Sofia things to do from Varna: a 2–3 day city guide (night train, Christmas market)
Take the 21:40 night train from Varna, arrive in Sofia at 05:45 and spend 2–3 days: Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Serdica, Boyana Church, Vitosha.
The easiest Sofia city break from Varna is the ICF 2626 night train (Varna 21:40 → Sofia 05:45, as of 2026-10): you wake up in the capital and have two or three full days for Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Roman ruins of Serdica, UNESCO-listed Boyana Church and Vitosha mountain. The ICF 2627 (Sofia 23:00 → Varna 06:50) brings you back overnight. Times checked on razpisanie.bdz.bg on 26 October 2026.
How do I get from Varna to Sofia?
For a city break the night train wins: you sleep on board and arrive at Sofia Central Station early in the morning, two metro stops from the centre. Fares, the second summer night train, buses and flights are compared on our Varna to Sofia page.
What can I see in Sofia in 2–3 days?
Day 1 – the centre on foot. Walk from the Serdika metro station, where Roman streets lie under glass, past the Banya Bashi Mosque and the Rotunda of St George to Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. Add the National Archaeological Museum and finish on Vitosha Boulevard.
Day 2 – Boyana and the mountain. Take public transport south to Boyana Church (€10, max 10 minutes inside, opens 09:00 from 1 November). If the weather is dry, walk up from Boyana to the Boyana Waterfall on Vitosha. Lift services up the mountain change, so check before you count on them.
Day 3 – optional. Go to the Zhenski Pazar market in the morning, or make a long day trip to Rila Monastery.
Where should I stay?
Stay in the centre, between Sveta Nedelya, Vitosha Boulevard and the cathedral: everything in Day 1 is walkable and you are close to the Serdika and NDK metro stations. If you arrive on the night train, ask your hotel about early check-in or leave your luggage at the station.
Is there a Christmas market in Sofia in 2026?
Very likely, but not yet confirmed. Sofia has two markets. The main one, with wooden huts, a Ferris wheel and an ice rink, is expected in the park in front of the National Palace of Culture (NDK) from 20 November to 28 December 2026, free to enter (listing status: expected). The smaller German Christmas market ran in the City Garden from 14 November to 21 December in 2025; its 2026 dates were not out by 26 October. The city also puts up lights and bazaars from November, as BNR has reported.
How much does a Sofia weekend cost from Varna?
| Item | Price (as of 2026-10) |
|---|---|
| Night train, 2nd class + berth, one way | about €23–25 |
| Sofia transport | €0.80 single, €3.00 for 24 h, €7.60 for 72 h |
| Boyana Church | €10 adult, €3 student |
| Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Serdica ruins | free |
Accommodation and food depend on your choice. For money tips see our euro guide, and for a longer trip the Bulgaria itinerary from Varna.
Practical tips
- Buy a 72-hour card if you will ride more than four times a day.
- Boyana Church is free on the last Monday of the month after 15:00, so expect queues then.
- Bring a warm layer for Vitosha: it is much colder than the city.
Sources
- BDZ – timetable Varna to Sofia
- BDZ – timetable Sofia to Varna
- BDZ – online tickets
- Sofia Globe – BDZ adds an extra Sofia–Varna night train (29 Apr 2026)
- Boyana Church – visitor information (hours and prices)
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre – Boyana Church
- Wikipedia – Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia
- Wikipedia – Serdica
- Wikipedia – Vitosha
- Metropolitan Sofia – metro tickets and cards (from 1 Jan 2026)
- Sofia Globe – German Christmas Market 2025 in the City Garden (13 Nov 2025)
- Ultimate Christmas Markets – Sofia Christmas market (expected 2026 dates)
- BNR – Christmas in Sofia from November: lights and bazaars
- OpenStreetMap contributors (coordinates, ODbL)
The list 9
✨ Picked for the current time and weather in Varna
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral✨ Good right now
Sofia's landmark, a neo-Byzantine church with gold-leaf domes completed in 1912 in memory of the soldiers who died in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877–78. Free to enter; the crypt holds an icon museum with a separate ticket.
Best for: The classic first stop
Ancient Serdica✨ Good right now
Streets, baths and buildings of Roman Serdica, uncovered when the metro was built, are open to view in the Serdika station and around the Largo. You walk over Roman paving between the Banya Bashi Mosque and the Sveta Nedelya Church.
Best for: History for free between other sights
Rotunda of St George✨ Good right now
A 4th-century Roman brick rotunda, the oldest building still standing in central Sofia, hidden in a courtyard behind the Presidency. Look inside for medieval frescoes.
Best for: A quiet ten minutes in 1,600-year-old walls
Boyana Church✨ Good right now
A small UNESCO-listed church at the foot of Vitosha with frescoes from 1259, admired for their lifelike faces. Only nine visitors can be inside at once, for 10 minutes, so expect a short wait.
Best for: The one sight outside the centre worth the trip
Vitosha mountain (Boyana Waterfall)✨ Good right now
Sofia's home mountain rises above the city and is a nature park. From the Boyana district a forest trail climbs to the Boyana Waterfall; combine it with Boyana Church. Lift services change, so check before planning a ride up to Aleko.
Best for: A half-day hike on a dry day
Sofia Christmas market✨ Good right now
Sofia has two Christmas markets. The main one, with wooden huts, a Ferris wheel and an ice rink, is expected in the park in front of the National Palace of Culture (NDK) from 20 November to 28 December 2026. The smaller German market with mulled wine and sausages was in the City Garden in 2025. Dates and sites were unconfirmed as of 26 October 2026.
Best for: A December evening
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need in Sofia?
Two full days cover the centre (Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Serdica, the Rotunda, the museums) plus Boyana Church. Add a third day for a walk on Vitosha or a day trip to Rila Monastery.
What is the best way to get from Varna to Sofia for a city break?
The ICF 2626 night train (Varna 21:40 → Sofia 05:45, as of 2026-10) saves a hotel night and gives you a full first day. The ICF 2627 at 23:00 brings you back to Varna at 06:50. Flights and buses are compared on our Varna to Sofia page.
When is the Sofia Christmas market 2026?
Sofia has two markets. The main one, in the park in front of the National Palace of Culture (NDK), is expected from 20 November to 28 December 2026 with free entry, but this was not confirmed by 26 October 2026. The smaller German Christmas market in the City Garden ran from 14 November to 21 December in 2025.
How much does a weekend in Sofia from Varna cost?
Fixed costs are low: about €23–25 for the train each way including a berth, €7.60 for a 72-hour transport card and €10 for Boyana Church. The cathedral and the Serdica ruins in the metro station are free to see. Accommodation and food are extra.
