Rila Monastery: Situated approximately 130 kilometres from Sofia in a beautiful forested valley deep within the Rila Mountains, stands Bulgaria’s largest monastery and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A major attraction for Bulgarian pilgrims and foreign tourists, the monastery was founded in 927 AD by a hermit monk. The monastery’s museum contains an extensive collection of 18th and 19th century religious artefacts, with the astonishing Rila Cross as the centrepiece.
Pirin National Park: Spread over an area of over 40,000 hectares with peaks surpassing 2900 metres, Pirin National Park is the largest in Bulgaria. Located 150 kilometres from Sofia, this dramatic mountainous landscape of limestone, glacial lakes, waterfalls, caves and coniferous forests has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. The park is home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna, and is a great place to ski in the winter or hike during the summer.
Plovdiv: Situated approximately 150 kilometres from Sofia, Plovdiv is one of Europe’s oldest towns — and has existed as a settlement for 8000 years. A picturesque location with many parks and gardens, Plovdiv’s historic quarter boasts beautifully decorated period houses, an ancient fortress-wall, a Roman forum and a well-preserved Roman amphitheatre which is still used for open-air performances.