Looming over the city like a threat is Mount Vitosha, which at around 2300m tall is one of the highest mountains in the country, and a sight that dominates the city completely.
During the winter, there are several good value ski resorts on the mountain including Aleko on the northern slopes, which is close enough to the city centre to make Sofia a great place from which to enjoy a skiing holiday between December and late spring. In summer, the cooling breeze on the mountain makes it a wonderful escape from the humidity of the city centre, and on weekends, it is as though the whole city has decamped to the mountain, making it a great place to meet people and relax.
Although not the hardest climb that people are ever likely to attempt, Mount Vitosha still requires some effort to get to the top of, unless you use the convenient chair lift, which incidentally offers some of the most awe inspiring views you are ever likely to see
