From Sofia: Rila Monastery UNESCO Site & Outdoor Mineral Spa



Visit Rila Monastery, the sanctuary of Balkan culture, religion, and spirit in Rila National Park. Head to Sapareva Banya to take some time and relax at the thermal baths and spa.

Highlights

  • Visit Rila Monastery
  • Get away from the city and let your stress melt away on a spa day trip with sigh
  • Relax in an indoor or outdoor mineral water spa complex
  • Enjoy free time for walking and lunch
  • Small groups (8-18 persons)

Description

After years of providing customized tours for our clients, we have designed an amazing tour, giving you the chance of visiting the sanctuary of Balkan culture, history, religion, and spirit - Rilski Manastir ( Rila Monastery ) and be able to feel the healing powers of Bulgaria's mineral springs, close to the only Gaiser on the Balkans within a day from Sofia and water heated by the Earth's core, popping out to 103 above ground. Famous since Roman times, Bulgaria is known for its rejuvenating mineral waters. On this day trip, combine a visit to the best mineral water baths, open all-year-round, with visit of Rila Monastery. Your day starts with a pick-up near Serdika, easily reachable by all public transport in Sofia and within a 15-minute walk from all centrally based accommodations. Visit one of the Unesco sites in Bulgaria, a monastery established by the first Bulgarian Hermit, A Miracle Worker, The Spiritual Protector of the Balkans- Ioan Rilski. After having some time of your own, to admire the beauty of the almost 200-year-old frescoes, presented like a comic book by some of that time's best painters like Zahary Zograf, Stanislav Dospevski, together with the beauty of Rila Mountain, we move on. The best way to be able to experience a country is to try local food. Several options are available, depending on group size and food preferences. And we head for the Spa. Just an hour or so away is our next destination- Sapareva Banya - the hot water in an outdoor complex with several pool areas, hydro jets, jacuzzi a wet bar all year long. After soaking in the mineral waters good for skin, bone, and heart, we head back to Sofia.

Includes

Transportation from Serdika Meeting point Driver or guide Online audio guide for Rila Monastery in English, Spanish, Italian, French, German and Russian (requires smartphone with internet access)

Important Information

  • Bring swimwear, flip-flops and warm clothes. Swimwear, towels and flip-flops are available at resonable prices at the pool. Bring clothes that cover your knees and shoulders for the Monastery visit! Bring cash (refundable) in local currency for deposit: 10 leva for locker key, 10 leva for towel use and 30 leva for bathrobe use. Entrance fees for spa complex not included (10-20€ per person). Free audio-guide (included) requires smartphone with internet access.

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund

Available Dates

September 2026 11 dates
Sun 20th Sep Mon 21st Sep Tue 22nd Sep Wed 23rd Sep Thu 24th Sep Fri 25th Sep
October 2026 31 dates
Thu 1st Oct Fri 2nd Oct Sat 3rd Oct Sun 4th Oct Mon 5th Oct Tue 6th Oct
November 2026 10 dates
Sun 1st Nov Mon 2nd Nov Tue 3rd Nov Wed 4th Nov Thu 5th Nov Fri 6th Nov

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