Things to do in Kyustendil

Travel in comfort as you visit several Bulgarian landmarks like the Rila Monastery and the Cave of Saint Ivan Rilski in the company of a guide. See one of Bulgaria's UNESCO World Heritage Sites, enjoy a delicious bite to eat, and learn about each location through the use of an audio guide. Important: During the winter months, the trail to St. Ivan's Cave in Rila Monastery Nature Park may become inaccessible due to heavy snowfall, as it is not maintained in severe weather conditions. Additionally, the road leading to the area can pose safety risks, making visits impossible on certain days. 9:00 AM - Depart from Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Square (back side of the cathedral), and relax on a 3-hour drive to the Rila Monastery in the Rila Mountains. At noon arrive at the Rila Monastery. 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM - Enjoy a guided walk at the Rila Monastery. Admire the arcaded balconies, and discover unique frescoes by one of the most famous painters of the Bulgarian National Revival period. See the gilded iconostasis and enjoy the fabulous mountain views. Hear the story of the monastery from your guide before enjoying some time to explore the monastic complex on your own. Learn more at the museum, or purchase souvenir icons and other items in the nearby shops. 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM - Take some free time to have lunch at one of the restaurants around the monastery, where you could taste local dishes such as mekitsi (a traditional Bulgarian dish of kneaded dough made with yoghurt that is deep-fried) or some grilled trout. Please kindly note that on some dates the free time at the Rila Monastery may be shorter due to traffic, group size, or complementary stop at Boyana church. 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM - Visit the Cave of Saint Ivan Rilski - one of the most sacred places in Bulgaria. Pass through the tunnel of St. Ivan Rilski. Drink some water from the holy spring which is believed to never freeze. 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM - Head back to Sofia and arrive at Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Square around 5:00 PM 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.

With this day trip, you will be able to visit the Rila Monastery - UNESCO World Heritage sites. Learn its old history and legends as your guide's commentary takes you back into time. This shuttle-group tour departs at 9.00 in the morning from Alexander Nevsky square, behind the Cathedral. The traveling time to the Rila Monastery is 2 hours. There, you will witness the unique architecture and paintings, while learning all about the stories behind them. The duration of the guided tour at the Monastery is about 40 minutes. After this, you will have about 3.0 hours of free time. You'll be able to visit the local museum, take photos, eat at the bakeries around the Monastery, or enjoy a quiet walk by yourself. At about 14:00 you will depart back to Sofia, with the duration of the traveling time on the way back being 2 hours again.

Very unique experience to stay overnight in Rila Monastery and touch the spiritual life of this sacred place! If you interested in this very special opportunity, please send us an enquiry and we'll arrange everything for you, including a private transport if you need such. Keep in mind you have to travel from Sofia to the monastery in Rila, which take around 3,5 hours by bus and 2,5 hours by car! The Cave of St. Ivan Rilski is a sacred place to visit and its only a very nice walk away - 3,4 km! PLEASE PLAN YOUR TRIP AT LEAST A WEEK IN ADVANCE AND DON'T DO LAST MINUTE RESERVATIONS TO AVOID ISSUES AND PROBLEMS!

Try LOCAL DISHES and experience traditional Bulgarian cuisine !!! One day tour included Kystendil town ,Hisarlaka Fortress and Sequoia park. Tour start 0900 am from Sofia around 1 hour and 30 min drive away to Kystendil town one of oldest Bulgarian cities.The THRACIANS settled in the region in the 5th century B.C.Roman baths located in the central part of the town,next to the Ahmed Bey Mosque.The baths were built in the 2nd/3rd centuries and are part of large complex around 3000 m2 been discovered 1000m2. Fortress is an ancientand medieval fortress originally constucted by Romans around 400 AD . Visit Sequoia parк trees whit natural science.