Top Sofia Outdoor Activities

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.

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.

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.

During this one hour scenic flight you will see from above one of the most unique and beautiful natural wonder in Bulgaria - the Seven Lakes in Rila Mountain. Along that you will enjoy the classic Bulgarian beauty - blue water, green fields and high mountains. • Enjoy a breathtaking panoramic flight above the famous Rila Lakes. Get a bird's-eye views of one of the most beautiful mountain in Bulgaria. Rila with its stunning peaks. • See from above the blue waters of the biggest Dam in Bulgaria, Iskar • Travel on board the 3 seat Cessna 182 aircraft • Take advantage of unique photo opportunities of one of the most beautiful natural and historical places in Bulgaria

"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).

Escape the city and discover Teteven’s scenic surroundings on a 2-day horse riding tour from Sofia. Enjoy intimate access to mountain paths and forest trails, and visit landmarks including Glozhene Monastery and Morovitsa cave. Avoid hidden costs with accommodation and meals included as per itinerary, and save time finding the rural location with round-trip transfer from your Sofia hotel.

Immerse yourself in the natural landscapes of the Rila Mountains National Park on this full-day hiking tour from Sofia. Set out on a 3- or 5-hour hike around the seven Rila lakes; enjoy spectacular views of Okoto Lake, Lakes Peak, and Bubreka Lake; then relax with a soak in the hot springs at the Sapareva Banya Spa resort.

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.

Explore Sofia from a perspective rare to visitors on a 2-hour tour in a Russian military Jeep. In addition to providing round-trip hotel transport, your guide offers little-known facts about top landmarks and intimate stories about Bulgaria’s Soviet history. The itinerary features city center highlights, a preserved Communist-era suburb, and a monument often missed by visitors.

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.

If you love wildlife and horses, then this guided private ride around the beautiful Iskar Reservoir, Bulgaria’s largest lake, is the perfect way to spend the day. Look out for red and fallow deer as you walk, trot, gallop, or canter through pristine woodland and scenic hills with a specialist guide. Your tour includes private door-to-door round-trip transfers: lunch can be arranged for an additional cost.

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.

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!

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.

Save well over an hour compared to public transportation and benefit from the local knowledge of a guide on this full-day trek around the Seven Rila Lakes. Experience one of Bulgaria’s most striking mountain landscapes at a leisurely pace and hike all the way up to the highest of the seven lakes. Please note the tour excludes the small chairlift fee.

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.

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.

This one day course is designed for complete novices who have never had any firearms training at all and all instruction is in English. Students will become competent on three different weapon systems (MP5, AK47 and Dragunov Sniper Rifle) and will be able to apply the Principles of Marksmanship with each at distances from 30m to 150 meters. Course Contents: - Range safety - Safe handling of the weapon system - NSPs (Normal Safety Procedures) - Marksmanship Principles - Grouping & Zeroing - Shooting from 30-150m with Iron Sights - Shooting at 150m with optics - Stoppage Drills - Stripping & Assembly (Time Permitting) What’s included: - Approx. 150 rounds for three weapon systems - Weapon rental - Range rental - Instructor Fee - Range Saftey Officer & Medical Cover What’s NOT included: - Transport to and from range - Lunch (Can be provided – Please contact us for more information) - Soft drinks at the range

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.  

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.

This tour is a great chance to experience these two amazing places in one day. They are both situated in the Rila Mountain. The main part of the tour will be the area of the lakes, where the hiking takes about 5 hours and it is a perfect opportunity for an escape in the nature. The visit of the monastery will be a little bit more limited but you will still be able to learn the main things about it. Most times the trips are done with eco friendly cars - with cng engine or electro mobiles, so that we can help fighting the air polution.

Discover the natural wonders of Bulgaria on this full-day hiking tour from Sofia. Set out on a 3-hour trek through the Iskar Gorge, admire the stunning Skaklia Waterfall, and enjoy lunch (own expense) overlooking the Iskar River Ravine. Finally, visit the magnificent Cherepish Monastery, at the foot of the Balkan Mountains.

Discover a side of Bulgaria that’s hard to reach independently as you explore the dramatic rock pinnacles known as Stob’s Pyramids with a private hiking guide. Then journey into Bulgarian culture as you tour the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and taste home-made “banitsa” pastries. Tour includes private door-to-door transport and guiding but excludes entrance fees and lunch.

Take a break from the traditional attractions of Sofia and spend a fast paced hour with your friends at an escape room. Skip the entry line and enjoy guaranteed access to the room, when you book in advance. After an apparent bank robbery, it’s your job to solve a series of puzzles in less than 60 minutes and prevent certain catastrophe. Can your team do it in time?