Best Value Stays: Comfortable Mid-Range Hotels in Sofia, Bulgaria
Sofia is a city that offers a great mix of ancient history, beautiful architecture, and modern city life—all without the hefty price tag of many other European capitals. When you’re planning your trip to Bulgaria’s capital, you’ll find that your money goes a long way, especially when it comes to accommodation.
For travelers who prioritize comfort, a convenient location, and a great price-to-value ratio, Sofia’s mid-range hotels are an excellent choice. This is where you can find modern amenities, clean rooms, and easy access to the city’s main sights without breaking the bank. Our recommendations below are for hotels that consistently receive high marks for quality and service from past guests, offering a reliable and comfortable base for your Bulgarian adventure.
The hotels fall mainly into a few key areas:
- The City Center/Centrum District: This is the most popular area, placing you within walking distance of historical sites like the Serdika ruins, the Vitosha Boulevard pedestrian street, and numerous museums and restaurants.
- Lozenets/NDK Area: A more upscale residential and business area near the National Palace of Culture (NDK) and South Park, it’s considered very safe and well-connected to the center via metro.
- Mladost/Airport Proximity: Areas like Mladost are often near business parks and the airport, a bit further out but perfect if you need quick airport access or are traveling for business, often with excellent new metro connections.
Top Central Choices for First-Time Visitors
These hotels are perfectly situated for sightseeing, placing you a short walk or quick public transport ride away from Sofia’s must-see attractions.
Rosslyn Thracia Hotel
A very well-regarded 4-star property located in the quiet part of the central city, yet just a few steps from Vitosha Boulevard and the NDK. Guests enjoy modern, well-sized rooms and a feeling of being at the heart of the action while still having a peaceful retreat.
- Pros: Exceptional central location, clean and quiet rooms, convenient underground parking available (for a surcharge).
- Cons: Some guests note minor wear-and-tear in rooms, which are not uniformly modern.
Central Hotel Sofia
Offering a truly central location, this 4-star hotel is a short walk from the Serdika metro station and the main pedestrian shopping street. The rooms are generally spacious, and the breakfast buffet is highly praised for its quality and variety.
- Pros: Excellent location for walking to major historical sites and shopping, very good breakfast, friendly and helpful staff.
- Cons: Parking is available but incurs an extra charge; some older reviews mention that certain parts of the hotel may feel a little dated.
ART HOTEL 158
Despite the “Boutique” feel that is usually a caution, this hotel is a solid 3-star performer nestled on a quiet street in the city center. It’s close to the main train and bus stations, with the Serdika metro station nearby. The rooms are clean, bright, and offer great value.
- Pros: Quiet central location, close to public transport (metro and train/bus stations), very high rating for cleanliness and friendly staff.
- Cons: The “art” theme may not appeal to all, and some rooms can be an unusual shape.
Eurostars Sofia City
A reliably clean and spacious 4-star hotel in the center, providing a comfortable stay near the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral area. The modern rooms and overall professionalism make it a safe choice for any traveler.
- Pros: Great location for sightseeing and near the metro, rooms are clean and spacious.
- Cons: Inconsistent feedback on breakfast quality and variety, some past reviews mention poor service from a few front desk staff.
Hotel Via Serdika
A modern 4-star hotel that is well-maintained and highly rated for its new-feeling facilities and excellent cleanliness. Its location is slightly set back but still walkable to the city center, offering a good balance of accessibility and quiet.
- Pros: Clean and modern rooms, great showers, and excellent staff service.
- Cons: Location is just outside the immediate core of the center, making some walks a little longer.
Reliable Chain & Business-Friendly Options
These hotels, often part of international chains or focused on the business traveler, offer consistent quality, excellent amenities, and are typically well-connected to both the city center and the airport.
Novotel Sofia
This 4-star Novotel offers the brand’s signature modern comfort and spacious rooms. While slightly outside the city center, it is right next to The Mall and has great public transport access, making it very convenient.
- Pros: Very comfortable and spacious rooms, excellent modern amenities (like water stations on floors), and a location right next to a major shopping mall.
- Cons: Not in the city center—a quick trip on public transport is needed for sightseeing.
Metropolitan Hotel Sofia, a member of Radisson Individuals
Located near the airport and key business parks, this newly renovated 4-star hotel is ideal for those flying in or out. It maintains high standards of cleanliness and features contemporary, stylish rooms.
- Pros: Extremely clean and modern rooms, excellent for airport and business access, highly professional staff.
- Cons: Far from the main tourist sights—you will rely on the metro/taxi to get to the center. Some guests report issues with central heating being unavailable in the shoulder seasons.
Mercure Sofia City
A recently renovated 4-star hotel that offers new and well-appointed rooms, adhering to the high standards of the Mercure brand. It’s a great option for a sleek, modern stay slightly outside the immediate rush of the city center.
- Pros: High value for money, newly renovated rooms, and free on-site parking.
- Cons: Location is a few kilometers from the city center, making public transport necessary.
Best Western Terminus Hotel
A modern and functional 4-star hotel that is perfect for transit travelers, located very close to the Central Railway and Bus Stations. The connection to the center via metro or a longer walk is very straightforward.
- Pros: Excellent proximity to the main transport hubs, spacious rooms with comfortable beds, and a good complimentary breakfast.
- Cons: The surrounding area of the train station is less attractive than the main city center; some past guests have mentioned minor issues with room cleanliness.
Comfortable Stays in Safe, Connected Neighborhoods
These hotels are a little further out but are situated in great neighborhoods, offering a quieter atmosphere while still being well-connected by Sofia’s efficient public transport.
Rosslyn Central Park Hotel Sofia
A well-located 4-star hotel on the upper part of Vitosha Boulevard, close to the NDK and South Park. The rooms are spacious, clean, and offer high levels of comfort. It is situated in a safe, upscale neighborhood.
- Pros: Excellent location on a main artery, very comfortable and clean rooms, situated in a nice and safe district.
- Cons: Some lower-floor rooms facing the boulevard can be noisy due to traffic and trams.
Legends Hotel
Located in the upscale Lozenets district, this 4-star hotel offers a good combination of comfortable, spacious rooms and a location near a metro station and major shopping areas. It offers a slightly more “local” feel away from the main tourist throng.
- Pros: Excellent location near a metro station and shopping malls, spacious rooms, and helpful staff.
- Cons: Some parts of the hotel are mentioned as needing modern updates/renovation.
Hotel ZOO Sofia
As the name suggests, this 4-star hotel is located near the Sofia Zoo and in the green, quiet Lozenets area. It’s a bit of a distance from the center, but the area is known for being very quiet and pleasant.
- Pros: Peaceful location away from city noise, often offers spacious rooms/apartments.
- Cons: Far from the city center and main sights; some reviews suggest the hotel sometimes misses the mark on 4-star service and cleanliness.
Hotel Jasmin
A quiet 3-star property in a pleasant suburb with great access to Vitosha Mountain. It is an ideal pick if you have a car (free parking is a huge plus) or prefer a tranquil environment with good bus connections to the center.
- Pros: Peaceful location with mountain views, ample free parking, highly-rated on-site restaurant (across the street).
- Cons: Definitely not central—you must rely on public transport or a car to reach main city sights. Some buildings lack an elevator.
Hotel Favorit
A solid 3-star hotel with a very good location near the main train/bus station and the Lavov Most metro stop, which makes getting around the city very easy. It provides a reliable and clean base for budget-conscious travelers seeking convenience.
- Pros: Excellent value and location next to major transport hubs (train/metro), comfortable beds, and very friendly staff.
- Cons: Situated in a less polished area near the station; breakfast is served at a different, nearby location.
B1 City Hotel Sofia
A clean, modern 3-star option in the downtown area, known for its minimalist design and central location. It’s perfect for travelers who appreciate a clean aesthetic and the ability to walk to most main tourist spots.
- Pros: Very central and walkable location, clean and modern minimalist design, great mattress comfort.
- Cons: The rooms can be slightly small; some guests find the in-room storage is limited.