Picolo recommends · Hotels in Sofia
Hilton Sofia
We have stayed at Hilton Sofia, at the entrance to South Park with Vitosha Mountain behind it. It suits travellers who want quiet evenings and a short walk to Vitosha Boulevard.
Hilton Sofia
The hotel stands where South Park begins, with Vitosha Mountain as its backdrop.
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Hilton Sofia in short
Hilton Sofia is a large hotel with 259 rooms by South Park, directly opposite the National Palace of Culture (NDK). Guests on Hotels.com rate it 9.0 out of 10 (as of October 2026). It suits travellers who want green surroundings and still want to walk into the centre.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Hilton Sofia
The first thing we noticed was the light. The hotel has the park on one side and the National Palace of Culture on the other, and in the morning the sun pours through the tall ground-floor windows. The joggers are already heading into the park when breakfast opens at OXBO.
Picolo has been here. We stayed at Hilton Sofia on our reporting trip to Bulgaria and ate in both the restaurant and the bar. The food and bar photographs on this page are our own.
The atrium
The glass-roofed atrium is the hotel living room, full of plants and light from the park.
Picolo’s verdict
Why we like Hilton Sofia
The hotel sits in a park, yet the pedestrian streets around Vitosha Boulevard are only a short walk away. You get quiet evenings with the city right outside.
The food at OXBO surprised us most. The kitchen works with local produce, and the cocktails at Regale Bar are made with the same care.
OXBO
Sharing plates on wooden boards at OXBO, just as they were served to us.
A grand hotel with the park as its garden
The address is 1 Bulgaria Boulevard, where South Park begins. Park-facing rooms look out over the trees towards the mountain, while city-facing rooms see the Palace of Culture and the rooftops of the centre. The hotel was refurbished in 2024, and the rooms have a seating area and a desk.
OXBO Restaurant & Terrace
OXBO is the hotel restaurant, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The kitchen calls its cooking farm to table, and when we were there the dishes arrived on large wooden boards: stuffed chicken, grilled vegetables and a dessert of berries and chocolate. In summer guests move out onto the terrace facing the park.
Regale Bar & Terrace
The bar has a long marble counter. We watched the bartenders build each cocktail by hand with fresh herbs and juice. It is a good place to start the evening before heading into town, or to finish it after dinner in the city.
Pool, spa and gym
The health club has an indoor pool and a sauna, as well as a gym. The spa offers massages and other treatments. After a day on the cobbles in the centre, the pool is well worth it.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Hilton Sofia
Regale Bar
The bartenders at Regale Bar make every cocktail by hand.
Book your stay
Hilton Sofia by South Park
Stay in the park and walk to Vitosha Boulevard in seven minutes.
Dessert at OXBO
Berries, chocolate and a creamy cake. Sweet, but not too sweet.
What is there to do around the hotel?
South Park starts outside the door, with footpaths and running trails among the trees. Vitosha Boulevard, Sofia's pedestrian street of cafés and shops, is a seven-minute walk away. From there it is around half an hour on foot to the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. If you want mountain air, Vitosha Nature Park is a short drive up the hill.
Getting there
Sofia Airport is around 20 minutes away by car. The hotel can arrange a transfer, so ask when you book. Bulgaria has used the euro since 1 January 2026.
Worth knowing: Hilton Sofia is a large hotel with conference guests on weekdays. For the quietest atmosphere, go at the weekend.
Alternatives
Would you rather stay somewhere else?
Sofia has several good hotels in the centre. These two are closer to the sights.
Frequently asked questions about Hilton Sofia
Where is Hilton Sofia?
Hilton Sofia is at 1 Bulgaria Boulevard, at the entrance to South Park and directly opposite the National Palace of Culture. Vitosha Boulevard, the main pedestrian street, is a seven-minute walk away, and the hotel looks towards Vitosha Mountain. The airport is around 20 minutes by car.
Does Hilton Sofia have a pool?
Yes. The health club has an indoor pool, a sauna and a steam room. The spa offers massages and other treatments. The pool is a good place to recover after a day on foot in the centre, and it is open to hotel guests.
What restaurants does Hilton Sofia have?
The hotel has OXBO Restaurant & Terrace and the cocktail bar Regale Bar & Terrace. OXBO is open all day and cooks with local produce, and in summer the terrace facing the park is open. Regale works well both before and after dinner.
Is Hilton Sofia good for a long weekend?
Yes, especially if you want quiet evenings and a pool in the building. You stay in the park but within walking distance of the centre. Combine your stay with dinner at Secret Chef Table and a wine tasting at Tempus Vini.
How many rooms does Hilton Sofia have?
Hilton Sofia has 259 rooms over eleven floors, with views of the park, the city or the mountain. The hotel was refurbished in 2024. Guests with Executive Lounge access get breakfast and refreshments there, so check what is included when you choose your room.