Top Sofia Outdoor Activities

The mountains are one of Bulgaria’s great joys—especially for hikers—but can be hard to reach independently. Tailor-made for lovers of both walking and history, this action-packed day features a hike around the beautiful Seven Rila Lakes and a tour of the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Chairlift tickets are not included in the price.

Reaching the Seven Rila Lakes by public transport typically involves two buses, a shuttle and most of your day. Take the pain out of transportation—while maintaining total independence—with this cost-effective shared transfer. Visit both these beautiful glacial lakes and the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with ample time for hiking.

Hike through rugged terrain to the Seven Rila Lakes on a full-day tour from Sophia, and discover the remarkable scenery of the Rila Mountains. Take a chairlift to a high-mountain hut and continue on foot along the jeweled string of lakes. Follow your guide through alpine passes into remote valleys, then rest in the shade of hikers’ shelters; take in sweeping views of the Bulgarian landscape and enjoy the crisp, clear air of the Balkans’ highest mountain range.  

Belogradchik is around a 3-hour drive from Sofia, and the only practical way to see the extraordinary Belogradchik Rocks and dramatic Belogradchik Fortress in a day is to join a tour. This intimate tour, with a maximum of seven travelers, visits not only Belogradchik but Venetsa Cave, one of Bulgaria's most beautiful caverns. Your package includes round-trip transfers from your Sofia hotel: entrance fees are at your own expense.

"Discover Bulgaria with dance" is the only workshop in Sofia that gives tourist the opportunity to explore the culture of Bulgaria with the art of dance. You will have the chance to learn a folklore dance and taste a traditional meal. At the same time our instructors will give you interesting trivial information and insights on the customs of the region. To top it off, you will take a photo in a traditional dance costume(garb).

Appreciating the diversity of Balkan culture can be difficult, especially with limited time in the region. Explore Macedonian culture on a day tour to Skopje from Sofia, and tick off another Balkan capital in just one day. Travel the distance with ease via private vehicle, and discover landmarks including the Skopje Fortress, Memorial House of Mother Teresa, and Old Bazaar, with insights provided by your guide.

The Rila Monastery and Boyana Church are two of Bulgaria’s most impressive UNESCO World Heritage sites and this full-day tour from Sofia visits both in one day. Tour the medieval Boyana Church, famous for its magnificent 13th-century frescoes; admire the natural landscapes of the Rila Mountain Nature Park; then explore the churches and caves of the Rila Monastery complex.

Immerse yourself in the beguiling beauty of two of Bulgaria’s most spectacular sights on a full-day trip from Sofia. Admire the natural splendor of rural Bulgaria as you travel to the Rila Monastery, a sacred structure cradled by the dense pine forests of the mountains. Delve into the history of the medieval landmark and browse the intriguing exhibitions of the on-site museum. Continue to Boyana Church to gaze at the fascinating pre-Renaissance frescoes that decorate the walls within. Please note, entrance fees are not included on this tour.

Learn what life was like in communist-era Bulgaria on a Sofia city walking tour. Meet your informative guide in central Sofia and check out the buildings and monuments that testify to its and Bulgaria’s 45 years on the eastern side of the Iron Curtain. See the Largo complex, former home of Bulgaria’s Communist Party; the Monument to the Soviet Army; the National Palace of Culture and more as your guide explains communist ideology and the everyday lives of Bulgarians during the controversial Cold War period.

Forget planning routes, researching sites, and boning up on history. See all Sofia’s key attractions and learn the stories behind them too on this great-value small-group walking tour: perfect for history buffs. Sights include the ruins of the Roman-era east gate, the 4th-century Rotunda of St. George, the Byzantine St. Sofia Basilica, the Ivan Vazov National Theater, and the Cathedral Saint Alexander Nevsky.

Avoid the restrictions of a group excursion and discover the historic capital at your own pace on an audio-guided tour of Sofia, with commentary available in multiple languages. Be immersed in the city’s atmosphere as you stroll between top attractions, and take advantage of the self-led nature of the tour to depart at a time that suits you.

Visit the fascinating city of Plovdiv on a full-day tour from Sofia, and explore ancient ruins, some of Bulgaria’s most historic landmarks, and the city’s Ethnographic Museum. This full-day Plovdiv trip includes pickup and drop-off at a central location in Sofia, a guided walking tour of Plovdiv, and admission to the museum and the Plovdiv Roman Theatre.

Visit Plovdiv and Koprivshtitsa on a full-day trip from Sophia, and discover the art and architecture of two iconic Bulgarian cities. Stroll the narrow lanes of Plovdiv’s old town, and discover historic traces of the Romans, Thracians, and Byzantines who swept through this region. Continue to Koprivshtitsa for a walking tour to the homes of the city’s most storied residents, and learn how a local revolutionary committee freed Bulgaria from Ottoman rule during the Russo-Turkish war before ending your tour in central Sophia. 

Grab your passport and head over the border to Serbia on this full-day tour of Nis from Sofia. Learn about the turbulent history of former Yugoslavia as you visit the Nis concentration camp; visit city sights including the Roman ruins of Mediana, the Skull Tower, and the Nisava riverfront; and sample delicious Serbian cuisine with lunch (own expense) at a local grill house.

Feel like a Sofia local on this 3-hour afternoon city and food walking tour. Check out historical highlights such as the National Theater and King’s Palace, and see the Rotunda St. George, Banya Bashi Mosque, Synagogue, and St. Nedelya Church. Stop on route to taste ‘shopska’ salad and an ‘ayryan’ yogurt drink; shop for culinary goodies at the Central Hali Market; and finish with tastings of Bulgarian wine and cold meats at a traditional restaurant.

Discover the heart of Sofia without even thinking about a map on this convenient, fully guided walking tour. See key landmarks from the different cultures that have occupied the city and explore St. Sofia Church, the Rotunda of St. George, and Cathedral St. Alexander Nevski. Along the way, enjoy a traditional Bulgarian pastry breakfast with a glass of “ayran” salt yoghurt drink.

Travel with a small group to Rila Monastery and Boyana Church, two UNESCO World Heritage sites. An informative guide points out 19th-century paintings depicting the Bulgarian Renaissance at the country’s largest monastery, set against the beauty of the Rila mountains. In the afternoon, visit Boyana Church to view its medieval frescoes. You’ll travel round-trip by air-conditioned minivan from Sofia’s Alexander Nevski Square.

Enjoy a day away from the bustling capital on a small-group day tour to Niš in Serbia. Explore top attractions including Mediana, the Skull Tower, and Niš Fortress with your professional guide for intimate insight into the region’s history and culture, and benefit from round-trip transfer from your hotel to travel the distance with ease.

This private tour of World Heritage–listed Rila Monastery includes a tasting at Medi Valley, a classic winery with locally produced wines. Travel in the comfort of your private vehicle to the country’s largest monastery, where your own personal guide points out 19th-century paintings depicting the Bulgarian Renaissance. Admire the beauty of the Rila mountains en route to the winery, where you’ll sample five different wines and learn more about the region.

Get an in-depth exploration of the Bulgarian capital on this full-day tour of Sofia. Set out from your hotel and travel in an air-conditioned minivan. Accompanied by a guide, visit Boyana Church, the National Historical Museum, Pancharevo Lake, and more. Take a walking tour through the city center and learn about Bulgarian history from your guide.

Lovers of landscapes will adore this guided, small-group tour to the rocky vistas around Belogradchik town. Travel through the Balkan Mountains to Belogradchik, then admire the spectacular rock formations and ancient fortress. Enjoy the stalagmites and stalactites of Venetsa Cave and—if there’s time—see the towering Vratsata Gorge before your guide returns you to your hotel.

Escape the city without the hassle and expense of self-driving with this convenient shared transfer to the Rila National Park. After a briefing from your driver, soak up the beauty of the seven glacial Rila Lakes and enjoy a full day’s hiking or lounging before you return to central Sofia. A chairlift runs to and from the lakes.

Visiting Bulgaria’s Rila Monastery is tricky without hiring a car. On this tour, tick it off easily with a round-trip shared transfer in an air-conditioned minivan. Meet your driver in central Sofia and travel to Rila Monastery. Enjoy time to explore the complex independently before returning with the shuttle back to Sofia.

Trek up Mt. Vitosha and see the Boyana waterfall on this full-day tour from Sofia. Don your walking boots and hike to the top of Bulgaria’s fourth-highest mountain, passing lush meadows and pine woods. After soaking up panoramic views of Sofia from the summit, enjoy lunch (own expense) and descend to the Boyana fall, whose waters tumble down a steep rock face. Your tour includes return transfers from Sofia, including hotel pickup and drop-off.