Book Olympic Air Flights to Sofia from €229*
Explore lowest fares to Sofia
Athens (ATH)to
Sofia (SOF)*Best fares for one way flights found by others.
More offers for flights to Sofia
*Best fares for one way flights found by others.
To Sofia
Travelling to Sofia
Built at the foot of Mt. Vitosha, the capital of Bulgaria is one of the most ancient cities in Europe. Romantic, religious, retro, with traces of human habitation dating back to prehistoric times, Sofia is always growing… but never grows old!
Known in ancient times as Serdica, from the Celtic tribe of the Serdi who settled in the region, Sofia has fallen to many different conquerors in its long history, from Alexander the Great and the Romans to the Byzantine Emperors, the Huns and, finally, the Ottomans. In 1879 it became the capital of the Principality of Bulgaria, and, after the entry of the Russian army into the country, in 1944, it was declared the capital of the communist People’s Republic of Bulgaria. Over the next few years it expanded in terms of both size and population, gradually acquiring the form it has today.
One of the most ‘’compact’’ and ‘’walker-friendly’’ capitals in Europe, Sofia is a lively, modern city, full of parks and historic monuments which bear witness to its long history.
Find the best deals on flights to Sofia on Olympic Air’s site and get acquainted with one of the most attractive of the new Balkan tourist destinations.
Things to do in Sofia
Visit the majestic Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the city’s symbolic landmark and second largest (as regards congregation capacity) Orthodox church in the world, after Saint Sava in Belgrade.
Don’t miss Saint Sophia church, an important example of early Byzantine architecture, constructed in the 5th century.
Make a stop at the National Gallery of Foreign Art, an eclectic museum, dedicated to art and human creativity all over the world. The Museum of Foreign Art has an impressive collection of 10,000 items, including masterpieces by great western European artists, sculpture from India and African art.
A visit to the imposing Boyana church, at the foot of Mt. Vitosha, is an absolute must. It has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its unique frescoes dating back to 1259.
Look out for the Rotunda of Saint George, a 4th century AD building that lies concealed between the forecourt of the Presidential Residence and the Sheraton Hotel. This is the oldest Orthodox church in eastern Europe with beautiful medieval frescoes.
Admire the interior decoration of the attractive former city mineral baths and see the beautiful Banya Bashi mosque, a typical example of 16th century Ottoman architecture.
Stroll through wonderful Borisova Gradina park, a vast green oasis with an artificial lake in the centre of the city.
Day trips from Sofia
Head for the nearby suburbs of Knyazhevo and Simeonovo (just 10 minutes from the city) and take a cable car to the top of Mt. Vitosha (about 20 minutes). In Vitosha park, the oldest national park in the Balkans, you can walk along picturesque paths or enjoy skiing on the slopes in winter.
Not far from Sofia you will also find the trendy ski resorts of Borovets and Bansko, offering excellent infrastructure at reasonable prices.
Best shopping in Sofia
Go for a walk along Vitosha Blvd., one of the most expensive shopping streets in the world, selling designer labels and contemporary items.
Sofia is a city where art, painting and objets d’art are taken very seriously. You should take a stroll along peaceful Tsar Samuil Street, where the numerous fine galleries give the impression of a museum broken up into many small parts. You will be able to admire fine aquarelles, sculptures, art photographs, ceramics and old collectible toys and games, at a wide range of prices.
Make a stop at the Centre of folk arts and crafts (Pl. Battenberg) where you will find craft items, including hand-made blankets, ceramic ware and silver jewellery, as well as books and CDs with a Balkan flavour.
For book lovers and collectors, the Balkans’ largest open-air book market is held in Petko R. Slaveykov Square.
Food and entertainment in Sofia
Bulgarian cuisine features some superb cheeses, mushrooms, white cheese from cow’s milk and excellent local red wine.
You should try the food at the mehani, the traditional little restaurants which stay open until very late. A traditional dish you should try is the shkembe chorba, a type of soup made of milk, flour, paprika, garlic and vinegar.
Most restaurants and bars in Sofia are near the centre, and in the evenings you will find plenty of impressive clubs and little bars in which to enjoy a relaxing drink.
Transport from Sofia airport
Metro line 1 will take you from the airport to the city centre in about 18 minutes, departing daily from 5.30 a.m. to midnight. Alternatively, you can take bus number 84 or 184 that operate a daily circular bus route between the airport (Christopher Columbus Blvd) and the city centre (Gen. Gurko Str). Journey time is 35 - 45 minutes. You can buy tickets from special kiosks at Terminal 2 or from ticket vending machines located at Terminal 1.
If you chose to go by taxi, make sure to look for the properly licensed taxis bearing the official ''OK Supertrans’’ logo (contractual partner of the airport).
With its magnificent buildings, opportunities for alternative activities, and beautiful gardens, Sofia is attracting an ever-increasing number of visitors. Book a flight for Sofia with Olympic Air and get acquainted with the ‘’Queen of the Balkans’’.