Where to Stay in Sofia: 5 Best Areas & Hotels!
The many fantastic places to stay in Sofia will surely make your city trip a perfect experience! Whether couples, solo travelers, families with children or young people, in this trendy Balkan pearl everyone is guaranteed to find the perfect accommodation. But which area of Sofia is the best to stay? Some neighborhoods are great for sightseeing, shopping and going out due to their central location, while others are a little more out of the way and often cheaper. In the last few years, a wide variety of good accommodation options have been opened in Sofia. From luxury hotels, small guesthouses, modern apartments, boutique hotels and backpacker hostels, it’s all here. But what are the best places to stay in Sofia, which neighborhoods are trendy and which hotels are particularly good for a city break?
This guide is all about where to stay in Sofia. In addition, we show you the most charming areas, including pictures, which are especially recommended for a city break. On top of that, there are plenty of useful hotel tips that are perfect for your travel planning!
Sofia Center
A comfortable accommodation or hotel in the center of Sofia is an ideal choice, especially if you are visiting the Bulgarian capital for the first time and want to stay in the middle of the hustle and bustle. Many of the most interesting things to do in Sofia are located in this area and can be easily explored by taking a walk through the Old Town of Sofia. The main highlights in the center of Sofia include the Central Mineral Baths, the Ancient Serdica Archaeological Complex, the famous Banya Bashi Mosque, several museums and historically significant churches. In addition, the district is known for its good gastronomic offer of restaurants, trendy cafés, lively nightlife and traditional markets for shopping.
Those planning a city trip to Sofia will find an excellent selection of wonderful places to stay right in the center. From city hotels to design hotels and boutique hotels to apartments, you’ll find it all. In addition, you will be staying in close proximity to almost all the important places and can therefore easily explore the highlights of the city center on your own.
Best Hotels and Accommodation:
- Charming Design Hotel: The Design Hotel 36 is a fabulous place to stay in the heart of the city. Guests love the great location, the pretty decor, and the friendliness.
- Wonderful Apartment: The Courthouse Apartments Slavi is a beautiful apartment in the old town of Sofia. The price and the location are also top!
- Breathtaking Apartments: The ATRIUM Boutique Hotel offers really modern apartments in different sizes. Perfect for families and small groups.
Vitosha Boulevard
The Vitosha Boulevard is the main shopping street in the Bulgarian capital and actually, one of the best places to stay in Sofia. This boulevard stretches almost one kilometer from St. Nedelya Square to the large National Palace of Culture Park. Being located in the very center of the city, Vitosha Boulevard offers easy access to the main attractions of Sofia. This way, you can enjoy the historical part of Sofia as well as the modern part of the city. An advantage is also the excellent culinary offer and the many opportunities for shopping. Along the boulevard and its side streets there is a wide selection of good restaurants and bars as well as boutiques.
The area around Vitosha Boulevard has some of the best accommodation in Sofia. Most of the places to stay are brand new, modern and hip. They are ideally located close to the main shopping area. Also, like almost everywhere in Sofia, the prices are not too expensive!
Best Hotels and Accommodation:
- Charming City Hotel: The Art ‘Otel is a real insider tip for the best accommodation in Sofia! This hotel scores with a pleasant ambience, a top price and a perfect location in the city!
- Modern Apartments: The beautiful SCA Sofia City Apartments are an ideal choice if you are looking for a modern and beautiful apartment in Sofia.
- Hip Backpacker Hostel: The 5 Vintage Guest House is one of the best hostels in Sofia. Here you can find cheap rooms with nice decor and a cool flair.
Oborishte
A good option to stay in Sofia is the Oborishte area. This neighborhood is the “government and administrative quarter” of the Bulgarian capital with numerous ministries and cultural institutions. It is only a few minutes walk from the world-famous Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. It is the main attraction and landmark of the city. In this rather upscale area, there are some beautiful old townhouses, charming cafés and good restaurants. There are also several small parks nearby, such as the Doctor’s Garden, and museums, such as the National Gallery, are located around Oborishte. With its many green spaces and quiet location, this district is also recommended for families with children.
In Oborishte you are spoiled for choice, as this extremely charming neighborhood is home to some of the absolute best hotels in Sofia. Among them are internationally known 5-star hotel chains, as well as truly charming boutique hotels and some nice vacation apartments.
Best Hotels and Accommodation:
- Fantastic 5-Star Hotel: The Hyatt Regency Sofia is the perfect choice for a luxury vacation in Sofia. Really cool is the Skybar with a fabulous view!
- Great Luxury Hotel: The InterContinental Sofia is one of the best hotels in the city. Guests love the delicious breakfast, good restaurants and chic rooms.
- Good Boutique Hotel: The Crystal Palace Boutique Hotel scores with a good location, tastefully decorated rooms, and an underground garage with plenty of space.
Lozenets
The Lozenets neighborhood is one of the more upscale residential areas in the southern part of downtown. Many of the old apartment blocks from the communist era have been renovated and turned into modern luxury apartment complexes. The area is safe, which makes it an excellent place for a city trip. In addition, Lozenets is surrounded by several public parks, such as Borisova Gradina Park and Loven Park. The famous NDK, the so-called National Palace of Culture in the South Park, is also a real highlight of this area. The James Bourchier Boulevard is also very cool, where you can enjoy the scene life of the Bulgarian capital with numerous trendy restaurants and upscale Bulgarian cuisine.
The Lozenets area is currently one of the most luxurious areas and is well connected to the center by metro. Accommodations are a bit more expensive than elsewhere, but offer excellent living comfort. In fact, some of the best hotels in Sofia have opened here.
Best Hotels and Accommodation:
- Magnificent 5-star Hotel: The Grand Hotel Millennium Sofia is one of the best 5-star hotels in Sofia. Recommended are the huge rooms with cool views of the city.
- Fantastic Apart Hotel: The popular VIKO Boutique Apart Hotel offers modern apartments of various sizes just 15 minutes from the city center.
- Apartment with Parking: The Venice Apartments is a recommended apartment in Lozenets. The parking in the underground garage is also fantastic.
Vitosha
The Vitosha area is located on the outskirts of Sofia, on the edge of the Vitosha Mountains, about 8 kilometers from the center. This area is also called Boyana and is a well-known area for outdoor activities. In the winter, the area around Vitosha offers great opportunities for skiing and snowboarding, while in the summer you can go on wonderful hikes or mountain bike tours. This region is perfect for those who like to live in the green and whose travel focus is on activities in the Vitosha Mountains. There are also several places of interest in the area, such as the Boyana Church and the National History Museum. The center of Sofia is easily accessible by public transportation.
The choice of accommodation is also really ingenious. They are perfect for a longer stay in Sofia. Most of the accommodation options are hotels that cater to the needs of active vacationers. Perfect if you want to spend a few days in nature outside of Sofia.
Best Hotels and Accommodation:
- Nice Boutique Hotel: The beautiful Casa Boyana Boutique Hotel is located near the famous Boyana Church and is a recommendation for this area.
- Pretty 3-Star Hotel: The Hotel Romantic is a charming 3-star hotel which scores with a delicious breakfast, pleasant rooms and warm hospitality.
- Charming Hotel: The wonderful Hotel Villa Boyana – Free Parking scores with a great location, good value for money and free parking for your car!
Find the best accommodation in Sofia:
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. Meaning that if you click on certain links, and then subsequently purchase a product, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Comments are closed.