Comparison · Belgrade vs Sofia · Serbia / Bulgaria
Belgrade vs Sofia
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: ZlatanJovanovic, CC BY 3.0
Quick answer
Choose Belgrade for Belgrade Fortress and Kalemegdan Park; choose Sofia for Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Roman Serdica and free sights. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 327 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 327 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Belgrade
- May–June and September–October
- Best time for Sofia
- May–June and September–October
Side by side
| Belgrade | Sofia | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Serbia | Bulgaria |
| Known for | Belgrade Fortress, Kalemegdan Park and Nightlife and river clubs | Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Roman Serdica and Vitosha mountain |
| Best time to visit | May–June and September–October | May–June and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 3 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $90–$160 | $90–$160 |
| Cost level | Affordable | Affordable |
| Warmest month | July, 30°C (86°F) | July, 28°C (82°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 5°C (41°F) | January, 3°C (37°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 8 | 11 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | BEG | SOF |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Belgrade for…
Belgrade Fortress and Kalemegdan Park. Serbia's capital stands on a ridge where the Sava flows into the Danube, crowned by the Belgrade Fortress and Kalemegdan Park. From there the pedestrian Knez Mihailova street leads to Republic Square, the bohemian kafanas of Skadarlija and the huge domed…
Choose Sofia for…
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Roman Serdica and free sights. Bulgaria's capital sits on a high plain at the foot of Vitosha mountain, whose summit rises above the end of the pedestrian Vitosha Boulevard. In a few central blocks you pass Roman Serdica's excavated streets, the 4th-century Rotunda of St George, a…
Top sights compared
| # | Belgrade | Sofia |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belgrade Fortress and Kalemegdan Park | Alexander Nevsky Cathedral |
| 2 | Knez Mihailova Street and Republic Square | Saint Sofia Church |
| 3 | Skadarlija | Rotunda of St George |
| 4 | Church of Saint Sava | Ancient Serdica and the Largo |
| 5 | Nikola Tesla Museum | Banya Bashi Mosque and the mineral springs |
Food compared
| Belgrade | Sofia |
|---|---|
| Ćevapi | Banitsa |
| Pljeskavica | Shopska salad |
| Burek with yogurt | Tarator |
| Kajmak | Kebapche and kyufte |
Which is cheaper?
Belgrade and Sofia cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $90–$160 in Belgrade and $90–$160 in Sofia (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Belgrade on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Belgrade and Sofia are about 327 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 3 days in Belgrade and 3 in Sofia.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Belgrade or Sofia cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $90–$160 in Belgrade and $90–$160 in Sofia (estimates).
+Is Belgrade or Sofia better for a first trip?
Pick Belgrade for Belgrade Fortress and Kalemegdan Park, or Sofia for Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Roman Serdica and free sights.
+How far is Belgrade from Sofia?
About 327 km in a straight line.