Updated Feb 18, 2026
KEY STATS
1.2M
Population
492 km2
Area
214 Mbps
Internet
560m
Elevation
UTC+02:00
Timezone
SOF (8km)
Airport
OVERVIEW
Sofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria. It is situated in the Sofia Valley at the foot of the Vitosha mountain, in the western part of the country. The city is built west of the Iskar river and has many mineral springs, such as the Sofia Central Mineral Baths. It has a humid continental climate.
QUICK FACTS
Country
Bulgaria
Region
Southeast Europe
Population
1.2M
Timezone
UTC+02:00
Elevation
560 m
Currency
BGN
Language
Bulgarian
Status
Capital City
Airport
SOF
GPS
42.70, 23.32
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Food
1,227 restaurants mapped in Sofia
Tech
214 Mbps average download — faster than most capital cities worldwide
Economy
54% cheaper than New York City based on overall cost of living index
Travel
SOF airport just 8 km from the city center
INFRASTRUCTURE
18,462 total POIs 37.5 per km²
Above avg per capita
Average
Below avg
Food & Drink
Restaurants
1,227
Cafes
590
Bars
286
Fast Food
1,017
Shopping
Supermarkets
417
Convenience
1,007
Shopping Malls
32
Healthcare
Hospitals
114
Clinics
806
Pharmacies
499
Education
Schools
583
Universities
46
Libraries
23
Recreation
Parks
784
Playgrounds
1,522
Sports
488
Cinemas
13
Museums
50
Theatres
32
Transport
Bus Stops
2,244
Train Stations
418
Fuel Stations
233
Services
Banks
331
ATMs
447
Post Offices
315
Police
41
Fire Stations
12
Source: DropThe Database | dropthe.org
INTERNET SPEED
214 Mbps
Download
160 Mbps
Upload
5ms
Latency
61,428
Tests
21,426
Devices
2025-Q4
Last updated
CLIMATE
Best time to visit: May - Sep
3°
J
4°
F
8°
M
14°
A
19°
M
23°
J
24°
J
23°
A
19°
S
14°
O
8°
N
4°
D
18-28 C ideal
Warm/Cool
Extreme
Year avg: 13.6 C Range: 2.9 - 24.2 C Rain: 502 mm/year Sunshine: 3,417 h/year
CITY SCORES
96.1
Nomad Index
A
Livability
37.5
Culture
63.8
Overall
COST OF LIVING
CIndex relative to New York City (NYC = 100)
46.2
Overall
54% cheaper than NYC
18.0
Rent
82% cheaper than NYC
45.2
Groceries
55% cheaper than NYC
47.1
Restaurants
53% cheaper than NYC
AIRPORT
SOF
Sofia Airport
8 km from center
Very close — ~12 min ride
FUN FACTS
Sofia is the capital and largest city of Bulgaria.
It is situated in the Sofia Valley at the foot of the Vitosha mountain, in the western part of the country.
The city is built west of the Iskar river and has many mineral springs, such as the Sofia Central Mineral Baths.
The recorded history of the city begins with the attestation of the conquest of Serdica by the Roman Republic in 29 BC from the Celtic tribe Serdi.
During the decline of the Roman Empire, the city was raided by Huns, Visigoths, Avars, and Slavs.
EXTERNAL LINKS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Sofia known for?
Sofia is a city in Bulgaria. It offers a range of cultural, historical, and natural attractions.
How fast is the internet in Sofia?
Sofia has an average download speed of 214 Mbps and upload speed of 160 Mbps, based on Ookla speed test data.
What is the weather like in Sofia?
Sofia has an average year-round temperature of approximately 13.6 degrees Celsius.
What airport serves Sofia?
Sofia is served by SOF (Sofia Airport), approximately 8 km from the city center.
What is the population of Sofia?
The population of Sofia is approximately 1.2M.
What infrastructure does Sofia have?
Sofia has 18,462 mapped points of interest, including 1,227 restaurants, 114 hospitals, 583 schools.
What country is Sofia in?
Sofia is located in Bulgaria.
