The Ultimate Day Trips from Sofia
Bulgaria’s capital is an interesting city. There is plenty of history, culture and great food to be found here. However, if you have a little extra time you might want to take a day trip from Sofia to explore a bit more of beautiful Bulgaria. In this post, we have put together some of our favourite day trips from Sofia and have included some super useful tips and local knowledge.
Climb Vitosha Mountain
Let’s get stuck right in! Mount Vitosha is one of the easiest day trips from Sofia. Vitosha is a mountain massif and the tallest peak sits at 2290m high, the highest in the Sofia area. It is popular with locals for hiking in the summer as many bid to escape the sweltering heat of the city. Skiing is a common pursuit in the winter.
There is a National Park around the mountain area so car parking is easy and accessible. You can also reach the park by public transport which mostly includes a bus then a chair lift. However, the details vary tremendously depending on what trail you choose and where you start in Sofia. Bus #64 takes you to the Boyana Church which is where we started. Boyana church dates back to the 9th and 10th century and has beautiful frescoes inside Boyana Waterfall and Boyana Lake are also located in the National Park.
The Ultimate Day Trips from Sofia – Visit Ancient Plovdiv
Plovdiv is an ancient city in Southern Bulgaria. If you are into history, you must take the trip as Plovdiv is considered to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe. You can get there from Sofia by train or bus in about 2.5 hours or you can drive in around 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Hike the Seven Rila Lakes
The Rila 7 Lakes hike is one of the best short hikes we have taken in the Balkans! As the name suggests, the hike encompasses several small lakes and the scenery is spectacularly beautiful.
If you have access to a car while staying in Bulgaria, driving is one of the easiest options to reach the Seven Rila Lakes hike from Sofia. The drive should take around 1.5 hours, depending on traffic in the city. There is a small car park when you arrive at the start of the trail.
If, like us, you don’t fancy driving, there are a couple of other options to get to the Seven Rila Lakes. The easiest way is to take an organised tour. With this method, all transport is organised for you. Often a tour also includes another stop nearby, such as the Rila Monastery. Check out some if these great options HERE.
There are also two options for shuttle buses. The Rila Shuttle and Traventuria are companies that will take you from Sofia to Panichishte, where the hike begins.
If you want more details about this hike, check out our more detailed POST.
The Ultimate Day Trips from Sofia – Experience the Rila Monastery
The spectacular, yet tranquil, Rila Monastery is probably one of the most popular tourist sites in Bulgaria. Located less than 200km from the capital, it is a fabulous day trip from Sofia.
There are a few different ways of getting here from Sofia. Try this POST for all the details.
Explore Historic Koprivshtitsa
Historic Koprivshtitsa is about 110km from Bulgaria’s capital, making it a great day trip from Sofia. Koprivshtitsa is easily one of the prettiest towns in Bulgaria with some really interesting architecture and surrounded by the Sredna Gora mountains.
The Ultimate Day Trips from Sofia – Discover Bankso
Bankso is one of the most popular ski resorts in Bulgaria. This small town sits at the foot of the Pirin Mountains which make up part of the spectacular Pirin National Park. This location is worth visiting at any time of year due to it’s outstanding natural beauty. The area is also home to bears, wolves and other impressive wildlife.
Marvel at Krushuna Falls
Krushuna Falls are a little off the beaten track, making them a perfect day trip from Sofia! The main part of the waterfall reaches up to around 20 meters before dividing into several smaller waterfalls as it moves down the mountain. You can access the waterfall via several different paths and a cave allows you to get up close. Local legend claims that the water has medicinal qualities that aids joints, skin and many other physical ailments.
The Ultimate Day Trips from Sofia – The Monument of Buzludzha
The Monument of Buzludzha – aka The Monument House of the Bulgarian Communist Party – is so interesting! Now lying abandoned, the futuristic, space age design is a classic folie de grandeur of the old communist party.
It is about a 3 hour drive from Sofia. However, the village of Koprivshtitsa is on the way and Valley of the Thracian’s Kings is nearby and worth a visit as well.
Wander Through the Rural Villages
Bulgaria has a very small population – under 7 million. Many people have left the rural areas in search of work and a better life. However, some of these small villages are very beautiful and remind us of a time gone by. The village of Melnik is a nice example of beautiful rural Bulgaria.
If you have time to go further, get emersed in the Architectural reserve Zheravna village which recreates an authentic Bulgarian village where you can walk, eat and stay overnight.
Travel to Skopje, North Macedonia
If you fancy exploring a tiny bit of a new country when in Sofia, take a day trip to Skopje, North Macedonia. You can drive from Sofia to Skopje in around 3.5 hours. You can also jump on a bus but it will take about 4.5 hours making it a bit tricky to do in one day. North Macedonia’s capital is a really interesting place to visit. Find out more about skopje in our post HERE.
The Ultimate Day Trips from Sofia – Nis, Serbia
Another border crossing option is to head a little further north into Serbia and visit the historic city of Nis. Only a 2 hour drive, this is one of the best cross border day trips from Sofia. Don’t forget your passport!
The Ultimate Day Trips from Sofia – Thessaloniki, Greece
If you’re feeling like you want to explore a little further afield. Why not take day trip from Sofia to Thessaloniki in Greece. It’s quite a long drive – around 4 hours. So it’s probably more of an overnighter but we think it’s still worth considering if you have extra time in Sofia.
What to Pack for your Day Trips from Sofia
We have put together a convenient packing list for your awesome day trips from Sofia.
- Passport and travel Documents
- Driving Licence – if required
- Hiking boots or shoes
- Backpack
- Snacks for travel
- Mini handheld fan
- Book/audiobook/music
- Water bottle
- Weather appropriate clothing, such as windbreaker and fleece for hiking
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Map or downloaded GPS or map application on your phone
- Phone
- Charging bank if needed
- Decent camera (phone) with plenty of space for pictures of the spectacular scenery
- Cash (Bulgarian Lev)
Should I Rent a Car for my Day Trips from Sofia?
This is definitely down to personal preference. Bulgaria’s public transport is actually pretty decent but can be a bit patchy, especially out of the larger towns and cities. There are very few railways in Bulgaria. The buses are great for travelling between towns and cities and are fairly priced. However, the timetable can be a bit restrictive, especially out of the busy tourist months. If you are short on time, hiring a car might help you make the most of your day trips from Sofia.
If you decide to rent a car in Sofia, please make sure you take out the full insurance. Drivers in the Balkans have their own unique style…
Plan your journey in advance as there are many small roads and these places can get busy in peak season.
Some Practical Tips for Your Day Trips from Sofia
Along with providing inspiration for some amazing day trips from Sofia, we have also added in our basic tips for your trip! Bulgaria is an incredible country with so much to offer. Here are a few practical tips for your visit.
The local Currency is Bulgarian LEV. 1 LEV equals about €0.50.
Bulgarian is the official language spoken throughout the country. It is a south Slavic language which is often difficult for English speakers. Here are a few phrases for you to try out.
Hello – Здравейте. (zdrah-VEY-teh)
Please – Моля. (moh-LYAH)
Thank you – Благодаря. (blah-goh-DAH-ryah)
Yes –Да. (dah)
No – Не. (neh)
Goodbye – Довиждане. (doh-VEEZH-dah-neh)
The weather is hot in the summer (above 30°C) and cold in the winter (below -30°C in the mountains). Spring and autumn temperatures are really pleasant. The best time to go is probably spring or autumn to avoid the extreme temperatures.
Most attractions are open all year round. There aren’t big crowds during the peak tourist seasons, but it can get busier with locals during holidays. There is one international airport in Sofia as well as one in Burgas, Varna and a small one in Plovdiv. Flights from other European countries are quick and cheap.
More Info
Where to go Next
Ready for more day trip ideas? Check out our Awesome Day Trips from Tirana, Albania. There is plenty of history and nature to discover in beautiful Albania.
Final note: Things change in the Balkans all the time and there is not much information online in English. We would definitely advise checking with a local where possible. We found people to be really friendly and super helpful.
Have you visited Sofia or anywhere else in Bulgaria? Are you planning a trip and need more information? Drop a comment in the box, we’d love to hear from you!
Short on Time? Save “The Ultimate Day Trips from Sofia, Bulgaria” for later by pinning the image below.
