Rila Lakes and Monastery: Self-Guided Shuttle Tour

Embark on a self-guided shared trip from Sofia to the stunning 7 Rila Lakes and the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery. Hike through the lakes in the morning and explore the monastery in the afternoon.

Duration: 13 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral - Enjoy stunning morning views of Sofia’s main landmark
What's Included
  • Driver
  • Round-trip shared transfer
  • Transport by air-conditioned minivan
What's Not Included
  • Entrance fees - Rila Lakes chairlift ticket (25 BGN per person, two-way)
  • Gratuities
  • Food and drinks
  • Guide services
  • Mountain rescue insurance
Additional Information

Embark on a self-guided, communal shuttle tour that will usher you towards the stunning 7 Rila Lakes area in the morning, followed by a visit to the UNESCO-protected Rila Monastery in the Rila National Park, highlighting Bulgaria’s finest natural and cultural spots, in the afternoon. In the initial part of the day, the shuttle bus will transport you to…

Location
пл. „Княз Александър I“ 1
площад „Княз Александър I“
Go to the car parking at Knyaz Aleksander I square (in front of The Palace - National Art Gallery). Look for a vehicle with Rila Shutle sign. Nearest metro station is Serdika.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.7
(315 Ratings)
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Northnasty87
Jul 9, 2026
Great Day of Hiking and History - This was a great tour. The 7 Lakes are gorgeous, we did the full loop in about 4 hours while taking photos. The Rila Monastery is really cool as well. The bus was air conditioned and the guide had good bits of information if you needed them.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Christinabf3893tm
Jun 28, 2026
Good experience - Had a good experience& not so expensive €41. The bus departed on time at 7:00, but the bus had some issues on the way, but luckily it was fixed in 20 minutes. I had to go to the toilet and when i asked the tourleader if i could use the toilet in de bus he said yes. But it was locked and after i told him this he said nothing...but for the rest he was ok and gave us good information about the hike and where to find the bus again. The walk/hike was quite hard and someone who i met in the bus and i just got in time back at the bus. At about 20:15 we came back in Sofia.
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21aungs
Jun 28, 2026
The Rila Monastery and 7 Rila Lakes Self-Guided Shared Trip from Sofia was fantastic - The transport from Sofia was punctual, comfortable, and well-organised, giving us the perfect amount of independence to explore both sites at our own pace. The 7 Rila Lakes hike offered absolutely breathtaking alpine views, and the chairlift made accessing the trail smooth and easy. Following the hike, visiting the serene and historic Rila Monastery was the perfect way to unwind. It is an incredibly beautiful, peaceful place with stunning architecture.This trip is the ultimate combination of Bulgarian nature and culture. It was amazing value for money, and I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Sofia!"
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Raju
Jun 27, 2026
Fantastic trip! - Mr. Philip, the guide,  planned the trip very well and gave us clear instructions to make the best use of the time. Highly recommend 👌
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Torint584
Jun 25, 2026
10 out of 10 - What an amazing experience‼️ I definitely recommend to everyone. The sights were breathtaking.
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Samarac925
Jun 21, 2026
Great tour - Had the most wonderful tour today. The bus was comfortable and the sights were so so beautiful! Our guide, Phillip, was AMAZING. He gave us such helpful information, was attentive, kind and funny. We highly recommend this tour! Definitely went above and beyond.
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Stay37215529389
Jun 15, 2026
Great experience! - Amazing experience around 7 lakes and Monastery into the Rila Mountains. Great staff!
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Caterinat840
Jun 14, 2026
Top experience - The hike and Philip were great!!
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Q3085nbmatthewo
Jun 6, 2026
Great time - Really good, definitely recommend.
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Csouter
Jul 3, 2026
Cancelled without Explanation - Cancelled without explanation less than 24 hours in advance
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $52
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).