AI-generatedSofia at a glance
- Best time
- Jun – Sep
- Warmest month
- Aug · 27°
- Sunshine a year
- 2,260 h
- Rain a year
- 712 mm
- Climate
- Continental
- Time zone
- UTC+2 / UTC+3
- Elevation
- 562 m
Climate in Sofia
Sofia has warm to hot summers and cold winters with occasional snow. August is the warmest month with average highs of 27 °C, while January is the coolest at 4 °C. With around 2,260 hours of sunshine a year, Sofia is sunny; July is the sunniest month with 10.1 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Good
Best time to visit: June – September
Good forSightseeing & walks
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 8°
- Midday, 13:00: about 15°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 16°
- Evening, 20:00: about 12°
- Night, 23:00: about 10°
07:3818:46
Cool evenings: pack a jumper or a jacket.
Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.
Light for photos in October
- Golden hour
- Morning 07:21–08:17 · evening 18:08–19:04
- Blue hour
- Morning 07:10–07:21 · evening 19:04–19:15
Golden hour: the sun between 4° below and 6° above the horizon; blue hour: 6° to 4° below it. Times for the 15th of the month; mountains and clouds shift the light.
What is the weather like in Sofia in October?
In October, Sofia is mild: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 7 °C. Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 59 mm. All in all, October is a good month for a holiday in Sofia.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 11 h 8 min07:38 – 18:46
- UV index
- 4 · moderateclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 0 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 10 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 53 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 0 days30 °C or moreAll months
- Snow days
- 1 day1 cm or more of fresh snowAll months
- Time zone
- UTC+3Europe/Sofia
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 50 %82 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %40 %
- Few rainy daysweight 30 %74 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “City break”.
What to pack in October
- Sunscreen
- A jumper for the evenings
Sunshine hours in Sofia
Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.
In October, the sun shines for about 5.4 of 11.1 hours of daylight in Sofia, 49 % of the day.
Sunshine hours: measured at the weather station 7 km away, averages 1991–2020 (WMO climate normals). Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.
UV index in Sofia
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 4 · moderateAround midday seek shade; use sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
The sun is strongest in June (UV 10).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 35 min
- Fair skin
- about 45 min
- Light brown skin
- about 65 min
- Olive skin
- about 85 min
Rough guide for unprotected skin at noon under a clear sky; clouds lengthen it, water, sand and snow shorten it. Sunscreen extends the time only partly.
Monthly values: clear-sky noon estimate from the sun's angle, ozone and altitude. UV today: Open-Meteo forecast.
Rain in Sofia: rainy days and rainfall
A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain or snow; the amount is what falls in the whole month. Tap a month to select it.
In October, Sofia has about 8 rainy days with 59 mm of rain in total.
Wind and clouds in Sofia
How breezy and how cloudy Sofia is through the year. Tap a month to select it on the whole page.
Wind
Typical daily peak of the wind in km/h: what the afternoon breeze usually reaches, not the gusts.
In October, the wind in Sofia typically peaks at 10 km/h during the day: Beaufort 2, light air.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 53 % of the sky over Sofia: variable cloud, with about 5.4 hours of sunshine a day.
Wind: mean daily maximum of the hourly wind 10 m above ground (ERA5, 1996–2025). Gusts are stronger, and the model grid of about 28 km smooths out local effects such as capes and valley winds. Clouds: mean total cloud cover of all layers over day and night (ERA5, 1996–2025). Thin high cloud counts as cover even when the sun still shines through.
Heat and humidity in Sofia
How often the day gets hot in Sofia (30 °C and more), and in which months heat and humidity come together. Tap a month to select it.
Heat calendar
- pleasant
- some hot or muggy days
- often muggy
- often hot
- hot and muggy
In October, Sofia has about 0 hot days, with an average daytime high of 16 °C: pleasant. Heat plays no part this month.
Hot days reach at least 30 °C; a month counts as muggy when the mean dew point reaches 18 °C on at least 15 days. Averages from ERA5 and ERA5-Land, 1996–2025. Muggy nights through the year
Snow in Sofia
Snow is possible in Sofia, but no month makes it likely: the chance of seeing snow during a week's stay, the days with fresh snow and how much falls. Tap a month to select it.
Snow calendar
- hardly any
- possible
- likely
- very likely
In October, Sofia has about 1 days with at least 1 cm of fresh snow, 3 cm in total. The chance of seeing snow during a week's stay is 8 out of 100: hardly any.
Snow days bring at least 1 cm of fresh snow. Fresh snow comes from ERA5 snowfall (1996–2025) at the height of the place, not on the slopes above it; the snow chance also weighs whether the snow settles. An estimate from climate averages, not a snow report.
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Sofia
How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.
- Frost below 0°
- Cold 0–8°
- Cool 8–15°
- Pleasant 15–20°
ColdOctober: nights around 7°. The room should be heated.
The coolest nights are in January (−5°), the warmest in August (17°). Nights are pleasant for sleeping (15 to 20 °C) from June to August. Nights fall below 8 °C on average from October to April, so the room should be heated.
Temperatures through the year
Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.
| Month | Score | Day | Night | Sun | Rain days | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 19 | 4° | −5° | 2.8 h | 9 | 49 |
| FebruaryFeb | 26 | 6° | −3° | 4.1 h | 8 | 42 |
| MarchMar | 34 | 10° | 1° | 5.5 h | 11 | 65 |
| AprilApr | 62 | 15° | 5° | 6.5 h | 12 | 70 |
| MayMay | 73 | 20° | 10° | 7.5 h | 14 | 88 |
| JuneJun | 80 | 24° | 15° | 8.9 h | 13 | 82 |
| JulyJul | 88 | 27° | 17° | 10.1 h | 10 | 60 |
| AugustAug | 92 | 27° | 17° | 9.9 h | 8 | 48 |
| SeptemberSep | 86 | 22° | 12° | 7.5 h | 8 | 55 |
| OctoberOct | 71 | 16° | 7° | 5.4 h | 8 | 59 |
| NovemberNov | 39 | 11° | 2° | 3.6 h | 7 | 43 |
| DecemberDec | 18 | 5° | −3° | 2.2 h | 9 | 52 |
Climate averages 1996–2025, not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, WMO 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI), GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Sources & licences
42.70° N, 23.32° E · 562 m · Europe/Sofia
Best time to visit Sofia
The best time to visit Sofia is from June to September. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable in April and from July to October. Rain is most frequent from May to June; the wettest month is May with 88 mm.
Sofia through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Sofia in spring
Mar – May
Fair
- 10–20 °C by day
- 7 h of sun a day
- 37 rainy days in all
Sofia in summer
Jun – Aug
Excellent
- 24–27 °C by day
- 10 h of sun a day
- 30 rainy days in all
Sofia in autumn
Sep – Nov
Good
- 11–22 °C by day
- 6 h of sun a day
- 23 rainy days in all
Sofia in winter
Dec – Feb
Poor
- 4–6 °C by day
- 3 h of sun a day
- 26 rainy days in all
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Sofia for you.
Your best months: June, August – September
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Compare two months in Sofia
Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.
August has the better holiday weather in Sofia: score 92 against 71. In August, days are 11 °C warmer than in October. The sun shines 5 hours longer a day in August.
| Month | October | August |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 71 | 92better |
| Day high | 16° | 27° |
| Night low | 7° | 17° |
| Sunshine | 5.4 h | 9.9 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 8 | 8 |
| Rainfall | 59 mm | 48 mmbetter |
| Muggy days | 0better | 1 |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
No sea nearby
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
Apr, Jul – Oct
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Rainy months
May – Jun
12 or more rainy days
Snow
Dec – Mar
Snow on 2 or more days
Sofia month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
19January4° · 3 h
In January, Sofia is cold: daytime highs average 4 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−5 °C). The sun is scarce, with only about 3 hours a day. Precipitation, often as snow, falls on about 9 days, totalling 49 mm. Snow falls on about 5 days. All in all, January is not an ideal month for a holiday in Sofia.
Sofia in January26February6° · 4 h
In February, Sofia is cold: daytime highs average 6 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−3 °C). Expect around 4 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 42 mm. Snow falls on about 4 days. All in all, February is not an ideal month for a holiday in Sofia.
Sofia in February34March10° · 6 h
In March, Sofia is cool: daytime highs average 10 °C, and nights cool down to about 1 °C. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 65 mm in total. Snow falls on about 4 days. All in all, March is not an ideal month for a holiday in Sofia.
Sofia in March62April15° · 7 h
In April, Sofia is cool: daytime highs average 15 °C, and nights cool down to about 5 °C. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 70 mm in total. All in all, April is a good month for a holiday in Sofia.
Sofia in April73May20° · 8 h
In May, Sofia is mild: daytime highs average 20 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. It rains often – on about 14 days, adding up to 88 mm. All in all, May is a good month for a holiday in Sofia.
Sofia in May80June24° · 9 h
In June, Sofia is warm: daytime highs average 24 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. The sun shines for around 9 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 82 mm in total. All in all, June is an excellent month for a holiday in Sofia.
Sofia in June88July27° · 10 h
In July, Sofia is warm: daytime highs average 27 °C, and nights cool down to about 17 °C. With around 10 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 60 mm in total. On about 6 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, July is an excellent month for a holiday in Sofia.
Sofia in July92August27° · 10 h
In August, Sofia is warm: daytime highs average 27 °C, and nights cool down to about 17 °C. With around 10 hours of sunshine a day, there is plenty of sun. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 48 mm. On about 5 days the thermometer climbs to 30 °C or more. All in all, August is an excellent month for a holiday in Sofia.
Sofia in August86September22° · 8 h
In September, Sofia is warm: daytime highs average 22 °C, and nights cool down to about 12 °C. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 55 mm. All in all, September is an excellent month for a holiday in Sofia.
Sofia in September71October16° · 5 h
In October, Sofia is mild: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 7 °C. Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain falls on about 8 days, adding up to 59 mm. All in all, October is a good month for a holiday in Sofia.
Sofia in October39November11° · 4 h
In November, Sofia is cool: daytime highs average 11 °C, and nights cool down to about 2 °C. The sun is scarce, with only about 4 hours a day. Rain falls on about 7 days, adding up to 43 mm. Snow falls on about 2 days. All in all, November is not an ideal month for a holiday in Sofia.
Sofia in November18December5° · 2 h
In December, Sofia is cold: daytime highs average 5 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−3 °C). The sun is scarce, with only about 2 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 9 rainy days and 52 mm in total. Snow falls on about 5 days. All in all, December is not an ideal month for a holiday in Sofia.
Sofia in DecemberSofia compared
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Sofia vs. Niš
In October Niš has the better holiday weather (score 79 vs. 71). During the day Niš is 2 °C warmer than Sofia.
| in October | Sofia | Niš |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday score | 71 | 79 |
| Daytime high | 16° | 18° |
| Sunshine | 5 h | 5 h |
| Rainy days | 8 | 7 |
| Best time | Jun – Sep | Apr – Oct |
Through the year
Bulgaria in October: the best places
In October, Sofia ranks 3 of 7 destinations in this country.
- Burgas18°19°80
- 2Veliko Tarnovo18°78
- 3SofiaThis page16°71
- 4Nessebar (Sunny Beach)18°19°29
- 5Varna17°18°29
- 6Golden Sands17°18°28
- 7Sozopol18°19°25
Planning a trip to Sofia
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Sofia in the school holidays
How the weather suits the usual holiday periods. Dates vary by school and region, so each holiday uses the months it usually falls in.
Sofia has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 91) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 19).
- 54
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Fair
- 14 °C by day
- 6.2 h of sun a day
- 11 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Snow
- 74
May half-term
May – Jun
Good
- 21 °C by day
- 7.8 h of sun a day
- 14 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 91
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
ExcellentBest holidays
- 27 °C by day
- 10.0 h of sun a day
- 8 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 71
October half-term
Oct
Good
- 16 °C by day
- 5.4 h of sun a day
- 8 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 19
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Poor
- 4 °C by day
- 2.5 h of sun a day
- 9 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Snow
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 2 h 55 min
- Distance
- 2,030 km
- Time zone
- UTC+3
- Jet lag
- Hardly any (under 3 h)
Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.
Frequently asked questions about Sofia
When is the best time to visit Sofia?
The best time to visit Sofia is from June to September. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
What is the warmest month in Sofia?
August is the warmest month, with average highs of 27 °C and nights around 17 °C. January is the coolest month at 4 °C.
When does it rain most in Sofia?
Rain is most frequent from May to June; the wettest month is May with 88 mm. The driest month is February with 42 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Sofia get?
Sofia gets around 2,260 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is July with 10.1 hours a day; in December there are 2.2 hours a day.
What time zone is Sofia in?
Sofia uses the time zone Europe/Sofia: UTC+2 in January and UTC+3 in July.
How long is the flight from London to Sofia?
A nonstop flight from London to Sofia takes about 2 h 55 min, for a straight-line distance of about 2,030 km.
Which school holidays are best for Sofia?
Sofia has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 91) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 19). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 54, May half-term 74, Summer holidays 91, October half-term 71, Christmas holidays 19.
Near Sofia
Other destinations close by.
Places with a climate like Sofia
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Sofia's – good alternatives.