Beyond airport transfers, we run private day tours from Sofia to some of Bulgaria's most memorable places. Each one runs at your pace, with hotel pickup and a driver who knows the route, so there's no navigating or parking to sort out. Here are three of our favourites.
Tour 01
Horseriding Sofia Day Tour: Ride to Glozhene Monastery
Area
Balkans · near Teteven
From Sofia
~2 hours north
Duration
Full day
Level
Beginners welcome
If you want more than a short ride in the hills, this is the one. Our horseriding Sofia day tour takes you out of the city and into the Balkan Mountains near Teteven, where you ride up to the Glozhene Monastery and back through some of the finest scenery in the region. It suits confident beginners and experienced riders looking for a fuller day in the saddle.
Where the ride happens
The tour is set in the Stara Planina range near Teteven, in the Lovech region about two hours north of Sofia. This is real Balkan mountain country: forested slopes, open ridges, and quiet valleys well away from the tourist trail.
The destination is what makes the ride special. Glozhene Monastery, dedicated to St George the Victorious, sits on a high rocky terrace and looks more like a fortress than a church when you first see it from a distance. Unlike most Bulgarian monasteries tucked into dense forest, this one stands out on its rock, with wide views over the surrounding mountains. On a clear day you can see for miles across the range.
What the day looks like
We collect you from your hotel in Sofia in the morning and drive you north to the Teteven area, so there's no navigating or parking to sort out. The route itself is scenic once you leave the main road.
At the base you meet your horse, get fitted with a helmet, and go through a safety briefing before setting off. We take our time with this. The trail climbs steadily toward the monastery through forest and open stretches, with the building coming into view on its rock as you get closer. You stop at Glozhene Monastery to rest the horses, look around the grounds, and take in the views before the ride back.
The founding of the monastery goes back to the 13th century, tied to a prince who settled here and brought an icon of St George with him. Standing in the courtyard with the mountains falling away below is the kind of moment that stays with you long after the ride ends.
Who it suits
This is a longer, more rewarding ride than a short forest loop, so a little confidence in the saddle helps. Complete beginners are welcome, but tell us your experience when you book so we can match you with the right horse and set a sensible pace. Guides stay with you throughout.
Pricing and availability depend on group size and the season, so get in touch and we'll confirm the details for your dates.
Buzludzha is one of the most striking things you can see in Bulgaria. This abandoned Communist Party monument sits alone on a Balkan peak, a vast concrete saucer that looks like it landed there rather than being built. Our Buzludzha day tour takes you from Sofia up to the summit and back, with time to explore the site and the Rose Valley below.
Where it is and what you'll see
The monument stands on Buzludzha Peak in the central Balkan Mountains, above the town of Kazanlak and the Rose Valley. It was built between 1974 and 1981 as the ceremonial home of the Bulgarian Communist Party, then abandoned after the political changes of 1989. Today it's weathered and empty, but no less impressive for it. The 70-metre tower and the ringed main hall dominate the ridge and can be seen from a long way off.
Standing at the base gives you a real sense of scale. The setting is windswept and remote, with wide views across the mountains, which is exactly why photographers and history travellers make the trip.
An honest note on going inside
The interior is sealed and cannot be entered. All entrances are blocked for safety reasons, and conservation teams are slowly working to stabilise the building. We don't offer or encourage any attempt to get inside, both because it isn't legal and because it damages the ongoing restoration. What the tour delivers is the full exterior experience: walking around the monument, learning its history, and photographing it against the landscape.
The rest of the day
Because Buzludzha sits above the Rose Valley, the tour pairs the monument with the area below. Depending on the season and your interests, we can include a stop at the Shipka Pass memorial on the same road up the mountain, the town of Kazanlak with its Thracian tombs, or the rose fields that give the valley its name and bloom in late spring. This turns a long drive into a full and varied day rather than a single photo stop.
What to expect from the drive
The monument is around three hours from Sofia by road, so this is a full-day tour with an early start. We handle the driving, including the mountain road up to the summit, so you can take in the countryside on the way. The access road can be difficult in winter due to snow and ice, so the tour runs best from late spring through autumn.
Pricing and availability depend on group size and season. Get in touch with your dates and we'll shape the day around what you most want to see.
Rila Monastery is the one day trip from Sofia that almost every visitor to Bulgaria should make. It's the country's largest and most important Orthodox monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site set deep in a pine-forested valley in the Rila Mountains. Our Rila Monastery day trip takes you there and back from Sofia, with plenty of time to explore the complex and the scenery around it.
What makes Rila special
The monastery sits about 117 km south of Sofia, roughly a two-hour drive through the mountains. It was founded in the 10th century in connection with the hermit Ivan of Rila, and it grew over the centuries into the spiritual heart of the country.
The first thing that strikes most people is the courtyard. Bands of black, white, and red arches wrap around the entire inner ring, framing the main church at the centre. That church, the Nativity of the Virgin, is covered in vivid frescoes, including dramatic scenes from the Last Judgment painted across its outer walls. Hrelyo's Tower, the oldest building on site, has stood since the 14th century. There's also a museum worth seeing, home to the famous Rafail's Cross and other treasures.
What the day looks like
We pick you up from your hotel in Sofia and drive south, so you don't have to deal with the roads or parking. The route through the Rila Mountains is scenic in its own right, particularly the final stretch that ends at the monastery gates.
At Rila you have time to walk the courtyard, step inside the main church, climb up to the museum, and simply take in the setting. A practical tip we always share: mornings are quieter, before the larger coach groups arrive, so an early start pays off. It's a working monastery, so modest dress is expected, with shoulders and knees covered. You can also try the local mekitsi, fried dough sold near the monastery, and there are small restaurants by the river for lunch.
Worth adding to the trip
Because the drive is long, it makes sense to pair Rila with something nearby. The Stob Pyramids, a set of natural sandstone formations about ten minutes away, make a short and rewarding walk. On the way back into Sofia we can also stop at Boyana Church, a second UNESCO site on the edge of the city known for its remarkable 13th-century frescoes. Tell us what interests you and we'll build the day around it.
Pricing and availability depend on group size and season. Send us your dates and we'll confirm the details and shape the day around what you most want to see.
No. The interior is sealed and all entrances are blocked for safety, so the tour covers the full exterior experience. We don't encourage any attempt to enter.
How long is the Rila Monastery day trip?
A full day. Rila is about 117 km south of Sofia, roughly a two-hour drive each way, which leaves plenty of time at the monastery.
Do I need experience for the horse riding tour?
No. Complete beginners are welcome and guides stay with you throughout. Tell us your experience so we can match the horse and pace.
Do the tours include hotel pickup?
Yes. Every day tour includes pickup from your hotel in Sofia and the return, so there's no navigating or parking to sort out.
How much do the tours cost?
Pricing depends on group size and season. Send us your dates and we'll confirm the details.
