How safe Sofia really is?

[Caio_Landau]

How safe Sofia really is? I've read many things about it, pickpockets, even violent robberies. Does that really happen? I'm pretty careful when it comes to pickpockets (never happened to me once in my life, and I've been to the pickpocket capital - Paris - twice)! I'm more worried about violent crimes. I currently live in São Paulo, Brazil, and violent crimes are the main reason I want to leave!

[Ilia_Markov]

Hey Ciao,

I would say there is very little violent crime in Sofia.

The worst you can get see is usually a brawl outside a nightclub/pub or a road rage accident. There is also a bit of a problem with football hooligans / skinheads, but those tend to be very isolated. I've lived my whole life in Sofia and have felt much more secure here than in some places in the UK.

Of course, as with many places, foreigners tend to be a target more often for criminals, but I've never really heard of an armed robbery or anything of the kind against a foreign citizen living in Sofia.

Hope this helps.

[Jeff1]

Hi Caio - I would second Ilia's comments. I lived there awhile back and there was very little violent crime aimed at innocent bystanders, There are pickpockets and petty incidents but NOTHING like what you're dealing with in Sao Paolo. Hope this helps.

[Petar_Donchev]

Compared to Sao Paolo, I would guess that Sofia is radically safer.

Compared to European cities - it heavily depends on you skin color, as sad as this sounds. If you don't look Caucasian, be extra extra cautious and prepare for large amounts of non violent hostility at best. Same goes if you look non heterosexual (even if you are). If you happen to be of the preferred complexion, then it is visibly less safe than Western Europe but probably better than big US cities, Russia or most Asian countries.