Name: Rila Monastery
Address: Rila
Rating: 4.5

We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.

ADMISSION TICKETS (1)

Rila Monastery Entrance Ticket

From USD 10.40*

ADMISSION TICKETS (1)

Rila Monastery Entrance Ticket

From USD 10.40*

BOOK A TOUR

See all (17)

Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Day Trip from Sofia

Day Trips

From USD 34.68*

Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Shuttle Tour

Full-day Tours

From USD 34.68*

2,536

All photos (2,536)

Full view

${2006_tc_awards_title_ffffe599|s}$

Traveller Overview

4.5 1,560 reviews

Excellent78%
Very good17%
Average3%
Poor1%
Terrible1%

Travellers talk about

“main church”(30 reviews)

“day trip”(63 reviews)

“world heritage site”(12 reviews)

About

Founded in the 10th century, this monastery was restored in the 15th and again in the 19th century.

Suggested duration: 1-2 hours

Contact

Rila, Bulgaria

Website

0896 872010

Call

Improve This Listing

Ways to Experience Rila Monastery

Rila Monastery Entrance Ticket

from USD 10.40

More Info

Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Day Trip...

233 Reviews

from USD 34.68

More Info

Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Shuttle Tour

23 Reviews

from USD 34.68

More Info

Rila Monastery and 7 Rila Lakes in one day...

3 Reviews

from USD 46.23

More Info

1 - 10 of 710 reviews

amigaudenxo

Hatfield, United Kingdom

161

Reviewed 2 days ago via mobile

Absolutely beautiful

Whilst me and a friend were on a city break in Sofia, we decided to visit Rila Monastery, and it was a decision that we did no regret. The surroundings and environment were absolutely beautiful. There were so much to explore, I would love to...More

Date of experience: October 2018

Thank amigaudenxo

CKF

585221

Reviewed 1 week ago

I'd return to Bulgaria just to visit the Rila Monastery again!

The Rila Monastery was easily the highlight of our 4 day trip to Bulgaria. We arrived during a gently snowfall, and this just enhanced the beauty of the scene. Gorgeous paintings in architecturally interesting buildings. The inner courtyard is the main attraction: a 360 degree...More

Date of experience: January 2019

Thank CKF

Blabbott

Aurora, Illinois

548160

Reviewed 2 weeks ago

A highlight of our Bulgarian adventure

While we had seen it in pictures before we went, this is one area that must be experienced in person. Our first glimpse of the monastery in its mountain setting was breathtaking and we enjoyed taking our time walking around the complex. Much of the...More

Date of experience: September 2018

Thank Blabbott

eaya

Reviewed 4 weeks ago via mobile

Amazing

We took this day trip with Traventura. Our guide/driver Lubo was well spoken and well versed. He was patient even stopped for a photograph where he thought It was an exceptional spot, and well, we beautiful pictures to take with us. amazing exper experience overall.

Date of experience: December 2018

Thank eaya

cbarrutia3

Madrid, Spain

155

Reviewed 13 December 2018

Obliged visit in Bulgaria

After having been in a couple of places in Bulgaria (and around Europe) I confirm the Rila Monastery as one of the places in the continent that definitely deserves a visit. An hour and a half away from Sofia, the Rila Monastery is settled in...More

Date of experience: December 2018

Thank cbarrutia3

Lilian C

Athens, Greece

9638

Reviewed 12 December 2018 via mobile

Holy place

One of the most spiritual places you can visit in Bulgaria. The gorgeous Rila mountain hugging in its lap the Monastery.... the rivers running down, the nature getting in harmony with the human... Visit to feel it.

Date of experience: November 2018

Thank Lilian C

aysentg

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

3510

Reviewed 5 December 2018

What an impressive site!

The monastery was well-worth a visit. The church and the museum are very impressive. Our tour guide, Vincent was excellent (Full-Day Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Tour from Sofia - Exploria). Highly recommend this tour.

Date of experience: December 2018

Thank aysentg

raulrjrf

Geneva, Switzerland

214

Reviewed 5 December 2018 via mobile

Great !

Absolutely beautiful ! At two hours drive from Sofia. A must if you are there. Take an excursion with guide in order to have a good background of the place and its history.

Date of experience: December 2018

Thank raulrjrf

727tracyw

Melbourne, Australia

34989

Reviewed 23 November 2018 via mobile

10th century Monastery is a must see

Dating back to the 10th century this is the largest Eastern Orthodox Monastery in Bulgaria. Named after its founder, the hermit Ivan of Rila. You need to pay a fee to visit. You cannot take photos inside the church. It is one of the most...More

Date of experience: September 2018

Thank 727tracyw

mtodorova1

Manchester, United Kingdom

593

Reviewed 22 November 2018

Gorgeous monastery

It is a must if you are in Bulgaria! My friends and I visited the monastery on our way to Seven Rila lakes. The scenery is gorgeous! I recommend trying the traditional "mekitsa" with powdered sugar just outside of the monastery in the back. Keep...More

Date of experience: August 2018

Thank mtodorova1

View more reviews

Previous Next

1 2 3 4 5 6 …71

Nearby

See all 2 nearby hotels See all 8 nearby restaurants See all 8 nearby attractions

See all

Questions & Answers

Ask a question

See all 44 questions

PearlB99

yes, I would like to know how i can stay in the monastery for 5 days where I can have peace and quiet. inside RILA. I understand the monastery take in people for this reason. thanks

20 September 2018|

AnswerShow all 3 answers

there are common showers and it is more like a hostel. Size of rooms are big. but definitely is safe and clean. Quiet and peace is so so, because tourists are not allowed to come upstairs to the room corridors.