Things to Do in Sofia in April
April weather, activities, events & insider tips
April Weather in Sofia
Is April Right for You?
Advantages
- Spring bloom season transforms Sofia into an actual garden city - the parks and boulevards fill with magnolias, tulips, and cherry blossoms, making it genuinely photogenic without the tourist hordes you'd get in May or June
- Perfect temperature window for walking the city - daytime highs around 17°C (62°F) mean you can comfortably explore for hours without overheating or freezing, which matters when Sofia's best experiences involve wandering neighborhoods like Lozenets or the Doctor's Garden
- Restaurant terrace season begins in earnest - locals reclaim outdoor seating after winter, and you'll actually get tables at popular spots along Vitosha Boulevard without the summer crush or winter indoor stuffiness
- Vitosha Mountain becomes accessible for hiking without needing serious winter gear - snow typically clears from lower trails by mid-April, giving you those 1,800-2,200 m (5,900-7,200 ft) elevation hikes with spring wildflowers and views back to the city
Considerations
- Weather genuinely swings day-to-day - you might get 20°C (68°F) sunshine one afternoon and 8°C (46°F) drizzle the next morning, which makes packing annoying and means checking forecasts daily actually matters
- April rain isn't dramatic but it's persistent - those 10 rainy days tend to be gray drizzle rather than quick storms, and when it hits, outdoor plans get genuinely uncomfortable since most attractions involve walking exposed streets
- Some mountain facilities haven't fully opened yet - higher elevation restaurants and cable car services on Vitosha sometimes run reduced schedules until May, and you might find trail refuges still closed if you're planning serious hiking
Best Activities in April
Vitosha Mountain Day Hikes
April hits that sweet spot where lower Vitosha trails around Boyana and Dragalevtsi are snow-free but still uncrowded. The Boyana Waterfall trail (3.2 km / 2 miles round trip) runs through beech forests just starting to leaf out, and you'll have it mostly to yourself on weekdays. Temperature drops about 6°C (11°F) for every 1,000 m (3,280 ft) you climb, so it's actually comfortable hiking weather when the city feels warm. Trails above 2,000 m (6,560 ft) might still have snow patches, but the Aleko area around 1,800 m (5,905 ft) becomes accessible mid-month.
Soviet Architecture Walking Routes
April weather is ideal for the 4-5 hour walks needed to properly see Sofia's Brutalist and Socialist-era buildings - not too hot, and the low sun angle actually makes the concrete textures more dramatic for photos. The NDK (National Palace of Culture) area, Largo complex, and residential blocks in Lozenets and Mladost show off 1960s-80s design that locals take for granted but architecture enthusiasts find fascinating. You'll walk 8-10 km (5-6 miles) total if you're thorough, and April temps mean you won't be miserable doing it.
Rila Monastery Day Trips
Bulgaria's most famous monastery sits at 1,147 m (3,763 ft) in the Rila Mountains, and April means you get there without winter road closures or summer tour bus crowds. The 2.5 hour drive south passes through mountain scenery just starting to green up. The monastery itself stays cool even on warm April days, and you'll actually have space to photograph the frescoed arcades without dodging selfie sticks. Worth noting the surrounding hiking trails might still be muddy or snow-covered, so most visitors stick to the monastery complex itself.
Central Market Hall and Food Market Browsing
April brings spring produce to Sofia's markets - wild garlic, early strawberries from southern Bulgaria, fresh white cheese, and the first local vegetables. The Central Market Hall (Tsentralni Hali) near the mosque has permanent vendors, while the Women's Market (Zhenski Pazar) runs daily with better prices and more local character. The 70% humidity actually keeps produce looking fresh longer than summer heat would. Plan 2-3 hours to browse, taste, and maybe grab ingredients if you have apartment access.
Boyana Church and National History Museum Circuit
These two major attractions sit in the Boyana neighborhood at Vitosha's base, and April weather makes the outdoor components actually pleasant. Boyana Church's medieval frescoes require timed entry (15 minutes, small groups), while the National History Museum has extensive grounds you'll want to walk. The combination takes 3-4 hours, and you're at 650 m (2,130 ft) elevation where it's noticeably cooler and fresher than downtown. The surrounding Boyana neighborhood has nice residential streets worth wandering.
Thermal Mineral Bath Experiences
Sofia sits on thermal springs, and April's variable weather makes the public mineral baths particularly appealing on cooler, drizzly days. The Central Mineral Baths building (currently a museum) has public fountains where locals fill bottles with 42°C (108°F) mineral water. Newer spa facilities in Bankya (15 km / 9 miles west) and Gorna Banya neighborhood offer actual soaking pools. The contrast between cool April air and hot mineral water is genuinely relaxing after walking all day.
April Events & Festivals
Sofia Film Fest
Bulgaria's largest film festival typically runs in mid-March through early April, sometimes extending into the first week of April depending on the year. International and Bulgarian films screen across multiple venues including Cinema House and NDK. Even if you catch just the tail end, it's a chance to see Sofia's film community active and venues decorated. Check exact 2026 dates closer to time since the festival schedule shifts slightly year to year.
Easter Celebrations
Orthodox Easter date moves each year based on the Julian calendar - in 2026 it falls on April 12. Sofia's churches hold midnight services on Holy Saturday, with Alexander Nevsky Cathedral being the most dramatic (though extremely crowded). Locals exchange red eggs and kozunak sweet bread. The days around Easter see reduced business hours and family-focused activities rather than tourist events, but it's culturally significant if you're interested in Orthodox traditions.