30 Things to do / Places to go from Sofia for a day
Once upon a time, 2nd century A.D., the Roman Empire settled on the land that nowadays accommodates Bulgaria’s capital – Sofia. Ancient Romans chose the place because of its natural gifts. Surrounded by mountains, with many sources of mineral water and a strategic location between the two capitals of the empire – Rome and Constantinople.
Nowadays a growing vibrant city (14th by population in the EU), Sofia offers its people much of what a modern city can offer. In addition, this comes crossed with many natural wonders, many artifacts and ancient stories.
We have selected 30 places to go and things to do starting from Sofia. All of them can be combined with activities, accommodation, dining and a rich program arranged as a tour package.
Escape the big city for a full day or experience a whole weekend of sites, views and entertainment.
- Rila Monastery
We have to start with the most famous Bulgarian site, included in the Unesco World Heritage list. This is The Rila Monastery, nested at an altitude of 1174 meters above sea level, surrounded by thick forests and high mountains. Still keeping alive its history, dating back to 9th and 10th century, when its patron – Saint Ivan Rilski, a hermit born in 876 AD, found his balance and became a spiritual guide to the local people. He had a gift to heal the sick and to speak with the nature. He was an erudite with a very strong knowledge of the Holy Scriptures and The Bible. With several other monks, they gathered and founded the monastery.
After a heavy fire back in 1833, where most of the buildings in the monastery were affected, except for the tower and church, the monks asked for help, and many people donated funds for its reconstruction. This event has shaped the look of Rila Monastery as we see it today – majestic in and outside, with so many secrets and ready to stand the centuries ahead.
Distance by car (from Sofia, one way): 123 km. / ~ 2 hrs.
Level of intensity (energy consumption): Relaxed
Where to eat: – “Han Dyavolski Vodi” near Pastra. Delicious local food, normal prices, nice ambience.
If you want to stay: we recommend “Urban Lodge Portala” or “Hotel Centaurus” in Rila town.
- Seven Rila Lakes
Quite easily we can say it’s the top visited natural attraction in Bulgaria. These glacial lakes are located in the north-west part of Rila Mountain, between 2095 and 2535 meters above sea level. All connected through small water flows. Each of it has its own name: “Salzata” (The teardrop), “Okoto” (The Eye), “Babreka” (The Kidney), “Bliznaka” (The Twin), “Trilistnika” (The Shamrock), “Ribnoto” (The fish lake), and “Dolnoto” (The lower lake). The deepest is “Okoto” with 37,5 m., while “Babreka” is the lake with the steepest shores. “Bliznaka” lays on the largest area and “Dolnoto” gives the official start of river Djerman, which flows to river Struma and then to the White Sea in Greece.
The place is one of the main gatherings of the religious and spiritual movement, found by Bulgarian Petar Dunoff (Deunov) – The Universal White Brotherhood. Each year hundreds of people gather near the lakes and perform “Paneurhythmy”.
You can go for a good hiking from the bottom station of the chairlift or take it up (1-way ticket = 15 BGN and 2-way ticket is 25 BGN) and reduce your walk with 1-1,5 hrs. so you can spend more time near the lakes.
Distance by car (from Sofia, one way): 97 km. / ~ 1,5 hrs.
Level of intensity (energy consumption): Relaxed to Ambitious
Where to eat: 7 Rila lakes hut offers nice food at a reasonable cost.
If you want to stay: we recommend “Hotel Emaly” in Separeva Banya or “Seven Rila Lakes Hut” up in the mountain.
- Plovdiv
A crossroad of many civilizations and times – Roman, Thracian, Byzantine, Ottoman and nowadays a welcoming station for tourists from all over the globe. With its charming old town full of architecture, ambience, museums and spots, Plovdiv welcomes visitors from all over the globe. Since 2019, when Plovdiv was chosen for European Capital of Culture – the city is living its renaissance and becoming more and more popular among local and foreign travelers who like to spend a weekend surrounded by cultural heritage, modern lifestyle and lively atmosphere. The “Kapana” area offers rich choice of bars, restaurants and shops, and is a host of numerous annual events. The main pedestrian street is just laying over a Roman stadium, while the Ancient Amphitheater is open for many concerts and shows during the intense summer in the city.
If staying for a longer period, Plovdiv is an ideal starting point for many day-trips to wineries, craft breweries, ancient fortresses and monasteries.
Full of accommodation options and easily reachable from Sofia, Plovdiv is one of the must-dos while in Bulgaria and it will surely make you nice memories.
Distance by car (from Sofia, one way): 146 km. / ~ 1,40 hrs.
Level of intensity (energy consumption): Relaxed
Where to eat: Pretty much all the “Kapana” area – full of nice dining
If you want to stay: depends on budget, please ask for recommendations
- Koprivshtitsa
A quaint little town in the heart of “Sredna Gora” mountain and the cradle of Bulgarian Revival period, Carrying the spirit of old time, Koprivshtitsa offers it’s visitors a deep glance into the history of the region and artefacts from an important period in our nations’ past.
Wonderful open air museum with examples of revival houses, streets and ambience which will surely bring you a couple of centuries back in time.
Plenty of places to stay and dine makes the colorful Koprivshtitsa an ideal destination for an overnight trip from Sofia (or Plovdiv).
Also plenty of hiking, backcountry bike routes, kayaking and other outdoor activities possible upon advance planning.
Distance by car (from Sofia, one way): 108 km. / ~ 1,40 hrs.
Level of intensity (energy consumption): Relaxed
Where to eat: Pretty much all the town center – full of nice dining
If you want to stay: Family hotel “Kalina”
- Borovets Resort
Either during the ski season, or in a hot summer weekend, it’s always nice to visit Borovets Resort – the first holiday resort in Bulgaria, founded during the III-rd Bulgarian Kingdom. In the late 19th century, it was a place where high class people started building their villas in the nice and calm pine woods. In the sixties and seventies of the 20th century it became a ski resort with the first alpine-style hotels and chalets. Borovets was the host of several major ski events like the Ski World Cups in 1981 and 1984 and the Biathlon World Cup in 1993.
Home to 12 lifts and 29 slopes, with lowest point 1315 m.a.s.l. and highest point 2550 m.a.s.l. during the winter season.
An ideal getaway and fun park with bike tracks, ropeways, horse-riding, climbing, paragliding, quad biking and hiking towards the highest peak in the Balkans – Musala (2925 m.a.s.l.),
Distance by car (from Sofia, one way): 70 km. / ~ 1,20 hrs.
Level of intensity (energy consumption): depending on the activity
Where to eat: in the city of Samokov at “Pri Sote” or “Target”.
If you want to stay: depending on the budget, but our picks are: Hotel Rila, Hotel Yastrebets and Hotel Lion (all 4*)
- Iskar Dam Wind-powered sailing
Is wind-powered sailing possible near Sofia? Yes, it is! In less than an hour drive from the capital, you can immerse yourself in a picturesque area, a huge lake surrounded by woods and all this while sailing on a boat powered only by the winds.
A lovely experience in the Iskar reservoir, a man-made dam that contains the drinking water for our capital. Built in the fifties of 20th century it’s an important place for people living in Sofia & the surroundings, and also a spot for practicing water sports.
Distance by car (from Sofia, one way): 40 km. / ~ 0,45 hrs.
Level of intensity (energy consumption): relaxed
Where to eat: Stenata Restaurant, close to the reservoir wall.
If you want to stay: try combining with an overnight in Borovets (see recommendation #5)
- Musala – the highest peak in the Balkans
Simply the highest peak in Bulgaria and the Balkans – Musala (2925 m.a.s.l.), It rises above all in Mount Rila, close to Borovets ski resort. Part of a bigger hiking route or just for a day, Musala is always there to welcome hikers and mountaineers. Easily reachable from Sofia by car, with starting point – Borovets Ski Resort. If you plan to go hiking, you’d better check if the Gondola lift works in that day. By taking the lift, you gain elevation of more than 1 km in 20-25 mins (1315 m. >>> 2369 m.) and from the top station you have another 6 km or 3,5 hours to the peak. It’s also possible to make the whole walking route starting from Borovets Resort, without taking the lift, but you need a very good physical condition and a long day as the climb from the bottom is roughly 7 hours total one way.
Distance by car (from Sofia, one way): 70 km. / ~ 1,20 hrs. to the Gondola station in Borovets.
Level of intensity (energy consumption): moderate hiking
Where to eat: Not many options during the hike. Better pack your lunch of dine in Borovets / Samokov.
If you want to stay: depending on the budget, but our picks are: Hotel Rila, Hotel Yastrebets and Hotel Lion (all 4*)