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Shabbat in Sofia

Bulgaria · community hub: Centre (Ekzarh Yosif) / Chabad (Stara Planina) · airport SOF, about 20 min by car. Everything below was checked against the sources on each listing in November 2026; confirm times with the shul before you rely on them.

2 minyanim (2 with times)9 hotels (1 confirmed, 1 guest-reported)6 kosher places (1 sell Shabbat meals)2 mikvaosEruv: no
Plan your dates: candle lighting, walk map, Yom Tov, flights →

Eruv

No eruv

No eruv in Sofia: Chabad Bulgaria's tourist page (updated 1 Jan 2026) states there is none. Shabbat is no-carry. There is no eruv status page.

Where to stay

Scotty's Boutique Hotel

ul. Ekzarh Yosif 11, 1000
Ask for a mechanical key

Non-kosher, listed by Totally Jewish Travel as observant-friendly; 2 min walk to the synagogue. Not on Chabad's hotel list. Guests report a thinly staffed front desk: staff leave around 20:00 and check-in can be by key box (TripAdvisor 2024); a Google review (undated) says no one is at reception and the door lock is hard to work. Arrive before Shabbat and ask whether the door takes a mechanical key. Cleanliness complaints are common (Google 3.2/5; TripAdvisor 2026). No Shabbat key or elevator info found. · +359 87 866 6766

Art Hotel 158

Knyaz Boris I 158, 1000
Ask for a mechanical key

Steps from the synagogue (a TripAdvisor guest in Apr 2026 says opposite it). Booking.com lists key-card access, an elevator and a 24-hour front desk: no plain key and no Shabbat elevator listed, so ask. Not on Chabad's hotel list. No Shabbat info found. · +359 88 343 4158

DOT Sofia

ul. Bratya Miladinovi 46, 1303
Ask for a mechanical key

Short stroll from the synagogue. Not on Chabad's hotel list. Guests report app/QR room access instead of keys and room temperature set by QR code (Google reviews, undated; TripAdvisor Sep 2024 praises self check-in): ask about a physical key before Shabbat. Booking.com lists an elevator, not a Shabbat one. No Shabbat policy found. · +359 88 397 7877

Sofia Balkan Palace (listed by Chabad as Sofia Hotel Balkan, Luxury Collection)

Sveta Nedelya Sq 5, 1000
Ask for a mechanical key

Central. On Chabad's nearby-hotel list (15 min walk to Chabad House); Chabad says that list was not checked for Shabbat. Google, TripAdvisor and Booking.com checked: no Shabbat, key-type or kosher info (Booking.com lists an elevator, not a Shabbat one). · +359 2 981 6541

Arena di Serdica Residence Hotel

ul. Budapesta 2–4, 1000
Ask for a mechanical key

Between the synagogue and Chabad. Not on Chabad's hotel list. Google and TripAdvisor reviews checked: no Shabbat, key or elevator info (Google lists it as Arena di Serdica Boutique Hotel; not found in Booking.com). · +359 2 810 7777

Grand Hotel Sofia

ul. General Gurko 1, 1000
Ask for a mechanical key

Non-kosher, listed as observant-friendly; 13 min to the synagogue, 18–19 to Chabad. On Chabad's hotel list, which is not checked for Shabbat. Booking.com lists both "Key access" and "Key card access" (ask which the room uses). A TripAdvisor guest (Sep 2026) says six lifts serve a very large building and morning waits reach 15 minutes. No Shabbat info found. · +359 2 811 0811

R & R Apartments

ul. Chataldzha 58, 1527
Shabbat-ready notes

Only stay marked suitable for Shabbat on Chabad's nearby-accommodation list; 5 min walk (450 m) to Chabad House. Also marked "key" there (meaning not explained). Apartments: confirm Shabbat details with the hosts. Google reviews (75, 5.0/5) say the owners greet and see off guests in person; no TripAdvisor reviews. · +359 88 942 7325

Eurostars Sofia City

ul. Stara Planina 6, 1000
Ask for a mechanical key

On Chabad's hotel list: 8 min walk (600 m) to Chabad House; the list is not checked for Shabbat. Totally Jewish Travel lists the same address as observant-friendly under the name BW Premier Collection City Hotel (no Shabbat details). Booking.com lists key-card access and an elevator (no plain key or Shabbat elevator listed). · +359 2 915 1500

Central Point Boutique Hotel

ul. 6-ti Septemvri 3, 1000
Guests report Shabbat-friendly

Booking.com facility list shows "Key access" (not "Key card access") and no elevator, which fits Chabad's "key" mark: confirm it is a plain key and ask the floor. On Chabad's hotel list: 14 min walk to Chabad House; the list is not checked for Shabbat. Another hotel shares the name, so confirm the address (a Google reviewer went to the wrong one). Guests report thin walls and night noise (Google). · +359 2 996 3943

Where to daven

Sofia Central Synagogue (Sephardic)

ul. Ekzarh Yosif 16, 1000
Sefard

Minyan: Fri Kabbalat Shabbat: Times: call; Shabbat Shacharit 10:00 (breakfast after); Shabbat Mincha/Arvit varies weekly: Times: call; weekday Shacharit Mon–Fri 8:15 (breakfast after). Contact the office 3+ days ahead to attend (security); office is closed Sat–Sun.

Contact: +359 2 983 12 73 · info@sofiasynagogue.com · sofiasynagogue.com

Chabad Sofia (Rohr Jewish Community Center)

ul. Stara Planina 38, 1504
Chabad

Minyan: Fri Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat at candle lighting in winter (16:55 on Fri 6 Nov 2026), 20:00 in summer; Shabbat Shacharit 10:00, then kiddush and meal; Shabbat Mincha about 14:30, Maariv/Havdalah at end of Shabbat; weekday Shacharit 8:30 (Sun–Thu; Friday morning not listed). Confirm the day before; weekday updates by WhatsApp. Google reviews (undated) confirm Friday-night Mincha with dinner after, and Shabbat-morning prayers; no clock times given.

Contact: +359 89 770 6770 (WhatsApp) · +359 88 879 7833 · chabadbulgaria.org

Kosher food

Chabad Shabbat meals (Fri night + Shabbat day)

ul. Stara Planina 38, 1504
cateringChabad Bulgaria (strictly kosher)Shabbat meals · pre-order

Tourists register online by Thursday 12:00 (form linked from the Chabad tourist-meals page); same fee per person (not published; donations welcome); no cancellations or refunds. Served at Chabad House. Community Shabbat meals run every Friday night and Shabbat day: tell Chabad in advance by WhatsApp. Google reviewers (undated) describe a generous Friday-night dinner after Mincha (challah, salmon, chicken wings, salads, tehina) and a Shabbat-morning service and meal with guests from France, Israel and elsewhere; one calls it not cheap but worth it.

Hours: Fri night and Shabbat day · chabadbulgaria.org/1330343 (booking form: https://booking.appmedia.io/%D7%97%D7%91%D7%93_%D7%A1%D7%95%D7%A4%D7%99%D7%94_%D7%91%D7%95%D7%9C%D7%92%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%94) · WhatsApp +359 89 770 6770

King David Restaurant (Chabad House)

ul. Stara Planina 38, 1504
meatChabad Bulgaria · mehadrin

Restaurant is closed Fri and Sat. Shabbat meals are a separate Chabad registration (see Chabad Shabbat meals).

Hours: Sun–Thu 15:00–19:00; closed Fri and Sat (Google Maps). Chabad advises checking availability before going. · Chabad House +359 89 770 6770 (WhatsApp)

Mini Israel shop (Chabad House)

ul. Stara Planina 38, 1504
grocery—

Hours not published (Chabad's shop page could not be opened; Google shows no shop hours). Chabad's product list says the centre stocks frozen pita, buns and baguettes, Shabbat challah, wine, grape juice, vinegar, jams, long-life milk and frozen poultry (check stock first).

Hours: — · Chabad House +359 89 770 6770 (WhatsApp)

Chabad Bulgaria event catering

Serves all Bulgaria
cateringGlatt (Chabad Bulgaria)

Menus on request via site form.

Hours: By request

Kosher Point Alegria

ul. Tsar Samuil 86, 1000 (older listings: Knyaz Boris I 154A)
grocery—Fri closes 15:00

Products, bakery, wine, catering. Google shows it open (not closed); one review says the door was locked in posted hours, so call first. Hechsher not published.

Hours: Mon 10:30–18:00; Tue 11:00–18:30; Wed–Thu 10:30–18:30; Fri 10:30–15:00; Sat closed; Sun 11:30–18:30 (Google Maps) · +359 88 997 0860

Central Synagogue kosher products (wine, meat, cheese)

ul. Ekzarh Yosif 16, 1000
grocerySofia Synagogue (issues local kashrut certificates)

Price list on the synagogue site (EUR): wine 10–11 per bottle, grape juice 7, honey 6.14 per jar, white cheese 11.25/kg, butter 14.32/kg, whole chicken 8/kg, beef 25/kg, matzah 4 per pack. The list does not name the certifier per item; the synagogue issues Bulgaria's kashrut certificates, signed by the Chief Rabbi. Purchase hours not stated: call the office first.

Hours: — · +359 2 983 12 73

Mikvah

Chabad Bulgaria Mikvah (men's and women's)

ul. Stara Planina 38, 1504

Booking: Call to arrange · +359 2 484 0579 (directory listing) · Chabad House WhatsApp +359 89 770 6770. No online booking page found.

Central Synagogue mikveh service

Contact the synagogue office (location not published)

Booking: mikveh@sofiasynagogue.com · office +359 2 983 12 73

What locals would tell you

  • Chabad Shabbat meals: register at chabadbulgaria.org by Thursday 12:00 (form linked from chabadbulgaria.org/1330343; no refunds; fee not published). Friday-night services start at candle lighting in winter (16:55 on 6 Nov 2026), 20:00 in summer. Community meals: WhatsApp +359 89 770 6770 (Rabbi Shlomo).
  • Chabad Sofia is led by Rabbi Yosef Salamon with Rabbi Shlomo Deutsch; the Central Synagogue's chief rabbi is Yoel Yifrach.
  • No eruv. Chabad House is 1.3 km (16–17 min) east of the Central Synagogue, so choose your hotel by where you will eat and daven. Chabad's nearby-hotel list is unchecked for Shabbat; only R & R Apartments (5 min from Chabad House) is marked suitable.
  • Central Synagogue: visitors Sun–Fri 9–17 (Google shows Friday to 15:00); closed on Bulgarian and Jewish holidays. €10 ticket, bring ID, security check. To attend services, contact the office (closed Sat–Sun) 3+ days ahead; Friday-night times are not published.
  • Friday closing: King David is closed Fri and Sat (open Sun–Thu 15:00–19:00). Kosher Point Alegria closes 15:00 Friday and all Saturday; call first. Buy Shabbat food by Thursday or Friday morning.
  • Groceries: no source names which supermarkets stock kosher goods (Chabad's list names brands, not stores; Chabad points to the Facebook group "Kosher Update Bulgaria 2018" for availability). Brands on Chabad's list: Barilla/Deivela pasta, Papas oil, Kikkoman, Heinz and Kellogg's with MK. Challah, wine and frozen chicken are at Chabad House; kosher meat, cheese and wine at the Central Synagogue. Bring Shabbat food from abroad.
  • Airport: no kosher food at SOF. Taxi to the centre is about €12–15, 15 min; metro from Terminal 2.
  • Local kashrut: the Central Synagogue issues Bulgaria's kosher certificates (signed by the Chief Rabbi) and sells wine, grape juice, chicken, beef, cheese and matzah; prices are on its site in EUR (for example wine 11, whole chicken 8 per kg). Call +359 2 983 12 73 before visiting.
  • Room access, per Booking.com facility lists and guest reviews (Nov 2026): Art Hotel 158 and Eurostars list key-card access, DOT uses an app/QR, Grand lists both key types, and only Central Point lists plain "Key access". Ask for a mechanical key or a propped door before booking; no hotel states a Shabbat elevator.
  • Scotty's Boutique Hotel front desk is reported unstaffed after about 20:00 (TripAdvisor 2024): arrive well before Shabbat or arrange the key in advance.
  • Only two Orthodox minyanim found in Sofia (Central Synagogue and Chabad House). Not found online as of Nov 2026 (checked Google Places in English, Hebrew and Bulgarian, Chabad Bulgaria's tourist page updated 1 Jan 2026, which names no other, and Hebrew traveller sites); ask Chabad Sofia on +359 89 770 6770 whether any other group meets.

Seen in older guides, checked Nov 2026: BW Premier Collection City Hotel (older Totally Jewish Travel listing, ul. Stara Planina 6): renamed. Google Places (Nov 2026) lists only Eurostars Sofia City at this address; see hotels.

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