Visiting Rila Monastery, Bulgaria: A Day Trip Guide

Tucked deep within Bulgaria’s highest mountain range, the Rila Monastery is more than just a religious site—it’s a national treasure woven into the spiritual and cultural fabric of Bulgaria.

Founded by Bulgaria’s first hermit, St. John of Rila, this remarkable complex has played an important role in preserving Bulgarian identity through centuries of turmoil, Ottoman rule, and cultural revival. 

Today, it stands as a masterpiece of Eastern Orthodox architecture and artistic influence, with its vivid frescoes, wood-carved iconostasis, and striped arcades drawing pilgrims, history lovers, and curious travelers.

After spending five days soaking up the energy of Sofia, I set off on a day trip to Rila Monastery with a private guide—an experience that allowed us to dive deep into the layers of this sacred site, uncovering its quiet corners, soaring frescoes, and centuries of spiritual history. Here’s your guide to visiting Rila Monastery in Bulgaria. 

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What is Rila Monastery?

Rila Monastery is Bulgaria’s most iconic spiritual and cultural landmark—an Eastern Orthodox sanctuary located deep in the forested folds of the Rila Mountains.

A working monastery to this day, it’s best known for its dramatic alpine setting, candy-striped arcades, and vividly frescoed interiors that feel more like an open-air museum than a religious institution. 

Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Rila Monastery is more than just a place of worship—it’s a living symbol of Bulgarian identity, resilience, and artistry. Come for the architecture, the serene mountain air, or the sheer sense of awe it inspires—whatever draws you in, the monastery offers a travel experience that’s both peaceful and profound.

A Brief History of Rila Monastery

Rila Monastery was founded in the 10th century by Bulgaria’s first known hermit, St. John of Rila (also known as Ivan Rilski or St. Ivan of Rila), whose ascetic life in a cave in the nearby mountains inspired the formation of a monastic community.

Though the saint never lived within the monastery walls, his spiritual legacy made the site one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in the Eastern Orthodox world.

By the 14th century, Rila Monastery had grown into a major religious and cultural hub, supported by Bulgarian tsars and aristocrats who viewed it as a bastion of national faith and identity.

During the long centuries of Ottoman rule, it played a critical role in preserving the Bulgarian language, traditions, and Orthodox Christianity, serving as a hidden sanctuary for education and resistance in an era of repression.

The current architectural complex dates largely from the 19th century, when a devastating fire prompted a grand reconstruction in the Bulgarian National Revival style. With its boldly striped arcades, soaring frescoed ceilings, and richly carved wooden iconostasis, the monastery reflects both the endurance and renaissance of Bulgarian culture.

Today, it remains not only a working monastery but a UNESCO World Heritage Site, revered as the spiritual heart of Bulgaria and a monument to its resilience.

Know Before You Go

 – Rila Monastery is a famous Eastern Orthodox monastery located high in the mountains.

–  Rila Monastery is located 117km from Sofia, just under 2 hours of driving. 

–  The weather here changes very quickly- make sure to bring extra layers and waterproofs just in case. If visiting in summer, it’s best to wear long pants and a t-shirt- you can’t enter the monastery without covering your shoulders and knees.

–  Public transport to Rila Monastery is limited. It’s best to drive yourself or take a tour. 

–  Entrance to the monastery complex is free, but there is an additional fee for the museums and parking.

How to Get to Rila Monastery, Bulgaria

The easiest and most popular way to get to Rila Monastery is from Sofia, which serves as the main jumping-off point for day trips into the Rila Mountains. There are essentially three different ways to get to Rila, but I’d assign at least half the day for the monastery only and a full day if combining the monastery with other nearby sights. 

By Car

A rental car gives you full flexibility and the freedom to enjoy the scenic mountain drive at your own pace. Just be sure to stick strictly to the speed limits—Bulgarian traffic enforcement is no joke, and police are known to lurk in hidden spots along rural roads, waiting to catch unsuspecting drivers.

The route to Rila Monastery from Sofia, primarily along Highway III‑107, is undeniably picturesque, but road conditions can vary, especially as you climb into the Rila mountains, so it’s wise to take it slow through the bends.

If you rent a car and drive yourself, I’d recommend making a day of it and visiting Boyana Church on the way out as well as the 7 Rila Lakes in the mountains nearby.

I highly recommend using Discover Cars for car rental in Bulgaria, opting for their full insurance coverage and choosing major, trusted rental companies like Hertz, Sixt, or Europcar. 

By Bus

​If you’re not keen on driving, the most straightforward public transport option is a direct shuttle bus, typically operated by companies like Traventuria or Rila Monastery Shuttle. These buses usually depart once daily, around 10:20 am from central Sofia—often near Alexander Nevsky Cathedral or Ovcha Kupel bus station—and arrive at the Bulgarian monastery by around 1:00 pm. 

The return trip departs mid-afternoon, giving you a few hours to explore the site at your own pace. It’s a budget-friendly option, with round-trip tickets costing roughly €12–17 per person, depending on the operator and whether a guide is included.

By Tour

Generally, the most convenient and enriching way to visit is by joining an organized tour from Sofia. These usually include not only transport but also a knowledgeable guide—something I found incredibly valuable, as context really brings this place to life.

During my visit, I had a private driver/guide arranged by my hotel, and, while functional, it was lackluster and lacked depth, so I wouldn’t recommend winging it. 

Instead, opt for a reputable tour that combines Rila Monastery with other nearby sights like the UNESCO-listed Boyana Church or the spectacular Seven Rila Lakes.

Most tours offer one of the two as a combo, and while Boyana Church is absolutely worth visiting (and easily accessible on your own from Sofia), I’d highly recommend choosing the Rila Lakes—unless you’re visiting in the dead of winter when conditions make hiking there tricky.

Here are the best tours to book for Rila Monastery from Sofia (I recommend going private or small group):

What to See at Rila Monastery

Once you pass through the arched stone gates of Rila Monastery, it’s clear this isn’t just a religious site—it’s a full-blown architectural and artistic marvel.

From its candy-striped cloisters to its vividly frescoed chapels, every corner of the monastery consists of various main buildings and architectural monuments that reveal layers of spiritual, cultural, and visual significance worth lingering over.

Nativity of the Virgin Church

The Nativity of the Virgin Church, the monastery’s spiritual core and main church, was rebuilt between 1834 and 1837 in the Bulgarian National Revival style under the architect Pavel from Krimin. It boasts five domes, three altars, and a pair of chapels, making it one of the grandest churches in the Balkans.

Inside, every inch of wall and ceiling is enveloped in vivid frescoes painted in the 1840s by leading masters such as Zahari Zograf, Dimitar Zograf, Stanislav Dospevski, and their apprentices. 

These detailed mural paintings depict dramatic religious scenes—like the Last Judgment, the Wheel of Life, Adam and Eve, and the Baptism of Christ—in astonishing clarity and color. 

Dominating the interior is a magnificent, gold‑plated wood iconostasis, carved over five years by a team of talented craftsmen, which gleams under a central crystal chandelier. The relics of Bulgaria’s first hermit, Saint Ivan of Rila, rest within the church, lending it deep spiritual resonance as the living heart of Rila Monastery.

Note that you aren’t allowed to take photos inside the church, but you can in the porticoes around it and outside. 

Hrelyo’s Tower

Hrelyo’s Tower is the oldest surviving structure within Rila Monastery, built around 1334–1335 by local feudal lord Hrelja (also known as Protosebastos Hrelja) as a fortified defensive tower for monks during raids and political turmoil.

Soaring to approximately 23–24 meters across five stories, the square tower is reinforced by twelve massive buttresses and constructed from river stones and bricks—its design deliberately imposing to deter attackers and protect its occupants. 

The top floor houses a small chapel dedicated to the Transfiguration of Christ, adorned with original 14th-century fresco fragments—a spiritual highlight after climbing the narrow stone stairwell. Inside, below ground level, there’s a vaulted basement that reportedly served as a medieval prison or secure storeroom.

Rila Monastery Museum

The Monastery History Museum, located within the eastern wing, offers an expansive look at Rila’s cultural and religious legacy through over 600 artifacts—from medieval manuscripts and printed books, to icons, ecclesiastical vestments, coins, wood-carvings, and even monastery-era tools and textiles.

At its heart lies the extraordinary Rafail’s Cross, carved from a whole piece of wood by monk Rafail over 12 years; the cross features 104 biblical scenes and some 650 miniature figures and is considered a masterpiece of Bulgarian miniature woodcarving.

But the museum isn’t limited to artifacts alone—several distinct themed exhibitions are spread across the monastery complex, showcasing everything from the historic monastic economy (with beekeeping tools, bakery and mill display) to ethnographic rooms furnished in traditional Revival-era style, and a dedicated Icon Gallery featuring religious paintings and portraits of abbots dating from the 17th to 19th centuries. 

While the monastery is free, you’ll need to purchase a combined ticket (around 20 BGN, roughly €10) at the entrance for the museums.

Grab a Mekitsa at the Monastery’s bakery

If you swing by the monastery’s small bakery just outside the north gate—most days open from around 9:30 AM to early afternoon—you’ve hit the jackpot.

For just 1 Bulgarian leva (about €0.50), you can grab a warm, freshly fried mekitsa, a pillowy Bulgarian doughnut made with yogurt and flour, often dusted with powdered sugar or served with jam or honey. 

It’s the perfect snack pick‑me‑up after wandering through frescoed cloisters and museum halls.

​Have a Local Meal

After wandering through frescoed courtyards and the museum, settle in for a local meal at one of the simple but satisfying restaurants near the monastery.

Expect hearty, traditional Bulgarian fare—think shopska salad, lentil or bean soup, grilled trout, kebapche/kyufte, and banitsa, a flaky cheese pastry that’s very tasty indeed. These eateries usually have English menus and friendly staff who make ordering easy, even if the setting is rustic.

Hike down to the River

One thing our guide did show us—and it turned out to be a pleasant hidden gem—is a lovely little hiking path that leads out from the monastery and follows the river to an old stone bridge just a short distance away.

Hiking this short trail is the perfect way to appreciate more of the surrounding countryside: shady pine forest, birdsong, and the sound of crystal-clear mountain water rushing beside you. 

To find the trail, head down the paved path to the right of the monastery bakery, continue past all the small restaurants and souvenir stalls, and eventually the pavement gives way to a dirt road. Keep going—just about 200 metres in total—and you’ll reach the charming old bridge, nestled in a tranquil setting that feels a world away from the tour groups and camera clicks inside the monastery walls.

It’s a peaceful, grounding walk, and a perfect way to connect with the natural beauty that surrounds this sacred place.

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So, are you planning a visit to Rila Monastery? Let me know your questions in the comments below!

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