The Seven Rila Lakes & Rila Monastery
Overview
Experience Bulgaria’s two ultimate highlights in a single day. This expertly timed day trip combines a breathtaking hike to the panoramic Seven Rila Lakes with a cultural visit to the historic Rila Monastery, the largest and most important spiritual landmark in the country.
It is the ultimate mountain-and-culture combo designed to maximize your time without feeling rushed.
- Conquer the highlights of the Rila Mountains in just one day from Sofia.
- Trek past the spectacular lakes with stunning panoramic views (chairlift ticket optional/paid locally).
- Rila Monastery: Enjoy ample time to explore the vast UNESCO-listed complex and its famous frescoed church.
- Relax in an air-conditioned vehicle with a professional driver navigating the mountain roads.
- Active yet Accessible: A moderately active trek perfect for travelers with basic physical fitness and comfortable shoes.
What's Included
- Visit to Rila Monastery
- Parking Fees
- Round-trip transport by air-conditioned minibus or coach
- Professional Tour Guide OR Cloud Audio Guide App (depending on the option you select have booked)
- Rila Monastery Museum (Optional; entrance to the main courtyard/church is free)
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
- Chairlift ticket (only cash payments in euro accepted)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Meeting Location
Sofia Center
bul. "Yanko Sakazov" 9, 1527 Sofia, Bulgaria
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Book Online
Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free
Embassy of Slovakia (pass by)
Seven Rila Lakes
4 hours Admission Ticket Free
Rila Monastery
1 hour Admission Ticket Free
bul. "Yanko Sakazov" 9 (pass by)
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Food: although there are two huts on our way where we can purchase some basic food (i.e. beans soup, meatballs, tea) we advise you to come prepared with a lunch pack from Sofia, because the programme today is rather tight and for sure we won’t have much time for a proper lunch.
- Difficulty: the hiking route is moderately arduous, with individual brief paths featuring steep inclines. Please bring along comfortable walking boots. Sandals and flip-flops are not accepted. Rain jacket might be useful in summer as heavy showers sometimes occur in the afternoons.
- IMPORTANT FOR MAY AND JUNE DEPARTURES! Kindly note, that availability of the tour depends on the weather conditions and the operation of the chairlift.
- The terrain will be very wet and slippery and there will still be snow in the area. Walking in such conditions requires adequate equipment (good trekking boots, waterproof clothes and a warm layer beneath the jacket). The hike is demanding, so a good fitness level is also required. Keep in mind that some of the lakes may be covered in snow.
- Important! As with all lifts the one, used for the hike to The Seven Rila Lakes, may halt operations (due to strong winds, power cuts etc.). In this unlikely event, an alternative hike will be offered on spot by the guide. Mind that such a situation does not make you eligible for a refund for the tour.
- Tour with ONLINE (cloud-based) Audio-guide in different languages (EN, ES, IT, FR, DE, RU). INTERNET required to download and use. Headphones required, too.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (8)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the The Seven Rila Lakes & Rila Monastery?
Cancellation Policy
Still have questions?
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Activity code: C-6992P20
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.77 out of 5 stars based on 111 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (8)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EET).
- Visit to Rila Monastery.
- Parking Fees.
- Round-trip transport by air-conditioned minibus or coach.
- Professional Tour Guide OR Cloud Audio Guide App (depending on the option you select have booked).
- Rila Monastery Museum (Optional; entrance to the main courtyard/church is free).
- Food and drinks.
- Gratuities.
- Chairlift ticket (only cash payments in euro accepted).
- Hotel pickup and drop-off.
This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Apr 2025The minimum age to participate is 12..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the The Seven Rila Lakes & Rila Monastery is as follows:
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for The Seven Rila Lakes & Rila Monastery will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- Visit to Rila Monastery
- Parking Fees
- Round-trip transport by air-conditioned minibus or coach
- Professional Tour Guide OR Cloud Audio Guide App (depending on the option you select have booked)
- Rila Monastery Museum (Optional; entrance to the main courtyard/church is free)
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
- Chairlift ticket (only cash payments in euro accepted)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Food: although there are two huts on our way where we can purchase some basic food (i.e. beans soup, meatballs, tea) we advise you to come prepared with a lunch pack from Sofia, because the programme today is rather tight and for sure we won’t have much time for a proper lunch.
- Difficulty: the hiking route is moderately arduous, with individual brief paths featuring steep inclines. Please bring along comfortable walking boots. Sandals and flip-flops are not accepted. Rain jacket might be useful in summer as heavy showers sometimes occur in the afternoons.
- IMPORTANT FOR MAY AND JUNE DEPARTURES! Kindly note, that availability of the tour depends on the weather conditions and the operation of the chairlift.
- The terrain will be very wet and slippery and there will still be snow in the area. Walking in such conditions requires adequate equipment (good trekking boots, waterproof clothes and a warm layer beneath the jacket). The hike is demanding, so a good fitness level is also required. Keep in mind that some of the lakes may be covered in snow.
- Important! As with all lifts the one, used for the hike to The Seven Rila Lakes, may halt operations (due to strong winds, power cuts etc.). In this unlikely event, an alternative hike will be offered on spot by the guide. Mind that such a situation does not make you eligible for a refund for the tour.
- Tour with ONLINE (cloud-based) Audio-guide in different languages (EN, ES, IT, FR, DE, RU). INTERNET required to download and use. Headphones required, too.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers
