Sofia itself is and exciting place with lots to see but you have to be street wise in places and the first stop is the taxi ride from the ariport!
The place really has to be the hub of Bulgaria if you want or need anything in other part soi the country Sofia is always suggested as the place to go, even it it is 300 km away!

Best way to the Black Sea coast in the summer is by a comfortable coach or by a slower bu even more scenic train. In th e Winter world class skiing resorts, many within shouting distance of Sofia are just as good as its more expensive alpine neighbours. Skiing very much underated here.

Great place - interesting city. Try to go in late Spring or very early fall. Attractive, interesting. Nice parks. Interesting attractions, good food, restaurants, bars. Happy Bar & Grill, in particular. Lots of things to see in the area. I agree with one other comment on this page and that is the train station. It is pretty heideous, though interesting in it's own way. They have to do something about the private bus station across the street. What a mess, particuarly in the rain. At least you can get a cheap beer there! They need to build a better facility. Lots of friendly wild dogs roaming around the street, so you always have a friend. Interesting sub-terraining passageway below the main station. Full of shops, bars, restaurents, kiosk, bureau de change, etc. Lively. Sofia is a very interesting place that is worth visiting. See the Monument to the Soviet Liberator..

I was met with rude (or more rarely, indifferent) service in almost every shop and restaurant I visited. If I go back, I'll head straight to Plovdiv, maybe go to the Rila monastery, and avoid Sofia altogether.

Sofia needs a facelift but personality exudes from every little alleyway. Give it a few years and It'll be worthy of upgrading to a 5. especially if they run a bulldozer through the station.

A lot of historic things to see. Cheap to stay. Go there in the summer.