11 Best Day Trips From Sofia, Bulgaria
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Bulgaria’s tiny capital, Sofia, had plenty to keep up busy—cool bars, cute cafes, street art, incredible architecture and delicious food. We loved it so much that we even wrote a whole guide to spending one day in Sofia, to help you make the most of even a short visit.
On our most recent trip we had a little more time to spare—so we used Sofia as a base to explore beyond the city. And wow are we glad we did!
Don’t have time to read the whole article? The best day trip from Sofia is this Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Small Group Tour. It’s the easiest way to see Bulgaria’s top UNESCO sites without a car - your guide handles the details, so you can just enjoy the experience and be back in Sofia by evening.
BOOK THIS TOUR HEREFrom mountain scenery and epic monasteries to ancient cities with trendy districts, these day trips turned out to be some of the highlights of our time in Bulgaria.
This guide covers the best day trips from Sofia, Bulgaria based on our personal experience. Some Sofia day trips are easy with public transport, others need a rental car, and a few are worth booking a guided tour for (hey, why not let someone else take care of the planning for a change?!)
We’ll also tell you the pros and cons of the options we chose plus what we’d do differently in hindsight, so you can get it right the first time.
Best Day Trips from Sofia
In a rush? Here’s a quick guide to the best day trips from Sofia plus handy extras like car hire & eSIMs!
Top 3 Day Trips from Sofia:
- Rila Monastery & Boyana Church Tour (top-rated, small group tour)
- Seven Rila Lakes & Rila Monastery Day Tour (superb hiking & cultural tour)
- Day Tour to Plovdiv & Koprivshtitsa (amazing guided tour of two historic towns)
🚘 Do a DIY Day Trip from Sofia by Car
- Book a rental car here with Discover Cars and explore on your own!
🌟 Don't Forget:
- Stay connected with an Airalo eSIM!
🏞️ Best Day Trips from Sofia, Bulgaria
Day Trip from Sofia to Rila Monastery
➡️ Best way to get to Rila Monastery: on this guided tour
If you only have time to take one day trip from Sofia, make it this one.
We ran out of time to visit Rila Monastery during our first visit to Sofia, so on our second trip we were determined to make it happen. And we’re so glad we did!
Why Go?
Located inside the Rila Monastery Nature Park and surrounded by mountains, Rila Monastery is the largest and most renowned Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria.
Founded in the 10th Century, it’s home to around 60 monks and is a hugely popular tourist attraction as well as a pilgrimage site for Orthodox Christians. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site!
How to Get There
Given its remote location, it's not exactly straightforward to get to. There’s no public transport, so your only options are to: book a guided day tour (this is the best option!), use a shared shuttle bus (like we did) or rent a car.
The stunning Rila Monastery.
How we got to Rila Monastery from Sofia
We prefer to explore under our own steam as much as possible so we booked a shared shuttle bus with local company Traventuria.
It was easy to arrange online and cost 15 BGN (€15 EUR) one way per person. You can also book your return ticket back for the same day online.
We actually ended up spending the night at the monastery (a totally amazing experience—more on that in another post!) and booked the return for the next afternoon.
Our shuttle departed at 9:00 am from outside St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and arrived at Rila Monastery around noon with a stop at Boyana Church along the way. There is an option to depart at 7:00 am from Sofia, but it costs twice as much so we skipped it.
Vincent enjoying the tranquil atmosphere of Rila Monastery.
Honest Thoughts on the Shuttle Bus Option
So now for some honesty…this is the cheapest way to get to Rila Monastery but it does have its downsides.
You’re basically reserving a seat on a coach that’s primarily carrying travellers booked on a full Traventuria tour.
In our case, we ended up on a bus with around 40 people on a Spanish-language guided tour. The guide explained everything over the microphone in Spanish…so we just stared out the window and hoped we were passing something interesting.
Since we’d only booked the shuttle—not the full tour—we had no control over which group we joined or what language the tour would be in. (We found the whole experience funny, but we know that might not be everyone’s idea of a good time.)
We had the same issue at Boyana Church—we joined the tour (you have to pay an extra 12BGN/€6 to enter the church) but didn’t understand a word.
Thankfully, Vincent knows his religious iconography, and we’d done some reading and research beforehand, so we could follow along anyway.
Our tip? If you are on a tight budget but want a proper guided tour, we recommend booking this full-day Rila Monastery day trip from Sofia with Traventuria instead. It only costs €10 more per person than the shuttle and includes a guide in your chosen language.
BUT: this is not a small group tour. If you’ve read our other posts, you’ll know we’re not fans of large tours—we don’t like being herded around in a crowd while struggling to see the guide (I am very short) and straining to hear what they are saying.
Our top recommendation? Spend a little extra for this small group day trip to Rila monastery from Sofia. It's limited to just 8 people and includes hotel pickup/drop-off plus all entrance fees. It’s way more personal, relaxed and you might even make friends (no pressure though!).
Visiting Rila Monastery
After the Boyana Church stop, we drove another two hours through the mountains to Rila Monastery. The moment we stepped into the courtyard, we were completely blown away.
The main church in the centre of the monastery is absolutely stunning: its striped red, black and white facade reminded me of Ottoman mosques in Istanbul.
Gorgeous vibrant frescoes depicting various Biblical scenes cover the inside and outside. You can’t take photos inside but honestly, it’s worth putting your camera away for a few moments. We just let the tranquil atmosphere and the chants of the monks wash over us.
The church is surrounded by the monastery’s vast residential complex, with over 300 rooms with open verandas decorated with flowers, beautiful paintings and wood carvings. It even has its own kitchens, chapels, hospital, and a huge library.
Entry to the courtyard and church is free, but there are also four small museums you can pay to enter. We chose to climb Hreliov’s Tower (5 BGN/€2.50 extra) - a medieval stone tower with fantastic views over the church’s domes and surrounding mountains.
What to Expect on a Rila Monastery Day Trip
If you go on a guided tour, you’ll typically spend 1.5–2 hours with the guide at the monastery, followed by a break for lunch and some time to explore on your own.
Speaking of lunch…
Unless you’re super hungry, we suggest skipping the Rila Monastery Restaurant—it’s usually heaving with tour groups and it’s hard to find a table.
The menu at the bakery opposite Rila Monastery.
Delicious mekitsi with powdered sugar and blueberry jam. Yums!
Instead do what we did: head to the small bakery opposite the monastery and grab some freshly cooked, piping hot mekitsi (fried dough), a loaf of monastery bread and an ayran (salted yogurt drink).
You can also get local cheese, fresh Bulgarian yogurt and jam to have with them.
We found a shady spot nearby and enjoyed our makeshift picnic in peace.
One Last Tip: Wander Beyond the Main Buildings
After lunch we followed the walking trails behind the monastery towards the cemetery and ossuary. The path follows a small river and you get spectacular mountain views all around. It’s a great way to escape the crowds, especially in the summer.
The views around Rila Monastery are nothing short of epic.
Rila Monastery is hands down one of the best day trips Sofia has to offer. Whether you go by shuttle, join a full-day tour, or pay a little more for a small group experience it’s absolutely worth it. It ended up being one of the highlights of our time in Bulgaria.
Just make sure you don’t leave Sofia without seeing it—like we did the first time!
Day Trip To Boyana Church
➡️ Best way to get to Boyana Church: on this guided tour
If you only have 1 day in Sofia or you're looking for a short day tour from Sofia, Boyana Church is an excellent option.
Why Go?
This small medieval Bulgarian Orthodox church—now a UNESCO World Heritage Site—was built in three stages between the 10th and 13th centuries.
It’s world-renowned for its incredibly detailed frescoes: there are 240 human images inside the church, with the most famous murals dating back to 1259. These are believed to be the oldest preserved pre-Renaissance frescoes in Europe!
What really fascinated us was seeing murals from different centuries layered over each other. You can actually trace how the artistic style evolved through the ages.
We were so impressed by Boyana Church that we included it in our guide to Sofia’s best churches—check that out if you want to learn more about its beautiful frescoes.
Important Visiting Info
To preserve and protect the delicate frescoes, access to the church is strictly limited: only 9 people are allowed inside at a time and visits are capped at 10 minutes. No photography is allowed inside.
Certain time slots are reserved for tour groups whilst others are for individual visitors. You can see the visiting hours here but as it’s a popular attraction, tickets often sell out, especially during the summer.
Tickets to Boyana Church currently cost 12BGN/€6.
How to Get There
The easiest and most reliable way to see Boyana Church is as part of a guided tour, usually combined with a day trip to Rila Monastery.
Tours include a guaranteed reservation, so you won’t be stuck waiting around, or worse, arriving and finding out all the tickets are gone.
The Boyana Church is deceptively simple from the outside…and extraordinarily beautiful inside.
We ended up visiting Boyana Church as part of our Rila Monastery trip and, honestly, we were lucky: it was crazily busy, but because we accidentally joined a tour, we got in without any stress.
If you want to play it safe and skip the hassle, we highly recommend this Rila Monastery and Boyana Church day tour, which covers transportation, entry, and includes a guide in your preferred language.
Getting There Independently
You can visit Boyana Church on your own—it just takes a little more effort!
The easiest way is to take a taxi from Sofia city centre — it will cost around 30 BGN (€15 each way) and takes about 25 minutes (depending on traffic). This is a good option if you’re travelling in a group.
To get to Boyana Church by public transport, take bus 64 to the Boyansko Hanche stop.
Depending on where you’re staying you’ll probably have to transfer from a trolleybus to reach the bus line — check Google Maps for the best route from your location. Expect the journey to take around one hour.
Day Trip to Plovdiv From Sofia
➡️ Best way to get to Plovdiv: by train. Fast trains in the morning take around 2.5 to 3 hours.
Interested in seeing a little more of Bulgaria? Then consider taking a day trip from Sofia to Plovdiv—Bulgaria’s second-largest city and the oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe.
Why Go?
Built on seven hills (like Rome and Istanbul—the Romans clearly had a thing for hills), Plovdiv has tons of spectacular ancient ruins.
We loved exploring the incredibly well-preserved Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis, which still hosts concerts and plays in summer, and the Stadium of Philippopolis, hidden right beneath the city’s main street.
Plovdiv’s Old Town is gorgeous.
The famous medieval Castle Gate in Plovdiv Old Town.
Plovdiv also has a beautiful and photogenic Old Town, full of winding cobbled streets and gorgeous Bulgarian Revival houses, many now turned into museums. Don’t miss the picturesque St Helena and Constantine Church—one of the oldest in the city.
When you’re ready for a break, head to Rahat Tepe, a restaurant at the top of the hill. It’s got a relaxed beer garden with amazing views over the city, plus fantastic food—we tried patatnik (a cheesy grated potato pie) and a scrumptious vegetable clay pot dish.
Before your Plovdiv day trip from Sofia wraps up, make time for the happening Kapana Art District. This creative area of the city is packed with street art, galleries, cool cafés, and lively bars.
Street art in Plovdiv’s Kapana Art District.
Looking lovingly at my beautiful granola bowl at a cafe in Kapana.
How to Get There
We went to Plovdiv by train—fast services run from Sofia in the morning and take around 2.5 to 3 hours. You can check times and book online through the Bulgarian Railways site.
The scenery was lovely, the journey was relaxing and my inner train geek was totally satisfied.
Buses are also an option and slightly faster—around 2 to 2.5 hours from Sofia Central Bus Station or near St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.
If dealing with transport sounds like a headache, this day tour to Plovdiv and the super charming town of Koprivshtitsa is a great stress free alternative—it takes care of all the practicalities so you can just chill and enjoy the experience.
Day Tours from Sofia to the Seven Rila Lakes
➡️ Best way to get to the Seven Rila Lakes: this excellent guided tour.
If you’re looking for day trips out of Sofia where you can immerse yourself in nature, a trip to the Seven Rila Lakes is just what you are looking for.
Why Go?
Just 100 km from the city, these stunning glacial lakes sit at 2,100–2,500 metres above sea level. They’re linked by small streams and waterfalls, and each one has a name based on its shape or character, e.g The Tear (crystal clear) and The Eye (perfectly oval).
The lakes are a popular hiking destination in summer—understandable as the views are absolutely breathtaking!
In winter the lakes freeze over and the weather can be terrible so unless you love finger-numbing temperatures, we’d give it a miss then.
The Seven Rila Lakes - perfect if you want to get away from it all!
How to Get There
The easiest (and most stress free) way to get here is on an organised tour.
This Seven Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery day tour gives you real bang for your buck—with five hours to explore the lakes (either with a guide or on your own) plus a visit to Bulgaria’s most famous monastery. It’s a great way to tick off two epic experiences in one day!
If you aren’t fussed about the monastery, this full-day Seven Rila Lakes hiking tour is also a brilliant option—it’s perfect if you want to spend more time hiking in the mountains and enjoying the phenomenal scenery.
Getting There Independently
If you drive, then renting a car from Sofia is easy—the drive takes 1.5 to 2 hours depending on traffic and there is parking near the chairlift that takes you to the Lakes. Check rental car prices on Discover Cars here.
Another option is to book a return shared shuttle bus from Traventuria, which leaves at 07:00 and costs between 40–60 BGN (€20-€30), depending on how early you book.
Just like with the Rila Monastery shuttle, though, you’ll be sharing the coach with a large organised tour group. It’s also not that much cheaper than a proper guided tour, so weigh up the pros and cons.
The Seven Rila Lakes are an incredible day trip out of Sofia.
Finally, you can use public transport, but it’s a bit more of a faff. First catch a bus from Sofia to Dupnitsa (this runs hourly and takes about 1.5 hours). Then jump on a second bus to Sapareva Banya, which leaves every 30 minutes and takes half an hour to reach the Lakes.
This is the cheapest way to get to the Lakes but it’s also what we in Harrow call—‘a long ting’.
One Day Trip from Sofia to Belogradchik Rocks and Fortress
➡️ Best way to get to Belogradchik Rocks and Fortress: by train and taxi.
The tiny town of Belogradchik, near the slopes of the Balkan Mountains, is home to two of the most underrated sites in Bulgaria—and one of the easiest one day trips from Sofia.
Why Go?
The biggest draw is the dramatic Belogradchik Fortress. Built into the surrounding rock formations during Roman times and expanded by both the Bulgarian and Ottoman empires, it’s a pretty jaw-dropping site.
Climbing the steep stone stairs is absolutely worth it for the amazing views from the top.
Belogradchik is still mostly visited by locals, so if you’re keen to get off the beaten path, this is the trip for you.
The surrounding Belogradchik Rocks reminded us of Cappadocia in Turkey—bizarre, towering shapes stretching over 30km, with some reaching up to 200 metres tall.
Many have names based on their shape such as The Madonna, The Dervish or The Horseman and are linked to various urban legends.
Belogradchik Fortress.
How to Get There
To get there independently, take the 07:06 train from Sofia-Sever station to Oreshec, the nearest town to Belogradchik. You’ll change at Mezdra for the connection to Oreshec and arrive there around 11:15 am. Check train times here.
From Oreshec, take a taxi to Belogradchik—it’s 12km and should cost around 15 BGN/€8. The last direct train back to Sofia leaves at 17:10, so you’ll have plenty of time to explore.
Alternatively, book this full-day guided tour to Belogradchik Fortress and Venetsa Cave which takes care of all the transport and nitty gritty details.
Visit Vitosha Mountain
➡️ Best way to get to Vitosha Mountain: by bus.
Possibly the easiest day trip Sofia has to offer, a visit to Vitosha Mountain is a fantastic way to escape the summer heat and immerse yourself in nature—just a stone’s throw from the city.
Why Go?
Standing at over 2000m, Vitosha is Bulgaria’s fourth highest mountain and is surrounded by a national park. It’s full of hiking trails, waterfalls, and lakes, making it a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. Hint: visit Vitosha on a weekday if you want to avoid the crowds!
In winter, it becomes a go-to skiing destination and is easily one of the top day trips from Sofia in winter.
Vitosha Mountain as seen from Vitosha Boulevard in Sofia. Yep - you can go up there!
How to Get There
The best part is that Vitosha Mountain is very accessible by public transport.
Bus 61 runs every 10 minutes from beneath Lover’s Bridge in Sofia city centre and drops you at the Golden Bridges stop—your jump-off point for numerous hiking trails.
Alternatively, take bus 64 to Boyana Church and hike from there to Boyana Lake and the scenic Boyana Waterfall inside the park.
Explore the Abandoned Monument of Buzludzha
➡️ Best way to get to the Monument of Buzludzha: on a guided tour.
We’ll be straight up: this is one of the more random day trips Sofia Bulgaria has to offer, but if you’re interested in Communist history or you like slightly weird experiences on your travels like us, then keep reading.
Why Go?
The Monument of Buzludzha—aka the Monument House of the Bulgarian Communist Party—was built in 1981 on the peak of Buzludzha mountain. Commissioned by the Bulgarian Communist Party, it is an excellent example of the futuristic and brutalist architecture that defined the Communist era.
Basically it looks like a massive Communist UFO.
It cost a pretty penny too—a whopping 35 million dollars! A total waste of money given that it was completely abandoned less than 10 years later, with the fall of Communism in Bulgaria.
The Monument of Buzludzha.
(It’s not just Communism that's guilty of building absurd landmarks—I’m looking at you, Millennium Dome and Bojo’s never-built Garden Bridge.)
It’s around a 3-hour drive from Sofia, so the easiest way to visit is on this guided tour—which also includes stops at the beautiful Shipka Church and the Rose Valley, making the most of your day.
It’s certainly one of the stranger day tours from Sofia Bulgaria!
Relax at Krushuna Falls
➡️ Best way to get to the Krushuna Falls: on this guided tour.
If you only have a day in Sofia and just want to get away from it all, then a day trip to Krushuna Falls might just be what you are looking for.
Why Go?
Krushuna Falls isn’t just one waterfall—it’s a whole series of travertine terraces, with cascading pools and falls tumbling through the forest.
It reminded us of travertine waterfalls we’ve seen in China, Laos and the famous thermal pools in Pamukkale in Turkey. The main waterfall is 20 metres high and pretty gorgeous!
There are a few different trails winding around the waterfalls—you can even walk up to a cave to see the source of the water.
The water’s said to have healing powers but since swimming isn’t allowed, you’ll have to hope that proximity alone does the trick.
How to Get There
Krushuna Falls are around 180km from Sofia, so the easiest way to get there is on a guided tour.
This full-day Lovech, Devetaki Cave & Krushuna Waterfalls tour includes hotel pick-up and lets you explore one of Bulgaria’s oldest cities, one of its largest caves, and the stunning Krushuna Falls, all in one day.
Alternatively, hire a car from Sofia and drive—it should take you around 2.5 hours depending on traffic. Check car hire prices here.
🛂 International One Day Trips From Sofia
Bulgaria borders five other countries, so if you’re feeling adventurous you can actually visit another country on a day trip! Here are our favourite cross-border day trips:
Day Trip from Sofia, Bulgaria to Edirne in Turkey
➡️ Best way to get to Edirne, Turkey: rent a car and drive.
I’m actually surprised to see that this day trip isn’t recommended that much because it’s a really easy trip to one of our favourite places in Turkey.
Why Go?
Edirne is a fascinating place—once the Ottoman Empire’s capital, it’s packed with ancient bazaars, caravanserais, mosques, churches, and a synagogue.
This historically diverse city is also famous for its unique cultural and religious festivals—like Kırkpınar, Turkey’s largest oil wrestling event held in late June/early July, and Hıdırellez/Kakava, a spring celebration in May that draws over 90,000 people!
We’ve been to both festivals and they were totally epic!
Attending the Hıdırellez festival in Edirne was an amazing experience!
How to Get There
We’d recommend renting a car and driving from Sofia—it takes between 3-3.5 hours depending on traffic. There are buses but the journey takes too long (6 hours) for a day trip.
Day Trip to Skopje from Sofia
➡️ Best way to get to Skopje, North Macedonia: this excellent guided tour or rent a car and drive.
If you fancy exploring more of the Balkans, a day trip from Sofia to Skopje is a brilliant choice.
Skopje, the charming capital of North Macedonia, sits along the Vardar River and is the country’s largest city. With roots going back to Roman times, it’s religiously and ethnically diverse and completely fascinating!
You’ll find the impressive Tvrdina Kale Fortress towering over the city, beautifully preserved mosques and churches (including one partially submerged two metres underground!) and countless museums and galleries.
The Archeological Museum of Macedonia and the Bridge of Civilisation in Skopje, in North Macedonia.
And then there’s the bazaar—the second-largest Ottoman bazaar in Europe after Istanbul’s. We loved getting lost in its maze of narrow streets filled with mosques, tea houses, and stalls selling everything from rugs to traditional outfits. Surprisingly there’s cool bars and restaurants here too!
How to Get There
To get a real feel for Skopje, we highly recommend this top-rated guided tour from Sofia to Skopje .
It includes hotel pick-up and two expert guides—one Bulgarian, one Macedonian—who share tons of local and historical insights. You’ll get a proper two-hour walking tour of the city plus plenty of time to explore independently.
Prefer to do a DIY day trip from Sofia to Macedonia? Rent a car and drive to Skopje instead, which should take around 3.5 hours.
Day Trip to Niš in Serbia
➡️ Best way to get to Niš in Serbia: rent a car and drive or by guided tour.
Our last suggestion is a day trip to Serbia from Sofia—to the city of Niš. The birthplace of Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, its Serbia’s third largest city and was under Ottoman rule for 400 years.
Why Go?
Niš has some fascinating (and pretty dark) historical sites, like the Skull Tower—built with the skulls of Serbian soldiers killed during Serbia’s war with the Ottomans—and the haunting ‘Red Cross’ Nazi concentration camp, where over 30,000 people were imprisoned during WWII.
It’s also a foodie’s paradise. Niš is famous for having the best burek in the Balkans (a moreish, crispy filo pastry pie stuffed with cheese or meat), along with hearty meat stews, grilled meats, and locally made cheeses.
How to Get There
Driving to Niš takes around 2 hours, making it one of the easiest cross-border adventures from Sofia—ideal if you prefer the freedom to explore at your own pace.
If you’d rather sit back and let someone else handle the practicalities, then this brilliant small group tour to Niš from Sofia is a great alternative—it covers all the must-see sights and gives you a proper taste of traditional Serbian food too.
FAQs About The Best Day Trips From Sofia
What are the best day tours Sofia Bulgaria has to offer?
The best day tours from Sofia are to Rila Monastery, Plovdiv and the Seven Rila Lakes
What are the top guided day tours from Sofia?
The top guided day tours are:
Which day trips from Sofia are doable by public transport?
You can use buses from Sofia to get to Vitosha mountain and trains to go to Plovdiv and Belogradchik Rocks and Fortress.
👋 Ready to Start Day Trippin'?
We hope you’ve enjoyed this round-up of the best day trips from Sofia. Whether you're into medieval monasteries, hikes with jaw-dropping scenery, or hopping across Balkan borders, Sofia makes an ideal base for unforgettable adventures.
These easy day trips go to show that you don’t have to travel far to experience something completely different—sometimes it’s just a train ride or a guided tour away!
More Useful Resources For Your Trip
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Before you go, make sure to check out some of our other Sofia guides and guides to the rest of Bulgaria:
⛲ An Epic One Day in Sofia Bulgaria Itinerary
⛪ A Guide to Sofia’s Best Churches
🍸 Hambara Sofia: A Hidden Candlelit Bar in Sofia
🥑 A Foodie's Guide to the Best Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants Sofia Has to Offer
Find more travel tips and useful information on Bulgaria here.
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