7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
IMPORTANT: Entrance in the monastery is only allowed with covered shoulders and covered knees. So please make sure you have appropriate clothes.
Often called the 8th wonder of the world, the Seven Rila lakes are legendary for their beauty and awesomeness. They are one of the most visited natural sites of Bulgaria. We combine them with a visit to the Rila Monastery. The Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila, better known as the Rila Monastery is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria.
The tour starts at 08:00 and finishes around 19:00.
The driver will pick you up, will take you to the Monastery and will show you around. After that he will take you to the lift to the 7 Rila Lakes, you will be able to go up to the lakes, the driver will stay down and wait for you there. When you come back, he will pick you from the lift and bring you back to Sofia.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
The drive to the monastery is around 1.5 - 2.5 hours, depending on traffic
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
WiFi on board
Driver
Air-conditioned vehicle
Food and drinks
Gratuities
The fee for the Lift to 7 Rila Lakes which is around 15 Euro
Options
7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery tour
Reviews
99 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Not a fall activity
Theresa K,
Nov 23, 2024
- Viator
2.00This is probably awesome in the summer, but in November it sucked. We didn’t know the lift wasn’t operating until we got there. We spent most of our time trying to hike up the mountain and once we got to the top, we couldn’t see the lakes. Got some pretty views as we climbed but it just wasn’t worth it.
Great tour
Antoine E,
Nov 12, 2024
- Viator
5.00Our tour guide was Apostolos. The Rila monastery was very impressive and gorgeous. The seven lakes require you to take an open ski lift up that lasts about 15-20 minutes, so make sure you bring a lot of warm clothes. The trek across the lakes is beautiful but since the last lift comes down at 16:30 we opted not to go see the higher lake since we might have run out of time. Overall highly recommend this trip
First time hikers pay attention...
Navdeep M,
Nov 8, 2024
- Viator
5.00Apostolos ,the tour driver was very good. Tour instructions were very clear. However , for a person who is hiking for first time, you need to be extra prepared because doing it is not tough but doing in time frame provided is tough. May be spend less time in monastery and save time there or may be ask to do monastery later .Overall it is really good. Bulgarian local hikers were very friendly and supportive.
Amazing trip
Natalia A,
Nov 5, 2024
- Viator
5.00Amazing trip, all good. Perfect weather, people. Lovely experience. Driver helpful, the walking was ok, not very very hard, the lift was working so was amazing to use it :)
Easy adventure out of city
kathy l,
Oct 3, 2024
- Viator
5.00Traveling on the chairlift in a thunderstorm, the guide was entertaining, I made new friends and we walked Sofia together after your
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