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The Best Boutique Places to Stay in Sofia, Bulgaria

The majestic St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is a must-see when visiting Sofia
The majestic St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is a must-see when visiting Sofia | © Todor Nikolov / Alamy Stock Photo

For your next Euro break, look no further than Sofia. It’s super affordable and has great architecture and enough convivial bars to hop through over a long weekend. It’s also home to the colourful and leafy Borisova Gradina and the lively Slaveykov Square. To help plan your trip, here’s our pick of the best boutique hotels in the capital of Bulgaria – bookable on Culture Trip.

Sofia has a quaint, folksy streak, too – look out for locals, clad in embroidered dresses, dancing in the square beside the Ivan Vazov National Theatre. When looking for a place to stay, take advantage of the city’s great value hospitality and crash in style at a boutique hotel – from slick, minimalist rooms in the city centre to classically chic digs with an on-site spa.

Hotel 36

Boutique Hotel

Concrete walls, tables with images on them, seating and purple cushions in the dining area at Hotel 36, leading to a room with an exposed brick wall
Courtesy of Hotel 36 / Expedia

This sharp, minimalist base is tastefully but simply decorated – think exposed brick walls, black anglepoise lamps and grey fabric headboards. It’s a five-minute walk from central Vitosha Boulevard, and some of its rooms have swirling wrought-iron balconies on which you can sit and watch passers-by. A chic little cafe downstairs sends you on your way for the day, complete with strong coffee and a continental breakfast.

Viko Apart Hotel

Hotel

A bed with purple accents and a purple couch in a spacious hotel room at VIKO Boutique Apart Hotel
Courtesy of Viko Apart Hotel / Expedia

Fancy living it up like Sofia’s jet-setter crowd? These glossy apartments are the place to do it. Each one features pitch-perfect decor, generous living spaces and all the perks of a hotel, including a minibar, room service, slippers and a hairdryer. Book either the spacious deluxe, superior or president option, complete with an oven, hobs and a washing machine, for extended stays.

R34 Boutique Hotel

Hotel

Two beds, a TV and a partially exposed brick wall in a hotel room at R34 Boutique Hotel
Courtesy of R34 Boutique Hotel / Expedia

There’s a young, trendy vibe at the R34 Boutique Hotel, with its industrial-chic styling, bric-a-brac stuffed bar and 24/7 check-in. Rooms feel huge for a city pad, with whitewashed brick and forest-green feature walls, softened by thick rugs and sofa-stuffed nooks, and the odd ceramic cactus. It’s surrounded by bars and restaurants and just as handy for the sights – it’s a short walk from the Serdika II metro stop.

Arena di Serdica Boutique Hotel

Boutique Hotel, Luxury

Loungers next to the stone wall in the spa at Arena Di Serdica Boutique Hotel, with another wall displaying Roman artefacts
Courtesy of Arena di Serdica Boutique Hotel / Expedia
Built around the crumbling honeycomb walls of the Roman amphitheatre of Serdica, this 63-room base strikes a good balance between a smartly run business hotel and a characterful city-break stay. The high-ceilinged, light-flooded lobby has the most wow factor, but the warm-hued rooms are just as pleasant. Also, the neighbourhood is pretty, surrounded by leafy avenues and squares, close to the sprawling Borisova Gradina and the multi-domed St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.

Sense Hotel Sofia

Hotel

A bed in a hotel room at Sense Hotel Sofia, with a view from the balcony of Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
Courtesy of Sense Hotel Sofia

A cloud of suspended, liquid-looking metal blobs greets you at the entrance of the first design hotel in Sofia. At the Sense Hotel, rooms feature architectural flair – think floor-to-ceiling windows framing the domes, spires and treetops adorning the city. Get high and go low to see the best of it – in the glass-fronted, sheltered rooftop restaurant and the luxurious basement spa with its pool lit by pillar candles.

Sofia Residence

Boutique Hotel

A bed, couch, small table with flowers and a fireplace in a hotel room at Sofia Residence Boutique Hotel
Courtesy of Sofia Residence / Expedia

If you love a bit of cosy character – and don’t mind a touch of chintz – the Sofia Residence, with its silky upholstery, oil paintings and fireplaces, will add lustre to your city experience. A bijou bistro serves steak tartare and salads with a well-curated range of Italian and Bulgarian wines, and there’s even a mini spa on-site, complete with a sauna and a treatment room where you can indulge in a traditional honey massage.

Antim Boutique Apartments

Hotel

There are no frills and no hidden extras at Antim Boutique Apartments; each one features Ikea-esque pine furniture, a self-catering kitchenette and a living area. The two-bedroom option is of top value for families or groups of friends. You’re just north of the city centre, but you may have to hop on the metro to find the best nightlife and sights. There’s a front desk, but as it’s not staffed at all times, these apartments will suit independent travellers best.

Meg-Lozenetz Hotel

Hotel

Tables and seating for dining on the outdoor terrace at Meg-Lozenetz Hotel, with awnings, lights and heaters
Courtesy fo Meg-Lozenetz Hotel / Expedia

This low-key, affordable guesthouse is in south Sofia, near the outdoorsy Yuzhen Park, where the city’s jazz festival takes place. While it’s out of the tourist centre, the Meg-Lozenetz Hotel is only a 20-minute walk from it and has a simple, traditional feel – think upholstered headboards, gilded mirrors and red carpets. It’s old-fashioned in the best way possible, complete with a hearty breakfast, hands-on service and airport pickups available on request.

Art Hotel Simona

Hotel

A bed with a wooden frame and headboard, desk and couch in a hotel room at Art Hotel Simona
Courtesy of Art Hotel Simona / Expedia

Lime-green curtains, oversize seagull murals, wall-mounted bamboo sticks and incongruous Marilyn Monroe portraits – the decor may be eclectic at this art hotel, but it’s never boring. On the west side of town, a metro ride away from attractions and the nightlife-packed Studentski Grad, it has a pleasant little bistro specialising in grilled meats and seafood. Meanwhile, the triple and quadruple rooms cater to groups of budget travellers as well as couples.

Les Fleurs Boutique Hotel

Hotel, Boutique Hotel

A bed and colourful oval-shaped artwork hanging from the ceiling in a hotel room at Les Fleurs Boutique Hotel
Courtesy of Les Fleurs Boutique Hotel / Expedia

The arresting glass facade of Les Fleurs Boutique Hotel, adorned by a chunky flower motif, means it’s always easy to find your way back. This floral theme continues in the interior, from luxurious embroidered headboards to an eye-catching mosaic-tiled staircase. Mood lighting and blush colours make rooms a romantic rather than trendy place to be, and its location on central Vitosha Boulevard, close to many restaurants and bars, is spot on.

Crystal Palace Boutique Hotel

Hotel, Boutique Hotel

Tables and chairs in the bright restaurant at Crystal Palace Boutique Hotel in Sofia
Courtesy of Crystal Palace Boutique Hotel / Expedia

The Crystal Palace Boutique Hotel lies in the heart of Sofia, near Sofia University, but you wouldn’t guess it when you arrive here. It sits adjacent to the lovely Doctors’ Garden, and the area is surprisingly quiet. The hotel’s old-world wooden style juxtaposes nicely with its contemporary design.

Maria Angelova has contributed additional reporting to this article.

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