What to do in Sofia when it rains
Sofia has plenty under cover when the skies open — historic interiors, art collections, sheltered markets and cafés made for a slow afternoon.
Museums
Spend a few hours in the city's museums — many are free, and a rainy day is the perfect excuse to take your time.
- Museum of illusions Old City Center, bul. "Knyaginya Maria Luiza" 16, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
- Regional History Museum of Sofia Old City Center, pl. “Banski“ 1, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
- The National Art Gallery i, Sofia Center, пл. „Княз Александър I“ 1, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
- National Museum of Military History Oborishte, ul. "Cherkovna" No 92, 1505 Sofia, Bulgaria
- The Red Flat GIFTED urban culture hub, Old City Center, ул. „Иван Денкоглу“ 24, 1000 София, Bulgaria
- National Archeological Museum of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Sofia Center, пл. „Атанас Буров“, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
Art galleries
Duck into the art galleries; they're quiet, warm and rarely busier than on a wet day.
- The National Art Gallery i, Sofia Center, пл. „Княз Александър I“ 1, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
- National Gallery Old City Center, ul. "19-ti fevruari" 1, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
- Sofia City Art Gallery Old City Center, ul. "General Gurko" 1, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
- Kare-Arte Old City Center, ul. "Petar Parchevich" 36, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
- ONE GALLERY Old City Center, ul. "Dyakon Ignatiy" 1a, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
- HOM'S Ariana Lake, Borisova Gradina, bul. "Evlogi i Hristo Georgiev" 3, 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
Historic sites
Explore the indoor historic sites and their covered galleries.
- The Russian monument in Sofia Sofia Center, bul. "Makedonia" 51, 1606 Sofia, Bulgaria
- Sofia Church of St. George Sofia Center, Knyaz Alexander Dondukov Blvd 2, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
- South Park Fountain Yuzhen, 1407 Sofia, Bulgaria
- National Monument “Vasil Levski” Sofia Center, bul. "Vasil Levski", 1527 Sofia, Bulgaria
- The Monument of Saint Sofia - Patron of City Sofia Center, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
- The Pillars of NDK Ndk, bul. "Vitosha" 104, 1463 Sofia, Bulgaria
Covered markets
Browse the covered market — street-food stalls, local makers and somewhere dry to graze for an hour.
- Women's Market Sofia Center, bul."Stefan Stambolov", 1202 Sofia, Bulgaria
- Malashevtsi Flea Market ul. "Lavandula" 45Б, 1225 Sofia, Bulgaria
- Market "Krasno Selo" ж.к. Красно село, ulitsa "Knyaginya Klementina", 1618 Sofia, Bulgaria
- Dimitar Petkov Market Sofia Center, ul. "Pirotska" 120Б, 1309 Sofia, Bulgaria
- Шивашко студио Stellaro Old City Center, Hristo Botev Blvd 92, 1303 Sofia, Bulgaria
- HleBar 16, Doctor's Garden, ul. "Oborishte" Str, 1504 Sofia, Bulgaria
Cafés
Claim a window seat in a cosy café and watch the rain instead of walking in it.
- Altruist - Urban Coffee Shop & Pastry Old City Center, ul. "Ekzarh Yosif" 49, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
- 718 Breakfast & Brunch Old City Center, ul. "Knyaz Boris I" 99, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
- K.E.B.A. Old City Center, ulitsa „Georgi S. Rakovski“ 114, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
- Izzy's Coffee and Brunch Sofia Center, bul. "Knyaginya Maria Luiza" 17, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
- Starbucks Old City Center, ul. "Saborna" 1, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
- Vila Rosiche Old City Center, ul. "Neofit Rilski" 26, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
Indoor shopping
Hit the covered shopping streets and centres — everything under one roof.
- Paradise Center Hladilnika, Blvd. "Cherni vrah" 100, 1407 Sofia, Bulgaria
- Serdika Center Oborishte, Sitnyakovo Blvd 48, етаж 3, 1505 Sofia, Bulgaria
- Mall of Sofia Zona B-5, "Aleksandar Stamboliyski" Blvd, 1303 Sofia, Bulgaria
- Park Center g.k. Lozenets, bul. "Arsenalski" 2, 1421 Sofia, Bulgaria
- Central Market Hall of Sofia Central Sofia Market Hall, Sofia Center, bul. "Knyaginya Maria Luiza" 25, ниво -1, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
- West Mall ж.к. Люлин 7, bul. "Tsaritsa Yoanna" 15, 1336 Sofia, Bulgaria
Venue suggestions powered by Google — tap a name for the map, and always check opening times before you go. 36 places listed; the list refreshes regularly.