Sofia between thermal springs and Vitosha Mountain: nature at the city's doorstep

Thermal springs, Sofia's ancient heritage

Sofia owes its existence to its hot mineral waters. The Romans, great lovers of thermal baths, founded Serdica in the 1st century precisely because of these springs. The Ottomans continued the tradition by building hammams using the natural waters for drinking and bathing. The imposing Central Mineral Baths building, inaugurated in 1913 in a neo-Byzantine style with facades adorned with colourful ceramics, stands proudly in the heart of the city. Closed as baths in 1986, it now houses the Sofia Regional Museum of History. In front of the building, locals still fill their bottles at public hot mineral water fountains, an unusual sight in the middle of a European capital.

Vitosha Mountain, a playground 30 minutes from the centre

Towering over Sofia at 2,290 metres, Vitosha Mountain is the capital's green lung. Accessible by bus or tram from the city centre, it offers a network of marked trails for all levels. In spring and summer, hikers and families explore forest paths lined with rivers and waterfalls. The summit of Cherni Vrah (Black Peak) rewards walkers with a breathtaking panorama over the Sofia plain. In winter, the Aleko resort allows skiing just 22 kilometres from the capital, a rare privilege in Europe.

Vitosha Nature Park, preserved biodiversity

Declared a nature park as early as 1934, Vitosha is the oldest park of its kind in the Balkans. Its flora includes over 1,500 plant species, and its beech and conifer forests are home to deer, chamois and more than 200 bird species. The «stone rivers», streams of granite blocks crossed on certain trails, are a fascinating geological phenomenon. The Dragalevtsi Monastery, nestled in the forest halfway up the slope, offers a spiritual and cultural stop appreciated by hikers on their way to the chairlift.

Bankya and modern spas around Sofia

About twenty kilometres west of Sofia, the small town of Bankya has been renowned for centuries for its therapeutic thermal waters. Its public bath, built in 1911 under King Ferdinand's reign, remains a popular spot for relaxation. Several modern wellness complexes have sprung up around Sofia in recent years, offering mineral water pools, saunas and treatments at very affordable prices compared to the rest of Europe. Expect to pay between 10 and 25 euros for a full half-day of relaxation, yet another reason for travellers seeking affordable wellness.