Product photo
Product photo
Product photo
Product photo
Product photo
Product photo
/ Person
Select date and participants
At least one participant is required. Please adjust and try again.

Rila Monastery and 7 Rila Lakes Self-Guided Shared Trip from Sofia

4.5 (138)
Sofia, BG
Share

Rila Monastery and 7 Rila Lakes Self-Guided Shared Trip from Sofia

4.5 (138)
Sofia, BG
Share
Please wait, fetching options!
Experience the breathtaking beauty of Bulgaria's natural and cultural gems with the Rila Monastery and 7 Rila Lakes Self-Guided Shared Trip from Sofia. Embark on a thrilling adventure as you explore the stunning 7 Rila Lakes area, surrounded by majestic mountains and crystal clear waters. Take in the mesmerizing views at your own pace and immerse yourself in the tranquility of nature. In the afternoon, discover the UNESCO World Heritage site, Rila Monastery, known for its magnificent architecture and religious significance. Marvel at the intricately decorated frescoes and soak up the rich history of this ancient monastery. With over 5 hours to explore the lakes and more than 1 hour to roam the monastery, this self-guided tour allows you to truly immerse yourself in the beauty of Bulgaria. Book now and embark on an unforgettable journey through Bulgaria's natural and cultural wonders.

About this experience

  • Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
  • Admission Included
  • 13 hours
  • Suitable for 1-15 Participants
  • Self Guided Experience
  • Stunning morning views of Sofia's main landmark
  • Admire the beautiful Seven Rila Lakes
  • Admire the biggest Christian Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria
  • Travel with ease to the Rila mountains from Sofia
  • Enjoy the beauty of the Rila Mountain in Bulgaria
  • Driver
  • Round-trip shared transfer
  • Transport by air-conditioned minivan
  • Gratuities
  • Entrance fees - Rila Lakes chairlift ticket (25 BGN per person, two-way)
  • Food and drinks
  • Guide services

Popular Hotels Closeby

More about this experience

Introduction

Experience the breathtaking beauty of Bulgaria's natural and cultural wonders with the Rila Monastery and 7 Rila Lakes Self-Guided Shared Trip from Sofia. This unique tour combines the tranquility of the Rila Lakes area with the rich history and architectural marvels of the Rila Monastery, making it a must-do for nature lovers and history enthusiasts alike.

What to expect?

Embark on a self-guided adventure through the stunning Rila Lakes area, where you'll have over 5 hours to explore its picturesque landscapes and crystal-clear lakes. Take a chair-lift up the mountain for panoramic views and immerse yourself in the peaceful ambiance of this natural paradise. In the afternoon, the shared shuttle will transport you to the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery, where you'll have more than 1 hour to discover its magnificent frescoes, ancient relics, and serene courtyards.

Who is this for?

The Rila Monastery and 7 Rila Lakes Self-Guided Shared Trip is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a unique hiking experience amidst awe-inspiring scenery. It's also ideal for history buffs who wish to delve into Bulgaria's cultural heritage and explore one of the country's most iconic landmarks. Whether you're a solo traveler, a couple, or a group of friends, this tour caters to all ages and fitness levels, ensuring an unforgettable adventure for everyone.

Why book this?

By booking this tour, you'll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty of the Rila Lakes and witness the grandeur of the Rila Monastery, all while enjoying the convenience of a shared shuttle service. With a knowledgeable driver and comfortable air-conditioned minivan, you can relax and focus on the experience without worrying about transportation logistics. This self-guided trip allows you to explore at your own pace and spend quality time in the places that captivate you the most.

Good to know

Please note that entrance fees for the Rila Lakes chairlift are not included in the tour price. Additionally, food and drinks, guide services, and gratuities are also not covered. It is recommended to bring comfortable walking shoes, a camera to capture the stunning scenery, and some snacks and water for the journey. The meeting point for the tour is at Knyaz Aleksander I square in Sofia, where you'll easily spot the Rila Shuttle vehicle. The nearest metro station is Serdika, making it convenient for travelers to reach the starting point.

Reviews

Travelers who have embarked on the Rila Monastery and 7 Rila Lakes Self-Guided Shared Trip rave about the breathtaking beauty of the Rila Lakes and the serene atmosphere of the Rila Monastery. They praise the convenience of the shared shuttle service and appreciate the freedom to explore at their own pace. Visitors are captivated by the stunning landscapes, the rich history of the monastery, and the friendly and knowledgeable driver who adds an extra layer of insight to the journey. Overall, the reviews reflect a high level of satisfaction and a desire to revisit these remarkable destinations.

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

St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral

Enjoy stunning morning views of Sofia's main landmark

Seven Rila Lakes

Admire the beautiful Seven Rila Lakes at your own pace

Rila Monastery

Admire the biggest Christian Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria

Rila Shuttle

Travel with ease to the Rila mountains from Sofia on the Rila Shuttle

Admission Included

Rila Mountains

Enjoy the beauty of the Rila Mountain in Bulgaria

Rila National Park

Spend your day at Bulgaria's most beautiful mountain

Reviews

(138)

4.5 (138)

X6645WDsannev

It was a long day, but absolutely worth it! Both the lakes and the monastery were amazing😍! Also, we had enough time to thoroughly explore.

kaoh517

Worth doing the 7 Rila Lakes + monastery in one day. It'll be a long day but it's worth every second. No need for previous hiking experience, although moderate fitness is required to make the most the day.

Jennifer_B

I enjoyed hiking up to 7 Rila Lakes. I was slow and took many stops and I had just enough time to make it to the top and back down before we had to leave. However, I was disappointed with the Rila Monastery portion of the trip. We got there on time and we had an hour before they closed but the only thing that was open was the sanctuary. All the other portions were closed like the kitchen, museum. Basically all we could do was walk around. One good point I found a snack bar and they made homemade donuts fresh right out of the fryer so they were hot and I sprinkled powdered sugar on them and they were amazing. If I had to do it over I would have gone on a cheaper tour that had a longer time at the Rila Lakes and I would have done a separate tour to the monastery.

C5077KKautumns

We had an amazing day on Sunday. Whilst the tour is self guided, Philip gave us plenty of information on the coach trip - both history and practical tips for the hike. The driver was also amazing, dropping us off and picking us up right by the ski lift (though I think we were very lucky!) We were very fortunate with the weather and managed to do the whole loop at the lakes and see all 7 (even with my 10 year old sister). Sun hat is a must and good shoes but as the weather was so nice we were fine in comfy trainers. The route has some steep inclines but good paths and plenty of flatter areas too. We hiked as a family, but I noticed a few of the solo travellers ending up hiking together too. One downside - when you arrive at the Monastery, the museum is closed and the little shops outside were also starting to close. Not a huge issue as the grounds and church were still open and amazing, and the plus is that it's a lot less busy by the time we arrived - for us the lakes were the real highlight but if you are going for the Monastery particularly something to bear in mind. Overall a fantastic trip which I would 100% recommend.

claudiadB7453ZZ

Amazing trip, very well organised so that we had the chance to do an hiking tour of the 7 lakes (4 hours) and visit the monastery. Both places are worth a visit!

Sherpa67122521667

The trip has been very well organized, the 7 lakes were amazing and I really suggest the hiking. Rila Monastery is a beautiful building of great importance for Bulgarian history and religion. I enjoyed very much this experience and I would recommend it to everyone!

Y3757TProberts

Philip was an amazing and personable host. The tour was well managed to make the most of the daylight hours. Philip provided helpful and thoughtful guidance during the self-guided tour and was quick to respond to questions.

Nikelevra12

Just wow. Hike was incredible. Monestary was amazing but lakes were definitely the highlight. Driver was great and Philip the guide was awesome - informative, friendly & punctual. I loved this trip. Highly highly recommend

sorriso2018

Very nice tour guide, smiling, being helpful and warmhearted all the time. Greatly organised, it was an amazing day.

FarAway788430

Really well organised excellent communication throughout the day, a WhatsApp group was created along with physical maps and itinerary. You definitely need cash, because the card machine for the chair lift doesn't always work. There is also a cafe where you can get hot food depending on if you have time, we had our packed lunch. Would recommend trying the bread you can buy at the bakery next to the monastery.
Collected by Evendo, Tripadvisor & Viator
2024-04-24 07:51