Sofia Weather by Month: Temperatures, Rain and What to Pack

The figures are the official 1991 to 2020 climate normals for the Sofia weather station, published by Bulgaria's National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology and the World Meteorological Organization. They are thirty year averages, not a forecast, so any given year can run warmer or wetter. For the next few days, check the forecast from the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (in Bulgarian).

Sofia weather by month: average temperatures, rain and snow

Rain or snow days: days with at least 1 mm of precipitation. Snowfall days: days when snow falls, whether or not it settles. This column is an approximate long term average from published climate tables, not part of the official normals.

In short: September and early October are the most comfortable months for exploring the city on foot, with little rain and plenty of sunshine. May and June are green but the wettest. From December to February it is cold, and snow in the city is possible rather than guaranteed. Our separate guide to snow in Sofia and Bulgaria covers where to find it.

Sofia weather in September and October

September in Sofia still feels like late summer: 23°C by day, 11°C at night and around 6 rainy days in the month. October brings proper autumn, with highs of 17.6°C and lows of 6°C, so you will want a light jacket in the morning and evening. Rain is modest, about 6 days in the month. Note the clock change too: on 25 October 2026 Bulgaria returns to winter time and sunset jumps from 18:32 to 17:31.

October is the month for the mountains around the city before the snow arrives. A Vitosha day trip with hot springs visits the Golden Bridges stone river, takes in the views over Sofia, stops at lakes along the way and ends with about two hours in warm mineral pools, from €85 per person, with pool entry paid separately on site. A lower cost option is the Day of Nature and Spa with Mitko: Kopitoto viewpoint, the Golden Bridges, Pancharevo Lake and the Iskar Reservoir, finishing in the pools of Sapareva Banya, from €40 per person. For more ideas within a short drive, browse our day trips from Sofia.

Sofia in November: how cold it gets and what to do

Expect around 11°C by day and 2°C at night, about 6 rainy days and, on average, fewer than three days with snowfall, which rarely settles. Daylight matters more than temperature: November averages about 107 hours of sunshine for the whole month, less than half of September, and by mid month it is dark soon after 17:00. Plan outdoor sightseeing for the morning and keep your evenings indoors.

Things to do in Sofia in November:

• A spa afternoon in the centre: the Spa Victoria package at the Ramada includes a 30 minute Turkish hammam, a 60 minute massage and access to the pools and spa, from €125 per person. The spa is open from 10:00 to 22:00, so it works after a full day out.
• A creative evening: Voart sip and paint pairs a glass of wine with a guided painting session, from €30 per person. Free cancellation ends 7 days before, so book once your plans are fixed.
• Film: the Kinomania festival celebrates its 40th edition from 12 to 29 November 2026, with screenings in Hall 1 of the National Palace of Culture (NDK).
• A walk on a dry morning: Stella's Sofia spends 2 to 4 hours among Roman ruins, Ottoman mosques and medieval churches, from €40 per person.

Sofia in January and February: cold, snow and what to do

January is the coldest month: 3.5°C by day, -3.9°C at night and 7 to 8 days with snowfall. February starts to warm up, with highs of 6.5°C, but nights stay below freezing. December, with its markets and lights, has its own guide to the Sofia Christmas markets, and our Bulgaria in winter guide covers the wider season.

Things to do in Sofia in January:

• A reliable snow day: the Borovets snow day with thermal springs leaves from Sofia, from €85 per person. It depends on the weather, and you will need a swimsuit and towel for the springs, where entry to the mineral pools is paid on site.
• Indoor days: the spa and painting evenings above work just as well in January, and our guide to the best museums in Sofia fills a grey afternoon.

Sofia in March and April: a spring that changes its mind

In March daytime highs reach 11°C while nights hover around freezing, and there are about 5 days with snowfall that almost never lasts. April is pleasant for walking, at 17°C by day and 5°C at night, with around 8 rainy days. Bulgarians blame Baba Marta, Grandmother March of folklore, whose moods swing from day to day, and the weather tends to agree: sunshine one hour, a shower the next.

On 1 March people across Sofia exchange martenitsi, red and white threads given to friends and family as a wish for good health, a custom on UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage. It is also a good month for a short walk between showers: the Sofia small group walking tour takes about two hours, from €18 per person. In April, as the days lengthen, the half day in central Sofia and on Vitosha starts in the morning and combines the city's main sights with short walks and a viewpoint on the mountain, from €80 per person.

Sofia in May and June: green, warm and the wettest months

May and June are Sofia's wettest months, with 10 rainy days in May and 9 in June, and June also has the most thunderstorms, about 11 days on average. Temperatures are comfortable at 21 to 25°C by day and the parks are at their greenest. Keep an indoor backup for each day and pack a thin rain jacket. July and August are the hot, dry months at nearly 28°C, and we cover them in detail in our Sofia in summer guide.

What to pack for Sofia, season by season

December to February

• A proper winter coat: nights drop below freezing.
• Waterproof closed shoes with grippy soles for wet pavements and ice.
• Hat, gloves and scarf, plus a thermal layer for mountain days.
• Swimsuit and towel if you plan to visit hot springs.

March, April, October and November

• Layers: a shirt, a sweater and a light jacket, since the gap between afternoon and night is 9 to 11°C.
• A compact umbrella or a hooded jacket.
• Comfortable shoes that do not soak through quickly.

May to September

• Light clothes plus a thin sweater for the evening, when it drops to 10 to 15°C.
• A thin rain jacket or umbrella in May and June.
• Sunscreen and a hat, especially for mountain walks.

What the averages do not tell you

• The mountain is much colder. On Cherni Vrah, Vitosha's 2,290 metre summit, October averages 4.7°C by day and below freezing at night, and January highs average -5°C. Take an extra layer to Vitosha even when the city feels mild.
• Winter days are short. On 21 December the sun sets at 16:57 and in mid January at 17:19, compared with 21:09 in late June. Start winter day trips early.
• Still winter days bring smog. On cold days without wind, fog and temperature inversions trap smoke from wood and coal heating in the basin. Those are the days to head up the mountain or stay indoors.
• Landing on a winter evening. A Sofia Airport to city centre transfer costs from €30 per car, not per person, takes about 25 minutes and includes a meet and greet with a name sign and up to 60 minutes of free waiting if your flight is late.

The bottom line

Sofia's weather should shape what you do there, not whether you go. September and October suit both the city and the mountain, May and June are green and showery, and winter is for spas, museums and a snow day out of town. For more ideas read our full Sofia travel guide, and if you would like help matching your trip to the season, get in touch.