Metalhim – Shooting Range in Sofia, Bulgaria

Metalhim Shooting Range is an active indoor firearms range in Sofia’s Krasna Polyana district, at 77 Pchinya Street, Block 31A. It is designed for supervised recreational shooting as well as training, and the operator explicitly welcomes foreign visitors. This is best suited to adults who want a structured, instructor-led shooting experience rather than a conventional sightseeing stop. The decisive restrictions are equally clear: participants must be at least 18, safety instructions are mandatory, and the operator states that alcohol before or during shooting is strictly prohibited.

The facility publishes specific information about its layout. Metalhim describes a 25-metre indoor range with four shooting corridors, plus an equipped training area for distance, close-range and combat-style practice. Its inventory includes multiple types and calibres of firearms, while the bookable packages combine ammunition and supervised use in different ways. Travellers do not need to arrive with previous shooting experience; the operator says qualified staff can introduce first-time users as well as work with people who already have shooting skills.

For international visitors, one practical point is unusually well documented. Metalhim states that there are no nationality restrictions on foreign customers and advertises English-speaking instructors in its packages. That removes much of the uncertainty that can surround a shooting range in another country, but it does not remove the need to follow local rules and staff instructions. Bring a valid identity document, arrive sober, and treat the range as a controlled activity venue rather than an entertainment arcade.

Booking ahead is sensible. The official site provides a reservation form and publishes packages whose contents and prices can change with ammunition, firearm selection and operating costs. Instead of relying on an old fixed price, check the live package page when planning. A typical visitor should allow roughly 60 to 90 minutes for arrival, briefing, supervised shooting and settling payment, though the actual duration depends on the package, group size and how busy the range is.

The current official timetable is Monday to Friday 10:00–18:30, Saturday 10:00–19:00 and Sunday 10:00–18:00. A current Waze listing shows 09:30 openings on weekdays, which conflicts with the operator’s own page. For publication, the range’s official timetable is the stronger source and is used here. Anyone booking a first session of the day should still confirm the appointment time in the reservation response, because that avoids ambiguity between shop hours, range hours and third-party map data.

Metalhim shares the address with its gun-shop operation, but the hours are not identical. The official contact page separates the shooting range from the shop, so visitors should not use the retail schedule as a proxy for shooting access. That distinction matters particularly on weekends, when the range lists operating hours but the gun shop is closed. When you arrive, identify yourself as a range customer and follow the staff’s check-in process rather than wandering into the retail side expecting the same service.

The venue is west of Sofia’s historic centre in Krasna Polyana. An older public-transport answer posted by a range representative suggested taking the metro from Serdika to Vardar and then walking about ten minutes, or using tram 22 from the Central Hali area and walking about a minute. Because that guidance is several years old and Sofia’s transport network can change, treat it as orientation rather than a guaranteed 2026 itinerary. Check the city’s live journey planner on the day of travel, especially if your booking is time-sensitive.

This is not an activity to combine casually with drinking or a rushed nightlife schedule. The operator’s alcohol prohibition is explicit, and first-time visitors should leave enough time to listen to the safety briefing without pressure. Clothing and footwear should also be practical for an indoor range; if you have questions about hearing protection, eye protection, physical limitations or whether a particular firearm is suitable, ask before confirming a package. Detailed accessibility information was not published on the operator pages reviewed here, so visitors with mobility requirements should contact Metalhim directly.

Metalhim’s strongest advantage for a traveller is clarity: the operator publishes the address, range dimensions, age requirement, foreign-visitor policy, safety rule, hours and bookable packages. That makes it possible to plan the experience responsibly rather than relying on informal recommendations. Go because you specifically want supervised shooting, not simply because it appears on a list of Sofia attractions, and confirm your reservation before crossing the city. With that approach, the visit can be organised as a focused activity with clear expectations and firm safety boundaries.

First-time shooters should expect the instructor, not the customer, to control the pace. The published packages include safety instruction and professional training, and the range should be approached with the same seriousness as any supervised technical activity. Do not plan around a specific model of firearm unless the operator confirms availability, because maintenance and inventory can change. Groups arranging a bachelor event or team activity should also book in advance rather than assuming walk-in capacity for several people.