Rila Monastery Full-Day Tour: Discover Bulgaria's Mineral Springs and Famous Orthodox Monastery

Bulgaria’s mineral springs are renowned for their healing properties, located near the sole geyser in the Balkans, just a day trip from Sofia. These springs feature water heated by the Earth’s core, emerging at a temperature of 103 degrees above ground. Rila Monastery stands as the largest and most renowned Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria.

Duration: 9 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Rila Monastery - The Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila, commonly known as the Rila Monastery, stands as the largest and most renowned Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. Established in the 10th century, it is considered one of Bulgaria’s most significant cultural, historical, and architectural landmarks, attracting both local and international…
What's Included
  • English speaking driver or guide
  • Audio Guides
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks, unless specified
  • All Fees and Taxes
Additional Information
  • Knees and shoulders need to be covered during the Monastery visit
  • Entrance fees for thermal complex not included and varies between 15 and 25 € per person
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • Not recommended for people with health/hearth problems due to warm water
Location
Serdika Meeting Point - V Travel Day Tours Departures
bulevard "Knyaginya Maria Luiza"
9:00 Departure from Serdika Meeeting Point (2, Maria Luiza boulevard across McDonalds on the main street next to the Mosque). Please show up at least 5 minutes earlier and look for a V Travel branded vehicle (car, minivan, van, minibus).
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.7
(35 Ratings)
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Nicola_s
Jan 26, 2026
Adventure for a day - This is a great trip, please bear in mind that when they say a full day they mean it. I have been on other trips where you are collected at 9 and you return around 4pm. We got back to our drop off point at around 7pm which was great as we really had a full day's experience. The monastery was beautiful and the guide was very knowledgeable. We stopped for lunch which is optional, as long as all the group agree. The food was delicious and good value. The spa was a wonderful experience. Don't forget your flip flops and towel!
Review provided by Viator
Julia_l
Nov 7, 2025
Great value and great fun - There is quite a lot of driving to each venue. The scenery as we came home was magnificent (unfortunately, horrendous weather in the morning so our window was steamed up). The monastery was great - and enough time to enjoy fresh donuts as well as interesting architecture. We loved the thermal bath - it was just what we needed after travelling to Bulgaria the day before.
Review provided by Viator
Perlyr2023
Oct 27, 2025
My favorite part was the hot springs was relaxing and not busy at all - It was great plenty of time in both locations to do your own things. The monastery is pretty but small so one hour was plenty enough.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Enrick_a
Oct 26, 2025
Council - Ivan really a good person, very nice tour that made me spend a different day during my stay in Sofia
Review provided by Viator
Johntp3130ar
Oct 12, 2025
A beautiful experience in Bulgaria. - The Tour was excellent. The monastery is beautiful although I would have liked to spend more time there. Finally the thermal water pools were very relaxing and had several temperatures to be able to choose the one you like the most. The trip was great and our guide very friendly and polite, did his best to make the trip much more enjoyable. Experience of 10!.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Luca_m
Sep 8, 2025
An appointment not to be missed - The guide is very sweet and very prepared, arrived at the monastery the guide told us in great detail about the frescoes outside the church and inside the church, explained many details of the Orthodox religion, Then we went to relax in the thermal waters. The monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, not to be missed. The two-hour bus ride is worth the effort, mostly by highway
Review provided by Viator
Dunjao64
Aug 8, 2025
Rila and Spa - It was great😊. The monastery is beautiful and the spa is great, the water is warm and clean . Our driver Stefan was really nice and helpful. He even got back to the spa when I realized I had forgotten my earrings after a few kilometers. I recommend this trip😍🇧🇬👍
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gerardo_b
Jul 17, 2025
Rila monastery plus Spa experience - Very nice experience to Rila Monastery from Sofia and a relaxing spa experience afterwards. This is a full day trip starting at 9am ending at 530pm.
Review provided by Viator
Marina_s
Jul 15, 2025
The bus ride was... - The bus ride was comfortable and our guide Georgi was friendly and knowledgeable. He shared the history of the places and was happy to answer questions. It was a good mix of tour time and explore on your own. The baths were nice on a bit day!
Review provided by Viator
Eyal_a
Sep 27, 2025
Great place - Great place. Just need to Improve the restaurant on site. Limited selection. There were no trash cans outside the restaurant
Review provided by Viator
From $35
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).