Rhodope Mountains Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

I don't necessarily connect monasteries with religion. For me they are magical places ✨ Magical for their architecture, the atmosphere, the art and the minds behind all that. Can you imagine building a place like this deep into the woods... Only the people who had the need or the will used to visit them. ⠀ Now they are open to all of us and the best we can do is just to appreciate them!
I don't necessarily connect monasteries with religion. For me they are magical places ✨ Magical for their architecture, the atmosphere, the art and the minds behind all that. Can you imagine building a place like this deep into the woods... Only the people who had the need or the will used to visit them. ⠀ Now they are open to all of us and the best we can do is just to appreciate them!
The domes of the church "Nativity of the Virgin Mother" are one of the most distinguishable parts of the Rila Monastery.⠀ This is the main church in the monastery and was erected in 1837 after the demolishing of the original church.⠀ ⠀ The frescoes inside, the gold-plated iconostasis, the altars, and icons are amazing pieces of art! ⠀ ⠀ It was forbidden to take pictures inside the church but I can tell you - you will not get bored by the gold and the wood-carving! It's breathtaking! 🙌🏻🧡
Dospat is a dam on the Dospat river in the Western Rhodopes. Located at 1200 m altitude. height. It was built on the Dospat River. It is perfect for vacation and enjoying both water and mountains. #BVStrove
Little part of beautiful Bulgaria. The lakes are situated between 2,100 and 2,500 metres elevation above sea level.

Where to stay in Rhodope Mountains

A nice hotel!

Old Town Bansko

While visiting Old Town Bansko, you might make a stop by sights like Holy Trinity Church and Paisii Hilendarski Historical Center.

Old Town Bansko
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Varosha

When in Varosha, you can plan a visit to Bachinovo Park and History Museum, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Varosha
Rila Hotel Borovets

Rila Hotel Borovets

4 out of 5
Borovets Resort Samokov Samokov
The price is 4.642.292 ₫ per night from 2 Apr to 3 Apr
4.642.292 ₫
5.059.980 ₫ total
2 Apr - 3 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Samokov. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Yanakiev Ski and Snowboard School and Sitnyakovo ...
9/10 Wonderful! (177 reviews)
Really lovely hotel but ski hire staff incredibly rude, rooms on the front of the hotel very noisy and slope view doesn’t always mean slope view as I was told to go onto my balcony and look left to see the slopes 🙄 view from room was dirty rooftops and messy car parks.

Reviewed on 2 Mar 2026

Rila Hotel Borovets
Premier Luxury Mountain Resort

Premier Luxury Mountain Resort

5 out of 5
11 Karamanitza str. Bansko
The price is 3.266.887 ₫ per night from 2 Apr to 3 Apr
3.266.887 ₫
3.635.690 ₫ total
2 Apr - 3 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Bansko. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions Bansko Ski Resort and SkiBansko by Traventuria are ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (118 reviews)
Amazing facilities, friendly staff, great value.

Reviewed on 25 Feb 2026

Premier Luxury Mountain Resort
Four Points by Sheraton Bansko

Four Points by Sheraton Bansko

4 out of 5
7 Glazne Str. Bansko
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is 3.116.735 ₫ per night from 16 Mar to 17 Mar
3.116.735 ₫
3.459.677 ₫ total
16 Mar - 17 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Bansko. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, room service and a fitness centre. Popular attractions Bansko Ski Resort and Vihren are located ...
7.8/10 Good! (46 reviews)
Highly recommend

Reviewed on 10 Sept 2025

Four Points by Sheraton Bansko
See all 655 properties in Rhodope Mountains
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Predela 2 Holiday Apartments

Predela 2 Holiday Apartments

3 out of 5
Gramadeto Str. 19 Bansko
Stay at this ski aparthotel in Bansko. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Bansko Ski Resort and SkiBansko by Traventuria ...
8/10 Very Good! (47 reviews)
A very nice hotel great spa Staff very helpfull

Reviewed on 20 Dec 2025

Predela 2 Holiday Apartments
Grand Resort Pamporovo Apartments

Grand Resort Pamporovo Apartments

4 out of 5
str. 19 Pamporovo Smoljan
Stay at this ski aparthotel in Pamporovo. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions Pamporovo Ski Resort and Studenets 2 are located ...
Grand Resort Pamporovo Apartments
Flora Residence Daisy

Flora Residence Daisy

5 out of 5
Main Street, next to children slope Samokov Sofia Province
Stay at this luxury aparthotel in Samokov. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking and a sauna. Popular attractions Yanakiev Ski and Snowboard School and Sitnyakovo ...
7.6/10 Good! (7 reviews)
The listing for this apartment hotel was misleading. It said that it has Spa Facilities and swimming pool but it did not. There was such in nearby building in another hotel with similar name that charged extra 43 eur and said they have nothing to do with Flora Daisy

Reviewed on 22 Feb 2026

Flora Residence Daisy
See all properties in Rhodope Mountains
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

A beautiful monastery, it is the Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila. Very atmospheric and historic, Well worth a visit, but get there early otherwise there are long queues to enter.

Rila Monastery

Rila Monastery is just one of the places to see in Rila, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Make time to visit the spas and monuments while you're in the area.

Rila Monastery
Learn to ski without breaking the bank, plus beautiful scenery, food and friendly people.

Pamporovo Ski Resort

Hit the slopes in Pamporovo with a visit to Pamporovo Ski Resort. Take in the jazz scene and mountain views in the area.

Pamporovo Ski Resort
#lifeatexpedia #weloveourmarkets #EMEA Pirin mountains, Bulgaria

Pirin Golf and Country Club

Play a round of golf at Pirin Golf and Country Club and enjoy other activities in Razlog such as skiing. While you're in the area, find time to visit its spas.

Pirin Golf and Country Club
Pathway to the peak - Winter! #WinterWonders #lifeatexpedia

Yanakiev Ski and Snowboard School

Hit the slopes in Samokov with a visit to Yanakiev Ski and Snowboard School. Amble within the forests or visit the spas in this relaxing area.

Yanakiev Ski and Snowboard School

Bansko Ski Resort

Hit the slopes in Bansko with a visit to Bansko Ski Resort. While you're in the area, find time to visit its spas.

Bansko Ski Resort

Borovets Ski Resort

Hit the slopes in Samokov with a visit to Borovets Ski Resort. Amble within the forests or visit the spas in this relaxing area.

Borovets Ski Resort

Cities near Rhodope Mountains

A beautiful summers day on the mountains outside Bansko, Bulgaria

Bansko

Velingrad, Panoramic view from Rila mountain to Belmeken dam

Velingrad

Beautiful Devin nestled in the Rhodope mountains - a spa town and a perfect base for exploring the nearby Yagodinska & Devil's throat caves

Devin

Panoramic view ski slope and unrecognizable female skier at winter mountain resort Pamporovo, Rhodope Mountains, Bulgaria. Active winter holiday, Christmas vacation outdoor. Wide banner, copy space

Pamporovo