Month guide · Sofia · Bulgaria
Sofia in May
What May is really like in Sofia: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: MrPanyGoff, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
May is one of the best months to visit Sofia. Expect average highs of 21°C (70°F), lows of 10°C (50°F), about 12 rainy days and roughly 14.6 hours of daylight. Green and warm, ideal for walking, though afternoon thunderstorms are common.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 21°C (70°F) / 10°C (50°F)
- Rainy days
- About 12
- Daylight
- About 14.6 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in May
May is the 5th-warmest month in Sofia: days average 21°C (70°F) against a yearly average high of 16°C (61°F), and nights fall to about 10°C (50°F). Rain falls on roughly 12 of its 31 days. Compared with April (16°C (61°F)), May is warmer; by June highs climb to around 25°C (77°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 06:04
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 20:42
- Daylight
- About 14.6 hours
Spring (March–May). Martenitsa season, blossoming parks and mild days, with showers and thunderstorms in May.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 3 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 May
- St George's Day with roast lamb (6 May)
- Day of the Bulgarian Alphabet, Education and Culture, with student processions (24 May)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in May
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Religious site · City Centre
Saint Sofia Church
Visit the underground necropolis, which few visitors know about, before crossing to Alexander Nevsky next door.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Religious site · City Centre
Sofia Synagogue
Opened in 1909 in a Moorish Revival style, this is the largest Sephardic synagogue in Southeastern Europe.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- History
- Rainy day
Market · City Centre
Central Market Hall
Pick up white cheese, lyutenitsa and honey for a picnic in the City Garden.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Free
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Museum · Boyana and Dragalevtsi
National Historical Museum
Housed in a former government residence in Boyana, Bulgaria's largest history museum covers Thracian gold and silver treasures, Roman finds, medieval church art and the National Revival period.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Art
What to pack
For highs near 21°C, lows near 10°C and 12 wet days: light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Sofia?
One of the best months to visit Sofia, with 2 notable events on the calendar. The other best months are June and September–October. Compare every month.
Sofia in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Sofia?
It is one of the best months to visit Sofia. Green and warm, ideal for walking, though afternoon thunderstorms are common.
+How warm is Sofia in May?
Average highs are around 21°C (70°F) and lows around 10°C (50°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Sofia in May?
Expect rain on about 12 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.