Sofia vs Belgrade: Which city should you visit?

Thinking about a Balkan road trip, but can’t decide between Sofia and Belgrade? Known for their stunning architecture, rich culture, and crazy nightlife, both Sofia and Belgrade are exciting destinations worth visiting.  

While these two Balkan capitals have a lot in common, each place offers a different kind of experience. Since I’ve spent a significant amount of time in Serbia and Bulgaria, I decided to create this Sofia vs Belgrade travel guide comparing these two cities to help you decide your next destination.

Whether you are visiting as a tourist, a digital nomad searching for a cool city to work from, or a person looking for a new home, this Sofia vs Belgrade comparison guide provides answers to all of your questions.

Sofia vs Belgrade: Basic info & general vibe

Let me start by pointing out that both Sofia and Belgrade have big-city vibes. As you probably know, Belgrade is the capital of Serbia, while Sofia is the capital city of Bulgaria. Both cities are located in the Balkan Peninsula, are home to approximately 1.2 million people, and offer excellent value for money for travelers from Western countries.

Belgrade has cool museums, beautiful historical buildings, and a big party scene. Sofia also has great architecture, but the nightlife is not as good as in Belgrade. The capital of Bulgaria has a higher standard of living than Belgrade and a more reliable transportation system (metro). I should also mention that, unlike Serbia, Bulgaria is part of the EU.

Want to read more about each of these countries?

• Check all Serbia travel guides
• Check all Bulgaria travel guides

Sofia vs Belgrade: Getting there

If you are traveling from other Balkan countries to Belgrade and Sofia, the easiest way to reach these two cities is by road. You can travel by car or hop on a bus to reach Sofia and Belgrade. If you will be renting a car for your trip, check the rates with Discover Cars.

Travelers coming from the USA, UK, or other faraway destinations can book a flight to reach these two destinations. Being the capital cities of their countries, Belgrade and Sofia both have international airports.

The good news is there are flights from all over Europe to Sofia and Belgrade airports. Looking for cheap flights? Both Wizz Air and Ryan Air offer flights to and from Sofia. To reach Belgrade and save cash on flight tickets, I recommend booking with Wizz Air.

Sofia vs Belgrade: Things to do in each city

When it comes to the city with the best things to do, it is hard to decide between Sofia and Belgrade – it really depends on what you are looking for.

To help you decide where to go and what to see, here is a short list of my recommendations for things to do in Sofia and Belgrade. We’ve provided also complete guides if you want a full itinerary.

Things to do in Sofia

• Visit the Largo and admire the beauty of socialist architecture in Sofia. This architectural ensemble of three buildings is located in downtown Sofia.
• Check out Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world! The exterior with its golden domes and numerous turrets looks spectacular.
• Shopaholics visiting Sofia will want to go for a stroll along Vitosha Boulevard. It is home to some of the best boutiques in the city.
• History lovers can check out the Ancient Serdica Archaeological Complex. Here, you will find remains of the Roman city of Serdica.
• Snap a photo in front of the Banya Bashi Mosque.
• To learn more about the history of Bulgaria, spend a few hours at the National Historical Museum. This huge complex has more than 65,000 items on display.
• Shop for groceries and try local Bulgarian delicacies at the Central Market Hall. It is situated inside a charming neo-Renaissance-style building.

Things to do in Belgrade

• Nikola Tesla was a great physicist, inventor, and electrical engineer. No visit to Belgrade is complete without checking out the world-famous Nikola Tesla Museum where you will find an interactive exhibition of his work.
• Visit Zemunski Kej, a beautiful promenade where you can enjoy views of the Sava River. For tasty cocktails and sunset views, step inside one of the many old vessels (splavovi) at Zemunski Kej.
• Nature lovers can spend a day in the beautiful Jevremovac Botanical Garden. This peaceful oasis is located right in the city center. Don’t miss the Victorian-style greenhouse which is home to an impressive collection of warm-weather plants.
• Admire the beauty of contemporary paintings, sculptures, and other visual exhibitions at the Museum of Contemporary Art in New Belgrade.
• To learn more about the history of Socialist Yugoslavia and our former president Josip Broz Tito, go to the Museum of Yugoslavia.
• Get up early in the morning to visit the food market in Zeleni Venac. Here, you can mingle with the locals and get everything from locally-grown meats and cheeses to fruits and veggies.
• The largest green space in the city, Kalemegdan Park is a great place to spend the day.
• Catch drama, opera, and ballet performances at the National Theatre in Belgrade.

Sofia vs Belgrade: Which destination is cheaper

As a tourist, you will probably spend a similar amount of money when visiting Sofia and Belgrade.

Restaurant and supermarket prices are on average 4% lower in Sofia, but it really depends on the types of places you will be going to. One thing both of these cities have in common is that food portions are large, so you can at least count on being well served, wherever you decide to eat.

When it comes to transport, you will be spending more money on taxis in Belgrade. The price of public transport, however, is quite similar between Belgrade and Sofia. We saved more in Sofia because we spent most of our days walking around, while in Belgrade, many of the attractions were further away from each other.

If you are visiting as a tourist, expect to pay a similar amount of money for accommodation in Belgrade and Sofia.

Sofia vs Belgrade: Transport options for getting around the city

Honestly, I never had a good time with traffic in both Sofia and Belgrade. The parking is a hassle and public transportation is crowded during peak hours. But, I have to say that things are a bit better in Sofia.

With buses, trolleys, trams, and taxis, Belgrade has a decent public transportation system. However, Sofia easily wins this category simply because the capital of Bulgaria has an underground Metro system.

Metro in Sofia has four lines and about 60 metro stations spread across the city. In addition to the metro system, Sofia also has trams, buses, and trolleys for getting around the city.

Thinking about renting a car? You’ll be pleased to hear that both Belgrade and Sofia offer reasonably priced car rental options. Even though you don’t necessarily need a car to explore the city, it may come in handy if you plan on exploring more of the country and doing road trips.

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Sofia vs Belgrade: Nightlife

When it comes to Sofia vs Belgrade nightlife, Belgrade is the clear winner. 

With numerous nightclubs, dance bars, and live music venues, the capital of Serbia has a reputation for being one of the best party destinations in the region. Whether you are looking for a casual old-school bar, a stylish rooftop cocktail joint, a large concert venue, or a posh nightclub up and down the Danube River where you can dance the night away, there is so much to choose from when going out at night in Belgrade.

Compared to other European capitals, Sofia also has an amazing nightlife scene. The capital of Bulgaria has a lot of students from all across the country, so it comes as no surprise that this city has a bunch of bars, music venues, and nightclubs.

Here are a few suggestions if you are interested in exploring Belgrade or Sofia’s nightlife scene:

• Best nightclubs in Sofia: Sugar Club, Yalta, Plaza Dance Center, PM Club
• Best cocktail bars in Sofia: 5L Speakeasy Bar, Sputnik Cocktail Bar, the Cocktail Bar
• Best nightclubs in Belgrade: Klub 20/44, Money Club, Backstage, Rush
• Best cocktail bars in Belgrade: Monkey Bar, Belgrade Cocktail Club, Red Bar

Sofia vs Belgrade: Which city offers the best day trips

Looking for day trips from Sofia and Belgrade? The good news is that both of these cities have amazing options for short trips if you are interested in exploring more of each country.

Whether you wish to escape the busy city life and reconnect with nature, visit a charming village with that special someone, see centuries-old castles, or enjoy wine and cheese tasting, there are many cool options for day trips from Sofia and Belgrade to choose from.

Here are my top picks for the best day trips from both Belgrade and Sofia.

Best day trips from Sofia

Visit Koprivshtitsa, a picturesque town known for its maze of narrow streets dotted with historic buildings with vivid colors and rich decorations.

Head out to the most important Eastern Orthodox monastery complex in the country, the beautiful Rila Monastery.

My favorite day trip from Sofia is the Seven Rila Lakes. There is something special about these glacial lakes surrounded by massive mountains.

Rent a car and go for a day trip visiting Plovdiv, the second most visited city in Bulgaria. Read our Plovdiv day trip guide for more information.

Best day trips from Belgrade

Nature lovers will want to spend a day in Fruska Gora National Park. With rolling hills, lakes, hiking trails, wineries, and picturesque villages, this national park looks absolutely fantastic. You can also visit centuries-old monasteries like Novo Hopovo, Jazak, and Vrdnik-Ravanica.

Also known as Kustendorf, Drvengrad is an ethnic village built for Emir Kusturica’s movie Life is a Miracle. It is located about 200 km from Belgrade and is the most popular ethno village in all of Serbia.

Visit the magnificent Golubac Fortress. Nestled on the banks of the Danube River in northeastern Serbia, this 14th-century fortress is one of the most beautiful historic structures in the country. 

You could also decide to go visit Serbia’s second biggest city Novi Sad, where you could stroll through the old town, and pay a visit to the majestic Petrovaradin fortress.

Sofia vs Belgrade: Which city has the best food

Both Serbia and Bulgaria are really proud of their culinary heritage and have amazing cuisines. That being said, it would be really inappropriate to choose a winner in this category. Let’s just say that you won’t stay hungry anywhere in the Balkans. The food is delicious, reasonably priced, and served in large portions.

Here are a few dishes you must try when in Sofia: start off light with a shopska salata. Cure your hangover in Sofia with a bowl of Shkembe chorba, a tripe soup with lots of paprika and garlic. Meat lovers visiting the capital of Bulgaria will want to try dishes like stuffed peppers and Meshana skara. Some of the other popular dishes here include a cold yoghurt soup called Tarator and Banitsa (pastry with cheese, eggs, and yoghurt).

Serbia is known for many amazing dishes. In the morning, pay a visit to a local pekara (bakery) to grab a slice of burek (pastry dish with cheese or meat). For lunch, I would suggest ordering a portion of sarma (cabbage wrapped around minced meat and rice) or getting the traditional meats like cevapi or stuffed pljeskavica (Serbian version of burger).  

Accommodation options in Sofia and Belgrade

As I’ve mentioned before, you can expect to pay similar prices for accommodation in Sofia and Belgrade. Based on our experience, Belgrade seems to offer more options for high-end and luxurious places to stay, but you can find a good range of hotels and apartments in both cities.

Best places to stay in Sofia

To be able to explore most of what Sofia has to offer on foot, you want to find accommodation in the center. Staying close to Vitosha Boulevard is a good way of ensuring your accommodation is very central.

Here are some of our top recommendations for where to stay in Sofia:

• Hotel Niky: If you want a central location, you can’t do any better than this one. Hotel Niky is very well-rated amongst its clients, they have breakfast included and reasonable prices.
• Rosslyn Central Park Hotel Sofia: If comfort is what you are looking for, this is the best option for you. The Rosslyn Central Park is a great option for a place to stay in Sofia and if you get a room on the top floors, you will even have a view of Sofia city center.
• Hostel Mostel: One of the most famous hostels in Sofia, this is the place I recommend the most if you will be traveling to Sofia on a budget.

Best places to stay in Belgrade

One of our favorite areas to stay in Belgrade is close to the Skadarska region. There are great restaurants around and you can reach the center by foot while benefiting from a calmer neighborhood.

Hotel options in Belgrade:

• Twin Apartments Belgrade: This is the apartment Fe & Edo stayed in last time they were in Belgrade and they had a great experience. The apartment’s location is great, it comfortably accommodates four people and the owner even provides parking in his private garage.
• Amsterdam Hotel: This modern hotel is located close to the main bus station, so it is very easy to get around. The facilities are great; the hotel also has a rooftop pool which can come in handy during the summer months.
• Miha Luxury Apartment: This apartment hosts up to 4 people and offers a very good combination of comfort and location. The apartment is fully furnished with everything you may need for a pleasant stay.

Final verdict between Sofia vs Belgrade: Which city is better to visit?

I think we have a tie here. Belgrade wins a few categories, but so does Sofia. The bottom line is that both Sofia and Belgrade are amazing destinations worth visiting.

• Sofia may be the right choice for you if you wish to see beautiful architecture, explore archaeological sites, and visit museums. 
• Belgrade should be your next travel destination if you wish to find amazing nature spots in the center of a city, eat hearty food, and enjoy one of the best nightlife scenes in the Balkans.

Need more information to help you plan your trip through the Balkans?

• Driving in Bulgaria as a foreigner
• Driving in Serbia as a tourist
• Comparison between Belgrade vs Sarajevo
• What to visit in Montenegro (Full itinerary)