Seven Rila Lakes + Rila Monastery Day Trip from Sofia

This visit was fantastic, and both the park and the monastery are beautiful. We received all the necessary information b...

Tamara Requena

Join us on a fantastic trip to the Seven Rila Lakes and the Monastery to encounter some of the most beautiful landscapes in Bulgaria and one of its most important medieval monuments.

Details

Duration

11 hours.

Language

The activity takes place with a guide in English or another language depending on the option selected.

Included

Transport by minibus
English–speaking guide (depending on selected option)
Audio guide in English (depending on selected option)

Not included

Food and drinks
Round–trip chairlift ticket: 16BGN per person

Supporting documents

Electronic voucher. Have it on your phone.

Accessibility

Not wheelchair accessible.

Minimum age

Not permitted for anyone under 8 years

Sustainability

All services meet our

Pets

Not allowed.

Frequently asked questions

If you have other questions, contact us

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity starts. Any cancellations after this or no-shows on the day will not be refunded.

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Meeting point

Vasil Levski Square

Reviews of our customers

8.3

Excellent 1,978 Travelers·201 reviews

August 19, 2026
Tamara Requena
Fuengirola, Spain
This visit was fantastic, and both the park and the monastery are beautiful. We received all the necessary information before and during the tour. Our...
As a couple
Is this useful?
August 14, 2026
Giada
Italy
We really loved our day in Rila. The monastery was incredible and the lakes were very beautiful. A special thank you to our guide, Megi, who arranged ...
With friends
Is this useful?
August 11, 2026
Amaia
Pasaia, Spain
The activity was fantastic, and both the driver and the guide were very friendly. The only downside I would mention is that the space inside the minib...
Is this useful?
July 16, 2026
Anónimo
Cipolletti, Argentina
Our guide was always very attentive and friendly, as was the group we shared the tour with. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour, but felt that the time we ...
With friends
Is this useful?
June 11, 2026
Patrícia
Manaus, Brazil
Very good and rewarding. The hike to the lakes is wonderful, the scenery is beautiful, plus the cable car provides a pleasant adventure in the Rila mo...
Is this useful?
September 27, 2026
Claudia
Spain
Beautiful scenery and amazing photo opportunities. It's totally worth it. Keep in mind that it's a VERY demanding route and can be tiring in some sect...
As a couple
Is this useful?
September 21, 2026
Anónimo
Barcelona, Spain
Very good. The guide adapted perfectly to the group. The highway doesn't explain everything the guide says; if you don't understand a little English, ...
As a couple
Is this useful?
August 5, 2026
Anónimo
Madrid, Spain
The visit to the monastery and the excursion are highly recommended
Traveling solo
Is this useful?
July 29, 2026
Maribel
Riells I Viabrea, Spain
Great, the guide, Ivaylo un Díez, despite not speaking Spanish, has been looking after us all day.
As a couple
Is this useful?
July 19, 2026
Jordi
Barcelona, Spain
An excellent ezcursion and guide, very professional and friendly; it's clear he’s passionate about her work.
Traveling solo
Is this useful?

Show all reviews

Join us on a fantastic trip to the Seven Rila Lakes and the Monastery to encounter some of the most beautiful landscapes in Bulgaria and one of its most important medieval monuments.

Tour Details

We'll meet at the indicated time at Vasil Levski Square and set off to Rila National Park. We'll arrive at the idyllic resort town of Panichishte, where we'll take a chairlift to the starting point of our hiking route in 25 minutes. Ready to see one of Bulgaria's great natural attractions? Time to visit the Seven Rila Lakes!

At more than 6,500 feet (1,981 metres) above sea level, we'll take a fabulous 5-hour hike to the Seven Lakes, the main attraction of this park. Our guide will tell you all about the wonders of this environment whilst taking you to all the impressive lakes on this intermediate hiking route. Please note that the hike can sometimes be reduced to 4 hours.

Once we've visited the Seven Rila Lakes, we'll then head to the medieval Rila Monastery, one of the most important architectural treasures to be found in the country. As you walk among its 65-foot (19 metres) high walls, you'll hear all about its fascinating history and some amazing facts.

The monastery is one of the most emblematic landmarks of Bulgaria, as it was a bastion of Bulgarian cultural identity during the Ottoman occupation. During your visit, you can lose yourself in the surroundings and take a step into the past to discover places such as the tomb of Boris III, the last Bulgarian king.

At the end of the visit, we'll head back to Sofia, where we'll drop you off at Vasil Levski Square.

Tour Options

During the booking process, you can opt for one of the following options:

Transport only: in this case, the tour will be self-guided
Tour with an English-speaking guide and an audio guide in English

8.3

Excellent 1,978 Travelers·201 reviews

August 19, 2026
Tamara Requena
Fuengirola, Spain
This visit was fantastic, and both the park and the monastery are beautiful. We received all the necessary information before and during the tour. Our...
As a couple
Is this useful?
August 14, 2026
Giada
Italy
We really loved our day in Rila. The monastery was incredible and the lakes were very beautiful. A special thank you to our guide, Megi, who arranged ...
With friends
Is this useful?
August 11, 2026
Amaia
Pasaia, Spain
The activity was fantastic, and both the driver and the guide were very friendly. The only downside I would mention is that the space inside the minib...
Is this useful?
July 16, 2026
Anónimo
Cipolletti, Argentina
Our guide was always very attentive and friendly, as was the group we shared the tour with. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour, but felt that the time we ...
With friends
Is this useful?
June 11, 2026
Patrícia
Manaus, Brazil
Very good and rewarding. The hike to the lakes is wonderful, the scenery is beautiful, plus the cable car provides a pleasant adventure in the Rila mo...
Is this useful?
September 27, 2026
Claudia
Spain
Beautiful scenery and amazing photo opportunities. It's totally worth it. Keep in mind that it's a VERY demanding route and can be tiring in some sect...
As a couple
Is this useful?
September 21, 2026
Anónimo
Barcelona, Spain
Very good. The guide adapted perfectly to the group. The highway doesn't explain everything the guide says; if you don't understand a little English, ...
As a couple
Is this useful?
August 5, 2026
Anónimo
Madrid, Spain
The visit to the monastery and the excursion are highly recommended
Traveling solo
Is this useful?
July 29, 2026
Maribel
Riells I Viabrea, Spain
Great, the guide, Ivaylo un Díez, despite not speaking Spanish, has been looking after us all day.
As a couple
Is this useful?
July 19, 2026
Jordi
Barcelona, Spain
An excellent ezcursion and guide, very professional and friendly; it's clear he’s passionate about her work.
Traveling solo
Is this useful?

Show all reviews

Points of interest in Sofia

Rila Monastery

Types of activities in Sofia

Guided tours and free tours Day trips

Other activities in Sofia

Free Tour of Sofia Sofia Pub Crawl

Join us on a fantastic trip to the Seven Rila Lakes and the Monastery to encounter some of the most beautiful landscapes in Bulgaria and one of its most important medieval monuments.

Tour Details

At the end of the visit, we'll head back to Sofia, where we'll drop you off at Vasil Levski Square.

Tour Options

During the booking process, you can opt for one of the following options:

Transport only: in this case, the tour will be self-guided
Tour with an English-speaking guide and an audio guide in English

Seven Rila Lakes + Rila Monastery Day Trip