DAY TRIPS
Sofia is a great starting point to do day trips. Starting with Sofia city tours you can continue with the Nature and History tours. Vitosha, the Balkan and Rila Mountains are close enough to explore them in a day. Or Plovdiv, Bachkovo and Rila monastery.
See the day trips here http://sofiatrips.com/1-day-trips/. More-day trips are also possible.
Here are some ideas for a 1-day trip around Bulgaria: You can book your day trip in advance or by arrival:
Vitosha Night Hike
If you want to enjoy the night view over the capital of Bulgaria, combined with an easy, half an hour, torchlight hike, VITOSHA MOUNTAIN NIGHT HIKE is just for you. From 15 euro per person
Koprivshtitsa
The historic town of KOPRIVSHTITSA is an architectural reserve, lying on the Topolnitsa river valley in the heart of the Sredna Gora Mountains. It was here that the first shot of the April Uprising against the Ottoman occupation was fired in 1876. From 25 euro per person.
Melnik
This is the smallest town in Bulgaria, known with its wine, the beautiful old housesandthe surrounding sand-rocks. From 30 euro per person.
The Belogradchik Clifs
Unique rock-formations, located on the western slopes of the Balkan Mountains. The rocks vary in colour from primarily red to gray to yellow, some of the rocks reach up to 200m in height. Many of the rocks have fantastic shapes and are associated with interesting legends. This marvelous natural phenomenon was carved by the dripping rain water and the strong winds over a period of 200 million years. From 50 euro per person.
Plovdiv - Asen's Fortress - Bachkovo Monastery
The earliest archeological findings for ASEN’S Fortress date from the time of the Thracians. The area was also inhabited during the Ancient Roman and Early Byzantine period. It was considerably renovated in 1231, during the rule of Bulgarian king Ivan Asen II, to serve as a border fortification against Latin raids.
BACHKOVO is the 2nd biggest monastery in Bulgaria. It was built in1083, situated in the Chepelare river valley, picturesquely surrounded byt he Rhodope Mountains.
PLOVDIV is one of the oldest cities in the world, with more than 6000 years of history. The tourist walk goes through the centre and the old town. From 30 euro per person.
Rila Monastery
RILA MONSTERY is situated in the South-West part of Bulgaria, built in the 10th century, between 927-941, in the deep valley of the Rilska river, at an elevation of 1147m above sea level. Since 1983 it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From 25 euro per person.
Iskar George
SKAKLYA FALLS is a waterfall situated in the ISKAR GORGE. It is the 4th highest waterfall in Bulgaria, the 1st part is 85m, the 2nd– 20m, followed by a few lower falls. The total height is 120m. Beautiful view. The frozen waterfall in the winterbecomes one of the most attractive places for ice-climbing.
LAKATNICK CLIFFS are located on the left slope of the ISKAR GORGE in the Balkan Mountains. The sandstone and limestone cliffs rise some 250 meters, and over the years the force of the wind has carved a variety of fantastic shapes in them, such as towers stone needles and pyramids. The forces of erosion have also carved more than 100 caves in the limestone cliffs, the longest, Temnata dupka, is 9 km long. The cliffs are justly famous among climbers. From 25 euro per person.
Veliko Tarnovo - Arbanasi
VELIKO TARNOVO was the capital of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom(1185-1396), impressing everyone with its beauty. The town is situated in the centre of Bulgariaat the foot of the Balkan Mountains. It is situated in the historical hills Tsarevets, Trapezitsa and Sveta Gora, above the Yantra River. A fabulous attraction is the show “Music and light”, shown in the fortress in national holidays.
ARBANASI is mentioned for the first time in a document in 1538. The village has a great history and very well kept 144 houses with a rich interior, 5 churches and 2 monasteries. From 50 euro per person.