Top Sofia Unique Experiences

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Enjoy a day away from the hustle and bustle of the city on a day tour to the Buzludzha Monument and Rose Valley. Benefit from round-trip transfer from your hotel to travel the distance with ease, and gain intimate insight into the rural region’s communist and industrious history as you explore the iconic monument and 2 rose oil distilleries with your small-group guide.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Enjoy a day in the mountains by exploring 2 UNESCO sites. Visit Rila Monastery and Boyana church, UNESCO World Heritage sites. The 9-hour tour will be with a group and a professional guide in English. Most times the group size is 4-8 people. *Women should have their knees and shoulders covered in the monastery. *The Boyana church is closed on the 1st of January, on the Sunday of the Orthodox Easter, on the 24th of December, 25th of December and the 31st of December - and on such days the tour is done only to the Rila Monastery.

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

During your personal tasting experience I will guide you through the distinctive world of Bulgarian wines. Although Bulgaria has been producing wine for 5000 years it is still relatively unknown to the rest of the world. Now a rising new generation of Bulgarian boutique winemakers are devoted to the craft and bringing new attention to our country. You will taste 5 wine varieties of local grapes unique to Bulgaria, that can not be found anywhere else: Miskets, Melnik, Mavrud, Gumza and Rubin. Plus, local cheeses, artisanal bread and mineral water. The tasting is held in one of the best boutique wine shops in Sofia – Tempus Vini, which is located on an artsy street in the city center, known for its fine restaurants and boutiques. And just a few streets away from Sofia’s main pedestrian boulevard. During the tasting I can tell you about the wine regions of Bulgaria including the history and the wine culture of my beautiful country. All tastings are held in English or Bulgarian

Mingle with fellow travelers from all over the world on this action-packed pub crawl. Discover Sofia’s hippest nightlife hotspots with an insider guide as you explore the Bulgarian capital with new friends. Tours include complimentary wine, beer, or liquor shots at each of five different locations, plus free dance club admission on weekends.

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.

Visit two notable World Heritage sites of Bulgaria — Rila Monastery and Boyana Church — recognized by UNESCO for their religious significance, historical attributes and Byzantine architecture. Travel to the outskirts of Sofia in the comfort of your own private vehicle and let a personal guide lead you on a tour of both landmarks. A light lunch is included in your full-day itinerary.

Hassle-free transfer from Sofia airport to your hotel. Book your transfer in advance and enjoy an impeccable service. No taxis, no stress, no unexpected payments. With your transfer service your arrival in Sofia will be smooth and pleasant. We will wait for you at the Arrivals Hall and will transfer you to any part of Sofia. You can use your service for your convenience in Sofia and other countries.

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of Sofia on a day tour to Lovech, Devetàshka cave, and Krushuna Falls, and explore with a professional guide for intimate insight into the rural region’s landscape, history, and culture. Take advantage of round-trip transfer from your hotel via air-conditioned vehicle for a hassle-free experience, and benefit from the more personalized service of a small-group tour.

Discover Plovdiv, the 2019 European Capital of Culture, and the mighty Asen’s Fortress on this full-day small-group tour from Sofia. Explore the atmospheric Old Town of Plovdiv on a guided walking tour; go back in time with a virtual reality experience; enjoy a typical Bulgarian lunch at a local restaurant (own expense), then marvel at the views from the mountaintop medieval castle.

Travel back in time to the Socialist Republic of Bulgaria on a full-day Communist tour. Provided round-trip transportation from your hotel eliminates the guesswork of navigating public buses on your own. After a visit to the Museum of Socialist Art in Sofia, relax during a scenic country drive to the Buzludzha monument. Along the way, listen to in-depth commentary about the country’s eventful history from 1946 to 1989.

Knowing the best spots to experience Bulgaria’s rich and varied cultural heritage can be tricky for visitors on limited time in the capital. Tick off Plovdiv, Asen’s Fortress, and Bachkovo Monastery in just 1 day on a small-group tour from Sofia. Save time with seamless round-trip transfer between landmarks, and learn about their Roman, Ottoman, and modern history from your professional guide.