Despite a multitude of accommodations, finding a place to stay in Sofia can be long process. There are several points you should consider before starting your search:
The rental market in Sofia is steadily growing and improving. There are many offers on the market; however, it may take time to find a flat that fits your needs. Although it is possible to find a rental online before arriving to Bulgaria, it is recommended that the search is done in person to avoid any misunderstandings and to make sure all of your rental criteria is met.
Rental flats usually are fully furbished, which saves a lot of money but may also add to the difficulty of finding a flat that suits your needs and style.
Flat sharing is most popular among students who are not able to afford a flat by themselves. The best way to find a flat to share is through networking in the circle of friends and acquaintances. It also helps to find a forum online for expats in Sofia and Bulgaria such as Expat Forums.
Often one of the flat mates signs the rental contract as the main tenant and then adds others onto to the lease, although you can apply jointly.
Sofia offers a good selection of hostels both in terms of quality and price and cater for backpackers and budget travelers. Most hostels are conveniently located in the center of the city. Hostels are incredibly cheap and can also act as temporary housing for those looking for permanent accommodations. The price of a hostel a night ranges from 14 BNG to 56 BNG depending on location & amenities.
Update 6/06/2018
Looking for cheap accommodation in Sofia isn’t easy and can be time consuming. With Uniplaces now you can look for your room comfortably sitting at home. You can pick a room in a shared home with other expats, a studio flat if you want more privacy, or you can team up with other friends and rent an entire apartment just for yourselves.
Uniplaces offers thousands of solutions for professionals, digital nomads and families, with entire furnished accommodation with reliable wifi and great amenities to stay productive, and do your best work.
The booking system is very simple and doesn’t require any visit: all can be done in advance thanks to the detailed descriptions and photos. All accommodations are selected and verified by Uniplaces' team and there is no need for a guarantor. In addition, they only pay the landlord when you saw the place and are happy with it.