Travel Tips for Sofia
Practical tips for visiting Sofia — currency, safety, tipping, language, SIM cards, and emergency contacts.
Currency & Money
Bulgaria adopted the Euro on 1 January 2026. The official currency is now the Euro (EUR).
The Euro (EUR) is the official currency in Bulgaria since 1 January 2026. ATMs are widely available throughout Sofia and dispense Euros (EUR). Major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are accepted at most restaurants, shops, and hotels. Smaller establishments and market vendors may only accept cash.
Use ATMs for cash — credit and debit cards are accepted almost everywhere in Sofia.
Safety
Sofia is generally a safe city for tourists, with low violent crime rates compared to other European capitals.
Sofia is considered safe for visitors, with most areas being comfortable to walk around day and night. The city centre, Vitosha Boulevard, and major tourist areas are well-lit and regularly patrolled. As in any European city, be aware of pickpockets in crowded areas — public transport, markets, and tourist hotspots. Avoid poorly lit parks at night. Keep a copy of your passport separate from the original.
Use common sense as you would in any European city — Sofia is safe, but stay aware in crowded places.
Tipping & Etiquette
Tipping around 10% is customary in restaurants if service charge is not already included.
In restaurants, check whether a service charge is included on the bill. If not, leaving 10% is appreciated but not strictly required. For exceptional service, 15% is generous. Tipping taxi drivers is not expected, but rounding up the fare is a nice gesture. At hotels, leaving €1–2.50 per day for housekeeping is appreciated. In cafes, rounding up to the nearest euro is common.
Always check the bill first — some restaurants include a service charge, in which case additional tipping is optional.
Language
Bulgarian is the official language, written in the Cyrillic alphabet. English is widely spoken by younger locals.
Bulgarian uses the Cyrillic script, which can make street signs and menus challenging to read at first. In the city centre, most restaurant menus, signs, and transport information are available in English. Younger Bulgarians (under 40) generally speak good English. Learning a few Bulgarian phrases (thank you = blagodarya, hello = zdraveite) is appreciated. Google Translate's camera mode can help with Cyrillic signs.
Learn the Cyrillic alphabet basics — it takes about 30 minutes and makes navigating street signs much easier.
SIM Cards & Internet
Local SIM cards with generous data plans are available cheaply at the airport and throughout the city.
Three major operators serve Bulgaria: A1, Vivacom, and Yettel. Prepaid SIM cards cost €5–8 and include 5–20 GB of data. You can purchase them at the airport arrivals hall, phone shops, and some supermarkets. A passport is required for registration. Free Wi-Fi is available in most cafes, restaurants, hotels, and the Sofia metro. EU visitors with roaming may not need a local SIM.
EU residents can use their home SIM with free roaming — check with your provider before buying a local SIM.
Emergency Numbers
In an emergency, dial 112 for general emergencies, 166 for police, or 150 for an ambulance.
The general emergency number is 112, which connects to police, fire, and ambulance services with English-speaking operators available. For police specifically, call 166. For an ambulance, call 150. The fire department can be reached at 160. The nearest hospital to the city centre is Pirogov Emergency Hospital. Pharmacies (apteka) are widely available and many are open 24 hours. EU citizens can use a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for medical treatment.
Save 112 in your phone — operators speak English and can dispatch police, fire, or ambulance services.