7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour in Sofia
Sofia, Bulgaria

7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour

Outty Ranking 73 4.4 · 184 traveler reviews10 hoursFrom $70

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

2

Children

Age 12 and under

0

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From, per person$70
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Outty Ranking

73/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.4/5

Based on 184 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour worth booking?

7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour is a 10-hour experience in Sofia, Bulgaria, from $70 per person. It scores 73 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended, based on a 4.4/5 rating across 184 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
73 / 100
Rating
4.4/5 (184)
Duration
10 hours
From
$70 per person

IMPORTANT: Entrance in the monastery is only allowed with covered shoulders and covered knees. So please make sure you have appropriate clothes. Often called the 8th wonder of the world, the Seven Rila lakes are legenda

What you get

    About this experience

    IMPORTANT: Entrance in the monastery is only allowed with covered shoulders and covered knees. So please make sure you have appropriate clothes. Often called the 8th wonder of the world, the Seven Rila lakes are legendary for their beauty and awesomeness. They are one of the most visited natural sites of Bulgaria. We combine them with a visit to the Rila Monastery. The Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila, better known as the Rila Monastery is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. The tour starts at 08:00 and finishes around 19:00. The driver will pick you up, will take you to the Monastery and will show you around. After that he will take you to the lift to the 7 Rila Lakes, you will be able to go up to the lakes, the driver will stay down and wait for you there. When you come back, he will pick you from the lift and bring you back to Sofia.

    What's included

    Included

    • On-board WiFi
    • Driver
    • In-vehicle air conditioning

    Not included

    • Food and drinks
    • Gratuities
    • Entrance fees

    What you'll see and do

    1. Rila Monastery

      The amazing Rila Monastery

      60 minutes here

    2. The breath taking 7 Rila Lakes

      300 minutes here · Admission not included

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Sofia

    Iskar 31 street - Big Yellow House - Only a few minutes away from Alexander Nevski Cathedral.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Iskar 31 street - Big Yellow House - Only a few minutes away from Alexander Nevski Cathedral.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Smart Trans Bulgaria

    Know before you go

    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • The drive to the monastery is around 1.5 - 2.5 hours, depending on traffic

    Photos

    7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour in Sofia, photo 27 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour in Sofia, photo 37 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour in Sofia, photo 47 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour in Sofia, photo 57 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour in Sofia, photo 6

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 184 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Physical effort

    5 mentions

    Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.

    The guide

    4 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Photo opportunities

    3 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Organization

    2 mentions

    Pickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.

    Pace and timing

    2 mentions

    Several reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.

    Traveler reviews

    184 verified traveler reviews for 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    131
    4 star
    28
    3 star
    10
    2 star
    3
    1 star
    12
    Sort
    linna_l · August 2026

    Amazing experience. Be...

    Amazing experience. Be prepared to for rain, sun, wind, and coldness. The views are endless and breathtaking.

    via Viator

    Ernie_P · July 2026

    A great, beautiful experience!

    The tour was a wonderful experience, beautiful scenary at Rila Monestary and the Seven Lakes. Highly recommended.

    via Viator

    337shannond · June 2026

    BEWARE OF LAST MINUTE CANCELLATIONS

    Cancelled our tour at 10:30pm the night before! We were really looking forward to the adventure, it was our last day in Bulgaria and too late to book with other companies!

    via Tripadvisor

    P1497CZgabrielef · June 2026

    BEAUTIFUL EXPERIENCE

    apostolos is the best in town!

    via Tripadvisor

    Venkat_I · May 2026

    Fantastic Experience A+++++

    Fantastic tour covering Rila Monastery and the Seven Rila Lakes. Our tour was in a comfortable car with just 5 people in the group. The ride to and from Rila was smooth. Our driver and guide Apostolos was very friendly, kind and super flexible which made the tour very enjoyable. We had plenty of time to admire each attraction and never felt rushed. We were able to make coffee and bathroom stops along the way as well. As for the attractions, Rila Monastery is amazing and so are the Seven Rila Lakes. The tour operator shared detailed information ahead of time so that we could be prepared for the hike to the Rila Lakes. Overall, this is an absolute must do tour if you are visiting Sofia. Arrived safely in Sofia before 6 PM which left me plenty of time to explore other things in the evening.

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    10 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    64
    Verdict
    Strongly Recommended

    Why this scores 73

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)59
    Review evidence (18% weight)80
    Booking momentum (14% weight)76
    Value for money (12% weight)100
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)16
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Sofia.

    How much does 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour cost?

    +

    Prices start at $70 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Sofia usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour take?

    +

    Plan for about 10 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Sofia is not rushed.

    Is 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 73 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.4/5 across 184 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Sofia, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 10-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour?

    +

    Around 64 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Sofia can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Sofia and add a light layer if any part of the 10-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Sofia within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Sofia?

    +

    On Outty we rank every Sofia experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Communist Walking Tour of Sofia, Sofia Highlights 2 Hour Sightseeing Walking Tour, Sofia Escape Room - Teorema Rooms. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Sofia?

    +

    Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Sofia?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

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