Hotel Rai
About this stay
Hotel Rai is a 2-star hotel in Iztok, Sofia-Grad, rated 3.9 out of 5 across 310 guest reviews.
Hotel Rai is a budget-friendly stay in Iztok, Sofia-Grad — a no-frills base for seeing Hagia Sophia Church and the rest of the area affordably.
Book Hotel Rai through app.impt.io at the same live rate you would find anywhere else, with free cancellation on most rooms. Every completed booking funds one verified tonne of carbon removal — paid from the standard commission the hotel already covers, never added to your bill.
Facilities
- 24 Hour Front Desk
- 24H. Security
- Air conditioning
- Banquet
- Bar/Snack/CafEn'
- Bars
- Bathroom
- Buffet
- Carpeted
- Cleaning
- Coffee
- Copy
Location
6 Akademik Nikola Obreshkov Str., Sofia, Bulgaria.
Open in Google Maps ↗Questions, answered
Where is Hotel Rai located?
Hotel Rai is in Iztok, Sofia-Grad (6 Akademik Nikola Obreshkov Str., Sofia, Bulgaria), close to Hagia Sophia Church.
How much does Hotel Rai cost per night?
Prices are set live by the hotel — check the booking page for a real rate for your dates.
How many stars is Hotel Rai?
Hotel Rai is a 2-star hotel in Sofia-Grad.
Is Hotel Rai a good hotel?
Guests rate it 3.9 across 310 reviews. It's a value choice for Sofia-Grad.
What is the best area to stay in Sofia for first-time visitors?
Sredets is the answer for a first visit — it puts you within a 10-minute walk of Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sveta Nedelya, the Serdica ruins and the yellow-brick government quarter. Oborishte just to the north is quieter but equally central. Both sit above Serdika metro, so the airport is 20 minutes away on Line 1. Expect three-star doubles at €50-80.
Which is the cheapest month to visit Sofia?
The first two weeks of January are the cheapest, once New Year is over and before the Vitosha ski weekends peak. Three-star doubles in Vazrazhdane or Serdika drop to €35-40, and even four-stars off Vitosha Boulevard fall under €75. November is a close second. Avoid Orthodox Easter and 24 May, when rates jump by a third.
How many nights do I need in Sofia?
Three nights is the minimum for the centre plus Boyana Church and Vitosha, and four is more comfortable. Add a fifth if you want the Rila Monastery day (240 km round trip) without rushing back. Two nights only works if you are treating Sofia as a stopover between Belgrade and Istanbul. Anything beyond five nights is better split with Plovdiv, two hours away by train.
How do I get from Sofia Airport to the city centre?
Take Metro Line 1 from Terminal 2 to Serdika — it costs €0.80 and takes about 20 minutes, running until roughly midnight. From Terminal 1 there is a free shuttle to T2 for the metro. Official OK Supertrans taxis from outside the terminal run €8-13 to Sredets; ignore anyone approaching you inside the hall. Uber does not operate in Bulgaria.
Do I need a car in Sofia?
No, not for the city itself — the metro, trams and your feet cover everything from Sredets to Boyana. A car helps only if you are combining Sofia with Rila Monastery, Koprivshtitsa or the Iskar Gorge, and even then day tours from central Sofia are often easier. Central parking sits in blue (€1/hour) and green (€0.50/hour) zones with SMS enforcement. If you do rent, ask the hotel about a garage before driving in.
Staying at Hotel Rai
Hotel Rai is a 2★ option in Iztok for travellers seeking a simple base. With Bar/Snack/CafEn', Bars, Carpeted, it covers essential needs without frills. The rating stands at 3.9/5 from 310 reviews, indicating a basic but adequate stay. Located 0.6 km from the centre of Iztok, it offers convenient access to the area. This hotel appeals to guests who value practicality and low costs. It's wise to verify current room configurations and services directly, as offerings may be minimal. Hotel Rai focuses on the essentials for a short trip.
Facilities and rooms
Rooms
- Air conditioning
- Bathroom
- Carpeted
- Cleaning
Food and drink
- Bar/Snack/CafEn'
- Bars
- Buffet
- Coffee
Business and internet
- Banquet
- Copy
Other facilities
- 24 Hour Front Desk
- 24H. Security
Questions about Hotel Rai
How far is Hotel Rai from the centre of Iztok?
Hotel Rai is about 0.6 km in a straight line from the centre of Iztok.
Can I arrive late at Hotel Rai?
Yes. The front desk at Hotel Rai is open 24 hours.
About Iztok
Iztok, literally East, is Sofia's diplomatic quarter east of Vasil Levski Stadium. It borders Borisova Gradina, the city's largest central park, and feels calmer and more suburban than anywhere else within a 15-minute drive of the centre. Streets are wide, buildings from the 1960s to 1980s are well maintained, and embassies, international schools and expat cafes give the area an international feel. Gated compounds, flags and streets named after diplomats and revolutionaries are visible. By 9pm pavements empty quickly; you might see a jogger, embassy security lights or a passing tram. Cafes along Frederic Joliot-Curie often run on English and German as much as Bulgarian. From Joliot-Curie metro, central Sofia is about 8 minutes away; walking via Shipka and Oborishte takes 20 to 25 minutes. Borisova Gradina is on the doorstep.
