Private City Tour of Sofia
Traveler rating
4.4/5
Based on 42 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private City Tour of Sofia worth booking?
Private City Tour of Sofia is a 2-hour experience in Sofia, Bulgaria, from $33 per person. It scores 61 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.4/5 rating across 42 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 61 / 100
- Rating
- 4.4/5 (42)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $33 per person
Check off Sofia’s key landmarks in minimum time on this comprehensive private city tour lead by a private local guide. Exploring with your private guide, see Cathedral Saint Alexander Nevski, Saint Sofia Church, the Banya Bashi Mosque, Borisova Gradina gardens, the National Art Gallery, and so much more. Tour includes hotel pick up and drop off but excludes any entrance fees.
What you get
About this experience
Check off Sofia’s key landmarks in minimum time on this comprehensive private city tour lead by a private local guide. Exploring with your private guide, see Cathedral Saint Alexander Nevski, Saint Sofia Church, the Banya Bashi Mosque, Borisova Gradina gardens, the National Art Gallery, and so much more. Tour includes hotel pick up and drop off but excludes any entrance fees.
What's included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (for the privately-guided option only)
- Professional guide services in English (for the privately-guided option only)
- Complete e-guide, audio guide and route to follow (in the self-guided option only)
- Transportation (by public transport only in the privately-guided option, if needed)
- Start anytime you want
- Visit to the Cathedral Alexander Nevski
Not included
- Food, drinks & entrance fees
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral
The St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is a Bulgarian Orthodox cathedral in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Built in Neo-Byzantine style, it serves as the cathedral church of the Patriarch of Bulgaria and it is believed to be one of the top 50 largest Christian church buildings in the world.
15 minutes here · Admission included
Saint Sofia Church
The Saint Sofia Church is the second oldest church in the Bulgarian capital Sofia, dating to the 4th century. In the predecessor building took place the Council of Serdica held most probably in 343 and attended by 316 bishops. In the 14th century, the church gave its name to the city, previously known as Sredets.
10 minutes here · Admission not included
Saint Nikolas Russian Church
The Russian Church, officially known as the Church of St Nicholas the Miracle-Maker, is a Russian Orthodox church in central Sofia, Bulgaria, situated on Tsar Osvoboditel Boulevard.
10 minutes here · Admission not included
Ivan Vazov National Theater
The Ivan Vazov National Theatre is Bulgaria's national theatre, as well as the oldest and most authoritative theatre in the country and one of the important landmarks of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. It is located in the centre of the city, with the facade facing the City Garden.
10 minutes here · Admission not included
The Rotunda Church of St George
The Church of Saint George is an Early Christian red brick rotunda that is considered the oldest building in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. It is situated behind the Sheraton Hotel, amid remains of the ancient town of Serdica.
10 minutes here · Admission not included
The Presidency Building
The presidential institution in Bulgaria came into being upon the adoption of the country’s new Constitution on 12 July 1991. The establishment of a republic with a parliamentary system of government was accordingly accompanied by introduction of the institution of President of the Republic as head of State.
10 minutes here · Admission not included
Sofia Synagogue
The Sofia Synagogue is the largest synagogue in Southeastern Europe, one of two functioning in Bulgaria and the third-largest in Europe.
5 minutes here
Banya Bashi Mosque
The mosque Banya Bashi is situated in the center of Sofia, on Maria Luisa boulevard. It was built by the initiative and with the financial support of Mullah Effendi Kada Seyfullah and is also known as Mollah Effendi Mosque. It was designed by the famous Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, who also built the mosque of Sultan Selim on Edirne and the Suleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul.
10 minutes here
Serdika
The Amphitheatre of Serdica was an amphitheatre in the Ancient Roman city of Ulpia Serdica, now Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Discovered in 2004 in the heart of nowadays Sofia.
10 minutes here
Church of St Petka of the Saddlers
The Church of St Petka of the Saddlers is a medieval Bulgarian Orthodox church in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. It is a small one-naved building partially dug into the ground located in the very centre of both the modern and the antique city, in the TZUM subway.
10 minutes here
Catedral de Sveta-Nedelya
St. Nedelya Church is an Eastern Orthodox church in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, a cathedral of the Sofia bishopric of the Bulgarian Patriarchate. Sveta Nedelya is a medieval church that has suffered destruction through the ages and has been reconstructed many times.
10 minutes here
The Sofia Court House is a building in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, accommodating several courts in the city. Stylistically a simplistic yet monumental structure, it is located on 2 Vitosha Boulevard, surrounded by Alabin Street, Laveleye Street and Positano Street.
10 minutes here
Vitosha Mountain
One of the sights we are going to see along our tour.
Pass by without stopping
Vitosha Boulevard
One of the sights we are going to see along our tour.
Pass by without stopping
National Palace of Culture (NDK)
One of the sights we are going to see along our tour.
5 minutes here · Admission included
Amphitheatre of Serdica
One of the sights we are going to see along our tour.
10 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Sofia
For the self-guided tour option
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Ends at
For the self-guided tour option
Options you can book
Privately-guided
Our transport,guide,logistics: Please note that the privately-guided tour could gather people if they are staying in the same hotel and book the same time. Pickup included
Self-guided
Your transport, our logistics
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- VisitBulgariaOn Bespoke Experiences
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 42 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
42 verified traveler reviews for Private City Tour of Sofia. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great multilingual guides for a private tour
I went to Sofia as a tour leader and me and my group had a nice guided visit in Italian with Stanislava. She told us many interesting curiosities about Sofia and showed us the main landmarks of the city during a nice and never boring 2 hours walk.Highly recommended
via Tripadvisor
Great tour!
Great tour. Wealth of knowledge. Highly recommended. On time. Amazing experience. I had a great time.
via Viator
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ An Absolute Must-Do in Sofia!
If you’re looking to peel back the layers of Sofia’s 2,000-year history without feeling like you're in a crowded school assembly, this private tour is the only way to go. Our guide was a total pro—incredibly knowledgeable, witty, and able to weave together the complex history of Roman ruins, Ottoman influence, and Communist-era architecture into a story that actually made sense. Being a private tour, we had the flexibility to linger at the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral for photos and skip the parts that didn't interest us as much.
via Viator
Fabulous!!
5/5 stars. Marina was an absolute gem! Not only was she knowledgeable and delightful, she was passionate and customized the tour to our interests and understanding. We learned so much about Bulgarian history, the city of Sofia, Boyana Church and Rila Monastery, and her family with deeply personal stories. No hesitation to use her again over and over.
via Tripadvisor
Great experience in Sofia with everything needed
We opted for the self-guided option and that was really good! All the guide's notes, great audio and maps. And all this for the fraction of the cost. Real value! Definitely recommend.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $33 to $149
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 15
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by VisitBulgariaOn Bespoke Experiences, who run 53 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 49.3.
See everything VisitBulgariaOn Bespoke Experiences runsWhy this scores 61
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private City Tour of Sofia: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Sofia.
How much does Private City Tour of Sofia cost?
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Prices start at $33 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Sofia usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Private City Tour of Sofia take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Sofia is not rushed.
Is Private City Tour of Sofia worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 61 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.4/5 across 42 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Sofia, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Private City Tour of Sofia?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Private City Tour of Sofia suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private City Tour of Sofia?
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Around 15 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Sofia can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Sofia and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private City Tour of Sofia start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Sofia within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Sofia?
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On Outty we rank every Sofia experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Sofia Highlights 2 Hour Sightseeing Walking Tour, Communist Walking Tour of Sofia, Museum of illusions Sofia Official Entry ticket. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Sofia?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Sofia?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Private City Tour of Sofia?
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Included: Hotel pickup and drop-off (for the privately-guided option only); Professional guide services in English (for the privately-guided option only); Complete e-guide, audio guide and route to follow (in the self-guided option only); Transportation (by public transport only in the privately-guided option, if needed); and Start anytime you want. Not included: Food, drinks & entrance fees; Travel insurance; and Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Private City Tour of Sofia include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 39 listed pickup locations in and around Sofia. Be ready about 15 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Private City Tour of Sofia offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Private City Tour of Sofia?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Private City Tour of Sofia wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; and Transportation options are wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Private City Tour of Sofia if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Sofia. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Private City Tour of Sofia?
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Across 42 reviews averaging 4.4 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, organization. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Several reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
What booking options are available for Private City Tour of Sofia?
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There are 2 options to choose from, including Privately-guided, Self-guided. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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