Month guide · Sofia · Bulgaria
Sofia in December
What December is really like in Sofia: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
December is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 4°C (39°F), lows of -3°C (27°F), about 9 rainy days and roughly 9.1 hours of daylight. Cold and often snowy, with Christmas markets and festive lights in the centre.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 4°C (39°F) / -3°C (27°F)
- Rainy days
- About 9
- Daylight
- About 9.1 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in December
December is the 11th-warmest month in Sofia: days average 4°C (39°F) against a yearly average high of 16°C (61°F), and nights fall to about -3°C (27°F). Rain falls on roughly 9 of its 31 days. Compared with November (10°C (50°F)), December is cooler; by January highs stay near 3°C (37°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 07:50
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 16:54
- Daylight
- About 9.1 hours
Winter (December–February). Cold and snowy, with Christmas markets and skiing at Vitosha and Borovets.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 2 for crowds (the peak is June at 4) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in July). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in December
- Christmas markets in the city centre (usually December)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Museum · Izgrev
Museum of Socialist Art
A sculpture park and gallery of Communist-era art, with statues of Lenin, Georgi Dimitrov and heroic workers, plus the red star that once topped the Party House on the Largo.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Art
- Off the beaten path
- Photo spot
Nature · Vitosha
Vitosha Nature Park
Start early, wear proper shoes and check the weather; conditions on the plateau change quickly even in summer.
- Time needed
- Half a day to a full day
- Cost
- Free
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Active
- Views
- Kids
Park · City Centre
City Garden and Ivan Vazov National Theatre
The neoclassical red-and-white National Theatre faces the City Garden, where older men play chess on outdoor tables and fountains cool the square in summer.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Outdoors
Park · Oborishte
Borisova Gradina
Rent a bike or scooter and ride the long central alleys, then stop by the lake.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Nature
What to pack
For highs near 4°C, lows near -3°C and 9 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Sofia?
A shoulder-season month, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, May–June and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Sofia in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Sofia?
It is a shoulder-season month. Cold and often snowy, with Christmas markets and festive lights in the centre.
+How warm is Sofia in December?
Average highs are around 4°C (39°F) and lows around -3°C (27°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Sofia in December?
Expect rain on about 9 days of the month.