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Моделът бай Георги и студенти от Художествената академия - ок. 1952-53 г.
Students of The National Academy of Arts - Sofia, 1952-53
These modern Desiro EMUs built by Siemens are the new look to many European railways. Bulgaria has joined in by ordering many sets to replace older EMUs and hauled trains on local and regional services. Seen at  Sofia, 31005 adds a little colour to the rather sparse looking station on a rather hazy morning on 21 April 2010.
05158-Sofia
Photo by Temastan
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EuropeBulgariaSofia-Capital

Sofia

Sofia-Capital, Bulgaria · Europe

About Sofia

Sofia is worth a stop: 20 minutes from Negovan, 44km from Iskar Gorge.

Sofia is in Sofia-Capital, Bulgaria, with about 1.2 million people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Negovan, about 10 km away.

Where to Stay in Sofia

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Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Sofia.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is there to see near Sofia?

Within an hour or so of Sofia: Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (1 km), Iskar Gorge (44 km), Petrohan Pass (50 km), Seven Rila Lakes (55 km).

Are there any good drives near Sofia?

The nearest famous roads are Iskar Gorge, Petrohan Pass and Troyan Pass (Beklemeto).

Where is Sofia?

Sofia is in Sofia-Capital, Bulgaria, about 10 km from Negovan.

Road trip

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What's nearby?

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Places within a drive of Sofia. Keep the ones you like and add them to your trip.

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Quick Information

Population
1,152,556
Continent
Europe
Country
Bulgaria
Region
Sofia-Capital
Timezone
Europe/Sofia
Coordinates
42.6975, 23.3241

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in Bulgaria

Police
112
Ambulance
112
Fire
112
Driving side
right

Vignette required for all roads outside towns.

Full driving guide for Bulgaria

Tags

EuropeBulgariaSofia-CapitalMajor City

Worth the detour from Sofia

5 notable places within an hour's drive.

cathedral

Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

A neo-Byzantine cathedral in Sofia and one of the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedrals in the world.

1 km · about 5 min drive

famous road

Iskar Gorge

Bulgaria's longest gorge, threaded by road and rail north of Sofia; the route twists beneath the sheer Lakatnik Rocks and past cliff-top monasteries along the Iskar River.

44 km · about 50 min drive

mountain pass

Petrohan Pass

Forested 1,444 m pass over the western Balkan Mountains between Sofia and Montana, a favourite Bulgarian driving road with tight bends, beech woods and a summit dam lake.

50 km · about 60 min drive

natural wonder

Seven Rila Lakes

A chain of seven stunning glacial lakes stacked at different elevations in the Rila Mountains, each named for its distinctive shape.

55 km · about 65 min drive

scenic viewpoint

Vratsata Gorge

Short but stunning pass road just outside Vratsa, running between the highest vertical limestone walls in the Balkans: a favourite of climbers and a striking gateway drive into the Vratsa Balkan.

58 km · about 65 min drive

Driving roads near Sofia

4 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 150km.

  • 44 kmIskar GorgeBulgaria's longest gorge, threaded by road and rail north of Sofia; the route twists beneath the sheer Lakatnik Rocks and past cliff-top monasteries along the Iskar River.
  • 50 kmPetrohan PassForested 1,444 m pass over the western Balkan Mountains between Sofia and Montana, a favourite Bulgarian driving road with tight bends, beech woods and a summit dam lake.
  • 58 kmVratsata GorgeShort but stunning pass road just outside Vratsa, running between the highest vertical limestone walls in the Balkans: a favourite of climbers and a striking gateway drive into the Vratsa Balkan.

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Sofia.

Kostinbrod

🇧🇬 Bulgaria

16 km awayPop. 12,175

Kremikovtsi

🇧🇬 Bulgaria

17 km awayPop. 3,208

Seslavtsi

🇧🇬 Bulgaria

18 km awayPop. 1,066

Elin Pelin

🇧🇬 Bulgaria

23 km awayPop. 7,373

Pernik

🇧🇬 Bulgaria

26 km awayPop. 82,467

Slivnitsa

🇧🇬 Bulgaria

29 km awayPop. 7,545

Samokov

🇧🇬 Bulgaria

44 km awayPop. 26,765

Bobov Dol

🇧🇬 Bulgaria

46 km awayPop. 6,184

Plan a trip around Sofia

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence