Things to do in Blagoevgrad Province

Depart Sofia in the morning and travel by shuttle bus with a friendly English-speaking driver. Journey in air-conditioned comfort to Panichishte in the beautiful Rila National Park. Get briefed on arrival by your driver, who will tell you the different options and routes you can take up the mountain. Ride the chairlift to the 7 Rila Lakes, where you will get 5 hours of free time to go on some amazing nature walks independently to experience the glacial lakes from different perspectives. Board the shuttle bus at the agreed meeting point and relax on the 2-hour drive to Rila Monastery in a deep valley of the Rilska River. Founded in the 10th century, the monastery complex is regarded as one of Bulgaria's most important cultural and historical monuments. Get 1.5 hours to explore the largest Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria at your own pace. Then, return to Sofia in the evening and get dropped off at the meeting point.

Enjoy a full-day trek into the Rila Mountains to explore the most picturesque area near Sofia and one of Bulgaria's most beautiful natural sites, the Seven Rila Lakes. Take your chance to explore the Blue Pearls of the Rila Mountains, and the Seven Rila Lakes the local tour operator, Traventuria, which was awarded a “Business Which Supports Biodiversity” certification by the Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation for its “Tours with a Cause” initiative. IMPORTANT: The Rila Lakes are a ski area between December-May. Snow, mud, and puddles will cover the area until mid-June at least and all routes are very slippery. → The tour requires high level of fitness → The lakes are currently covered in snow and will NOT be experienced → Varied terrain and demanding conditions → Adequate equipment is a MUST: • Waterproof, warm, and non-slipping trekking shoes are required • Waterproof clothing • Warm layers beneath the jacket • Hat and gloves → Previous trekking experience along snow paths is an advantage → People vary a lot in their judgement of physical form. Some people will find the tempo slow, others nearly impossible to follow. IMPORTANT: Traventuria will carry out the tour 99.99% of the cases, regardless of the weather. However bad weather (Strong winds, heavy rainfall) may affect the availability of the lift. Without the lift the total walking distance will exceed 17 km. (~7 hours) and the altitude gain is 1000+m/3300ft in each direction. In result (depending on the overall fitness level of the group) the number of lakes visited will be cut short. About the lakes: This group of glacial lakes lies between 6,900 and 8,200 feet (2,100 and 2,500 meters) above sea level, surrounded by rugged peaks and deep valleys. Leaving Sofia, you will drive for 90 minutes to reach the Panichishte resort area, where you board the chairlift to the Rila Lakes mountain hut. From here, continue on foot to explore the landscape and its majestic blue pearls – the Eye, the Tear, the Kidney, the Twins, the Trefoil, the Fish Lake, and the Lower Lake.

This full-day trip begins with a 2-hour drive from Sofia to Plovdiv, one of Europe’s oldest towns. On a guided walking tour, discover the history and culture of this 8,000-year old city that was settled by Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and Bulgarian civilizations. See the sights of the old town, including museums, historical monuments and revival period houses lining the cobbled streets. Explore the Ethnographical Museum and the impressive Roman Theater. An English-speaking guide will accompany the group throughout the day and will point out the most interesting architectural and cultural treasures of the region and provide commentary on modern life in Bulgaria. The tour is offered as well with ONLINE, cloud-based audioguide in different languages (EN, ES, IT, FR, DE, RU). INTERNET required to download and use. The local tour operator, Traventuria, was awarded a “Business Which Supports Biodiversity” certification by the Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation for its “Tours with a Cause” initiative.

After years of providing customized tours for our clients, we have designed an amazing tour, giving you the chance of visiting the sanctuary of Balkan culture, history, religion, and spirit - Rilski Manastir ( Rila Monastery ) and be able to feel the healing powers of Bulgaria's mineral springs, close to the only Gaiser on the Balkans within a day from Sofia and water heated by the Earth's core, popping out to 103 above ground. Famous since Roman times, Bulgaria is known for its rejuvenating mineral waters. On this day trip, combine a visit to the best mineral water baths, open all-year-round, with visit of Rila Monastery. Your day starts with a pick-up near Serdika, easily reachable by all public transport in Sofia and within a 15-minute walk from all centrally based accommodations. Visit one of the Unesco sites in Bulgaria, a monastery established by the first Bulgarian Hermit, A Miracle Worker, The Spiritual Protector of the Balkans- Ioan Rilski. After having some time of your own, to admire the beauty of the almost 200-year-old frescoes, presented like a comic book by some of that time's best painters like Zahary Zograf, Stanislav Dospevski, together with the beauty of Rila Mountain, we move on. The best way to be able to experience a country is to try local food. Several options are available, depending on group size and food preferences. And we head for the Spa. Just an hour or so away is our next destination- Sapareva Banya - the hot water in an outdoor complex with several pool areas, hydro jets, jacuzzi a wet bar all year long. After soaking in the mineral waters good for skin, bone, and heart, we head back to Sofia.

The Rila Monastery, also called the Treasury of Bulgaria, is located in the Rila mountains between the Drushlyavitsa and Rilska rivers. It was founded in the first half of the 10th century by St. Ivan Rilski, the spiritual protector of the Bulgarian people. The monastery is a cradle and a keeper of the Bulgarian spirit and national identity. Rila Monastery is the most important spiritual and literary center of the Bulgarian national revival, with an uninterrupted history from the Middle Ages until the present time. Explore the Rila monastery with us and let our expert guides lead you through this historic journey back in time. After the guided tour, you can enjoy some free time to explore the monastic complex at your own pace. Visit the museum to deepen your understanding or browse the nearby shops for souvenir icons and other items. When you're ready for a break, savor a meal at one of the local bakeries, where you can try traditional Bulgarian dishes like MEKITSI - a delicious deep-fried dough made with yogurt. * The minimum age for this tour is 6 years old * If you are travelling with a child, please contact us to arrange a child seat (as required by law)

Your tour will start at 08:30 AM from Serdika meeting point (Knyagina Maria Luisa Blvd 2). After a 2-hour drive, you will reach the gorge where your activity will begin. You will have a safety briefing by your professional instructor, before receiving your equipment and final instructions before the action begins. Your rafting activity will take approximately an hour and a half, and a vehicle will wait for you at the end of it to transport you back to the base where you will return the equipment and dress up. If your appetite has increased throughout the adrenaline rush, you will have the option to have lunch nearby. After the rafting activity, embark on a one-hour road trip to Rila Monastery for a self-guided visit with a personal audio guide in English, Spanish, Italian, Russian, and German. At the conclusion of your activity, you will be returned to Sofia.

Start your day of adventure by arriving at the meeting location at your selected time slot. Upon arrival, enjoy a pleasant meet and greet with the local staff who will direct you to your driver. After a scenic, 15-minute drive to the nearby small town of Dobrinishte, you'll arrive at the horse ranch where you'll meet your instructor for this experience. Whether you are a complete beginner or a seasoned pro, this tour is perfect for you. For beginners, you'll learn the basics of horse riding and ride in a closed field. If you are more experienced at horse riding, you can explore the countryside with your instructor. When you complete the activity, you'll be driven back to Bansko and returned safely to the original starting location. The local tour operator, Traventuria, was awarded a “Business Which Supports Biodiversity” certification by the Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation for its “Tours with a Cause” initiative.

Explore with a top-quality ATV or buggy and a qualified guide. Uncover an amazing rout to suit all ages levels and group sizes. All tours are private and bespoke to you and the needs your family and friends needs. All safety equipment supplied is held to the highest standards. Start with a safety briefing to ensure you are confident. Daytime and sunset tours available. Get free photos and videos of your adventure.

- private quick, safe and 100% reliable transfer service - door-to-door transfer to or from your hotel in Bansko ski resort or the surrounding area - if you land at Sofia Airport, our driver will meet you with a sign with your name and take you directly to your destination address - if you book your return transfer, our driver will wait for you in front of your hotel or address in Bansko for a direct transfer to the Airport - no waiting, no additional payment - plenty of room for your ski equipment (please request) - free child/infant seats (please request) - 24/7 English speaking customer service - fully licensed and bonded company

What to experience the breathtaking natural beauty of the Seven Rila Lakes in an inexpensive way?!? PrivaTour offers you a low cost transfer from Sofia! Our eco-friendly electric vehicles will take you on a scenic journey through the Rila Mountains, offering stunning views and a sustainable travel experience. Your adventure begins with a pick-up from national stadium Vasil Levski in Sofia. From there, we'll embark on a comfortable ride to the Rila Mountains, where the Seven Rila Lakes await. These glacial lakes, situated between 2,100 and 2,500 meters above sea level, are renowned for their crystal-clear waters and stunning alpine scenery. Departure from Sofia at 8:00 a.m. . Travel in the direction of Sapareva Banya – Panichishte – h. Pionerska. Ascent by lift to h. Rila Lakes. Once the group departs from the starting point, you'll reach the Panichiste lift. He, you'll pay for the chair lift ticket - 30 BGN. Return back to Sofia: 17:00 p.m. Total transfer time: 3-3,30hrs Walking time: 4-5 hrs (hiking time only; moderate difficulty) During the tour, you'll have the opportunity to hike around the lakes, taking in the breathtaking vistas and fresh mountain air. As you explore the lakes, you'll discover each one's unique characteristics and names, which reflect their shapes and features. From the serene waters of the Lower Lake to the rugged cliffs surrounding the Eye Lake, every lake offers its own beauty and charm. Throughout the tour, we prioritize sustainable travel practices, minimizing our environmental impact while maximizing your enjoyment. After a day of hiking and exploration, you'll return to Sofia, filled with memories of the stunning Seven Rila Lakes and the eco-friendly adventure you've experienced with PrivaTour. Join us on this unforgettable journey into the heart of Bulgaria's natural wonders. Best period: mid-June – mid-September (possible until mid-November and also in May – contact us for details on weather conditions and lift working time).