Europe · capital city
What Is the Capital of Bulgaria?
Sofia
The capital of Bulgaria is Sofia. About 1.3 million people live in the Sofia urban area — 20% of the country's population.
1.3 million
Urban area population
UTC+2
Time zone (+ daylight saving)
42.68°N
Latitude · 23.32°E
Yes
Largest city
Sofia at a glance
Name origin
Named after the Church of Saint Sofia in the city, parts of which may date to the 4th century.
Time zone
UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time). Daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October.
Coordinates
42 41 N, 23 19 E · IANA time zone Europe/Sofia
Location of Bulgaria
Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Romania and Turkey
Capitals of neighbouring countries
Ankara, Türkiye — 854 kmCapitals closest to Sofia
Skopje, North Macedonia — 172 km
Pristina, Kosovo — 176 km
Bucharest, Romania — 297 km
Tirana, Albania — 327 km
Belgrade, Serbia — 329 km
Podgorica, Montenegro — 333 km
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina — 418 km
Athens, Greece — 524 km
Straight-line distance between capitals.
Frequently asked questions about Sofia
What is the capital of Bulgaria?
The capital of Bulgaria is Sofia. About 1.3 million people live in the Sofia urban area — 20% of the country's population.
Is Sofia the largest city in Bulgaria?
Yes — Sofia is also the largest urban area of Bulgaria (1.3 million).
What time zone is Sofia in?
Sofia is on UTC+2 — UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time). Daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October.
Where does the name Sofia come from?
Named after the Church of Saint Sofia in the city, parts of which may date to the 4th century.
Which capital is closest to Sofia?
Among the capitals of neighbouring countries, Skopje (North Macedonia) is the closest, 172 km away in a straight line.
Data: CIA World Factbook (public domain); population: World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0).