How to get to Rila Monastery

Rila Monastery is the most popular Bulgarian tourist site.

Rila monastery is the first thing that comes to your mind when you have friends from abroad visiting. I will dare to be accused of blasphemy and even say that sometimes it feels a bit of a cliché. But there’s a reason for that – no surprise it’s one of the nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Bulgaria. Words fail to describe this heavenly monument.

Believe it or not, getting to the place is not the easiest thing, though. That’s why one of the most frequently asked questions is…

How to get to Rila Monastery?

Here’s the answer(s):

• To Rila Monastery by BUS:

Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic started the bus has not been operating. There was a brief attempt to restart it in August 2023. Unfortunately it was short-lived. We will make sure to update this information as soon as the public bus starts operating again. Hopefully sometime soon in 2024. Call +35929555362 (Ovcha Kupel (Sofia-West) Bus Station) for the most up-to-date info.

• To Rila Monastery by MINIBUS.

Since there is no public bus available, the most common option to get to the Rila Monastary is Traventuria’s daily shuttle bus. The good thing about this particular option is that it also takes you to the Boyana Church in the outskirts of Sofia. This way you get to see two UNESCO World heritage sites in one day – Rila Monastery and Boyana Church. Definitely worth it if you are here for short time. Otherwise, most visitors usually don’t visit the Boyana Church at all, as it is too far away from Sofia’s city center. That will cost you 30 EUR per person. Prices could vary depending on the season. Advance booking is required – book your spot here.

As far as we know, our friends at Hostel Mostel also organize a minibus to Rila Monastery. The requirement is that there are at least 3 travellers. It would take you back around 17:00-18:00. For more information, please contact the hostel.

• Of course there is GUIDED TOUR.

There are plenty of companies in Bulgaria that offer guided tours to the rila monastary. The one we recommend is Traventuria. Apart from their daily shuttle bus, they also offer a daily guided tour, following the same route (Rila Monastary and Boyana Church) with a professional tour guide. The price of this combined trip with a tour guide is 35 EUR per person return ticket. You can book it here.

You can also search for individual tour guides or other private tour companies of your choice if you contact the Association of Bulgarian Tour Guides.

• To Rila monastery by CAR.

The most convenient way to travel in Bulgaria in general. If you can use a car (rented or borrowed), do not hesitate. This would give you much more speed, freedom and chance to stop by less obvious but as interesting tourist attractions. For example, you can see the unofficial ‘junk’ museum just outside of Kocherinovo. Retro cars, old TV sets, photos of Lenin and hundreds of other old items, stored by a local in the building of the Soviet-era агропромышленный комплекс.

• HIKING is an option as well

You can go hiking from Sofia through Vitosha mountain to Rila mountain following the E4 European long distance path and then find your way to the monastery.

If you know any other means of transportation to the monastery or if there are any changes in the above-mentioned information, please let us know. Also, do not hesitate to ask us any questions as comments to this blog post or through our other contact details.

About the Monastary

The Rila Monastary is one of the holiest places in Bulgaria. It dates back to the 10th century. Over the centuries it has been through a lot. It was destroyed and rebuilt several times. Today it is by far the biggest and most famous monastary in Bulgaria among both locals and tourists. It is situated at 1147 meters altitude in the Rila mountains – Bulgaria’s highest mountain. On about 8800 square meters the monastary complex includes 24-meter stone walls, the Hreliov’s tower, “The Nativity of the Virgin” – main church, around 300 rooms, 110 monk’s cells and 40 drawing rooms, a library and much more.

One of the monastary’s most valuable parts is the wooden-carved iconostasis. The monastary is also home to several permanent and temporary expositions of Bulgarian icon art, manuscripts and old printed work. For the past 1000 years the Rila Monastary has been the heart and soul of Bulgarian literacy, culture and religion.

Opening Times and Admission Fees

• Monastary: every day from 7AM to 8PM
• Hrelyo’s Tower: only from 1st of June to 30th of September. Entrance fee: 5BGN; Students/Kids: 1BGN
• Ethnographic Museum, Revival Period Guestrooms, Farming Equipment of the Monastary:
  – from 1st of June to 30th of September: every day from 8:30AM to 7:30PM
  – from 1st of October to 31st of May: every day from 8:30AM to 4:30PM
  – entrance fee: Adults: 5BGN; Students/Kids: 2BGN
• Church History Museum
  – from 1st of June to 30th of September: every day from 8:30AM to 7:30PM
  – from 1st of October to 31st of May: every day from 8:30AM to 4:30PM
  – entrance fee: Adults: 8BGN; Students/Kids: 2BGN

Requirements

When visiting the Rila Monastery it is important to consider a few simple rules:

• it is not allowed to smoke inside entire monastery comples
• don’t enter with inappropriate clothing: hats, short skirts, shorts, tanktops and other skimpy outfits
• don’t take photos and videos in the church and in the museums
• it is not allowed to go upstairs on the floors of the residential buildings
• don’t enter with pets
• don’t make noise inside the church
• it is not allowed to enter with bulky bagage

St. Ivan Rilski

Ivan Rilski (876 – 946) – St John of Rila is Bulgaria’s first hermit. It is believed that he is the creator of the Monastary. He is also regarded as the patron saint of all Bulgarians. He is also one of the most important saints in the Bulgarian Orthodox church. In his lifetime he witnessed the glory and decline of the First Bulgarian Empire. If you are interested in learning more about his life and testement you should definately check the information provided here.

Sleeping at the Rila Monastary

That’s right! It is actually possible to spend the night at the Rila Monastry at a very reasonable price. The monastary has a special area that hosts travellers. Of course, don’t expect a 5-star hotel service but a rather unique experience instead. You can book a room there by simply calling +359 70542208. It will cost you 30 BGN (around 15 euros) You might need a Bulgarian to assist you with your phone conversation as they might not speak very good English. Check-in is before 6PM. Breakfast and dinner options are available as there are several restaurants in the area.

What to do around the Rila Monastary

There are several landmarks that are nearby. They are easily accessible, especially if you have your own car. We encourage you to check out the Ivan Rilski Cave and  The Stob Earth Pyramids (Stobski Piramidi).

Ivan Rilski Cave and The Rila Monastery

Located only 3-4 kilometers from the monastery is one of Bulgaria’s most sacred places – Ivan Rilski Cave. If you have a couple of extra hours after you complete your visit at the monastery, make sure to check it out! You can also book a trip that includes a visit both to the Rila Monastery and the Ivan Rilski Cave.

Want to visit the Rila Monastery and the Seven Rila Lakes in the same day?

People often ask us whether it’s possible to combine a visit to both the Rila Monastery and the Seven Rila Lakes in the same day. And though we have to admit, that’s a bit hectic and rushed, it is now possible with this 12-hours long day trip that takes you to both places. If you only have one day and really want to visit both, then that’s your best bet. The 7 Rila Lakes is truly one of the most breathtaking hikes you’ll ever experience.

Looking for other day trip options from Sofia? Look no further!

Last updated: November 2023