The 5 Best Winter Activities in Bulgaria

1.Seven Rila Lakes Snowshoe Hike and Thermal Baths Full-Day Tour from Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 43 reviews · 1 day (approx.) · from $144Our pick

Leave Sofia early with an English-speaking mountain leader, ride the chairlift to 2,150 meters, and snowshoe toward the frozen Kidney Lake. You get snowshoes, poles, transport, hotel pickup, and about 2.5 hours on the trail. Afterward, warm up in Sapareva Banya’s mineral pools. Bring food, and budget extra for the lift and spa.

“Our tour guide was amazing! The view was absolutely beautiful. Definitely want to come back during the summer to do the hike again!”

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2.The Best of Bansko: Magical Snowshoeing Adventure & SPA

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 39 reviews · 6 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $124Top rated

From Bansko, guides such as Dobrin, Filip, Wolfgang, and Dobrev lead a six to seven-hour winter outing in Pirin National Park. You’ll learn to use snowshoes and poles, hike at a suitable pace, and finish with a soak in Dobrinishte’s mineral pools. Routes can vary by weather, ability, and group wishes.

“This was very unique and fun hike!! The snow and forest are truly beautiful and the guide Dobrev was very nice and explained everything to us and provided a lot of info! The booking was fast and easy, and the hot pools at the end perfect after a cold walk!”

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3.Borovets Ultimate Snowmobile Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $32Best value

Meet your guide at Hotel Rila2010 and ride a snowmobile through Borovets Forest for about an hour. You follow a custom route past the ski resort, bike park, Borovets, and toward the Rila Mountains and Rila National Park. Equipment and instruction are included, and quad biking replaces snowmobiling if snow conditions are poor.

“I'm sure I was one of the first ones on the snowmobile for this season. And it was great. Enjoyable, very kind guides, excellent machines. Wonderful e-guide for the area that I could use after the trip. Thanks and have a great winter season!”

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4.Seven Rila lakes-Snowshoeing with Waterfall and Hot Mineral pools

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $150

Join a small English-speaking group from Sofia for a snowshoe hike in Rila National Park, reaching the Tear Lake at about 2,500 meters. Guides including Velko, Veselin, Marin, Iva, and Miran adapt the route to weather and fitness. The day ends at Kotvata’s thermal pools and saunas.

“The most memorable part of our experience was to face our fears in the middle of these huge mountains, covered by an incredible mantle of snow. Vez, our guide, was experienced and helped us to hike: he gave advices, technical tips and was very friendly. I'd recommend this experience to anyone who wants to explore Bulgarian nature and to live a thrill that can change his/her mind, and probably his/her life.”

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5.Pamporovo Ultimate Snowmobile Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $32

Join a private, one-hour snowmobile tour from Prevala through the forests near Perelik, the Rhodopes’ highest peak. An instructor with more than 15 years of snowmobile experience leads the route, while a second guide closes the group. You receive a snowmobile, helmet, and area e-guide, but pay the remaining balance on site.

“Quite sure I was one of the first ones on the snowmobile for this season In Pamporovo. And it was truly amazing. Very enjoyable, nice guides, excellent and prepared snowmobiles. I shall come back again for sure!”

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