If you want to escape the pace of the city you can go to Mount Vitosha, whose peak is visible from multiple spots in the city. Here you can enjoy a hike through the forested slopes or rocky peaks, and even go rock climbing if active pursuits are a thing for you.

Boyana Church is the oldest Orthodox church in Sofia. This medieval construction, set in a green area at the foot of the mountains, was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites due to its renaissance-style frescoes. In the church you can see 89 scenes with 240 human images.

A different way to discover what the city has to offer in terms of culinary delights, a food tour is good for those looking to discover some under-the-radar family-run restaurants and sample some incredible local cuisine. One company that offers such tours is Balkan Bites:

Taking its name from the Busan International Film Festival, BIFF is certainly at its liveliest during this esteemed annual event, but remains a happening place throughout the rest of the year. It's best known for the street food stalls dotting the area and the 400+ metre-long street itself, with a plethora of Korean specialities cooked up by the skilled vendors (look for Gwangbokdong Food Street for the biggest selection). Our top pick among those would have to be the ubiquitous 'hotteok' pancakes stuffed with a sweet mix of crushed seeds and brown sugar. Nampo-dong is the greater area around the street itself, packed with a dizzying array of restaurants, shops, cafes, movie theatres, and more. Evening is the best time to come.