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EuropeBulgariaSofia-Capital

Sofia

Sofia-Capital, Bulgaria · Europe

About Sofia

Sofia is worth a stop: 20 minutes from Negovan, 44km from Iskar Gorge.

Sofia is a major city located in Sofia-Capital, Bulgaria. With a population of 1,152,556, it is one of the largest urban centers in Europe.

On a road trip, Sofia sits in Bulgaria, where you drive on the right. It's in the Europe/Sofia time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Sofia to your route.

About Sofia

The National Assembly (Bulgarian: Народно събрание, romanized: Narodno sŭbranie) is the unicameral parliament and legislative body of Bulgaria.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Sofia

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Sofia?

Sofia offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Sofia?

Plan your road trip to Sofia with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Sofia as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Sofia located?

Sofia is located in Sofia-Capital, Bulgaria, Europe. The coordinates are 42.6975 latitude, 23.3241 longitude.

What is the population of Sofia?

Sofia has a population of approximately 1,152,556 people, making it a major city in Bulgaria.

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Quick Information

Population
1,152,556
Continent
Europe
Country
Bulgaria
Region
Sofia-Capital
Timezone
Europe/Sofia
Coordinates
42.6975, 23.3241

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in Bulgaria

Police
112
Ambulance
112
Fire
112
Driving side
right

Vignette required for all roads outside towns.

Full driving guide for Bulgaria

Tags

EuropeBulgariaSofia-CapitalMajor City

Worth the detour from Sofia

5 notable places within an hour's drive.

cathedral

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

A neo-Byzantine cathedral in Sofia and one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world.

1 km · about 5 min drive

famous road

Iskar Gorge

Bulgaria's longest gorge, threaded by road and rail north of Sofia; the route twists beneath the sheer Lakatnik Rocks and past cliff-top monasteries along the Iskar River.

44 km · about 50 min drive

mountain pass

Petrohan Pass

Forested 1,444 m pass over the western Balkan Mountains between Sofia and Montana, a favourite Bulgarian driving road with tight bends, beech woods and a summit dam lake.

51 km · about 60 min drive

natural wonder

Seven Rila Lakes

A chain of seven stunning glacial lakes stacked at different elevations in the Rila Mountains, each named for its distinctive shape.

55 km · about 65 min drive

scenic viewpoint

Vratsata Gorge

Short but stunning pass road just outside Vratsa, running between the highest vertical limestone walls in the Balkans: a favourite of climbers and a striking gateway drive into the Vratsa Balkan.

58 km · about 65 min drive

Driving roads near Sofia

  • 44 kmIskar GorgeBulgaria's longest gorge, threaded by road and rail north of Sofia; the route twists beneath the sheer Lakatnik Rocks and past cliff-top monasteries along the Iskar River.
  • 51 kmPetrohan PassForested 1,444 m pass over the western Balkan Mountains between Sofia and Montana, a favourite Bulgarian driving road with tight bends, beech woods and a summit dam lake.
  • 58 kmVratsata GorgeShort but stunning pass road just outside Vratsa, running between the highest vertical limestone walls in the Balkans: a favourite of climbers and a striking gateway drive into the Vratsa Balkan.

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Sofia.

Negovan

🇧🇬 Bulgaria

10 km awayPop. 1,737

Chepintsi

🇧🇬 Bulgaria

11 km awayPop. 2,532

Svetovrachane

🇧🇬 Bulgaria

11 km awayPop. 2,172

Bozhurishte

🇧🇬 Bulgaria

13 km awayPop. 4,360

Kostinbrod

🇧🇬 Bulgaria

16 km awayPop. 12,175

Lozen

🇧🇬 Bulgaria

16 km awayPop. 6,312

Kremikovtsi

🇧🇬 Bulgaria

17 km awayPop. 3,208

Seslavtsi

🇧🇬 Bulgaria

18 km awayPop. 1,066

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence