Rila Monastery and Mineral Baths Tour

Explore Rila Monastery and unwind in mountain hot springs. Discover culture and relaxation in one unforgettable day trip from Sofia.

Duration: 11 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Rila Monastery - Renowned as the most stunning, largest, and oldest monastery in Eastern Europe, Rila Monastery dates back to the 10th century and is nestled in the heart of the Rila Mountains.
  • Sapareva Banya - Known as the Mineral Baths Capital of Bulgaria, Sapareva Banya offers a delightful hot mineral bath complex. Please note that the spa…
What's Included
  • On-board WiFi
  • Driver
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
What's Not Included
  • Lunch
  • Gratuities
  • The entrance to the spa complex - around 30 leva / 15 euro
Additional Information

This is likely the best tour option outside of Sofia, allowing you to visit both Rila Monastery and experience the enchanting healing properties of the hot mineral baths in the mountains, all in one day. The driver will first take you to Rila Monastery, where you will have approximately an hour to explore. Following this, you will be transported to the…

Location
ul. "Iskar" 31
ulitsa "Iskar"
Iskar 31 street - in front of a Big Yellow House - Only a few minutes away from Alexander Nevski Cathedral. Our driver will meet you on the address in front of the yellow house.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(6 Ratings)
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_k7529mx
May 7, 2025
Perfect mix of culture and relaxation - This tour was the perfect mix of learning and relaxing. The Rila Monastery is beautiful and full of history. Walking around felt like going back in time, with amazing buildings and a peaceful atmosphere. After exploring the monastery, we went to the mineral baths. There were a lot of pools with different temperatures – some really hot (up to 42°C), some cold (around 15°C), and others in between. The pools are clean and the whole place is well taken care of. It’s set in nature, so the views are lovely while you relax. Everything during the day was well planned and easy. Our guides were really friendly and helpful. It’s a great trip if you want to see something special and also take time to unwind. I’d definitely go again and recommend it to anyone visiting Sofia!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Veskay
Apr 24, 2025
A perfect day of culture and relaxation - Such a magical day! Visiting Rila Monastery was like stepping back in time – the architecture, the atmosphere, the history... all absolutely beautiful. Our guide was fantastic: super informative, and kind, and made everything so engaging. After exploring the monastery, we ended the day soaking in the thermal baths surrounded by nature – the perfect way to relax. Everything was perfectly organized and smooth from start to finish. I highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants a mix of culture, history, and relaxation!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
830veseling
Apr 24, 2025
Great - This tour was the perfect mix of culture and relaxation. The Rila Monastery is stunning and full of history, and the spa afterwards was just what I needed—hot mineral pools with gorgeous views. Everything was well-organized and stress-free. Highly recommend for a peaceful day trip from Sofia!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Miroslavap427
Apr 24, 2025
Relaxing trip close to Sofia. - The mineral baths are amazing, there are a lot of pools, like 9 in total. There are very hot ones, going to 42 degrees Celsius to very cold ones, around 15 degrees. There are also normal pools with depth around 1.5meters. Of course the Rila Monastery was breath taking. Definitely worth the visit.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rady8yordanova
Apr 24, 2025
Excellent - I am extremely pleased with my visit. The pools are extremely pleasant, it is very clean and well maintained. The entire complex is very nice, I would visit again with pleasure. I highly recommend it
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $58
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).