Prices in euros and leva hit you right away at T1 Duty Free
Right after security in Terminal T1, Duty Free is the main stop for liquor, cigarettes, and last‑minute souvenirs before older charter and low‑cost gates. Shelves lean hard on Bulgarian products: local wines, rakia, rose oil cosmetics, and chocolate branded with Sofia and Rila, alongside the usual international spirits and perfumes. Expect spirits in the €15–€40 range and tobacco cartons priced more sharply than downtown shops.
Opening hours usually track T1’s flight schedule, roughly 2–3 hours before the first departure until the last evening flight, but it can close between waves if traffic is thin. It sits in the small post‑security hall, so once you pass it you are basically at the gates with only snack kiosks and vending machines left. Card payment in both BGN and EUR is standard, and display tags show both currencies so you can burn leftover leva easily.
Alcohol takes up most of the floor space, with walls of vodka, whisky, and regional grape brandies at 40% ABV and above. Perfume and cosmetics run along the central gondolas, with mid‑range brands more common than the high‑end labels you see in bigger hubs. Snacks focus on boxed chocolates, packaged lokum, and nut mixes sized for carry‑on, generally under 500 g to stay hand‑luggage friendly.
Tip: if you want Bulgarian wine or rakia from Duty Free T1, shop before you sit down, as boarding for these older‑gate flights often starts 35–40 minutes before departure and lines can build quickly at the single staffed till.