Rila Mountains Tours and Activities
78 Reviews
The Rila Mountains offer outdoor enthusiasts a perfect play land for exploring Bulgaria’s highest mountain. Nestled within the boundaries of National Park Rila, this area is home to the hottest spring in the Balkans, glacial lakes, four nature reserves and endless stretch of scenic landscape. Avid hikers will find easy access to two of Europe’s longest trail routes—the E4 and E8—which pass through some of the Rila Mountains’ 29 peaks. And hikers hoping for a shorter distance can participate in popular one-day excursions, like walks to the Seven Rila Lakes and Mount Musala, which both typically depart from Sofia.
Less intrepid travelers can still enjoy the beauty of this epic mountain range at one of the family-run hotels located in foothill villages like Govedartsi, Mala Tsarkva and Madzhare. Visitors can soak in the medicinal hot mineral waters of Sapareva Banya, a popular public bath, or venture to the Rila Monastery—not only the largest in the country, but also the most-visited site in the nation.
National Park Rila, Bulgaria
Tours and Activities to Experience Rila Mountains
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Rila Monastery and 7 Rila Lakes Self-Guided Shared Trip from Sofia
25
Reaching the Seven Rila Lakes by public transport typically involves two buses, a shuttle and most of your day. Take the pain out of transportation—while maintaining total independence—with this cost-effective shared transfer. Visit both these beautiful glacial lakes and the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with ample time for hiking.
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From
$48.76
From
$48.76
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More
Seven Rila Lakes Day Tour from Sofia
1
Hike around the glacial Seven Rila Lakes on a day trip from Sofia, and discover the best of Bulgaria’s mountainous beauty. With a guide, you’ll travel out of the city and up a chair lift to the start of the hiking trails where a scenic looped route awaits. The walk lasts around five hours and isn't too challenging, although there are some uphill sections to reach the highest lakes.
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From
$60.96
Price varies by group size
From
$60.96
Price varies by group size
Rila Monastery Bike Tour from Sofia
6
Spin along open roads and explore Bulgaria by bike on this 9-hour Rila Monastery trip from Sofia. Hop onto your bike and follow a guide along rolling asphalt roads through the Bulgarian countryside. Along the way, gain insight into the country’s culture and history, and admire sweeping views over the peaks and vineyards. Visit the 10th-century Rila Monastery — widely considered one of Bulgaria’s most important pilgrimage sites. Explore the cave of St Joan of Rila, then zoom down the valley back to base.
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From
$113.39
From
$113.39
Borovets Ultimate Snowmobile Experience
Zoom through the snowy forests of Borovets during this exciting snowmobile experience in Bulgaria. Listen to a safety briefing before departing from the Borovets Ski Resort to start your adventure. Then, follow your guide aboard your very own snowmobile as you make your way through the powdery white snow of the forest.
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From
$71.93
From
$71.93
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Learn More
Seven Rila Lakes Snowshoe Hike and Thermal Baths Full-Day Tour from Sofia
19
Experience the real-life winter wonderland of the Rila Mountains National Park on this full-day winter snowshoeing adventure from Sofia. Ride the chairlift up into the Rila Mountains, hike around the magnificent Seven Rila Lakes trail, then reward yourself with a soak in the Sapareva Banya thermal baths.
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From
$98.48
From
$98.48
Private tour: Rila Mountains and The Seven Rila Lakes from Sofia
3
You will have the pleasure to get to the highest of all lakes - the Eye, the Tear, the Kidney, the Twins, the Trefoil, the Fish Lake and the Lower Lake and enjoy the super scenery revealed from there. It's superb!
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From
$59.74
Price varies by group size
From
$59.74
Price varies by group size
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Learn More
From Sofia: Self-guided trip to Rila Monastery
Travel to Rila Monastery with ease and explore independently on this self-guided tour with a round-trip transfer. Depart from Sofia in a shared air-conditioned minivan with a driver and make your way to Rila National Park. Experience the area at your own pace before heading back to Sofia in your transfer.
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From
$24.37
Price varies by group size
From
$24.37
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More
Rila Monastery and Wine Tasting Tour
6
This private tour of World Heritage–listed Rila Monastery includes a tasting at Medi Valley, a classic winery with locally produced wines. Travel in the comfort of your private vehicle to the country’s largest monastery, where your own personal guide points out 19th-century paintings depicting the Bulgarian Renaissance. Admire the beauty of the Rila mountains en route to the winery, where you’ll sample five different wines and learn more about the region.
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From
$108.51
Price varies by group size
From
$108.51
Price varies by group size
Private Trekking in Rila Mountains and Mt Mousala from Sofia
1
Trek to the highest peak in the Rila Mountains range with a guide for panoramic views of the area. Transfer from your Sofia hotel to Borovets and take a chair lift to your starting point. From there, begin your trek up Mt. Mousala on a trodden rocky path. Take to time to enjoy the view and snap pictures at the top of the mountain.
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From
$59.74
Price varies by group size
From
$59.74
Price varies by group size
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Learn More
Shuttle to Rila Monastery from Sofia
3
Visiting Bulgaria’s Rila Monastery is tricky without hiring a car. On this tour, tick it off easily with a round-trip shared transfer in an air-conditioned minivan. Meet your driver in central Sofia and travel to Rila Monastery. Enjoy time to explore the complex independently before returning with the shuttle back to Sofia.
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From
$24.37
Price varies by group size
From
$24.37
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More
One day adventurous hiking - Urdini lakes and Seven Rila lakes
Rila- the highest mountain in Bulgaria and Balkan peninsula. Rila is a very old name with the meaning "The water mountain". It has more than 120 lakes and on that tour, we'll see it's the most famous Seven Rila lakes and the mystic Urdini lakes. We'll be over 2661 meters over sea level and we'll see Rila monastery from an eagle eye. The hiking is long and hard, but you'll find the miraculous legends and harmony.
Join us on that tour to touch the virgin nature of Bulgaria.
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From
$165.55
Price varies by group size
From
$165.55
Price varies by group size
From Sofia: Rila Monastery and Plovdiv Day Trip
See the best of Bulgaria in 1 day. This self-guided, shared shuttle tour will take you to both the UNESCO Rila Monastery in the Rila National park in the morning and then in the afternoon to the city of Plovdiv - the cultural capital of Bulgaria. In the morning the shuttle bus will take you to the Rila Monastery where you have more than 1 hour to explore the site at your own pace. The complex is compact in size so the time allows to see the most important parts of it. After that in the afternoon the shared shuttle will take you on a 3.5 hours journey through the scenic mountains of Bulgaria to the city of Plovdiv - one of Bulgaria's most visited cultural and historical sites. You have more than 4.5 hours to explore the historical city center on your own. Driver will provide you with a tourist map and tips for what to see.
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From
$60.95
From
$60.95
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More
7 Rila Lakes Self-Guided Shared Trip from Sofia
11
Escape the city without the hassle and expense of self-driving with this convenient shared transfer to the Rila National Park. After a briefing from your driver, soak up the beauty of the seven glacial Rila Lakes and enjoy a full day’s hiking or lounging before you return to central Sofia. A chairlift runs to and from the lakes.
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From
$30.47
From
$30.47
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More
3 days in Rila: Lakes in the mountain of wisdom
Departure point: At your hotel or Sofia airport
Departure time:07:00 am
Duration:3 days
Return details:Return to initial departure point or wherever you would want to go in Sofia
Tour highlights:
• The Scary lake
• Yonchevo lake
• Seven Rila lakes
• Rila monastery
• Stob's pyramids
Rila has more than 120 lakes and in that trip we’ll see it’s most famous – Scary lake and Prekorechki lakes, Yonchevo and Pig ones, Seven Rila and a part of Urdini lakes. We call it the mountain of wisdom – because of Rila monastery, which is the biggest monastery in Bulgaria, and the peaceful White brotherhood – people, that dance barefoot to take the spirit of the mountain and the force of Jesus.
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From
$562.72
Price varies by group size
From
$562.72
Price varies by group size
Private 2-Day Horse Riding Trip in Rila from Sofia
Rila mountain offers the ideal conditions for horse riding featuring slight ascents & descents, roads suitable for trotting and galloping and incredible views. Combined with the fresh, clean air of the Rila mountains this tour is a must for every horse rider.
Round-trip transfers, 1 night accommodation, two meals (dinner and breakfast), saddle and guide are all included. All with your own pace and timing.
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From
$230.43
Price varies by group size
From
$230.43
Price varies by group size
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Learn More
Private Day Trip to Rila Monastery from Sofia
This tour will show you one of the best Bulgarian monasteries and UNESCO sight - the Rila Monastery. Private tour only for you with the comfort of your own local guide. Fully customizable and rich in information, off-the-beaten path sights and stops.
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From
$23.17
Price varies by group size
From
$23.17
Price varies by group size
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Learn More
5 days: Nature and pure beauty of Bulgaria
We made this tour for people, who love touching nature in their comfort zone.
Prepare for this trip in South and Southwest Bulgaria to touch the beauty, carved by nature, and places, where traditions are still alive!
Jump in the van and listen to the legends of love, passion, and mountains. Pass the near villages and fell like a local tasting the Kapama and other Bulgarian dishes. With our tour, you can see the rich wildlife from millions of years ago till nowadays.
You will be in three different mountains with their spirit – Rila, Pirin and Rhodopi mountains. These three mountains are Wisdom, Beaty, and Love.
One phenomenon can’t be seen in the picture, you have to see and feel it! We wait for the adventure to call you!
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From
$812.82
Price varies by group size
From
$812.82
Price varies by group size
Private Horseback Riding the Rila Range
If you love wildlife and horses, then this guided private ride around the beautiful Iskar Reservoir, Bulgaria’s largest lake, is the perfect way to spend the day. Look out for red and fallow deer as you walk, trot, gallop, or canter through pristine woodland and scenic hills with a specialist guide. Your tour includes private door-to-door round-trip transfers: lunch can be arranged for an additional cost.
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From
$145.09
Price varies by group size
From
$145.09
Price varies by group size
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Learn More
Culture and hiking: Rila monastery, Stob pyramids, waterfalls and panorama
The highest mountain in Balkan peninsula - Rila. Join the adventure. This is a combined tour in the area of Rila monastery – the biggest one of Bulgaria, the spring of knowledge, hope and faith. We’ll see the phenomena Stob’s pyramids, Bohemia waterfalls and the panoramic peak “The Cross”.
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From
$97.54
Price varies by group size
From
$97.54
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More
Private Jeep Safari in the Rila Mountains
Adventure with an open jeep among century-old rocks in the highest mountain in Bulgaria and on the Balkan Peninsula - Rila! For those who cannot think about their lives without movement and bright emotions, we guarantee a great experience amongst the beauty of breathtaking mountain views!
The journey begins in Sapareva Banya, the city is famous for its hot mineral springs. On the way we will pass through St. Stephen's Monastery, the "Silver" area and the "Pariloto" where excavation works in 1915 revealed an ancient Roman artifact which testifies the Roman presence in this area, which was also one of the stops on the nearby main military road - the so-called "Dalmatian Road". We will see an interesting rock formation called "Evangelous Stone", which resembles the pyramid facing upside down.The legend says that people with sins, if they can get through this triangle, their sins will be forgiven.
Wonderful views, impressive photos, will make your trip memorable!
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From
$59.74
Price varies by group size
From
$59.74
Price varies by group size
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Learn More
Panoramic Flight over the famous Rila Lakes
2
During this one hour scenic flight you will see from above one of the most unique and beautiful natural wonder in Bulgaria - the Seven Lakes in Rila Mountain. Along that you will enjoy the classic Bulgarian beauty - blue water, green fields and high mountains. • Enjoy a breathtaking panoramic flight above the famous Rila Lakes. Get a bird's-eye views of one of the most beautiful mountain in Bulgaria. Rila with its stunning peaks.
• See from above the blue waters of the biggest Dam in Bulgaria, Iskar
• Travel on board the 3 seat Cessna 182 aircraft
• Take advantage of unique photo opportunities of one of the most beautiful natural and historical places in Bulgaria
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From
$406.00
per group
From
$406.00
per group
From Sofia: Rila mountain and Belmeken
The highest mountain in the Balkan peninsula – Rila. Join the adventure.
Hike to see the incredible landscape, to reach peaks - Belmeken, Sivri chal, Kameniti chal, and Soufan.
Join in that extreme trip to find the harmony, to discover some legends and tales, to taste a piece of beautiful Bulgaria.
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From
$112.06
Price varies by group size
From
$112.06
Price varies by group size
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
Learn More
Hike and SPA in the Rila Mountain
The tour starts at 9am when the guide will take you from your accommodation in Sofia. The traveling time to the mountain is about 1,5 hours. There first you are going to have a great hike in the unspoiled nature (easy- medium difficulty) to a beautiful local waterfall. The total duration of the hike is about 3 hours (1,5 hours in each direction). After it you will have 1-hour free time for lunch in a local restaurant. Then in the afternoon you will be able to relax in the pools of a mineral SPA center (for about 2 hours). It also has hydromassages, jacuzzi and steam baths. The return in Sofia will be at 6pm.
Important:
Please wear comfortable walking shoes
Bring your swimming suit
Strongly recommended to bring your own towels and flip flops (on spot they are also available but are overpriced)
Most times the trips are done with eco friendly cars - with cng engine or electro mobiles, so that we can help fighting the air polution.
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From
$121.92
Price varies by group size
From
$121.92
Price varies by group size
4 Balkan Countries and 3 Nights Cruise in Greek Islands from Sofia
Starting in Bulgaria, one of the oldest countries in Europe.
Ohrid the deepest and oldest lake in Europe and Balkan Pearl.
Albania where you will have a combination of history, culture, tradition, religion and nature in some of most renowned sites in Albania,
Visiting in Greece, Meteora, formed approximately 65 million years ago, Corfu, the undisputed Queen of the Ionian islands, Delphi, mystical place, Olympia, birthplace of the Olympic Games and Athens, labelled as the birthplace of democracy and home to some of the most famous philosophers.
Ending with a cruise on the Aegean Sea! Sail from Athens to dock on the legendary island of Mykonos, sail towards the shores of Turkey to visit Kusadasi sail to Crete to explore Knossos, and also sail, to Santorini, “The Black Pearl of the Aegean.”
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From
$2,772.82
From
$2,772.82
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More
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