Day trip · The Rila Mountains
Bulgaria’s greatest monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the glacial Seven Rila Lakes in the highest mountains of the Balkans.
Day trip feature
Two hours south of Sofia, in the highest mountains of the Balkans, stand Bulgaria’s spiritual heart and a staircase of glacial lakes.
See the frescoed church and striped arcades of Rila Monastery, and on another day walk around the Seven Rila Lakes.
Read the full back story below, then plan your trip.
The back story
Bulgaria’s greatest monastery, in a valley of the highest mountains in the Balkans, and the glacial Seven Rila Lakes.
UNESCO World Heritage
Bulgaria’s greatest monastery, founded in the 10th century, with a church covered in brilliant frescoes.
A staircase of lakes
Seven glacial lakes high in the Rila Mountains, one of the most beautiful walks in Bulgaria.
Car, bus or tour
Rila Monastery is about two hours by car from Sofia; there are buses and many day tours.
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