Sofia Holiday Weather Overview
Sofia is the largest city on Bulgaria and also its capital. It can be found at the base of Mount Vitosha in the western region of Bulgaria and is at the strategic centre of the Balkan Peninsula. The city has had many names that include Serdica which was given to city because of the native Celtic tribe that lived there, the Serdi.
Top places to stay in Sofia
When it comes to accommodation in Sofia, there is a wide variety to choose from. At the top end of the scale are the five star hotels that include the Hilton Sofia, Grand Hotel Sofia, Arena di Sedica Residence Hotel and the four star Best Western Premier Thracia Hotel.
All of these hotels boast of excellent facilities and repeat business from loyal customers alongside in house restaurants. If you know where to book they are also aren’t too expensive if you are planning to visit for a short stay.
For those who want to get to know the city on a more intimate level there is always the option of staying in one of the city’s many bed and breakfasts, these include the Casa Ferrari, L’Opera Guest House and Guest House Trakia.
If you are more of a fan of inns and motels then there are a few scattered around the city that include the Sofia Place and Hotel Favorit. Though I you would rather stay in a holiday rental for the privacy they offer there are lots of them to choose from in the city from houses to apartments and even a few studios.
Best food and places to eat in Sofia
Sofia is not short of restaurants either. There are lots of places to eat with a range of cuisines on offer as well as atmospheres and prices.
If you like wine bars there are several in the city that you can find to drink and dine in including The Company and Raketa Rakia Bar. However if you are more interested in visiting a steakhouse for dinner then there is the Boom! Burgers & Steaks, Restaurant Bristol, Metropolitan Hotel Restaurant and Restaurant Lozenetz Sofia.
For those who are looking for a child-friendly dining experience, Sofia doesn’t disappoint. There are restaurants such as Pod Lipite, Manastirska Magernitza, Pizzarela, Hajidraganovite kashti and Happy Bar & Grill that are all reasonably priced, all the meals coming in at under £13 each and more than suitable for children of any age to visit and enjoy a family dining experience.
Things to do and see in Sofia
There are lots of things to do in Sofia so you can never be bored when visiting the city. If you enjoy the more historical and cultural side of tourism then there are places like the Cathedral Saint Alexandar Nevski, Ivan Vazov National Theater, Boyana Church, the National Museum of Military of History, the National Opera and Ballet, The Rotunda of Sveti Georgi (St. George) and the National Institute of Archaeology with Museum.
If you are much more happy when you are active then there are attractions such as the New Sofia Pub Crawl, the Free Sofia Tour, the Sofia Green Tour, Balkan Bites Food Tours and Traventuria Day Tours, all of which will help you get to know the city of Sofia much better.
There are also Sofia Architecture Walks, Hiking Guides and opportunities to go mountain biking.
For something with a little more excitement to it there is Funtopia, Boulderland and the Amphitheatre of Serdica.
Best time to visit Sofia
The best time to visit Sofia is in either the spring or the autumn as the extremes in temperature are not severe and the weather is bright enough with little rainfall so that you can explore not only the city but also the surrounding area.
Climate in Sofia
Sofia enjoys the same climate as the rest of Bulgaria; that is a temperature climate with a small Mediterranean influence to it. Due to this Sofia experience four distinct seasons which are fairly accurate to predict. The summers are long and hot, whilst the winters are cold and filled with snow, though slight abnormalities in the seasonal weather have been known to occur.
Summer in Sofia
The summers are hot and dry and start in June, finishing at the end of August. The temperature reaches an average high of 30 degrees Celsius during the day and a low of 15 degrees Celsius during the night.
In summer Sofia can become unbearably hot and very dusty due to the lack of rain and lack of humidity. Because of the heat, many people tend to pass the hot days in cafes or cool and shaded attractions such as the many churches, cathedrals and museums, enjoying walking around the city when the weather is cooler in the evenings.
Winter in Sofia
Winter comes to Sofia in mid-December and lasts until the end of February. The temperatures have an average high of 4 degrees Celsius and an average low of -4 degrees Celsius.
Sofia receives an average snowfall of 20 cm over the winter period, though the days are sunny, the city becomes difficult to negotiate in the snow and a heavy, grey smog descends on the city, reducing the visibility and making it difficult to land planes in the airport. The smog can also be thick enough to block out the winter sunlight,
Autumn and spring in Sofia
September to November is autumn for Sofia and sees the temperature drop rapidly from the warm summer highs towards the cold winter lows. Similarly spring in Sofia sees a rapid temperature increase from the cold of winter to the warmth of the summer.
The changing of both seasons brings lots of colour the outlying areas of the city and the weather is much more comfortable for exploring the city than that in the summer or winter.
What to wear in Sofia?
Regardless of the time of year, visitors must be sure to bring layers as Sofia weather can be somewhat cool in the evenings. Temperatures can drop quickly in the mountain town and having a light sweater even in the summer (June to August) can come in handy. In the winter (November to February), snow pants and water-resistant jackets and footwear are a must as Sofia weather can be harsh during this time.
Best months to visit Sofia?
June and September are the best month to go for holiday or travel to Sofia. The weather averages gathered from Sofia weather forecast and Sofia weather history also forecast these months temperature to be around 24°c and average of 200.9333 hours of sunshine in a month.
Coldest months of Sofia?
January and February are the coldest months with temperature at around -4°c.
Which months receive most rainfall in Sofia?
June and May receive most rainfall with precipitation count of 112.91mm.
Travelling to Sofia? Check out our Weather averages of Sofia to better plan your holiday or travel.
If you would just like to know what the weather was for a past dates for research or education or you are just curious then visit our historical weather of Sofia section.