Hotels in Sofia
Impressive Vitosha Mountain, just a glance away from Sofia
Anita Valentinova, 31.01.2009
Always where there is history there are tales to tell. Tourists are naturally drawn to the regular tourist attractions, true travellers seek always deeper to find the gems of thousands of years history. If you happen to be in European top city on a business trip or you just enjoy city breaks, a short journey to thousands of years history, Sofia city is a brilliant choice, and going for a hike in Vitosha Mountain is always a tremendous adventure. Going to green Vitosha Mountain is a good idea when you have to spend some time in nature. No matter whether you have important business meetings or you want to get familiar with Sofia’s rich history, make a quick escape from the overcrowded streets of Bulgarian capital city and let yourself be enchanted with the green Vitosha Mountain. Not only can you plunge into Sofia’s rich history and get involved in its flourishing business life, but also you have the opportunity to spend some wonderful moments close to nature. Escape from the hustle and the bustle of city life and spend a break away closer to nature in the stunning surroundings of Sofia city. No matter what you do, do not forget to take a magnificent little spree to Vitosha Mountain before you leave Bulgarian capital city, and get your heart beating on the magnificent Boyanski Waterfall.
Being encircled by green Vitosha Mountain, Bulgarian capital city offers serene places for relaxation and recreation amongst nature. Vitosha Mountain, the green mountain which embraces Sofia, the ‘lung’ of Bulgarian capital city, is attractive all-year round, because it boasts two wildlife reserves, three climatic zones, rich diversity of flora and fauna, curative mineral springs and rare bird species. The highest peak in Vitosha Mountain is Cherni Vruh(Black Peak), which is at 2290 metres above sea level. Stunning Vitosha Mountain is well-known mountain resort for winter getaways and adventurous skiing on the fluffy snow slopes. Skiing in Vitosha Mountain is a glorious way to kill some time far away from the bustling city life and still close to nature, and, of course, if the weather is brilliant, you can go to take a hike! All the cool activities and nice green spots in Vitosha Mountain will keep you coming back over and over again. Vitosha Mountain is a place where some nice spots can be seen if you are looking for serene, uncrowded nooks to unwind and get close to nature. What Vitosha Mountain has in store for you, there is no doubt you will find bright sunny days, powder white snow, well-groomed ski runs, green meadows, excellent hotels and cozy mountain chalets. Vitosha is one of Sofia's most significant assets, visible from almost everywhere in the city. If you are spending some time in Sofia, definitely it's well worth a visit. Magnificent mountain scenery, many interesting places to explore and adventurous eco trails draw thousands of visitors to Vitosha Mountain each year. Eco tourism enthusiasts will not be disappointed, because Vitosha Mountain offers a wide variety of walking routes, eco-trails, so you can easily choose from short strolls to long treks. In addition, a great number of karst springs are to be found in the southern areas of the mountain, where mineral water springs gush forth in Vitosha’s foothills. Major rivers in Vitosha Mountain -Dragalevska, Bistrishka and Vladaiska spring from protected areas across the mountain’s high plateau. Furthermore, those who seek the true mystique will be pleasantly surprised, because Vitosha Mountain is also popular for Duhlata cave – the longest cave in Bulgaria, spreads on seven levels, six underground rivers running through it.
The main park of Sofia is the Vitosha Nature Park, which covers a vast area of the mountain. Vitosha Nature Park is located on the Territory of Vitosha Mountain and it is the oldest nature park on the Balkan Peninsula. Bistrishko Branishte and Torfeno Branishte reserves are situated within the park’s territory. They have been proclaimed by UNESCO for biospheric reserves and are included in the world biospheric reserves network.
Vitosha Nature Park is a wonderful spot to explore, but since you are in Vitosha Mountain, you could also visit the picturesque Boyana Waterfall.Boyanski waterfall flows only five kilometers away from the residential district of Boyana. It is about 15m high and is the largest waterfall of Vitosha Mountain. Once you reach this miracle of nature, you will find yourself at breathtaking scenery particularly beautiful in spring when the snow is melting.You can reach the waterfall from Boyana, following Boyanska River. The walk lasts an hour and the final part involves climbing up a steep path. However, if you are an extreme sports enthusiast and alternative forms of tourism are your passion, then try climbing up the waterfall during the winter. Since the waterfall freezes in two separate parts, it is reported to be suitable for ice-climbing.
Overall, I would say Vitosha Mountain is a perfect place for a short break and unforgettable moments spent amongst nature while being on a trip in Sofia. Be careful coming to Vitosha Mountain, you might not ever want to return home again. Discover the different Sofia! Sofia city break Sofia hotels and hot offers, unbeatable pricesRelated travel news - News from Sofia
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Hotels in Sofia
- Anel Hotel
- Arena di Serdika Boutique Hotel
- Grand Hotel Sofia
- Hilton Sofia Hotel
- Holiday Inn hotel
- Hyatt Regency Sofia Hotel
- Intercontinental Sofia (ex Radisson Blu Grand Hotel)
- Sofia Hotel Balkan a Luxury Collection Hotel (ex Sheraton Hotel)
- Best Western Hotel Europe
- Best Western Premier Sofia Airport
- Central Hotel
- City Hotel
- Crystal Palace Hotel
- Downtown Hotel
- Festa Sofia Hotel
- Geneva Hotel
- Gloria Palace Hotel
- Hill Hotel
- Hotel Coop
- Les Fleurs Hotel
- Metropolitan hotel
- Novotel Sofia
- Ramada by Wyndham Sofia City Center
- Rodina Hotel
- Rosslyn Central Park Hotel
- Rosslyn Thracia Hotel
- Salt Palace Hotel
- Sveta Sofia Hotel
- The Stay Hotel Expo Center
- VEGA Hotel Sofia
- Vitosha Park Hotel
- Akord Hotel
- Aleksander Palace - Advi
- Arte Hotel
- Best Western Losenets Hotel
- Best Western Plus Bristol
- Brod Hotel
- Budapest hotel
- Earth and People hotel
- Hemus Hotel
- Legends hotel
- Light hotel
- Lion Hotel
- Maxim Hotel
- Meg-Lozenets Hotel
- Montecito Hotel
- Park Hotel Moskva
- Rocentro /ex Renaissance Hotel/
- Slavyanska Beseda Hotel
- Sofia Place Hotel
- Medic Hotel
Upcoming events in Sofia
- Sofia Dance Week 2010
- Art festival in Sofia city
- Scorpions in Sofia city 2010
- International Feline Show in Sofia
- Paco De Lucia performs in Bulgaria
- Drumset Competition 2010- Sofia Drum Day
- TOP 100 DJs party Monarchy performs in Bulgaria
- Chris Norman performs in Bulgaria 2010
- Harlem Gospel Choir performs in Bulgara
- Yann Tiersen's concert for Students Holiday
- Disco Legends Boney M concert in Bulgaria
- Legendary Firewind performs in Sofia
- Barclay James Harvest performs in Bulgaria
- Vaya Con Dios in Bulgaria
- 15th Sofia International Film Festival
- Absent Minded
- Concert of the queen of fado Marisa in Sofia, Bulgaria
- Guano Apes in Bulgaria
- Toto Cutugno in Bulgaria
- Manu Chao in Sofia city
- Children of Bodom in Bulgaria
- Alphaville in Sofia
- Rosalia de Souza in Bulgaria
- Vassil Vassilev and Chambao
- 100 Gypsy Violins in Bulgaria
- Raul Midon in Bulgaria
- Omega- the most successful Hungarian Rock Band gigs in Bulgaria
- Joe Cocker
- Roxette in Sofia, Bulgaria 2011
- Isthar in Sofia city
- Sting in Bulgaria
- CINDERELLA & MR.BIG in Bulgaria
- Dragana Mircovich and Vesna Zmijanac gig in Bulgaria
- Michel Legrand in Bulgaria
- Linkin Park in Bulgaria
- Mellow Music Festival
- Omara Portuondo and Buena Vista Social Club in Bulgaria
- ARASH feat. Rebecca concert in Bulgaria
- Mor Karbasi’s concert in Bulgaria
- Alice Russel in Sofia city
- Gipsy Kings gig in Bulgaria
- Jean Michel Jarre in Bulgaria
- Eric Sardinas concert
- Pooh gigs in Bulgaria
- Manhattan Transfer's concert in Bulgaria
- Hindi Zahra’s concert in Bulgaria
- Amon Amarth concert in Bulgaria
- Sade gigs in Bulgaria in November
- Genesis gigs in Bulgaria
- Julio Iglesias concert
- Sofia Rocks festival 2012
- Jennifer Lopez- concert in Bulgaria
- Depeche Mode performs in Bulgaria in May 2013
Places to go in Sofia
- St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral
- Boyana Church
- National Museum of History
- Alexander Nevsky Crypt Icon museum
- Vitosha Nature Park
- “Ivan Vazov” National Theatre
- The St. Petka Samardjiska Church /St. Petka of the Saddlers/
- Borisova Gradina Park (Central Park)
- Bulgarian National Gallery for Foreign Art
- St. George Rotunda-the oldest Eastern European Orthodox church
- Bulgarian National Gallery of Arts
- National Archaeological Museum
- Fountains in Sofia
- Public gardens and green areas
- St. Sofia church- ancient Eastern Orthodox church in Sofia
- St. Nikolay Russian church
- Sofia botanical garden
- Church of the Holy Seven
- Sofia Zoo
- Bulgarian Natural History Museum
- Sofia City Art Gallery
- Pancharevo lake
- Ethnographic Museum
- St. Nedelya church
- Museum of Earth and Man
- Sofia University Botanic Garden
- Cathedral of St Joseph
- Independence Square
- Boyana waterfall
- Alexander Nevski Square
- King Alexander Battenberg Square
- National Assembly's building in Sofia
- Tsar Osvoboditel Boulevard
- Vitosha Boulevard
- St. Paraskeva Church
- Eagle's Bridge
- Atanas Burov Square
- St. 40 Martyrs Church
- Oborishte street
- Rila monastery
- Slaveikov square
- National Palace of Culture
- National Library St. St. Cyril and Metodius
- Banya Bashi Mosque
- Jewish synagogue in Sofia
- Lion's bridge
- Law Courts