A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sofia vs. Granada for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sofia or Granada?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Sofia and Granada. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Sofia or Granada?

Sofia

Sofia is the capital of Bulgaria and also its largest city. Some people have tried to compare it to Budapest, but the cities are actually quite different. In Sofia you will find wonderful European style architecture intertwined with Communist style buildings. It's fascinating to see the two dramatically different building styles immediately next to each other. There are also many Orthodox Churches around town, with their beautiful domes and intricate details.

Granada

Granada is a city of southern Spain located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the autonomous community of Andalucia. Perhaps the most notable feature of the city is its medieval architecture that dates to the Moorish occupation of Spain. Each example stands from another time and place, strong fortresses and castles against the backdrop of lumbering mountains. Yet they are surrounded by a city thriving with modern day quirks. From castles and fortresses to bars, restaurants, and cafes, Granada is a unique setting for an otherworldly getaway.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Bulgaria, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Bulgaria, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Madrid, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Barcelona.


Which place is cheaper, Granada or Sofia?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Sofia is $64, while the average daily cost in Granada is $132. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Sofia and Granada in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sofia $40
    Granada $63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sofia $80
    Granada $126
Compare Hotels in Sofia and Granada

Looking for a hotel in Sofia or Granada? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Sofia


Hotels in Granada


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Sofia Hotel Prices and Granada Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sofia $8.38
    Granada $23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sofia

Also for Sofia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • VIP Transfer from Sofia to Bansko: $186
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Sofia HTL-APT (SOF): $48
  • Transfer from the Sofia Airport to your hotel in Sofia by VIP Mercedes V class: $66
  • Transfer from Sofia to Stara Zagora: $194
  • Transfer from Sofia to Pamporovo: $191
  • Transfer from Sofia to Borovets: $83
  • Transfer from Sofia airport to hotel in Sofia OR vice versa: $19
  • Transfer from Sofia Airport to Bansko: $195
  • Transfer from Sofia Airport T1 to Bansko: $102
  • Private Airport Transfer to Sofia City Center: $31
  • Sofia to Bucharest - Private Transfer: $687
  • Sofia Airport SOF Private Transfer to Sofia City in Business Car: $54

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Granada

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Granada are as follows:


  • 7 Trip Bus Pass
    $5.36

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Granada

Also for Granada, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • From Transfer to Seville with Cordoba Guided Tour: $749
  • Private transfer Granada downtown to Málaga airport (Agp): $288
  • Granada to Cordoba Private Transfer: $265
  • Cordoba and its Mosque from Granada with Private Transfer: $262
  • Granada - Jaén Airport Transfers in a VIP coach: $235
  • Granada to Malaga Airport Private Transfer: $229
  • Granada airport private arrival transfer, Mercedes minivan: $218
  • Granada Luxury Private Airport Transfer: $214
  • Private Transfer from Playa Granada to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $209
  • Private Transfer from Carchuna to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $207
  • Private Transfer from Molvízar to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $188
  • Granada Private Intercity Transfer to Malaga: $175

Is it cheaper to fly into Sofia or Granada?

Prices for flights to both Granada and Sofia change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Sofia $18
    Granada $39

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sofia

For Sofia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Market Food Tour: $47
  • Guided Night Tour & Folklore Performance with Dinner: $48
  • Half-Day Sofia Evening Walking Tour with Vegetarian Dinner: $49
  • Sofia by Night Panoramic Tour with Dinner and Folklore Show: $97
  • Sofia by Night: Panoramic City Tour and Folklore Dinner: $106
  • Private Sofia Night Tour with Bulgarian Folklore & Dinner: $108
  • Sofia by Night: Private Tour with Dinner: $118
  • Evening City Tour with Folklore Dinner: $118
  • Sofia by Night Panoramic Private Tour with Dinner, Folklore Show: $131

Typical Food Prices in Granada

For Granada, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Sangria
    $2.68
  • Sandwich to go
    $3.21
  • Bocadillo & Drink
    $6.70

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Granada

For Granada, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Sacromonte Caves Flamenco Show with Dinner: $62
  • Dinner and Show flamenco in the Albayzin Granada: $62
  • Walking Food Tour: $75
  • 2-Day Geopark Desert, Ancient Culture and Food Tour: $169

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sofia $5.92
    Granada $30

Tours and Activities in Sofia

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sofia.

  • Belogradchik Rocks & Venetsa cave/Small group bigger experience: $98
  • Mount Verila Cultural Tour in Bulgaria: $93
  • Private Tour from Sofia to the Rila monatsery: $109
  • 3 Caves tour - Saeva dupka , Eyes of God cave & Devetashka Cave: $86
  • 3-Hour Private Bulgarian Food Tasting Tour of Sofia: $82
  • 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Small Group Day tour from Sofia: $93
  • 7 Rila lakes and Rila monastery day tour from Sofia: $98
  • Admission Ticket to the Museum of Illusions in Sofia: $15
  • Adventure Tour to Plovdiv and Rhodope Mountain: $108
  • Adventure bike tours in Sofia: $59
  • Afternoon Delights in Sofia Tour: $75
  • Art Gallery Sightseeing Tour in Sofia: $59

Tours and Activities in Granada

For Granada, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 2-hour Tour of the Alhambra and Albaicín Bajo: $65
  • Adventure Cahorros, Monachil/ Climbing and abseiling Granada: $91
  • Albaicín & Sacromonte Walking Tour: $17
  • Albaicín & Sacromonte: Tour with Flamenco Show: $34
  • Albaicín and Sacromonte’s Iconic Sights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
  • Albaicin & Sacramonte Electric Bike Tour in Granada : $38
  • Albaicin and Sacromonte Evening Walking Tour: $15
  • Albaicin and Sacromonte Private Tour : $93
  • Albayzin Express Electric Bike Tour with Play Granada: $38
  • Albayzin and Sacromonte Electric Bike Tour in Granada: $60
  • Albayzin and Sacromonte Guided Walking Tour in Granada: $15
  • Albayzin and Sacromonte Private Tour at Sunset: $152

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sofia $8.39
    Granada $26

Sample the Local Flavors in Sofia

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Sofia:

  • Sofia Pub Crawl - Party Tour of Sofia's Best Bars & Clubs: $16
  • Sofia's Hidden Bars: 4-Hour Pub Crawl: $19
  • Sofia Pub Crawl Tour of The Hidden Unique Bars: $20
  • Wine Tasting in Heart of Sofia: $33
  • Sofia Bar Crawl: $54
  • Special Selection Bulgarian Wine Tasting: $59
  • Sofia Exquisite Wine Tasting: $75
  • From Rozhen monastery and Melnik with wine tasting: $98
  • Private Sofia Tour with Wine Tasting: $107
  • Private Sofia City Tour with Wine Tasting: $109
  • Hisarya, Starosel, and Wine Tasting Tour from Sofia: $115
  • Koprivshtitsa and Starosel Day Trip with Wine Tasting: $139

Sample the Local Flavors in Granada

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Granada:

  • Granada Traditional Tapas and Wine Tour - by Oh My Good Guide!: $77
  • BEST OF Flamenco, Tapas and Wine Tour: $100


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sofia and Granada, we can see that Granada is more expensive. And not only is Sofia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sofia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sofia and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Granada would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Granada than you might in Sofia.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sofia Expensive? and Is Granada Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sofia or Granada?

Sofia has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Granada. When comparing the sizes of Sofia and Granada, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.