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Rila Monastery & Thermae Full-Day Tour from Sofia

4.8 (7)
Sofia, BG
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Rila Monastery & Thermae Full-Day Tour from Sofia

4.8 (7)
Sofia, BG
Share
Experience the best of Bulgaria's natural and cultural wonders with the Rila Monastery & Thermae Full-Day Tour from Sofia. Discover the healing powers of the country's mineral springs as you visit the only geyser on the Balkans. Be amazed as hot water, heated by the Earth's core, pops out to 103 degrees above ground. Then, explore the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria, the Rila Monastery. Marvel at its rich history, impressive architecture, and national significance. Finally, indulge in relaxation at the Kotvata Thermal Spa Complex in Sapareva Banya. Enjoy the rejuvenating hot mineral water in the indoor and outdoor pools, and unwind with a refreshing beer. With this tour, you'll experience the best of Bulgaria's natural landscapes and cultural heritage in a single day. Don't miss your chance to explore these extraordinary destinations.

About this experience

  • Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
  • 8 hours
  • Suitable for 1-15 Participants
  • Small Group Tour
  • Guided Experience & Audio Guided
  • Experience the unique 100C geyser
  • Relax and recover in the excellent hot mineral water pools of Kotvata Thermal Spa Complex
  • Enjoy the healing powers of Bulgaria's mineral springs
  • Discover the impressive masterpieces of Bulgarian National Revival architecture
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • English speaking driver or guide
  • Audio Guides
  • All fees and taxes
  • Food and drinks, unless specified

Popular Hotels Closeby

More about this experience

Introduction:

Discover the captivating beauty of Bulgaria with the Rila Monastery & Thermae Full-Day Tour from Sofia. Immerse yourself in the healing powers of Bulgaria's mineral springs, located close to the only Gaiser on the Balkans. This one-day tour offers a unique opportunity to experience the natural wonders and cultural treasures of this enchanting country.

What to expect?

During this tour, you can anticipate a day filled with exploration and relaxation. Begin your journey with a visit to the Rila Monastery, the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. Marvel at its stunning architecture and rich history as you explore its intricate frescoes and serene courtyards. Afterward, indulge in the therapeutic benefits of the Thermae, where you can enjoy the rejuvenating effects of the mineral-rich waters. Immerse yourself in the warm embrace of the Earth's core-heated water, which reaches an inviting 103 degrees above ground. Allow the soothing waters to melt away your stress and leave you feeling refreshed and revitalized.

Who is this for?

This tour is perfect for anyone seeking a unique and memorable experience in Bulgaria. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a nature lover, or simply in need of relaxation, this tour offers something for everyone. From solo travelers to couples and families, this inclusive tour welcomes all who are curious to explore the wonders of Bulgaria.

Why book this?

Embarking on the Rila Monastery & Thermae Full-Day Tour from Sofia grants you the opportunity to witness the architectural marvels of the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of Bulgaria as you admire the intricate frescoes and tranquil atmosphere of this centuries-old monastery. Additionally, the Thermae experience provides a unique opportunity to indulge in the healing powers of Bulgaria's mineral springs. The warm waters, heated by the Earth's core, offer a rejuvenating and relaxing experience that will leave you feeling restored and invigorated.

Good to know:

It is important to note that food and drinks are not included in the tour unless specified. Therefore, it is recommended to bring your own snacks or enjoy a meal at one of the local eateries along the way. The tour departs from Serdika meeting point at 9:00 AM, so make sure to arrive at least 5 minutes earlier and look for the V Travel branded vehicle. Comfortable clothing and footwear are advised for this day of exploration and relaxation.

Reviews:

Travelers who have embarked on the Rila Monastery & Thermae Full-Day Tour from Sofia have praised the tour for its seamless organization, knowledgeable guides, and breathtaking sights. They were captivated by the beauty of the Rila Monastery and found the Thermae experience to be incredibly relaxing and rejuvenating. Overall, customers expressed their satisfaction with the tour and highly recommended it to others seeking a unique and memorable experience in Bulgaria.

How long before the event do I need to book?

  • You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

  • Mobile

Is an adult required for the booking?

  • At least one adult or senior required per booking

Your Itinerary

Rila Monastery

Rila Monastery -The Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila, better known as the Rila Monastery is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. Founded in the 10th century, the Rila Monastery is regarded as one of Bulgaria's most important cultural, historical and architectural monuments and is a must-visit tourist attraction for both Bulgarians and foreign visitors. It was built at its present place in the 14th century. The oldest buildings in the complex date from this period - the Tower of Hrelyu (1334–1335) and a small church just next to it (1343). However, the arrival of the Ottomans in the end of the 14th century was followed by numerous raids and a destruction of the monastery in the middle of the 15th century. The monastery complex, regarded as one of the most impressive masterpieces of Bulgarian National Revival architecture, was declared a national historical monument in 1976 and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.

Geyser

The 100C geyser is unique of its kind.

Sapareva Banya

Kotvata Thermal Spa Complex offers excellent hot mineral water in many outside and inside pools. Relax, recover and enjoy a beer, no matter winter or summer.

Reviews

(7)

4.8 (7)

pipg2013

We had a great day out entertained by our guide Philip who was most knowledgeable about Bulgarian history and he also Had a great sense of humour. Philip - don’t forget the philosophy of St John who got to know himself in the cave.

Minerva_S

Wonderful monastery , rich in history . Memorable place in the mountains . Nice time in thermal waterpiol. Guided by Georgi , verry good guide , who made our day perfect.

meganhQ1286QJ

Definitely recommend this day trip. Our tour guide Ivan was brilliant and made the day great. First stop on our tour was the Rila Monastery. Ivan pointed us in the direction of all the different bits we could see whilst here and gave us some information about the monastery before leaving us to explore. It's worth knowing that because this is a working monastery you need to be dressed appropriately. Shoulders must be covered and if wearing shorts/skirt/dress your knees must be covered. I wore shorts but brought a pair of leggings to wear on this part of the trip. After this we stopped off for some lunch at a traditional Bulgarian restaurant. My friend and I just had a drink but the location of this place is lovely. The other couple on the trip said the food was lovely too. After this, we went on to see the Geyser and to the thermal spa pools. Again, Ivan was really informative about the area and it's geography. When we got to the pools it was busy and they had stopped letting people in. We had to wait a little while but this wasn't a problem and Ivan was kind enough to allow us more time there to allow for the delay, meaning we didn't miss out at all. There's changing and shower facilities plus bars serving drinks, food and cocktails. You'll need money for entry, for any snacks/drinks and as a deposit for lockers/towels/robes. It was really nice to spend some downtime hear and enjoyed all the different temperatures of the pools. Big thanks to Ivan for making it a great day!

B2875RJpieterv

The tour was really nice and our tour guide was the best tour guide we ever had. We didn't know the price of the Thermal baths was not included in the price of the tour, so we had to buy these tickets for an extra 40 lev (€20) per person.

Maria M

We have booked this tour and I can say that we were left speechless with all the beauty of the place. However luckily we were with Alex and he was more than helpful. He is very knowledgeable about the History and the place itself and different villages. Alex explained everything into detail and he was also acting as a translator for us as the villagers do not speak in English. Unfortunately Magdalena wasn’t available however Alex went out of his way to make the most of our tour and took us to different locations and local restaurant. We asked him to choose food from the menu for us and we weren’t disappointed at all. I would highly recommend to ask for Alex when booking for a tour as he’s so good at what he does and he takes his job so seriously that he goes out of his way to accommodate the tourist. Also, the company should consider to also add tours to the villages rather than touristic areas only and most of the beauty of the place is found there.

Keith_C

<p>Although this tour may not appeal to everyone, we found it to be informative and very interesting. We firstly visited the Krakra fortress remains and our guide, who was very interested in archaeology, was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the history of the same. We then visited a very authentic coal mining museum in Pernik, which gave us an idea of the underground working conditions of the miners....once again, our guide was excellent on this subject. Finally, we had an authentic Bulgarian lunch in a remote village, at a house belonging to Magdalena. She was very hospitable and provided large amounts of delicious food. All in all, we found this trip to be good value for money....it is ideal for travellers who are interested in the culture/history of a country.</p>

Sophie_V

Le guide était sympathique et nous a bien expliqué l’ histoire du monastère de rila et très belle expérience aux thermes
Collected by Evendo, Tripadvisor & Viator
2024-04-25 13:32
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