Sofia Weather
A month-by-month look at temperature, rainfall and what to pack in Sofia. The annual average is 16°C high / 6°C low — hottest in July (28°C) and coldest in January (-4°C).
Sofia Weather at a Glance
As of 2026A quick summary of Sofia's year-round climate and the best time to visit.
- Annual average
- 16° / 6°
- Best time to visit
- June, July, August
- Hottest month
- July (28°C)
- Coldest month
- January (-4°C)
- Wettest month
- June (80mm)
- Driest month
- February (30mm)
As of 2026, Sofia's weather averages 16°C high / 6°C low across the year, and the best time to visit for stable temperatures, rainfall and crowds is June, July, August. The hottest month is July (28°C), the coldest is January (-4°C), and the wettest is June (80mm).
When is the best time to visit Sofia?
June is one of Sofia's two best months — peak comfortable temperatures (25°C), longest daylight (15.5h), Valley of Roses harvest peak through mid-June (2.5h east), Mt. Vitosha alpine hiking + Cherni Vrah peak season opens, all attractions on full summer schedules, outdoor concerts + Sofia Festival of Music continues. Hotel pricing climbs to summer-peak by late June but mid-June is the sweet spot for proper summer Sofia experience without August's heat or crowds.
July is Sofia's hottest month (28°C peak) with the year's most sunshine (10h daily) — Mt. Vitosha alpine hiking + Cherni Vrah peak season at its best, the Plovdiv Roman Theatre Verdi Festival mid-June through July is the canonical Bulgaria summer cultural event (2h southeast). Sofia city sightseeing in 28°C is manageable but afternoon heat can reach 32°C; plan indoor museums + Boyana Church UNESCO + Saint Sofia Church underground for 13:00-16:00. Pre-book hotels + restaurants — summer-peak pricing + crowds throughout.
August matches July's pattern — Sofia's hottest month tied with July (28°C peak), driest summer month (55mm + 8 wet days), and Mt. Vitosha alpine hiking + Plovdiv Verdi Festival continues. The summer-peak pricing + crowds + family travel volume make August the most challenging Sofia month for first-time visitors — but the weather predictability + outdoor culture + Mt. Vitosha mountain access make it the canonical Bulgarian summer experience. Black Sea coast extension (Varna or Burgas 6-7h east) is the canonical August Bulgarian beach add-on.
What is Sofia weather like month by month?
Tap any month for a detailed guide with what to wear, sunrise/sunset and air quality.
| Month | High/Low | Rain | Rainy days | Crowds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3° / -4° | 35mm | 9 | Quiet | Details → |
| February | 6° / -3° | 30mm | 8 | Quiet | Details → |
| March | 11° / 1° | 45mm | 9 | Quiet | Details → |
| April | 16° / 5° | 60mm | 10 | Moderate | Details → |
| May | 21° / 10° | 75mm | 11 | Moderate | Details → |
| June | 25° / 13° | 80mm | 11 | Busy | Details → |
| July | 28° / 15° | 65mm | 9 | Busy | Details → |
| August | 28° / 15° | 55mm | 8 | Busy | Details → |
| September | 23° / 11° | 50mm | 7 | Moderate | Details → |
| October | 17° / 6° | 60mm | 9 | Moderate | Details → |
| November | 10° / 2° | 50mm | 10 | Quiet | Details → |
| December | 4° / -2° | 40mm | 9 | Moderate | Details → |
What should you wear in Sofia?
Proper spring layering — light sweater + medium jacket + waterproof + comfortable walking shoes. Daytime 16°C with sun is pleasant; evenings drop to 5°C. Umbrella essential — April is Sofia's second-wettest spring month. Sunglasses + light scarf for windy days.
Summer dress code. T-shirt or short-sleeve shirt + light pants or skirt + comfortable walking shoes + light cardigan for cool evenings (15°C nights) + light waterproof for occasional thunderstorms. Sun hat + sunglasses + serious sun protection (UV 8 peak). Modest options for Alexander Nevsky + Rila Monastery + mosque visits (covered shoulders + knees).
Proper autumn dress code. Long-sleeve shirt + sweater + medium jacket + waterproof + comfortable walking shoes. Daytime 17°C with sun feels comfortable; evenings drop to 6°C and feel properly chilly. Light gloves + scarf for evening dining + Mt. Vitosha hikes. Umbrella essential — October wet.
Like January — warm jacket, waterproof boots, thermal base layer + fleece. Daylight returning means more outdoor walking opportunities, so packable gloves and a wool buff are essential. Indoor cafés still hot — removable layers.
Sofia Weather FAQ
What is the best time to visit Sofia? +
For weather, June, July, August are the most comfortable months. Highs sit around 25°C with relatively stable rainfall and crowds.
What are the hottest and coldest months in Sofia? +
The hottest month is July with an average high of 28°C, and the coldest is January with an average low of -4°C. The annual average is 16°C high / 6°C low.
When does it rain most in Sofia? +
The wettest month is June (80mm over about 11 rainy days) and the driest is February (30mm). Total annual rainfall is roughly 645mm.
What should I pack for Sofia? +
Spring (Mar–May) averages 16/5°C — Proper spring layering — light sweater + medium jacket + waterproof + comfortable walking shoes. Daytime 16°C with sun is pleasant; evenings drop to 5°C. Umbrella essential — April is Sofia's second-wettest spring month. Sunglasses + light scarf for windy days. Summer (Jun–Aug) averages 27/14°C — Summer dress code. T-shirt or short-sleeve shirt + light pants or skirt + comfortable walking shoes + light cardigan for cool evenings (15°C nights) + light waterproof for occasional thunderstorms. Sun hat + sunglasses + serious sun protection (UV 8 peak). Modest options for Alexander Nevsky + Rila Monastery + mosque visits (covered shoulders + knees). Autumn (Sep–Nov) averages 17/6°C — Proper autumn dress code. Long-sleeve shirt + sweater + medium jacket + waterproof + comfortable walking shoes. Daytime 17°C with sun feels comfortable; evenings drop to 6°C and feel properly chilly. Light gloves + scarf for evening dining + Mt. Vitosha hikes. Umbrella essential — October wet. Winter (Dec–Feb) averages 4/-3°C — Like January — warm jacket, waterproof boots, thermal base layer + fleece. Daylight returning means more outdoor walking opportunities, so packable gloves and a wool buff are essential. Indoor cafés still hot — removable layers.
What is the weather in Sofia this month (June)? +
June averages 25°C high / 13°C low with 80mm rainfall over about 11 rainy days. Crowds are busy and prices are high.
Keep Planning Your Sofia Trip
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.