Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, is a city where deep history meets modern energy. Nestled in the Sofia Valley at the foot of Vitosha Mountain, it is one of Europe’s oldest cities, with roots going back over 7,000 years. Known in antiquity as Serdica, it has been shaped by Thracian, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, and Bulgarian influences, leaving behind landmarks like the Roman ruins of Serdica, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and Ottoman-era mosques.
Today, Sofia is home to about 1.3 million people and serves as the economic, cultural, and political hub of Bulgaria, generating more than 40% of the nation’s GDP. The city blends monumental 19th–20th century architecture with Communist-era blocks and sleek modern towers. With its universities, museums, lively café culture, and proximity to mountain hiking and skiing, Sofia is both a vibrant European capital and a gateway to Bulgaria’s rich history and landscapes.
Sofia – Key Facts & Demographics
- Country: Bulgaria
- Status: Capital and largest city of Bulgaria
- Founded: Settled as early as 7th millennium BCE; became capital in 1879
- Location: Sofia Valley, at the foot of Vitosha Mountain
🧑🤝🧑 Population
- City proper (2024 est.): ~1.29 million
- Urban area: ~1.53 million
- Metropolitan region: ~1.62 million
- Density: ~6,400 people per km²
- Sofia is the 12th largest city in the EU by population within city limits.
📐 Area
- Total area: ~492 km²
💶 Economy
- GDP (2023 est.): ~€40.6 billion
- GDP per capita (PPP, 2023): ~€31,600
- Contributes ~42% of Bulgaria’s national GDP
- Economy led by services (finance, IT, trade), followed by industry
🌍 Demographics
- Ethnic composition (city & metro area):
- Bulgarians: ~87%
- Roma: ~2–3%
- Turks: ~1%
- Others (Armenians, Greeks, Russians, etc.)
- Religion: Majority Eastern Orthodox; also Muslim, Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish minorities
- Median age: ~42 years
- Languages: Bulgarian (official); English widely spoken in business & tourism