Top Sofia Outdoor Activities

Make the most of your time in Bulgaria on hiking trip to the world-renowned Seven Rila Lakes. Going with a guide eliminates the stress of navigating the trails on your own and leaves you with an inside perspective on the country’s natural landscape. After the 5-hour hike, stop for a well-deserved dinner (own expense) en route to Sofia. Round-trip hotel transport is included for your convenience.

"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).

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.

You are thrilled by the mountain and would like to experience it even when on the run? Well, in Sofia you have that opportunity. Vitosha Mountain is only 30 minutes drive from the city and offers great hiking trails for different levels of experience. Because of its proximity, it allows the visitors of the capital to squeeze some adventures in between their appointments. Vitosha is one of the symbols of Sofia and the closest site for hiking, alpinism and skiing. Convenient bus lines and rope ways render the mountain easily accessible. Vitosha has the outlines of an enormous dome. The territory of the mountain includes Vitosha Nature Park that is the oldest nature park in the Balkans. The mountain emerged as a result of volcanic activity and has been subsequently shaped by the slow folding of the granite rock layers and a series of gradual uplifts of the area. Cherni Vrah is the highest point of the mountain at 2290 m and is one of 11 peaks of Vitosha over 2000 m in height.

Spin along open roads and explore Bulgaria by bike on this 9-hour Rila Monastery trip from Sofia. Hop onto your bike and follow a guide along rolling asphalt roads through the Bulgarian countryside. Along the way, gain insight into the country’s culture and history, and admire sweeping views over the peaks and vineyards. Visit the 10th-century Rila Monastery — widely considered one of Bulgaria’s most important pilgrimage sites. Explore the cave of St Joan of Rila, then zoom down the valley back to base.

Visit the town of Belogradchik and its two notable attractions—Belogradchik Rocks and Belogradchik Fortress—on this day trip from Sofia that combines the natural scenery and history of northwestern Bulgaria. Be wowed by the natural formations of sandstone rocks in the Balkan Mountains, and admire the fortress, which dates back to Roman times.

There’s a whole world of nature within minutes of Sofia—but accessing it by public transport or taxi can be hard. Combine the freedom of independent travel with the personal service of a private driver/guide on this private tour. Visit scenic Pancharevo Lake, with its restaurants and woodland, and Vitosha Mountain, with mineral springs and sweeping views across the city.

Seven Rila Lakes and a secret 39metra waterfall.. Transfer to Panichishte – from there we will take the cable car to hut “Rilski lakes” (2150м). Our trekking starts at 1800 altetude and ends at 2500 altetude at the last lake called The “Tear”. All lakes are glacial and their names are connected to their shape - The kidney, The twin, The fish lake, the Eye, The Trefoil. Panoramic view to Vitosha, Osogovo and Stara Planina mountains. You will be walking all day in the National park of Rila. At the end we will see the only one natural geyser in Bulgaria and enchanted waterfall. Тhe length of the waterfall is 39 metres. • A moderate amount of walking is involved • Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair Additional info: • Returning time: 5 pm / Duration: 8.5 hours • Don't forget your warm clothes and comfortable trekking shoes! Lunch option at nearby hut "Seven Rila lakes" or bring dry package lunch!

Immerse yourself in the Bulgarian wilderness on an 8-hour tour to Trun, a region once home to Thracians, Romans, and Crusaders. The full-day excursion is perfect for hiking enthusiasts, aspiring geologists, and adventurous travelers who want to veer off the typical tourist path. Comfortable transportation takes your small group (maximum five people) to the Dragowski Stone Trail, where you hike to the Gorge of Trun and more.

This tour will grant you a unique experience of Sofia and the Vitosha mountain - we will enjoy the sunset over the city from the best point of view - the Kamen Del peak.

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.

Choose between hiking—in summer—and snowshoeing—in winter—to scale this classic Sofia peak. After pickup from your hotel and a stop at the medieval Dragalevtsi Monastery, climb Cherni Vrah—Vitosha Mountain’s highest peak—from the Aleko Hut with your guide. The views over Sofia, the Rila Mountains, and the Balkan Mountains are just spectacular.

You will have the pleasure to get to the highest of all lakes - the Eye, the Tear, the Kidney, the Twins, the Trefoil, the Fish Lake and the Lower Lake and enjoy the super scenery revealed from there. It's superb!

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. Tour includes chair-lift ticket to the lakes but excludes monastery entrance fees.

See a different side of Bulgaria on the back of a horse on this day tour from Sofia. Travel out of the city in an air-conditioned minivan. Meet the horses and, after a brief instruction, mount the saddled horse and head out on the path in the company of a guide. Stop at Glozhen Monastery and explore the interior.