9 hour(s)
English
Included
Visit Rila Monastery, Bulgaria’s largest and most famous Orthodox monastery
Admire frescoes, historic towers, and Bulgarian National Revival architecture
Relax at Sapareva Banya, the hottest mineral spa in the Balkans
Stunning views of Rila Mountains
€ 24.27
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Free cancellation and unlimited rescheduling leads to total flexibility while you plan your travels
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Join us for a full 9-hour journey through the stunning Rila Mountains, where natural beauty and cultural heritage come together. Begin your day with a visit to the Rila Monastery, Bulgaria’s largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery. Founded in the 10th century by Saint Ivan of Rila and rebuilt in the 14th century, the monastery has withstood centuries of history, including Ottoman raids and periods of reconstruction. Explore its historic Tower of Hrelyu, small churches, and magnificent frescoes, all part of an architectural masterpiece of the Bulgarian National Revival. The monastery has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983 and remains a spiritual and cultural landmark. After immersing yourself in history and art, continue to the nearby Sapareva Banya, home to the hottest mineral spa in the Balkans. Enjoy a relaxing dip in the natural thermal pools, surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery. Your day includes hotel pick-up and drop-off for convenience. Remember to bring swimwear, flip-flops, and warm clothes to fully enjoy both the monastery and the spa experience.
Hotel pick-up and drop-off from Sofia
Entry to Rila Monastery
Access to Sapareva Banya thermal pools
Meals and drinks
Personal expenses
Towels or robes at the spa
Comfortable shoes
Comfortable Clothes
Water Bottle
Near public transportation
Bring swimwear, flip-flops, and warm clothes
Comfortable walking shoes recommended
Knees and shoulders need to be covered during the Monastery visit
Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Type in your hotel/accommodation to see how far the attraction or departure point is.
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Very calm, comfortable and beautiful place. Relaxing in open bathes in February is a special pleasure - definitely recommended for visiting :)
Mikhail was very good. He was with us on every step of the way. The journey was smooth and everything went well. Rila Monastery was a nice sight in the Rila Mountains. The SPA at Aqua Club (Kotvata) was very nice with the mountains behind. Very good selection of thermal pools and Saunas. Incredible contrast pool as well.
I'm glad I choose to take this opportunity to travel with you
A great day trip to see outside of the city. Phillipe was a great guide and clearly very passionate in his job. We loved it!
Great day out, lovely and relaxing. The monastery is spectacular and the mekitsa from the shop behind it are delicious. The thermal baths were a wonderful experience. Excellent guide. Recommended.
Our guide Mihail was brilliant. He spoke clearly and his English was very good. Despite having an issue with the vehicle, this was resolved very quickly and we were comfortable at the service station. Mihail answered any questions we had and ensured we all had access to the audio guides. We particularly enjoyed the personal tip of where to get the best snacks in Bulgaria just outside of the monastery.
This was a great experience. After hiking, I directly came here and had a shower and enjoyed the pools. They were absolutely beautiful pools. The view is great. The price was the same as other places in town but their pools were bigger and higher quality in my opinion. They have a warm pool and cold pools. All mineral water and you can smell the hot pool to confirm any suspicions. The ladies changing room was clean and the showers were good. They offered towels and robes and lockers. They had a snack bar and drink station. I didn't use the sauna but I'm sure they were just as nice as their outside facilities. Swimming in the pools and looking at the trees and mountains after a day hiking was a really magical experience.
A great place to relax with your family. The location is A+, the 4 swimming pools have warm mineral water. I enjoyed a summer day with my 2year son and nephew. Recommended. You will love it.
The place is perfect. Bring your towel with a hoodie and flip-flops. If you're in luck you can see Cherni Vryh(Vitosha mountain) from here, while relaxing in the hot hot waters. There is also a SPA with surprisingly many rooms. Didn't try the restaurant, but got a beer next to the pool and it's awesome. Of course it will get a bit more crowded weekends, but still worth it.
If you want to have a nice warm mineral bath outside when it’s snowing in the winter this is your place. I absolutely loved it. I had visited in few times and unfortunately by the end of the week it becomes quite dirty in the locker rooms. Also the restaurant is not the best in the area, but i definitely recommend the outside pool for the winter time.
