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AGP destination photo
SOF destination photo

AGPSOF

Which side of the plane to sit from Málaga Airport (Malaga) to Sofia Airport (Sofia)?

Our Recommendation
8.8

Left Side of the Plane

The left side offers a superior sequence of landmarks, including the high peaks of the Sierra Nevada, the Balearic Islands, and the stunning island chains of the Dalmatian coast across the Adriatic.

Left Side Highlights
8.8
🏔️

Sierra Nevada Mountains

Breathtaking views of the Mulhacén and Veleta peaks immediately after takeoff from Málaga.

🏝️

Balearic Islands

A clear view of the northern coastlines of Ibiza and Mallorca as the plane crosses the Mediterranean.

🇮🇹

Central Apennines

The rugged limestone ridges forming the spine of Italy as you transition from the Tyrrhenian to the Adriatic.

🌊

Dalmatian Archipelago

A spectacular view of the thousands of islands along the Croatian coast, known for their turquoise waters.

⛰️

Balkan Mountains

The Stara Planina range north of Sofia provides a dramatic backdrop during the final approach.

Choose the left side for morning or afternoon flights to avoid the direct southern sun. Look out about 15 minutes after takeoff for the Sierra Nevada. The highlight is the crossing of the Adriatic Sea, where the Croatian islands appear approximately two-thirds into the flight duration. In winter, these mountains are heavily snow-capped, offering excellent contrast for photography.

Right Side Highlights
8.2
🚢

Alboran Sea

Vast maritime vistas with occasional views of the Rif mountains on the North African horizon.

🌵

Sardinia

The rugged southern terrain and the coastal capital of Cagliari are often visible mid-route.

🌋

Mount Vesuvius

Depending on the specific airway, the iconic cone of Vesuvius near Naples may be visible to the north-east.

👢

Puglia Coastline

The 'heel' of Italy, featuring the white-washed towns and rocky cliffs of the Salento peninsula.

❄️

Rila & Pirin Mountains

The highest peaks in the Balkans, often snow-capped, visible to the south during the descent into Sofia.

The right side provides excellent views of Southern Italy and the highest Bulgarian peaks. However, be aware of significant sun glare during midday flights heading east. Keep an eye out for the Italian coast around 90 minutes into the flight. If the flight path dips south, you may get a rare glimpse of the Albanian Alps before entering Bulgarian airspace.

Top Activities in Sofia
Route Information

Distance: 2,468 km (1,534 miles)

Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 17 min

Departure: AGP (36.67490005493164, -4.499110221862793)

Arrival: SOF (42.69669342041016, 23.411436080932617)

Route Type: International

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