Private Day Trip: Rila Monastery & Stob Pyramids
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 5 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Day Trip: Rila Monastery & Stob Pyramids worth booking?
Private Day Trip: Rila Monastery & Stob Pyramids is a 9-hour experience in Sofia, Bulgaria, from $236 per person. It scores 57 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 5 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 57 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (5)
- Duration
- 9 hours
- From
- $236 per person
This is a Private Tour so you will not be combined with other people besides those in your reservation- there will be a private car and a private driver- guide just for you! Rila monastery and hiking through the Stob py
What you get
About this experience
This is a Private Tour so you will not be combined with other people besides those in your reservation- there will be a private car and a private driver- guide just for you! Rila monastery and hiking through the Stob pyramids with a taste of traditional Bulgarian banitsa! If you join this tour you will: walk through the pyramids! See the 19-th century Monastery frescos from the Bulgarian revival and marvelous Iconostasis of the Church. See the unique miraculous icon of the Monastery. Go to the cave of Saint John of Rila. Visit the rich Monastery museum or/and/ the 14th century guard tower of the Monastery. Most times the trips are done with eco friendly cars - with cng engine or electro mobiles, so that we can help fighting the air polution.
What's included
Included
- Visit to the Rila Monastery
- Hotel pick up and drop off
- Private tour
- Hiking
- Professional driver- guide
- Transportation with an A/C car
Not included
- Monastery museum entrance fee- 4 euro
- Lunch & personal expenses
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Stob's Pyramids
Enjoy one of the best ways of exploring and learning more about Bulgaria- with a professional guide while hiking through the amazing mountains. The tour starts from Sofia and first you will go for hiking in the region of the Stob Piramids. A place well know and excellent for hiking where you will enjoy the magnificent nature. The hiking is of moderate difficulty and it is about 1 hour.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Rila Monastery
After that you will visit the largest monastery in Bulgaria: the Rila monastery. There your professional guide will take you around and blend you in to the history and the way of life in the monastery. You will spend about 1- 2h in the Rila monastery. Last but not least you will have the chance to taste one of the best and well known special pastry products in Bulgaria, which will be home-made and have some free time for lunch in a great local restourant.
90 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
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
- City Tour Ltd.
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please dress appropriately for hiking
- Please warn us if you have a 0-2 years old baby when you make the reservation so that we can prepare a special seat for them
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 5 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Physical effort
4 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Photo opportunities
1 mentionThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Organization
1 mentionPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
5 verified traveler reviews for Private Day Trip: Rila Monastery & Stob Pyramids. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Private Tour is much recommended for a family with children.
It was a wonderful experience- the guide was very knowledgeable and took care of us very well. He was very good with kids. Kept them entertained and answered all their questions. He took care of each and every requests. Definitely recommend the extra money for a private tour.
via Tripadvisor
Perfect weather and nice people
The hike was perfect. We had perfect weather for the end of October. Also the Monastery is worth to see. So much history and great nature.
via Viator
Fun combo trip
This was a fun day trip from Sofia, combining the history of Rila and the geology and short hike of the Stob Pyramids. Our car was comfortable and our guide, Angel, a good driver. His English was very good and we learned a lot about Bulgarian history and Rila's story. He knew a place to park near Rila that allowed us to approach it via a short pretty walk through the woods as travelers would have arrived for centuries. Rila is unique and lovely - a must see if you visit Sofia. Angel took us to a riverside restaurant for a delicious lunch, then on to the Stob rock formations. Reaching them requires a quite steep 20 minute walk on a pitted trail. They are interesting but not overwhelming, but it was nice to be outside after a few days in the city.
Response from the operator: Thank you for the positive feedback! We really appreciate it. Please feel free to recommend our service to all your friends coming to Sofia. :) Best regards,
via Tripadvisor
Enjoyable tour of some impressive sights
Excellent opportunity to explore beyond Sofia for the day. A mini hike to the Stob Pyramids in a very tranquil setting and then on to the stunning Rila Monastery. Great lunch by the river. My guide, Orlin, was top notch: thoroughly knowledgeable about the places we visited, excellent English, very engaging. Arranged a detour to visit a winery so I could learn more about local wines and pick up a bottle or two. Punctual, very comfortable vehicle. Entirely recommended!
Response from the operator: Dear Martin, Thank you very much for your recommendation! We appreciate your time in writing this detailed review. I will congratulate Orlin on your kind words. He is a top guide! We hope to hear from you if you are about to visit Bulgaria again. Stay safe and don't stop traveling! Best wishes, Lilly
via Tripadvisor
I can not recommend this tour...
<p>I can not recommend this tour enough. Our group was fortunate enough to have an incredibly knowledgeable tour guide, Nikola, who made the tour even greater then our expectations. We hiked up to St Ivans Cave instead of the Stob Pyramids however this was a very good experience. It is worth taking comfortable footwear with a bit of grip to make the hike easier. The Monastery itself is breath taking, hidden away in the mountains of Bulgaria. The local food tasting was delicious and a perfect end to our trip. This tour is definitely worth taking a day out of your trip for.</p>
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 9 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $236 to $400
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 57
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Day Trip: Rila Monastery & Stob Pyramids: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Sofia.
How much does Private Day Trip: Rila Monastery & Stob Pyramids cost?
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Prices start at $236 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 Private Day Trip: Rila Monastery & Stob Pyramids take?
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Plan for about 9 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 Private Day Trip: Rila Monastery & Stob Pyramids worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 57 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 5 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 Private Day Trip: Rila Monastery & Stob Pyramids?
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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 Private Day Trip: Rila Monastery & Stob Pyramids suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 9-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Day Trip: Rila Monastery & Stob Pyramids?
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Around 2 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?
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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 9-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Day Trip: Rila Monastery & Stob Pyramids start and how do I get there?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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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