A Travelling Family's Guide To Sofia

If you plan a family visit to Sofia, you may want to plan your activities ahead, as many of the family attractions in the Bulgarian capital are not well-advertised. You won’t be bored, as you have many options to choose from, including a children’s science museum, a zoo, and a great variety of outdoor playgrounds and parks to choose from. Here are our suggestions for kid-friendly places to visit in Sofia.

Sofia Zoo

A sunny day out is a perfect zoo day. Head to the Sofia Zoo to meet primates, fish, big cats, African and Asian animals, birds, crocodiles, and many more – a total of 281 species. Taking a taxi to the zoo is the best option, as public transportation can be tricky in this part of the city.

Sofia Zoo, 1 Srebarna Str., Hladilnika, Sofia, +359 2 868 32 02

Muzeiko is the first children’s museum in Bulgaria, which has a great variety of science workshops, experiment areas, as well as arts and crafts opportunities. Its modern and interactive approach to science is interesting for both parents and children! Plan a whole day at Muzeiko to make sure you’ll make the most of your visit. If you stay in the city center, you’ll need to take the subway to G.M. Dimitrov station (line 1).

Muzeiko Children’s Museum, 3 Professor Boyan Kamenov Str., Sofia, Bulgaria, +359 2 902 0000

National Museum of Natural History

The first and the richest natural history museum in the Balkans might feel a bit outdated today but, it will still take you on an amazing educational journey through nature. You will definitely enjoy it if you have children who love minerals or insects. It’s centrally located, a stone’s throw from the Parliament building in Sofia.

National Museum of Natural History, 1 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd., Sofia, Bulgaria, +359 2 988 5115

The Polytechnical Museum

This technically-focused science museum is located a bit far from the city center and rarely finds its way into the itinerary of travelers. The National Polytechnical Museum deserves your attention, however, with its rich collection of Bulgarian inventions. Once a month they hold a themed Family Saturday with science workshops for children and parents.

The Polytechnical Museum, 66 Opalchenska Str., Sofia, Bulgaria, +359 2 931 8018

Parks and Playgrounds

Sofia is famous for its green areas and huge parks, including one in the city center – Borisova Gradina. In every park you’ll find playgrounds and children’s attractions, as well as big open spaces for running and cycling. Just south of Borisova Gradina is Yuzhen Park, one of the most kid-friendly areas in Sofia where many families go to enjoy the beautiful weather.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.