- Districts of Sofia
- Lozenets
- Serdika
- Vitosha Boulevard
- Oborische
- Sredets
- An airport
Magnificent Sofia is considered not only the business, educational, but also the cultural center of Bulgaria. Thousands of tourists travel to this amazing city to feel the spirit of history and see famous landmarks with their own eyes. The quality of the rest largely depends on the conditions in which you will live. Therefore, tourists try to decide in advance the issue of accommodation and consider different options for where to stay in Sofia.
Districts of Sofia
According to official data, 24 districts are registered on the territory of the city, most of which are "sleeping". Quiet areas are suitable for those who prefer to live away from the bustle of the city, but it is worth considering the fact that you will be away from the main attractions.
In general, among the numerous offers of tour operators, there are six main areas where visitors stay most often:
- Lozenets;
- Serdika;
- Vitosha Boulevard;
- Obscenity;
- Sredets;
- An airport.
Each of these areas has both advantages and disadvantages. When choosing an area for living in Sofia, first of all, you should focus on individual preferences, proximity to the center, availability of attractions, price category of housing.
Lozenets
Maison Sofia Hotel
The area is the farthest from the central part of Sofia. This type of accommodation is often chosen by couples with children and the elderly. Living in Lozenets has its advantages in the form of the absence of a mass gathering of tourists and the proximity of a popular zoo in the country.
Lozenets is located 3 kilometers from the southern part of Sofia and has very convenient transport links. You can easily reach the most famous sights of the city by any means of transport. In addition, each stop has a convenient board with timetables of all buses and route indication in Bulgarian and English.
In the evenings, locals gather in the central square of the district and arrange exciting performances for children. This long tradition has survived to this day. Also in some streets of Lozenets there are craft workshops, where you will be shown how to make clay dishes or weave knot patterns. Separately, it should be noted that housing prices in the area are much lower than in the center of Sofia.
Accommodation: Magic Castle, Venice Apartments, Park Inn Sofia, Casa de Vidro, Maison Sofia Hotel, Ajiax Boutique apart hotel, Hemus hotel Sofia, Hill hotel, Apartament Krichim, hotel Marinela Sofia, Art-flat apartment, Brand new Lozenets APT …
Serdika
Ramada sofia
This area appeared in Sofia in the middle of the 20th century and quickly gained popularity among tourists. Firstly, it is located next to the historical center of the city, and secondly, in Serdika you can easily find the intersection of the two main metro lines, which allows you to move from one district to another as conveniently and quickly as possible. Thirdly, there is a bus station and a train station in Sofia. If you are planning a trip to Europe, then this is the perfect accommodation option.
As for cultural sites, there are not so many of them in Serdika, but you can find them if you wish. For example, within walking distance from many hotels there is an old bridge crowned with bronze statues of lions. This landmark is considered one of the hallmarks of Sofia and is often depicted on stamps or coins. Not far from the bridge is the Church of Saints Cyril and Methodius - a place with unique energy and architecture.
In the evenings, the streets of Serdika are filled with noise and a lively atmosphere, as cafes, restaurants, bars and nightclubs open their doors everywhere. Tourists are invited to try national cuisine, take part in competitions and just have a good time.
Accommodation: Orange Flower, Anel, Lion Sofia, Best Western Plus Briston, Rila hotel, Sofia, Ramada Sofia, Rosslyn Thracia, Art Hotel.
Vitosha Boulevard
InterContinental Sofia
Residents of the city call this area "Vitoshka". It stretches from south to north and covers most of the metro stations. If you decide to settle in this area, it is better to choose hotels that are located between the Serdika and NDK metro stations. So, you can not only enjoy the sightseeing of historical sights, but also appreciate the shops selling the products of the best Bulgarian and world brands. Every Friday, the stores hold massive sales, so shopping lovers will definitely like Vitosha.
The boulevard is also famous for the fact that houses built in the traditional Bulgarian style have been preserved on its miniature streets. Walking around such buildings, you can get to know the history of the country better and see how the Bulgarian architecture has developed and changed. Among these houses there are many souvenir shops selling original stationery, figurines, magnets, dishes, and household items.
In the evenings, artists, musicians and dancers come to the boulevard to create an amazing creative atmosphere. For a moderate fee, artists will paint your portrait or caricature, and street musicians will delight you with national music in live performance.
Accommodation: Best Western Premier, Canape Connection Guest house, The Concer, Le Flior, Elegant Authentic, InterContinental Sofia, The Central Blue Apartment.
Oborische
Crystal palace
This large-scale quarter is considered the most fashionable and popular among tourists. It stretches in the central part of the city between Krakra streets, Evlogi boulevard and Silistra. The area is distinguished by an abundance of small streets combined with wide boulevards, where you can see the iconic historical sights of Sofia. Among them:
- Doktorska Gradina park;
- mansions of celebrities of the past;
- the temple of Hagia Sophia;
- rotunda of St. George;
- the Banya-Bashi mosque;
- National Academy of Arts;
- People's Library.
Also on the territory of the region you can find various thematic museums offering tourists to get acquainted with their collections, which are part of the cultural heritage of Bulgaria. We should also mention the historical museum, which houses ancient rarities found not only in Bulgaria, but also abroad.
Accommodation in hotels or apartments in Oborishte is perfect for theater lovers, as the area is home to the city's best theater. The theater's repertoire is updated every season, with local and international celebrities playing on its stage.
After visiting the sights, you will have a great opportunity to take part in sports events that are held at the base of the park. Bicycle races, golf, badminton, tennis, basketball - these sports can be practiced in Oborishte every day, as it is a very common form of recreation among Bulgarian youth.
Accommodation: Crystal Palace, Opera Deluxe Central, Family hotel Agoncev, Design hotel, Favorite hotel, Sofia Residence boutique hotel, Arena di Serdica hotel, Central West hotel, Sofia hotel Balkan, Hotel Downtown.
Sredets
Best Western Art Plaza
This area is the southern "neighbor" of Oborishte, therefore, the advantages of living on its territory can also include the presence of nearby attractions and the availability of transport links between cities. It is worth noting that the main pedestrian streets and boulevards of the city are located not far from Sredets, where you can not only stroll in the evening, but also go shopping in Sofia.
Football fans are especially pleased to live in this area, as the largest stadiums in the country are built here. They regularly host regional and international championships. Thousands of fans from different parts of Bulgaria and other countries come to watch this spectacle. You can also train at the stadiums absolutely free of charge, and if you wish, you can get recommendations from a professional sports instructor.
Sredets is known among tourists for the fact that here you can find cozy apartments at a fairly affordable price. This type of accommodation is often sought after by young couples, families with children and single travelers.
Hotels and apartments for accommodation: Home House Sofia, Diter, Shishman, Downtown, Villa Anika, Guest House in Sredets, Sense hoteL Sofia, Best Western Art Plaza, Slavenska Beseda hotel, Crystal Palace boutique hotel.
An airport
Apartments Sunflowers Airport
For those who do not plan to stay in Sofia for a long period of time, it is better to find accommodation in the immediate vicinity of the airport. The main advantage of this type of accommodation is the ability to quickly get to the city center. The transport interchange near Sofia airport is well developed, so you will not need to look for an additional transportation option. In addition, there is a rental office in the arrivals area, where you can always rent a car and explore the city.
As a rule, most of the hotels near the airport are distinguished by high quality of service and moderate pricing policy. Also, don't forget that room rates often include breakfast and airport shuttle on the day of departure. At the reception, tourists are offered booklets with excursion programs. This way to explore Sofia is suitable for those who have a little time left. The tour is carried out by the hotel bus and lasts no more than 10 hours, after which you will be transferred to the hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel Consul, Apartment near to Airport, Guest house Zornitsa, Best Western premier Sofia airport hotel, Stay nexus, Apartment Druzhba, Snug apartment near airport and metro.
