Rila Monastery, Seven Rila Lakes Hike and Hot Springs from Sofia
Description
Discover the best of Bulgaria in one unforgettable day, combining culture, nature, and relaxation. Begin your jorney with a guided visit to the stunning Rila Monastery, Bulgaria’s most iconic spiritual site and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover its peaceful courtyard, admire the vivid frescoes, and learn the story of the hermit saint Ivan of Rila, who founded this remarkable monastery in the 10th century. The journey then continues into the breathtaking Rila Mountains, where a scenic chairlift ride takes you to the alpine world of the Seven Rila Lakes. Enjoy guided or free time to explore the area at your own pace, surrounded by spectacular mountain views. (Chairlift ticket not included.) To end the day, you can unwind in the warm mineral pools of Aqua Club Kotvata in Sapareva Banya — the perfect way to relax after the hike. (Spa entry optional and not included.)
Tour Options
Itinerary
Rila Monastery is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria and one of the country’s most important cultural and spiritual landmarks. Founded in the 10th century by the hermit saint Ivan of Rila, it became a major center of religion, education, and Bulgarian culture during the Middle Ages and the Ottoman period. Surrounded by the dramatic peaks of the Rila Mountains, the monastery is known for its striking black-and-white arcades, colorful frescoes, and the richly decorated Church of the Nativity of the Virgin. In 1983 it was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Today, Rila Monastery remains an active religious center and one of Bulgaria’s most visited historical sites, attracting pilgrims and travelers from around the world.
Discover the breathtaking beauty of the 7 Rila Lakes, a natural wonder nestled in the Rila Mountains. From above, these glacial lakes offer crystal-clear waters, dramatic mountain backdrops, and an unforgettable panorama at every turn. The Lakes: Each lake has its own name and character—The Tear, The Eye, The Kidney, The Twin, The Trefoil, The Fish, and The Lower Lake—and reflects the surrounding peaks like a mirror. Scenic Beauty: Turquoise waters, alpine meadows, and rugged cliffs create one of Bulgaria’s most photogenic landscapes. Hiking & Photography: Optional short walks along the lakes’ edges give you the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in nature and capture incredible photos. Seasonal Highlights: Spring and summer bring vibrant wildflowers, while autumn paints the mountains in warm, golden tones. The 7 Rila Lakes are an absolute must-see and a highlight of any Bulgarian adventure.
Travelers will finish the day with a relaxing visit to Aqua Club Kotvata, a modern thermal spa complex known for its naturally heated mineral water. Located near the town of Sapareva Banya—famous for having the hottest geothermal spring in continental Europe—this spa offers the perfect place to unwind after the mountain hike. Guests can soak in warm outdoor mineral pools surrounded by mountain views, relax their muscles after the hike at the Seven Rila Lakes, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of this natural hot spring area. The mineral water is rich in healing elements and has been used for relaxation and wellness for centuries. You only need to bring swimsuit, towel and flip-flops. This final stop adds a refreshing and rejuvenating ending to a day combining nature, culture, and adventure.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(11)
Rila Monastery was stunning, and the Seven Rila Lakes hike had some of the best views I've seen. Yes, it gets busy, but it's well worth it — don't let that put you off. The hot springs at the end were the perfect way to relax after the hike. Our guide Simon was amazing — he taught us so much about the history and culture along the way, and kept the day running smoothly for everyone. Great value for everything included. Five stars!
The Rila Mountains are unmissable and it was really lovely having such an amiable guide as Simeon. The trip is the perfect combination- arriving at the monastery early and beating the crowds, 3 hours is the right amount of time for the 7 lakes hike with truly stunning views, and then a bit of relaxation at the thermal pools to cap off the day. The ride was incredibly comfortable including hotel pick-up. This trip is an amazing value!
Our guide Seamon came on time to pick me up and was very accommodating with the time and things I wanted to see. I could go on my own pace. He was also knowledgeable with the history and geography. We had an interesting conversations.
I had an amazing excursion to the Rila Lakes and can highly recommend it. Our tour guide, Simeon, was fantastic. He knows a great deal about the history of the monastery and shares his knowledge in a very engaging and interesting way. The tour was very well organized. The hotel pick-up was perfectly punctual, and I appreciated having a choice between visiting the spa or taking a short hike to a beautiful waterfall. The highlight of the day was definitely the hike around the Rila Lakes. The scenery was breathtaking, and some of the lakes were still partially covered with ice, which made the experience even more special. Our group of four had a wonderful time throughout the trip. We always felt completely safe and well looked after by Simeon. His professionalism, knowledge, and friendly attitude made the excursion unforgettable. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone visiting the area.
Simeon and Vera are great tourguides. Very kind, flexibel, relaxed and they make sure you have a good time. Best tour ever!
We did this monastery visit and this excursion to the 7 lakes of Rila with our guide Simeon. We undertook this hike in unfavorable weather conditions that prevented us from seeing the lakes (dense fog, strong wind, and heavy rain). For those wishing to undertake this hike, we recommend it, but we advise you to check the weather conditions beforehand. However, we greatly appreciated the visit to the monastery, and our guide Simeon was really pleasant and gave us good tips and advice for our stay; we had a great time with our guide, thanks to Simeon.
Perfect day, surprising, Simeon and his wife just amazing, allways pqying attention to everyone, know perfectly the job, mountain, history . The tour was memorable, sight waouw and Philip is really réactive and nice too. The group was great too. Unexpected great day. Thanks
Amazing experience. Tour guides were really nice
Excelente experience, would definitely recommend it. The guide was great
It was a great day! Contact in advance was very smooth and clear. We were picked up at our apartment by the most kind, enthusiastic and honest man. The hours in the car flew by because of the very nice conversations with Simeon which made me learn a lot extra about Bulgaria and what made the day extra special. The monastery was beautiful (and there were no other people yet) and Simeon showed us a Bulgarian delicacy. The hike through the Rila Mountains was so unique. There was still a thick layer of snow and Simeon had everything with him to let us walk safely over the sometimes very styled sections. He adapted to the wishes and pace of the group so we could walk a bit extra. At the end of the day (some enjoyed the spa, we had a lovely dinner) Simeon brought us back safely. We were very surprised about the price of this trip and had definitely booked it for double the money. This is not just a ‘day with a guide’ but a very unique experience due to the combination of the beautiful nature and the great guide. 100% recommended.
