I’m not sure why, but old monasteries attract me so much. So, I quite often visit some monasteries around Sofia and in the province in my trips. And that is not so hard. Around Sofia, near to go for one day and with public transport have 38 monasteries. Half of them are famous as a group – Sofia Holy mount Minor – as monasteries in Mount Athos, but not so impressive (now). In medieval times the center of this group was Bistritsa village, now you may see new church St. George on the spot, and still from XI-XIV c. Dragalevski monastery, Boyana church, and Kremikovski monastery.

And in Sofia Province, things are better – there are 100 monasteries and more 30 medieval churches and ruins.
 
 
/Eleshnishki and Buhovski monasteries up, Balsha medieval church and Kurilo monastery down/

Here a blog logs about the walk to Monasteries in Nishava river, west from Sofia. And with a bike to monasteries North from Sofia – BG blog