Rila Monastery & Thermae Full-Day Tour from Sofia
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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
4.6/5
Based on 46 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Rila Monastery & Thermae Full-Day Tour from Sofia worth booking?
Rila Monastery & Thermae Full-Day Tour from Sofia is a 9-hour experience in Sofia, Bulgaria, from $35 per person. It scores 69 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 46 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 69 / 100
- Rating
- 4.6/5 (46)
- Duration
- 9 hours
- From
- $35 per person
Guided Tour (English) and free online audio-guides in Eg, Fr, Sp, It, Ger, Rus. Rila Monastery UNESCO site and the healing powers of Bulgaria's mineral springs in a relaxing spa!
What you get
About this experience
Guided Tour (English) and free online audio-guides in Eg, Fr, Sp, It, Ger, Rus. Rila Monastery UNESCO site and the healing powers of Bulgaria's mineral springs in a relaxing spa!
What's included
Included
- English speaking driver or guide
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Italian or Spanish guide (depnding on option and day)
- Online audio-guide in Eg, Fr, Sp, It, De, Rus (use with your smartphone & earphones)
Not included
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- All Fees and Taxes
What you'll see and do
Rila Monastery
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. Founded in the 10th century, the Rila Monastery is regarded as one of Bulgaria's most important cultural, historical and architectural monuments and is a must-visit tourist attraction for both Bulgarians and foreign visitors. It was built at its present place in the 14th century. The oldest buildings in the complex date from this period - the Tower of Hrelyu (1334–1335) and a small church just next to it (1343). However, the arrival of the Ottomans in the end of the 14th century was followed by numerous raids and a destruction of the monastery in the middle of the 15th century. The monastery complex, regarded as one of the most impressive masterpieces of Bulgarian National Revival architecture, was declared a national historical monument in 1976 and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
60 minutes here
Rila
Rila National Park is the highest and most beautiful mountain on the Balkan penisula with its 2925 m. high peak Musala and beautiful forest, rivers, waterfalls and meadows.
Pass by without stopping
Aqua Club Kotvata&Restaurant Kotvata
Kotvata Thermal Spa Complex offers excellent hot mineral water in many outside and inside pools. Relax, recover and enjoy a beer, no matter winter or summer. Inside thermal pool is cheaper and warmer for the winter, outside pools offer diffrent temperature and are perfect for both summer and winter months.
120 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Sofia
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).
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
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).
Options you can book
Rila & Thermae in Italian
Italian Live Guide: The tour is in Italian.
Rila & Thermae Pick up
The price includes pick up/drop off from your hotel, transportation, English speakig guide/driver, parking fees.
Rila Monastery & Thermal Spa
Guided Tour (English): Live guide (English) and free online audio guide in Eg, Fr, Sp, It, Ger, Rus (smartphone and internet required) from meeting.
Budget Rila Monastery and Spa
Self-guided tour w/audio guide: On a budget: visit Rila Monastery & thermal pools (optional, extra entrance fees) with a audio in Eg, Fr, De, Rus, It, Sp.
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
- V Travel Ltd.
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- 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
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 46 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
46 verified traveler reviews for Rila Monastery & Thermae Full-Day Tour from Sofia. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
We had a very nice day...
We had a very nice day trip out of Sofia. The place is definitely worth visiting and should be on your must-see list. We had a few issues at the start of the trip. Finding our guide was a bit challenging because the pick-up point was very busy, with lots of coaches, making it difficult to know which one was ours. Our guide was amazing. She was very informative, friendly, and took great care of all of us throughout the day, even when our transportation broke down just 1 km before our destination. The destination itself is absolutely worth seeing. The spa with its natural hot mineral pools was a nice and relaxing way to spend the afternoon after the morning tour. Overall, despite the minor issues at the beginning, we had a great experience and would recommend this trip.
via Viator
Great Experience and would highly recommend if you are looking for some relaxation.
Company was very good with their communication prior to the tour started. For someone who came over 6k miles to Bulgaria, this is important. Ivan was a great tour guide. The Monastery was beautiful and it was such a scenic drive while Ivan gave us some background information about Bulgaria. Thermal pools were my favorite. They were perfect and very relaxing. There were no crowds so I could easily enjoy with relaxation. The amount of time we spent there was perfect (3 hours). We made it back to Sofia at about 5:50pm which also allowed me to attend the 6pm free walking tour.
via Viator
Amazing Tour!
The tour is really good, Rila Monastery is incredible and worth checking. The Spa trip is also great. The tour guide Georgi Ivanov was great too, he taught a lot about the history of Rila. I highly recommend the visit.
via Viator
Not a great experience.....
Viewing the monastery is worthwhile BUT on this tour we were all crammed on to an old and dirty mini bus which had graffiti on the back of at least one headrest. My seat was broken and the general condition was very poor. The monastery is impressive and there are options to get food and drinks . The Thermae is just a series of swimming pools - nice on a hot day
via Tripadvisor
Stefan was the perfect...
Stefan was the perfect guide. He had a wealth of knowledge about the the path to Rila Monastery and Thermae Spa. And pointing out the stork nests. The tour company were amazingly efficient providing excellent information. The meeting point was very clear. Stefan provided a description of Rila Monastery and then let us explore with several times pointing out amazing things that I would have missed. The audio guide was excellent. The Thermae Spa was wonderful. And clean. There a cool, warm and very warm pools. Fortunately with both the Monastery and the Spa it was not crowded. A perfect day.
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
- $35 to $164
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 16
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 69
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Rila Monastery & Thermae Full-Day Tour from Sofia: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Sofia.
How much does Rila Monastery & Thermae Full-Day Tour from Sofia cost?
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Prices start at $35 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 Rila Monastery & Thermae Full-Day Tour from Sofia 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 Rila Monastery & Thermae Full-Day Tour from Sofia worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 69 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 46 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 Rila Monastery & Thermae Full-Day Tour from Sofia?
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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 Rila Monastery & Thermae Full-Day Tour from Sofia 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 Rila Monastery & Thermae Full-Day Tour from Sofia?
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Around 16 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 Rila Monastery & Thermae Full-Day Tour from Sofia 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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