How to get to the Seven Rila Lakes/Sapareva Banya from Sofia?
June 24, 2025
Have you already explored Sofia? Great! Then it’s time to see what else Bulgaria has to offer. Sofia is the perfect starting point for various types of day trips, including small historical towns, natural landmarks, and so much more. Here are our top 7 suggestions for day trips from Sofia:
The Rila Monastery and the Rila mountain
The Rila Monastery is truly one of Bulgaria’s most emblematic symbols and one of its most picturesque landmarks. Nestled among the majestic peaks of the highest mountain in the Balkans, the monastery is a true architectural and ethnographic masterpiece, waiting to be discovered at the end of a scenic mountain road that takes your breath away at every turn. And if the endless array of stunning views—ranging from ancient forests and crystal-clear mountain creeks to rugged alpine cliffs – isn’t enough to keep your camera out for the entire journey, then the monastery complex, with its sophisticated lines, colorful inner courtyard facade, and authentic atmosphere, certainly will. No wonder this site has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage since the mid-80s.
You can spice up this enjoyable visit with an easy half-hour hike to the tomb of the founder of the Monastery- St.Ivan Rilaski- a highly spiritual place, where some believe one can cleanse their sins by walking through a hole in the rocks.
To complete the whole experience, you should not miss trying the fresh fish specialties in one of the many traditional taverns near the monastery.
Distance from Sofia: 120 km
How to get Rila Monastery:
- By train: Take a train from Sofia Central Station to Dupnitsa. From there, catch a direct bus to the Rila Monastery. For the return journey, simply take the bus back to Dupnitsa, then board the train back to Sofia.
- By bus: Take the bus from Sofia, bus station “Ovcha kupel” (not Central Bus Station), directly to Rila Monastery every day at 10:20 am. The bus from Rila Monastery to Sofia is at 15:00 h. In 2025, this option is currently unavailable.
- By car: If you rent a car, take the route Sofia-Kulata. Exit the road in Kocherinovo village. There are 30 km to the monastery from there.
- Travel Agent: These days, this seems to be the preferred option, as it offers the perfect balance between affordability and convenience. There are two main options. You can choose between the Rila Monastery Express Day Tourand theRila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Guided Tour. There is also a great full-day tour that combines The Cave of Saint John & Rila Monastery
Plovdiv
Plovdiv’s claim to be one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, along with its cozy artistic atmosphere and youthful spirit, make it a “must-see” for all visitors of Bulgaria, who are eager to explore more than just the country’s capital.
Starting from one of Plovdiv’s most emblematic attractions – a remarkably well-preserved Roman stadium, right in the center of town, one can make their way through the colorful and always happening “Kapana” district, where tiny workshops, galleries, and craft beer bars mark each corner.
A quick climb of one of the seven hills, on which the town was built some 8000 years ago, brings a delightful reward- a stunning panorama of the whole Thracian plain guarded by the Rhodope mountains, to the South. Graffiti art, emerging handmade art shops, creative startups, and rich festival program blend with Plovdiv’s ancient Roman heritage and Revival 19th-century architecture, to form a city with unique charm and a proud Cultural Capital of Europe of 2019. Plovdiv itself is a great base for other “day trips” options.
Distance from: Sofia: 130 km
How to get to Plovdiv:
- By train: There are trains almost every 30 minutes or at least an hour from the Central Sofia train station to Plovdiv. The train ride is around two and a half hours. The train station in Plovdiv is not far from the city center.
- By bus: As with trains, there are buses to Plovdiv often. The Central bus station is a few minutes away from the train station, again, not far from the center.
- By car: Take the Trakia highway to Plovdiv. It takes an hour and a half to get there.
- Travel Agent: There are many companies offering day-trips to Plovdiv. If you prefer this, here’s a great, yet affordable option. If you want to explore more than just Plovdiv, there are also some really nice combined tours like Plovdiv and The Bachkovo Monastery or Plovdiv and Asen’s Fortress that you could also do as a day trip from Sofia.
While in Plovdiv, don’t forget to join our daily Plovdiv free walking tours.
The 7 Rila lakes
The spectacular Seven Rila Lakes have become one of the most attractive spots for mountain lovers visiting Bulgaria. Their crystal water, the picturesque location above 2200m, and the breathtaking panorama of the surrounding Rila and Pirin mountains make up for the moderate-level effort hike needed to reach them. The area is considered a sacred and special place by the mountain community.
The ascend to the lakes begins with a chair lift ride from the town of Panitishte to the “Rila Lakes” hut. From there it’s a 3-4 hour hike passing all the lakes, and at the end you reach a peak overlooking all 7 lakes. The lift costs 10 leva one way, and entrance to the Rila Lakes is free.
Distance from Sofia: 90 km
How to get there:
- By train: You can take the train from Sofia Central Train Station early in the morning to Dupnitsa (~ 2 hours). From Dupnitsa Bus Station take the bus to Sapareva Bania (runs every 30 minutes). From there, take any shuttle to Panichishte and the lift to the lakes.
- By bus: Take the bus from Sofia to either Dupnitsa or Sapareva Bania. There are buses from Dupnitsa to Sapareva Bania almost every 30 minutes. From Sapareva Banya, look for the shuttle to Panichishte and the lift to the lakes. Make sure to check out our detailed article on the Seven Rila Lakes.
- By car: The best way to get to the Lakes is by renting a car or by using the daily Rila Shuttle to the 7 Rila Lakes. The departure is at 7:30 am from Sofia and at 16:30 from the chairlift.
- Organized Excursion: If you prefer having a direct transfer to the 7 Rila Lakes, you can check out this great option.
Vitosha mountain
Vitosha Mountain is arguably one of Sofia’s queen-essential symbols. You can see it from almost every corner of the city. It is the local’s “Green escape” from the urban reality and the fast-pace of life in the capital. It is by far the most popular option when it comes to day trips from Sofia.
The highest peak of Vitosha – Cherni Vran (the Black peak) is 2290 m high. You can reach the peak in one day. According to the season, one can ascend most of the way to the peak by chair lift or by car. The last hike, which is around 2h, requires a medium- to low-level effort as there are no steep areas. There is a small tea house at the peak where you can have a beer, coffee, grilled meat or pancakes.
Another attractive area of Vitosha is the “Golden Bridges”. The Golden Birdges (Zlatnite mostove) aren’t actual bridges. It is in fact, a stone river that “flows” at an altitude of 1500 to 1350m. The large stone blocks are covered by gold lichens, which gave them their name. The area is perfect for a day hike and a picnic at the end. The easiest way to get here is with a car.
The Boyana waterfall trail is also a popular destination in Vitosha mountain. The trial starts form the Boyana church, in the Boyana neighborhood of Sofia. It takes 1,5h of moderate-level effort to get to the picturesque waterfall and take a few snaps of its crystal waters.
Distance from Sofia: ~ 5/10 km
How to get to Vitosha Mountain:
Unfortunately, in recent years, getting to the Vitosha Mountain has become increasingly difficult as all lifts are not operating. However here are a few areas of the Vitosha Mountain you can consider exploring on foot:
- Cherni Vrah hike– Cherni Vrah is the highest peak of the Vitosha Mountain at 2290m.
- The Golden Bridges: You can start your hike from Boyana neighbourhood in Sofia to the Golden Bridges. This will take you around 3 hours hiking. Again, from Boyana you can enter Vitosha mountain with your car and go straight to the Golden Bridges area. A bus from Sofia can also take you there – That’s bus 61 leaving every 10 minutes under Lovers’ Bridge (Behind the National Palace of Culture).
- The Boyana Waterfall– Start your hike form the Boyana church in the Boyana neighborhood of Sofia.
- Here’s our detailed guide on how to get to the Vitosha mountain.
Veliko Tarnovo
Veliko Tarnovo lies in the heart of North Central Bulgaria, its mountainous terrain cascading picturesquely down the hills to the Yantra River. Once the proud capital of Bulgaria, the town now fascinates visitors with its must-see attraction: the Tsarevets Fortress—a glorious medieval stronghold that served as the seat of power during the Second Bulgarian Tsardom. Another highlight is the remarkable Old Crafts Street, where you can watch traditional artisans demonstrate how tools, pottery, and clothing were made in medieval times. And yes… the town also boasts a surprisingly lively nightlife, with funky craft beer and cocktail bars that stay open well into the night. Veliko Tarnovo is also a great base for day trips to nearby sights like the Buzludzha Monument and the Krushuna Waterfalls.
Distance from Sofia: 220 km
How to get to Veliko Tarnovo from Sofia
- By bus: Buses from Sofia Central Bus Station to Veliko Turnovo are also very frequent. The bus ride lasts around 3 hours.
- By car: Veliko Tarnovo is located at the junction of the roads E85 (Ruse – Burgas) and E772 (Sofia – Varna, Hemus highway – A2 – at both ends).
- Tour agent: Should you choose to relax and let the professionals take over, you can book a day trip to Veliko Tarnovo through one of the many tour companies operating in Bulgaria
Koprivshtitsa (Day Trips from Sofia)
No list of day trips would be complete without a charming historical town—and Koprivshtitsa fits the bill perfectly. Located in central Bulgaria, this picturesque town offers a delightful escape for anyone eager to immerse themselves in Bulgaria’s 19th-century Revival architecture and history—a period of national awakening and struggle for independence that laid the foundation for the modern Bulgarian state. The spirit of the Bulgarian National Revival seems to echo from every stone along the town’s narrow, cobbled streets, while the names of some of the most revered Revival leaders and heroes still resonate behind the high stone walls of their once-proud homes, now preserved as inviting museum houses.
Legends surround the town’s beginnings, but historians agree that Koprivshtitsa dates back to the end of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom in the late 14th century. Its most dramatic chapter came during the April Uprising of 1876, one of the most significant Bulgarian efforts to regain independence after nearly five centuries of Ottoman rule.
In 1978, Koprivshtitsa was declared a national architectural reserve, home to 388 architectural, historical, artistic, and ethnographic monuments. Today, it is famous not only for its authentic Bulgarian architecture but also for its vibrant folk music festivals—making it a destination well worth a visit.
Distance from Sofia: 111 km
How to get to Koprivshtitsa
- By train: There is a direct train from Sofia that pass through Koprivshtitsa. Note that the train station is located a few km away from the town but there is a shuttle for every train.
- By bus: There is a direct bus line from Sofia to Koprivshtitsa.
- By car: One of the easiest ways to get to Koprivshtitsa is by car. The advantage of this way of travel is that you can stop anywhere you want to glaze the beautiful views.
- Organized trip: As always, there’s always the option to let the professionals take over.
Belogradchik Rocks
Northwest Bulgaria often gets overlooked when it comes to day trips from Sofia. However, the Belogradchik Rocks remain one of the country’s most popular natural landmarks. Located just outside the town of Belogradchik, in the western part of the Balkan Range, these incredible rock formations—sometimes referred to as the ‘8th Wonder of the World’—are truly a sight to behold. The peculiar yellow-red rock sculptures rise up to 200 meters above the ground and cover an area of around 30 square kilometers. According to historians, their formation began some 230 million years ago at the bottom of a prehistoric sea. Over time, nature sculpted them into marvelous shapes, while human imagination gave them intriguing names. Even today, the rocks are surrounded by countless legends, adding to the mystique and appeal of the place.
Nestled at the heart of the Belogradchik Rocks is Kaleto, a remarkably well-preserved medieval fortress with roots dating back to Roman times. Today, it stands as a cultural monument of national importance.
In recognition of its unique beauty and historical significance, the European Commission named Belogradchik a ‘European Destination of Excellence’ in September 2008—and not without good reason.
Distance from Sofia: 190 km
How to get to Belogradchik
- By train: Take the train from Sofia to Oreshets (Sofia-Vidin line, around 3-4 hours), which is located 12 km from Belogradchik. There are shuttles to Belogradchik often. Here’s the Bulgarian State Railways website.
- By bus: A bus from Sofia to Belogradchik is not very often. There is one at 16:30 which means you have to stay one night in Belogradchik.
- By car: The most convenient way to travel is by car. If you travel by car make sure to head off early in the morning because it will take you around 3 hours to get to Belogradchik. There are 2 routes: 1) Sofia – Hemus Highway – Vitinya Pass – Vratsa – Montana – Ruzhintsi – Belogradchik (215 km total). 2) Sofia – Petrohan Pass – Montana – Ruzhintsi – Belogradchik (185 km total).
There are also plenty of options for organised trips to all of these places and more.
Last updated: July 2025
Also check out our Ultimate Sofia Travel Guide
