J
Seven Rila lakes
Our guide Apostolos is amazing and he is very helpful
7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour
+2 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 10–11 hours
- Price from
- $67 / person
- Location
- Sofia, Bulgaria
- Rating
- 4.5 / 5 · 209 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 99
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Smart Trans Bulgaria
- Meeting point
- Iskar 31 street - Big Yellow House - Only a few minutes away from Alexander Nevski Cathedral.
Description
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.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 8:00 AM
- Next available
- Sat, Oct 10
- Adult (ages 12+)
- $67
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 9.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Rila Monastery
The amazing Rila Monastery
The breath taking 7 Rila Lakes
What's included
Included
WiFi on board
Driver
Air-conditioned vehicle
Not included
Food and drinks
Gratuities
Lift to The Seven Rila Lakes
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.5
209 reviews
How it compares in Sofia
- No. 15 by number of reviews among 609 tours in Sofia
- Starting price $67 is 49% below the typical $131 for tours of similar length in Sofia
Excurgo comparison of 609 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- 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
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour take?
7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour lasts about 10–11 hours. The itinerary has 2 stops.
How much does 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour cost?
Prices start at $67 per person for this Sofia experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 8:00 AM.
Can I cancel 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Iskar 31 street - Big Yellow House - Only a few minutes away from Alexander Nevski Cathedral. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 99 participants.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.5 out of 5 across 209 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Smart Trans Bulgaria.
Reviews(209)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
R
Rila ando seven lakes
Apostolo great guide, travel was very good free wifi
S
Beautiful day to enjoy Rila
Apostolos was a fantastic guide and driver. He picked us up on time and gave good suggestions on what timings and route to chose in the National Park - 7 lakes hike. Timing was perfect at the Rila Monastery - avoided the tour buses Highly recommended
F
Monastery and 7 lakes tour
The tour was great, just like our guide Apostolos. I recommend it
S
Really really good Rila tour
Apostolos was a charming, informational and witty guide. I highly recommend booking him for your tour. He is also an excellent navigator on those curvy mountain roads and gave great recommendations for Sofia.
S
Great day in Rila Mountains
It was a really nice sunny day tour and hiking in the beautiful mountains of Rila. Our guide, Apostolos, was really friendly and funny. He also shared with us some of the history of the Monastery. A great host! :)
N
Nice place
Excelente attention and guide! Apostolos
D
daytour To Rila Monastery and 7 lakes
Great experience with Apostolos as a guide and driver
I
Must try!
Apostolos was a great tour guide and hiking the Rila lakes was an amazing experience.
V
Highly recommended!
Apostolos is an amazing driver with lots of knowledge!!
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| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour | 10–11 hours | 4.5 (209) | $67 | |
 Rila Monastery and 7 Rila Lakes Self-Guided Shared Trip from Sofia | 13 hours | 4.8 (336) | $54 | View |
 Incredible Day tour from Sofia to 7 Rila lakes and Rila monastery | 10 min–30 min | 4.9 (10) | $148 | View |
 Scenic Flight Tour above Rila Monastery, 7 Lakes and Spa | 9h 30min | 5.0 (2) | $784 | View |
 The Seven Rila Lakes & Rila Monastery | 12 hours | 4.6 (126) | $63 | View |
 Rila Monastery: Monastery Self-Guided Audio Tour 7 lang | 1h 30min | — | $6 | View |
 3 days in Rila: Lakes in the mountain of wisdom | 3 days | — | $571 | View |
from$67
4.5(209) Free cancellation