1 / 5About this activity
This attractions is one of the standout things to do in Rila, Bulgaria. Rated 4.7/5 by 3 travellers, it combines the highlights below into a single, easy-to-book experience from €10 per person. Top Bulgarian sight to be explored all around with our self-guided tour!
Enjoy a day out at the Monastery of Saint Ivan of the Rila, better known as the Rila Monastery is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. The Rila Monastery is located at 1147 meters altitude in the middle of the fragrant coniferous forests of Rila Mountain.
The monastery is a complex of cultural, dwelling, and farming buildings which take about 8800 square meters. The Rila Monastery has a unique architecture. Outside, the monastery looks like a fortress. It has 24-meter stone walls which form an irregular pentagon.
That’s why when some tourist enters the monastery’s yard from some of the two iron gates he is surprised by its architecture: arches and colonnades, covered wooden stairs and carved verandas, and the 300-400 monastic cells.
Good to know
- •Duration: approximately 3 hours.
- •Confirmation is instant — your spot is secured the moment you book.
- •Offered in 2 languages.
- •Confirm weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable footwear before you go.
Who it's for
Best time to visit
Rila is rewarding year-round, but spring and early autumn typically bring the most comfortable temperatures and thinner crowds than peak summer. Morning departures tend to be quieter and cooler; booking ahead is recommended in high season as popular attractions slots in Rila sell out.