Bucharest and Sofia are two cities that are continually growing in popularity with people wanting to experience Eastern Europe. Both cities are among the cheapest in Europe which is another reason why many people are marking these two cities into their itineraries. If you are trying to decide whether you should visit Bucharest or Sofia, here is the ultimate guide to help you decide which city you should visit.
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Bucharest or Sofia Overview
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital of Romania and is also the largest city in the country with nearly 2 million people. It was once known for its beautiful architecture and grand buildings, even being referred to as the “Paris of the East”. Today, the city is has a blend of new and old styles of architecture.
When you visit Bucharest, you can expect to get a good bang for your buck because it is one of the cheapest cities in Europe. Bucharest is also growing in popularity with foreigners because it has not been overrun with tourists yet.
Sofia
Sofia is the capital and largest city in Bulgaria with over 1.2 million people living within the city. The city is known as “the triangle of religious tolerance” because it is home to major temples of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. It is also known for having many mineral springs that you can even drink out of throughout the city.
The city has many different styles of architecture from Baroque and communist/socialist to contemporary designs. The city sits at the base of the foothills of the Vitosha Mountains which gives the city a spectacular setting.
Things to See
Bucharest
The Palace of Parliament is the second-largest administrative building in the world. It is the heaviest however.
Romanian Athenaeum is a concert hall that was built in 1888. It has an incredibly ornate interior.
The Arch of Triumph is a massive arch similarly modeled to the one in Paris.
The Royal Palace is home to the National Museum of Art of Romania.
Revolution Square is a historic part of Bucharest that is surrounded by some of the city’s most iconic buildings.
Sofia
St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral is an Orthodox cathedral and is one of the most famous structures in Bulgaria.
Ivan Vazov National Theater is the national theater of Bulgaria and one of Sofia’s most famous buildings.
Regional History Museum is known for its beautiful architecture and the mineral springs in the garden.
The Largo is a part of the city that shows the classic socialist architecture that once had an overwhelming presence in Sofia.
The National Assembly is home to the parliament and legislative sector of Bulgaria.
Food
Bucharest
Chiftele, or Romanian meatballs, is a mixture of meat, potato, and carrot and makes for an excellent dish if you are in the mood to try some authentic Romanian. Sarmale is a dish of rice and pork wrapped in cabbage similar to the cabbage rolls found in other Eastern European countries. For dessert you might want to get yourself some, Plăcintă cu mere which is an apple pie like pastry.
Sofia
One of the most popular street foods in Sofia is kebapche which is a piece of ground meat about in the shape of a hot dog or brat, served with fries and a beer. Shopska salata is a Bulgarian salad that consists of tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, onions, and cheese. Printsesa is an open-face sandwich that is quite simple, consisting of one piece of bread with a mixture of cheese and sauce and cooked golden brown. Banitsa is a cheese pastry that can be eaten as a dessert or as a snack and it can be found almost anywhere in Sofia.
Getting Around
Bucharest
Bucharest is a large and fairly spread out city so you will want to use public transportation if you are trying to see many of the city’s landmarks. Public transportation here consists of buses, trams, trolleys, and the metro system. It must be noted that tickets for the metro are different from the other forms of public transportation. Do not hesitate to utilize these options for getting around the city because Bucharest has one of the cheapest public transportation systems in Europe. Bucharest has some of the worst traffic in all of Europe so you may want to think twice or plan ahead if you are planning on driving here.
*Uber might be the easiest (quite cheap too) way to get around the city.
Sofia
Most of the main landmarks in Sofia are located in the center of the city which is quite easy to explore on foot. If you want to see things like the National Museum of History or Boyana Church Museum, you will definitely want to use public transportation. Sofia’s public transportation consists of buses, trams, and the metro. Sofia just got a brand new metro system in 2016 so don’t be afraid to use it to get around the city. If you decide you want to take a taxi, it is best if you have your hotel, restaurant, or cafe to call on for you because there are fake companies that will charge you excessively.
Nightlife
Bucharest
During the 2000s Bucharest has become a hub for great nightlife venues. Romanians know how to party any night of the week but the weekends are extremely vibrant here. There is an abundance of bars and clubs throughout the city. The area around Unirii Square, especially Selari Street and the area north of Unirii Square, is one of the best parts of the city to explore for a night out. There are nightclubs scattered throughout the city so pretty much where ever you stay in Bucharest, you will be able to find something to do for a great night out. Be sure to check the dress code for the clubs before going out.
Sofia
Sofia is yet another Eastern European city that has an excellent nightlife. Like Belgrade and Bucharest, a huge draw to the nightlife in Sofia is how cheap it is compared to Western Europe. There is an abundance of places to explore in the center of the city so no matter where you are staying, you can find somewhere to go. Some of the best nightclubs in Sofia are Yalta, Terminal 1, PM Club, and Carrusel. If you are still unsure of where to go, there are many places to go between the National Museum of Culture and the Nevski Cathedral.
Day Trips
Bucharest
Bran Castle, or Dracula’s Castle, is an impressive Gothic castle to the north of Bucharest.
Slanic Salt Mine is a massive salt mine north of Bucharest that has become a popular tourist attraction.
Sinaia is a town in the Bucegi Mountains that is home to Foisor Castle and Peles Castle.
Sofia
The 7 Rila Lakes are glacial lakes in the mountains less than two hours to the south of Sofia.
Spend the day exploring Vitosha Mountain and the surrounding nature.
Rila Monastery is an Eastern Orthodox monastery that was established in 927. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Skopje is also not very far from Sofia, so it might be worth considering. If you visit Bucharest, you might want to make the journey to Varna.
Overall
Bucharest and Sofia are two of the most iconic cities in Eastern Europe. Both cities are among the cheapest cities in Europe to visit. Neither city has become overrun with vast amounts of tourists either which is a huge reason why people are attracted to Bucharest or Sofia. The main sights in both cities can be easily explored in two full days. I recommend a lotting one or two more days for either city so you can explore the surrounding area because both cities have excellent day trips with Bran Castle from Bucharest and Rila National Park from Sofia.