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  • Explore Kyustendil Province
  • Places to see
  • Things to do
  • Top sights
  • Outside Kyustendil Province

Rila Monastery

Seven Rila Lakes

Vitosha

Lake Pancharevo

The Cave of St. Ivan Rilski

Nearby destinations

Attica tours

Sud-Muntenia Region tours

Transylvania tours

Brașov County tours

Dubrovnik–Neretva County tours

Tirana District tours

Sofia Province tours

Nearby sights

Acropolis of AthensAttraction in Athens, Greece

ErechtheionAttraction in Athens, Greece

ParthenonAttraction in Athens, Greece

Temple of Olympian Zeus, AthensAttraction in Athens, Greece

Bay of KotorAttraction in Kotor Municipality, Montenegro

Panathenaic StadiumAttraction in Athens, Greece

  • Top experiences

Hiking

Bus & minivan tours

From Sofia: The Seven Rila Lakes & Rila Monastery Day Tour

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5
449 reviews
Activity provider:
Traventuria Ltd.
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From Sofia: The Seven Rila Lakes & Rila Monastery Day Tour
4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5
449 reviews

Be enchanted by the allure of the 7 Rila Lakes and the Rila Monastery (when available/the option is selected) on this unforgettable tour. Explore the natural wonders of the Rila Mountains on a guided hike.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Duration 12 hours
Check availability to see starting times
Live tour guide
Spanish, English, Bulgarian
Optional audio guide
English, French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish
Small group available

Highlighted reviews from other travelers

5
5 out of 5 stars
S
Subhasish – Germany

The place is wonderful, both Monastery and the Rila lakes hiking. Our guide was a very nice and friendly guy. I’m happy with the trip.

5
5 out of 5 stars
I
Ilze – France

Thank you, Maya, for the safe tour around Rila. *** I went self-guided, at a faster pace and managed to reach the peak for the amazing scenery. It’s a great tour package to grasp Bulgarian mountains and the remarkable monastery. Otherwise: Neat van. Great assistance on clarifying any questions.

Select participants and date

Participants

Itinerary

  • Starting location:

    La Cattedrale

  • Bus/coach

    (2 hours)

  • Seven Rila Lakes

    Guided tour, Hiking (5 hours)

  • Bus/coach

    (1.5 hours)

    Rila Monastery

    Guided tour, Sightseeing (1.5 hours)

    Optional
  • Bus/coach

    (2 hours)

  • Arrive back at:

    La Cattedrale

Main stop

For reference only. Itineraries are subject to change.

Highlights

  • Get breathtaking views during a morning trek of the 7 Rila Lakes
  • See the pearls of the Rila lakes -The Fish Lake, The Twins, and The Trefoil
  • Learn more about Bulgaria's history and architecture with a professional guide
  • Enjoy a ride on an open-air lift up to the hut (the beginning of the trail)
  • Explore Bulgarian nature with a professional mountain guide on your side

Full description

This full-day tour is designed for active people wishing to combine a trek to natural wonders, with a tour of the most visited tourist attraction in Bulgaria, the magnificent Rila Monastery (when available/the option is selected).

Departing Sofia, you will head for the Rila Mountains, where you will enjoy a moderate hike through what is arguably the most distinguished area in the mountains, the 7 Rila Lakes. After a transfer of approximately 90 minutes, you will reach the region of Panichishte, where you will board a chair lift to the Rila Lakes hut.

Consisting of a group of glacial lakes, the 7 Rila Lakes are located at an altitude of between 6,900 feet (2,100 meters) and 8,200 feet (2,500 meters) above sea level. Surrounded by rugged peaks and deep valleys, you will see spectacular views as you walk through its pearls, such as The Eye, The Tear, The Kidney, The Twins, The Trefoil, The Fish Lake, and The Lower Lake.

The route can be adjusted on the spot, following more gentle or steeper paths, depending on your fitness levels. Having visited all of the lakes, continue by car for approximately 90 minutes to Rila Monastery, the biggest and most important symbol of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

Behind the 65-foot (20-meter) walls lie impressive monastery buildings, including a church and a chapel with valuable murals. The monastery's most treasured historic and artistic monuments include the 14th-Century Hrelyo Tower, the 5th-domed Birth of the Blessed Virgin Church, and the original monastery kitchen from the 19th century.

You will also explore the monastery’s rich museum, containing a valuable collection of old manuscripts and documents, charters and icons, an ethnographic exhibition of fabrics, jewelry, carpets, and wrought iron objects, and a library containing more than 16,000 books.

The tour is offered as well with an ONLINE, cloud-based audioguide in different languages - English, Spanish, Italian, German, French, and English. 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.

Includes

  • Trek in the Rila Mountains
  • Transport by air-conditioned minivan
  • English-speaking guide (if the guided option is booked)
  • Return chairlift tickets 30 BGN/€15, to be paid on the spot in cash
  • Entrance fees (Rila Monastery museum - 8 BGN/€4)
  • Food and drinks
  • Tips (optional)
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

Not suitable for

  • Children under 12 years
  • Pregnant women
  • Wheelchair users
  • People afraid of heights
  • People with altitude sickness
  • People with low level of fitness

Meeting point

Behind Alexander Nevski Cathedral, in front of the restaurant La Cattedrale, ul. "Oborishte" 1А, 1504 Sofia Center, Sofia, Bulgaria. Please arrive 15 minutes before the activity starts.

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Important information

What to bring

  • Comfortable shoes

Not allowed

  • Shorts
  • Short skirts
  • Sleeveless shirts
  • Alcohol and drugs
  • Slippers
  • Swimming
  • See-through clothing

Know before you go

  • Important: on some dates only the shorter version of the tour (without the monastery) is available.
Save up to 50%

From $104 $52 per person

Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today
Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.5 /5
4.5 out of 5 stars

based on 449 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.7/5
  • Transportation
    4.7/5
  • Value for money
    4.5/5

Customer photos

+132
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5
5 out of 5 stars
S
Subhasish – GermanyJuly 13, 2025 – Verified booking
The place is wonderful, both Monastery and the Rila lakes hiking. Our guide was a very nice and friendly guy. I’m happy with the trip.
5
5 out of 5 stars
I
Ilze – FranceJuly 10, 2025 – Verified booking
Thank you, Maya, for the safe tour around Rila. *** I went self-guided, at a faster pace and managed to reach the peak for the amazing scenery. It’s a great tour package to grasp Bulgarian mountains and the remarkable monastery. Otherwise: Neat van. Great assistance on clarifying any questions.
5
5 out of 5 stars
S
Sandie – MaltaJuly 2, 2025 – Verified booking
The first part of the climb to the Rila Lakes is quite steep.. but don’t give up as the rest of the trail is not so difficult and the view is so beautiful! An outing that I will never forget. Thanks to our excellent guide who was attentive and made the tour very enjoyable .

Product ID: 6215

Activity provider:
Traventuria Ltd.
  • Bulgaria
  • Kyustendil Province
  • Seven Rila Lakes

Top Attractions in Kyustendil Province

  • 1Rila Monastery
  • 2Seven Rila Lakes
  • 3Vitosha
  • 4Lake Pancharevo
  • 5The Cave of St. Ivan Rilski

Experiences in Kyustendil Province

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  • 2Kyustendil Province Day trips
  • 3Kyustendil Province Wellness & spas
  • 4Kyustendil Province Nature & adventure

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