Month guide · Sofia · Bulgaria
Sofia in October
What October is really like in Sofia: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Preslav~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claim, Public domain
Quick answer
October is one of the best months to visit Sofia. Expect average highs of 17°C (63°F), lows of 6°C (43°F), about 7 rainy days and roughly 11 hours of daylight. Autumn colour on Vitosha and crisp, often sunny days.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 17°C (63°F) / 6°C (43°F)
- Rainy days
- About 7
- Daylight
- About 11 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in October
October is the 6th-warmest month in Sofia: days average 17°C (63°F) against a yearly average high of 16°C (61°F), and nights fall to about 6°C (43°F). Rain falls on roughly 7 of its 31 days. Compared with September (23°C (73°F)), October is cooler; by November highs drop to around 10°C (50°F).
- Sunrise (15 October)
- About 07:40
- Sunset (15 October)
- About 18:45
- Daylight
- About 11 hours
Autumn (September–November). Dry, sunny September and colourful October, turning grey and foggy by November.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, October 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 October
- Sofia Marathon (usually October)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in October
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Religious site · City Centre
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
Built between 1882 and 1912 in honour of Russian soldiers who died in the war that ended Ottoman rule in Bulgaria, this neo-Byzantine cathedral is topped with gold domes and filled with murals, onyx and marble.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Architecture
- After dark
- Photo spot
Religious site · Boyana and Dragalevtsi
Boyana Church
Visits are kept short and in small groups to protect the frescoes, so look closely at the portraits of the donors Kaloyan and Desislava.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- History
- Off the beaten path
- Iconic
Religious site · City Centre
Saint Sofia Church
A red-brick basilica from the 6th century that gave the city its name.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Religious site · City Centre
Rotunda of St George
Enter the courtyard from the Presidency side and watch the guard ceremony in front of the building.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Off the beaten path
- Architecture
What to pack
For highs near 17°C, lows near 6°C and 7 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is October a good time to visit Sofia?
One of the best months to visit Sofia, with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are May–June and September. Compare every month.
Sofia in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is October a good time to visit Sofia?
It is one of the best months to visit Sofia. Autumn colour on Vitosha and crisp, often sunny days.
+How warm is Sofia in October?
Average highs are around 17°C (63°F) and lows around 6°C (43°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Sofia in October?
Expect rain on about 7 days of the month.