Shopping in Bulgaria is easy to combine with a regular sightseeing trip: major shopping malls can be found in Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna and Burgas, while central city areas have smaller shops, boutiques and specialty stores. Depending on your itinerary, you can visit a large mall, walk along pedestrian streets or combine shopping with a stroll through a historic city center.
For independent travelers, the key is not to make a long list of stores, but to understand where to go for the things you actually need. Below, we cover the main shopping malls in Bulgaria, explain how to reach them and what makes each one different, and also look separately at outlets and shopping in the country’s largest cities.
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Shopping in Sofia
Sofia is the country’s main shopping destination and has the widest choice of stores. The city has large malls with international brands, shopping streets in the center, specialty stores and modern retail parks. For tourists, it is especially convenient to combine shopping with sightseeing, as some shopping destinations are located in central areas or close to metro stations.
The capital is home to Paradise Center, Serdika Center, Mall of Sofia, Sofia Ring Mall, Bulgaria Mall, The Mall and several other shopping centers. The full list of destinations is regularly updated on Sofia’s tourism portal.
Paradise Center
Paradise Center is located at 100 Cherni Vrah Boulevard, next to Vitosha metro station. It is one of the most convenient options for tourists without a car: you can reach the mall by metro line M2 or by buses 83, 98 and 120.
The mall has stores selling clothing, footwear, sports goods, cosmetics, accessories and other products. The current directory includes Adidas, Asics, Andrews, Next, Okaïdi, Reserved and other brands. The stores are open daily from 10:00 to 22:00, and there is a large parking area nearby.
Serdika Center
Serdika Center is located at 48 Sitnyakovo Boulevard in the Oborishte area. Buses 9, 72, 120, 305 and 413, as well as tram No. 20, stop nearby, making the mall easy to include in a route through northern central Sofia.
This mall is well suited to everyday city shopping, with stores selling clothing, footwear, cosmetics, accessories and other goods. Well-known brands include H&M, Zara, Bershka, Pull&Bear and other international and Bulgarian brands. The store selection changes over time, so the mall combines familiar international brands with new stores.
Mall of Sofia
Mall of Sofia is located at 101 Aleksandar Stamboliyski Boulevard in the central part of the city. It is easy to reach by public transport, including the metro, and its location makes it a convenient option if you want to combine shopping with a walk around central Sofia.
The mall has stores selling clothing, footwear, accessories, home goods and other products and services, as well as cafés, restaurants and a cinema. Its compact layout makes it a convenient choice when you only have a few hours for shopping.
Sofia Ring Mall
Sofia Ring Mall is located at the foot of Vitosha, at 214 Okolovrasten Road. This is not the place for a short shopping trip from the city center: the mall is on the outskirts of the capital, but it offers a wide selection of stores, entertainment and dining options.
One of the complex’s main features is its location next to IKEA and its large parking area. Hundreds of brands are represented inside, and the mall is suitable for a full day of shopping, especially if you are traveling by car or want to combine shopping with a trip to the southern part of Sofia.
Other Shopping Malls in Sofia
Depending on your itinerary, Bulgaria Mall and The Mall are also worth considering. Bulgaria Mall is located on Bulgaria Boulevard and is connected to the central part of the city by bus No. 64 and tram No. 7. The Mall is located at 115 Tsarigradsko Shose and is convenient for those arriving from the airport or the eastern districts of Sofia.
The choice between them mainly depends on where you are staying and which stores you need. Large shopping malls bring dozens of stores together, so you can buy clothing, footwear, cosmetics and home goods in a single trip.
Shopping Malls in Sofia on One Map
Shopping in Plovdiv
Plovdiv is just as suitable for shopping as it is for exploring the Old Town. The city has several large shopping malls, and after shopping you can easily continue your route through the central streets and the Kapana district. The municipal tourism portal separately lists Mall Plovdiv, Plovdiv Plaza and several shopping centers in the central part of the city.
Mall Plovdiv
Mall Plovdiv is located at 8 Perushtitsa Street. The current directory includes stores selling clothing, footwear, sports goods, cosmetics, accessories, electronics and other products. Brands include Adidas, Bershka, BOSS, H&M, Levi’s, New Yorker, Nike, Swarovski, The North Face, Timberland and others.
This is a good choice if you want a traditional shopping mall with a wide selection in one place. There are also cafés and restaurants, so shopping can easily be combined with lunch or a short break.
Plovdiv Plaza
Plovdiv Plaza is located at 3 Georgi Stranski Street. The mall offers stores selling clothing, footwear, cosmetics, home goods and other services. The current directory includes HalfPrice, Intersport, Lilly Drogerie, Teodor, Grand Optics, Invoke and other stores.
Plovdiv Plaza is particularly interesting for those looking for a combination of regular chain stores and the off-price format. The mall is also suitable for families, with cafés and entertainment options.
Shopping in Central Plovdiv
If you do not want to spend time traveling to a large mall, some shopping can easily be combined with a walk through central Plovdiv. The city has smaller stores and shopping destinations, while the Kapana district is also worth exploring for local products, souvenirs and small establishments.
For a tourist itinerary, Plovdiv can therefore be approached in two ways: a shopping mall for planned shopping, and the city center for smaller purchases, souvenirs and a walk.
Shopping Malls in Plovdiv on One Map
Shopping in Varna
Varna is one of the main shopping destinations on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. The city has several large shopping malls, while the central area has stores and boutiques along the pedestrian zone. This is particularly convenient for tourists coming from the resorts for a day trip, as shopping can be combined with a walk through the city center and along the waterfront.
Grand Mall Varna
Grand Mall Varna is located at 2 Akademik Andrey Sakharov Street, not far from the bus station. The shopping center has more than 200 commercial outlets, with brands including Zara, H&M, LC Waikiki, Reserved, BOSS, Bershka, Pull & Bear, Stradivarius, Massimo Dutti, Nike, Adidas, Douglas and others.
For tourists, Grand Mall is particularly convenient because it combines shopping, dining and entertainment. There is a cinema, food court, children’s areas and a large parking area. The stores are open from 10:00 to 22:00.
Delta Planet Mall
Delta Planet Mall is located at 185 Slivnitsa Boulevard. It is a large modern shopping center with stores selling clothing, footwear, cosmetics, electronics and home goods. In addition to the stores, there are restaurants, cafés, a cinema and entertainment options. The mall is convenient for those who want to spend several hours shopping in one place.
The shopping center is open from 10:00 to 21:00. The mall’s website also publishes current promotions and special offers.
Mall Varna
Mall Varna is located at 186 Vladislav Varnenchik Boulevard. It is one of the city’s oldest large shopping complexes. Today, it combines stores, cafés and family entertainment, including a children’s center and other activities.
This option is worth considering if its location fits your route. If your main goal is the widest possible choice of international brands, compare the current directories of Mall Varna, Grand Mall and Delta Planet before your trip.
Shopping in Central Varna
You do not have to limit yourself to shopping malls in central Varna. The main pedestrian zone runs from the area around Independence Square along Knyaz Boris I Boulevard towards the Sea Garden. Here you will find stores, small boutiques, souvenir shops and specialty retailers.
This format is particularly convenient if you want to combine shopping with sightseeing. You can start your route at the cathedral, walk along the central pedestrian zone, shop along the way and continue towards the Sea Garden and the sea.
Shopping Malls in Varna on One Map
Shopping in Burgas
In Burgas, most shopping can be done in large shopping malls or stores in the central part of the city. The center is particularly convenient for tourists, as shopping can easily be combined with a walk along the pedestrian streets and a visit to the coast.
Galleria Burgas
Galleria Burgas is one of the city’s main shopping malls. It is located in the northeastern part of Burgas and combines shopping, dining and entertainment. It is a good option if you are traveling by car thanks to its parking area.
The shopping center is suitable for comprehensive shopping when you need to visit several types of stores in a single trip.
Burgas Plaza
Burgas Plaza is located at 31 Transportna Street. The shopping center has stores selling clothing, footwear, cosmetics, sports goods and accessories. You will find both international brands and stores aimed at the Bulgarian market.
Another advantage of Burgas Plaza is its range of stores across different price categories. The complex is also home to Primigi Outlet, making it worth a visit if you are looking for discounted children’s clothing and footwear.
Shopping in Central Burgas
If you need smaller stores, souvenirs or shopping without traveling to the outskirts, head to central Burgas. It is easy to combine shopping here with a walk along the pedestrian streets, a visit to a café and sightseeing.
For a trip from a resort, the logic is simple: if you want a wide choice of stores and the option to spend several hours in a shopping mall, choose a large mall. If shopping is secondary and your main goal is to explore Burgas, the central shopping streets will be more convenient.
Shopping Malls in Burgas on One Map
Outlets in Bulgaria
Outlets deserve special attention if your main shopping goal is to find well-known brands at reduced prices. At the same time, not every store with an “outlet” sign is a full-fledged outlet center: the selection, available sizes and discounts depend on the individual store and the season.
Outlet Village Sofia
Outlet Village Sofia is a new project in Sofia that is set to become the first open-air outlet village of its kind in Bulgaria. The complex is located at the northern entrance to Sofia, close to the A1 and A2 motorways and the Sofia Ring Road.
The project covers around 8,500 m² and is planned to include more than 40 stores. Visitors will have access to parking for approximately 1,800 cars. The opening is scheduled for Q4 2026.
Future Outlet Village Sofia on the Map
Prices and Discounts in Shopping Malls
Prices in Bulgarian shopping malls depend on the brand, product category and current collection. For this reason, broad price ranges for clothing or footwear are of limited use when planning your shopping.
It is much more useful to look at seasonal sales and special offers from individual stores. Major discounts are more common at the end of a season, when stores make room for new collections.
In large malls, discounts may also apply to specific product categories, previous collections or limited sizes. In outlet stores, prices are usually lower than standard retail prices precisely because of this type of inventory.
Tax Free in Bulgaria
Foreign tourists who permanently reside outside the European Union can apply for a refund of Bulgarian VAT on purchases taken out of the EU. This does not apply automatically to every purchase, only to goods that meet the Tax Free requirements.
For a purchase to qualify, the VAT amount shown on the invoice must be at least 50 Bulgarian leva or the equivalent in euros. The purchased goods must be taken out of the EU in unchanged condition no later than the last day of the third month following the month in which the purchase was made.
Alcohol, tobacco products and liquid fuel are not included in the scheme. To claim the refund, you need to complete the necessary documents with the seller and present the goods and paperwork to customs when leaving the EU to confirm that they have been exported.
The actual refund may be lower than the VAT amount shown on the receipt because a Tax Free operator may deduct a service fee.
For more information about the current requirements, visit the website of the National Revenue Agency of Bulgaria or the Bulgarian Customs Agency.
What to Buy in Bulgaria
If, in addition to clothing, footwear and other regular purchases, you want to bring home local food, cosmetics, souvenirs or traditional products from Bulgaria, we have collected separate recommendations in the article “What to Buy in Bulgaria”.
How to Choose a Shopping Mall
Choosing a shopping mall in Bulgaria depends primarily on the city and the purpose of your trip. If you are in central Sofia and traveling without a car, a mall near a metro station will be more convenient. If you are traveling by car, your options expand to include large complexes on the outskirts and retail parks.
In Varna and Burgas, it is worth considering the location relative to your resort, bus station and city center. In Plovdiv, the choice is simpler: you can combine a shopping mall with a walk through the historic center, while if full-scale shopping is not part of your plans, you can stick to stores in the central area.
- Need a wide choice of brands: choose a large shopping mall and check the store directory.
- Traveling without a car: focus first on metro access and convenient city transport routes.
- Looking for discounts: check outlet stores and current promotions rather than just the general store directory.
- Want to combine shopping with sightseeing: choose shopping streets and central areas.
- Short on time: make a list of the stores you need and choose one shopping mall instead of several.
- Shopping with family: consider restaurants, children’s areas and other entertainment options at the complex.
The main advantage of shopping in Bulgaria for tourists is the flexibility to choose a format that fits your itinerary. Sofia offers the widest choice of shopping malls, while Varna and Burgas make it easy to combine shopping with a seaside holiday, and Plovdiv lets you combine malls with a walk through one of the country’s most interesting historic centers.
