Travel Information: Getting to Sofia

Welcome to Sofia! Here’s everything you need to know about traveling to Bulgaria’s capital for the congress.

Arriving by Air

Sofia Airport (SOF) is the primary international airport, located just 10 km east of the city center. It offers regular flights to and from major European cities and some intercontinental destinations. The airport has two terminals (Terminal 1 and Terminal 2), both of which provide easy access to transportation options.

Transportation from Sofia Airport to the City Center:

• Metro: The metro line connects Terminal 2 with central Sofia (approx. 20 minutes to the city center).
• Bus: Bus lines 84 and 184 also provide convenient access to the city center. 
• Taxi: Official airport taxis are available outside both terminals, offering a 20-minute ride to the city center. Be sure to use licensed taxis from OK Supertrans to avoid unauthorized services.
• Tickets for public transport cost 1,60 BGN (about 0.80 EUR) for a single journey and can be purchased at kiosks and metro stations.

Arriving by Train

Sofia Central Railway Station is the main train hub, with international connections to cities in neighboring countries. Bulgaria’s rail network is extensive, though it’s often slower than other forms of travel. The station is well-connected to the city center by metro, bus, and tram services.

Arriving by Bus

Sofia Central Bus Station, adjacent to the railway station, provides international bus services from several European cities, including Belgrade, Skopje, and Istanbul. Local and international buses are a cost-effective travel option, and the station offers direct metro access to downtown Sofia.

Getting Around Sofia

Sofia has a reliable and affordable public transport system, including buses, trams, and a modern metro network. Tickets can be purchased at kiosks and metro stations. Taxis are also widely available and reasonably priced; however, be sure to use licensed taxis.

Additional Tips for Visitors:

• Currency: The Bulgarian Lev (BGN) is the local currency. Major credit cards are widely accepted, and ATMs are available throughout the city.
• Language: While Bulgarian is the official language, English is commonly spoken in hotels, restaurants, and tourist areas.
• Emergency Numbers: For emergencies, dial 112 for immediate assistance.

SOFIA – BULGARIA’S CAPITAL.

Sofia is Bulgaria’s capital and its largest city. Founded thousands of years ago, today, the city continues to develop as the country’s cultural and economic center. At present, the city has a population of 1,250,000.

Sofia is located in the western part of the country, on The Sofia Plain and on the lower slopes of Mount Vitosha. The city’s average altitude is 550 meters above sea level, and the climate is moderate and continental, characterized by cold winters and relatively cool summers. The average temperature in January is 1 degree below zero Centigrade, and the average in July is 20 degrees Centigrade. The city is located at a strategic crossroads. The route from Western Europe to Istanbul passes through Sofia via Beograd and Skopje, then through Plovdiv to Turkey. Sofia also connects The Near East and The Middle East, lying between the banks of The Danube and the shores of The White Sea on the one hand and between The Black Sea and The Adriatic on the other.

Three freeways begin in Sofia: Trakia, Lyulin, Struma, and Hemus. The Sofia Airport provides travelers with convenient connections to all major European cities, and passengers can reach every destination in the country from the central train station and bus station. Sofia has been settled for many millennia. In honor of its hot springs, in the 8th century BCE, the Thracian tribes settled here and gave the city its first name – Serdika or Serdonpolis.In the 1st century BCE, Serdika was captured by the Romans, who transformed it into a Roman town. During the reign of Emperor Marcus Ulpius Trajan (reign 98-117 CE), the city took his name, UlpiaSerdika, and became the region’s administrative center. Serdika was the favorite city of Constantine the Great (reign 306-337), who said, “Serdika is my Rome.” In roughly 175, massive fortified walls, with four watchtowers, were built to protect the city, and a second outer fortified wall was added during the 5th-6th centuries. The city flourished for a second time under Justinian the Great (reign 527-565).

At the beginning of the 9th century, the Bulgarian Han Krum (reign 803-814) invaded Serdika. The city became inseparable from The First Bulgarian Empire (7th-9th centuries) under Han Omurtag (reign 814-831). The city was renamed Sredets (The Center), because of its central strategic location. From 1018-1094, Sredets was under Byzantine rule but still remained an important strategic, economic, and cultural center. During the time of The Second Bulgarian Empire (1185-1393), Sredets took on the appearance of a large Medieval city – its narrow, crowded streets witnessed the construction of more and more small churches and monasteries, which later became Sofia’s Holy Mountain. The city gained its present name at the end of the 14th century in honor of the city’s central symbol, The Saint Sofia Basilica. In 1382, the city fell to the Ottomans.

It was liberated five centuries later, in 1878, and on April 3, 1879, it was declared the capital of the newly liberated Bulgarian nation. Sofia preserves many valuable monuments to its long and storied past. Visitors exploring the city’s streets can see remnants of The Eastern Gate from the days when Sofia was Serdika and Sredets, dating from the 2nd-4th centuries CE. These remains are exhibited in the underpass connecting the Presidential Palace and The Ministerial Council, surrounded by shops selling traditional Bulgarian souvenirs and rosewater. The Saint Sofia Basilica, founded during the reign of Justinian (reign 527-565), is one of the oldest churches in the capital. It was the city’s major church during the Middle Ages, and under the Ottomans, it was used as a mosque.

Very close to Saint Sofia is The Memorial Church Saint Alexander Nevsky, now one of the city’s most recognizable symbols. This church was built in 1912 and was designed by the Russian architect Alexander Pomerantsev. Its bell tower rises to a height of 53 meters and houses 53 bells, the heaviest weighing 10 tons. One of Sofia’s most popular tourist destinations, the church can hold roughly 5,000 people, and on important Christian holidays, it is filled with believers. In the church’s crypt is an exhibit of Orthodox Christian art. Directly across from the church is The National Gallery of Art, which often exhibits works by world-famous artists. The oldest church in Sofia is the Saint George Rotunda. It is thought that the church was built in the 6th century, during the reign of Constantine the Great. The Saint is in the rotunda’s immediate proximity, underpass leading to the Serdika metro station. PetkaSamardzhiyska Church was built in the 11th century. Another Christian monument in the region is the Saint Joseph Catholic Cathedral.

While walking in the area, visitors will also see the BanyaBashi Mosque, built in the 16th century. Not far from the mosque is a synagogue, which houses a museum. There is hardly another city in Europe with so many noteworthy Christian, Islamic, and Jewish monuments so close together. Other historical remains are preserved in the immediate vicinity, such as the municipal baths, the marketplace, and The Holy Sunday Church. Adjacent to this church is the Theological Seminary, which houses The National Historical and Archeological Museum. Other points of interest in the city include The Lion Bridge, The Eagle Bridge, The Russian Monument, and the monument to Vasil Levski (a Bulgarian revolutionary hero who gave his life in the struggle to free Bulgaria from the Ottomans in the 19th century). In the midst of the city’s religious landmarks, directly across from The Presidential Palace, is The National Archeological Museum, which has in its collection some of the most valuable treasures discovered in Bulgaria. Masterpieces of Bulgarian painting are on display at The National Art Gallery, located in what was formerly the Bulgarian Royal Palace.

The National Museum of Ethnography is also located here, and The Museum of Natural History is a very short distance away, with exhibits of plants and animals that are very valuable, and even some that can no longer be seen in the wild. Right in front of this museum is The Saint Nikolai Church, which is an architectural landmark. On the lower slopes of Mount Vitosha, in the Boyana District, is located the National Museum of History, which has collections from prehistoric times to the present day.

The museum has one of the largest collections anywhere, with over 700,000 items of cultural importance. Close to the museum is The Boyana Church, one of the Bulgarian monuments listed among the UNESCO World Heritage sites. There are many more capitals in the city, such as The Polytechnical Museum, The Museum of Anthropology, and The Sports Museum.

Since it is the nation’s capital, Sofia hosts essential cultural and musical events, conferences, and sports competitions. The National Palace of Culture, the city’s football stadiums, and the city’s large halls are venues for concerts and performances by famous individuals and groups. Like every big city, Sofia has something for every taste. There are a great many luxury hotels, including those that are part of international hotel chains. There is also a wide variety of hostels and smaller family guesthouses. Many discotheques, restaurants, bars, piano bars, folk clubs, taverns, soda fountains, fast food outlets, and other entertainment exist. Sofia and the immediate vicinity also boast a great many spa complexes. The hot springs at Bankya, a nearby resort, offer beautiful facilities for rest, recreation, and wellness. Ten spa centers within the capital’s city limits provide peace and relaxation, along with therapeutic and beauty treatments. Vitosha Boulevard is one of Sofia’s favorite spots for visitors and residents.

Here, shops are carrying world-famous brands, and since it’s a pedestrian zone, it is a very pleasant place for strolling and relaxation. In general, the capital is a shopper’s delight since Sofia is still one of the major crossroads on the Balkan Peninsula for trade of all kinds The city’s annual celebration is observed on September 17 in honor of the martyrdom of Saint Sofia and her three daughters Vyara (Faith), Nadezhda (Hope), and Lyubov (Love).