Hidden Corners

Morning: Start with a sesame-studded banitsa at HleBar or a croissant at 100 Grams of Sweet. Peek into the Banya Bashi Mosque and the elegant former Central Mineral Bath building (now the Regional History Museum). Stroll the Ladies’ Market (Zhenski Pazar) for seasonal produce, herbs, and spice stalls.

Afternoon: Join this delicious small-group experience: Sofia Food & Tasting Tour with Communist-Era Tram Ride (expect banitsa, peppers stuffed the old way, “grilled cheese on a tile,” and a history-rich tram ride). It’s a flavorful way to understand how cuisine evolved across Ottoman, Revival, and socialist eras.

Evening: Dinner at retro-chic Raketa Rakia Bar—pair Shopska salad with a rakia flight and pork neck with lyutenitsa. For a relaxed bar hop, try Kanaal (craft beer and natural wine), hidden-lantern Hambara (cash-only, candlelit), and Halbite (Bulgarian brews).

Day 4 — Day Trip: Rila Monastery & Boyana Church (UNESCO)

Spend a full day in the mountains on this well-paced minibus tour: From Sofia: Rila Monastery & Boyana Church Day Tour. You’ll see medieval frescoes at Boyana (a masterwork of 1259) and the pine-framed Rila Monastery with its striped arcades and gilded icons. Typical duration is 8.5–10 hours; prices often start around $35–60 per person. Dress code: shoulders and knees covered inside religious sites.

Lunch tips near Rila: try monastery-adjacent stalls for warm mekitsi (fried dough with powdered sugar or feta) and trout restaurants along the Rilska River. Return to Sofia for a casual bite—juicy burgers at Skaptoburger or grilled meats at SkaraBar.

Day 5 — Vitosha Mountain and City Spirited Evenings

Morning: Ride or taxi to the Simeonovo gondola (about 20–30 minutes from center; round-trip lift tickets typically ~€10–15) and float up to Aleko. Choose an easy ridge walk with views across Sofia or a moderate trail toward Black Peak (allow 3–4 hours round-trip if attempting; check weather).

Afternoon: Lunch at Aleko Hut (hearty soups, grilled kebabs). Descend and, time permitting, visit the National Museum of History for Thracian treasures and medieval artifacts. Coffee stop back in town at Memento on Vitosha for people-watching.

Evening: Reserve Niko’las 0/360 for a refined Bulgarian tasting menu with wine pairings or opt for Manastirska Magernitsa for monastery-inspired recipes and a leafy courtyard. Nightlife picks: Terminal 1 for live bands and DJ sets, or historic Yalta Club if you’re in the mood for late-night electronic.

Day 6 — Day Trip: Plovdiv, Europe’s Oldest Living City

Plovdiv’s Roman theatre, cobbled Old Town mansions, and artsy Kapana district reward a full-day visit. Book the well-reviewed Plovdiv Full-Day Small-Group Tour from Sofia with Pickup for efficient transport (about 1.5–2 hours each way) and storytelling that connects Thracian roots, Roman prosperity, and Bulgarian Revival architecture. Expect ample free time for cafes and galleries in Kapana.

Back in Sofia, dine at Shtastlivetsa on Vitosha (big menu, Bulgarian favorites) or cozy up at Izbata Tavern for clay-pot stews and house wine. If you still have energy, a quiet digestif at Raketa or a craft pour at Vitamin B hits the spot.

Day 7 — Galleries, Quirky Museums, and Farewell Flavors

Morning: Coffee at DABOV or Chucky’s, then wander the Doctor’s Garden area for small galleries and boutiques along Shipka and Oborishte. Pop into the Sofia Synagogue (when open) to appreciate its Moorish Revival interior.

Afternoon: For playful science-meets-art, book an Admission Ticket to the Museum of Illusions in Sofia—great for photos and perspective-bending rooms. Then stroll the City Garden one last time and pick up artisanal gifts: rose-oil toiletries, honey, and local wines.

Evening: Celebrate your final night at Cosmos (if you missed it earlier) or book a table at Talents Restaurant, run by culinary students under chef mentors. For a last toast, rooftop views at Sense or a Bulgarian wine pour at Grape Central sum up the week in style.

Optional/Alternate Day Trip — Rocks and Fortresses

If you prefer another full-day adventure, swap Day 7 for the dramatic Belogradchik Full-day Tour from Sofia—weathered red sandstone towers, cave formations, and a cliff-top fortress tell a story 200 million years in the making (it’s a long day, but unforgettable in clear weather).

Booking Shortcuts

• Stays: Hotels.com — Sofia | VRBO — Sofia | Sense Hotel Sofia | Novotel Sofia | Hostel Mostel Sofia
• Travel to/within Europe: Omio Flights | Omio Trains | Omio Buses
• Travel from outside Europe: Trip.com Flights | Kiwi.com Flights

In one week, you’ll have traced Sofia from Roman Serdica to glittering domes, eaten through markets and modern kitchens, and breathed alpine air on Vitosha. With two classic day trips to UNESCO-listed Rila and storybook Plovdiv, this itinerary balances depth and variety—leaving just enough to bring you back.