Rilski Manastir Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

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.
Lovely viewing balcony, but we were not allowed up there due to repairs
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! 🙌🏻🧡
Seeing the Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila or the Rila Monastery I understand why it is one of the most famous and culturally important places in our country. It's an amazing place! ⠀ It is situated in the Rila mountains, highest mountain range in Bulgaria and was founded in the 10th century.
Rilets Resort & Spa

Rilets Resort & Spa

4 out of 5
Rila Monastery, Rila National Park Rila Kyustendil
Stay at this spa hotel in Rila. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions Rila Monastery and St Luke’s Hermitage & St Ivan’s Cave ...
6.4/10 (30 reviews)
This property is in need of lots of maintenance. Eg stair nosing were loose in many parts of the building, stains on the carpets in the eating areas. The bed in the double room had a bottom sheet that was unable to be tucked in so landed up sleeping on the mattress cover. How many other people have ...

Reviewed on 14 Aug 2019

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Rilets Resort & Spa
Rila Hotel Borovets

Rila Hotel Borovets

4 out of 5
Borovets Resort Samokov Samokov
The price is 3.639.628 ₫ per night from 15 Apr to 16 Apr
3.639.628 ₫
3.967.195 ₫ total
15 Apr - 16 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! (181 reviews)
Everything excellent. It’s a very large hotel so breakfast very crowded at the weekend but plenty there. Location excellent, facilities excellent. Only downside is the noise from the local bars at night. Amazing cocktails in the lobby. Food not so great in the lobby but excellent at the Terrace on ...

Reviewed on 24 Mar 2026

Rila Hotel Borovets
Villa Sokol

Villa Sokol

5 out of 5
Borovets Samokov
The price is 2.765.775 ₫ per night from 26 Mar to 27 Mar
2.765.775 ₫
3.014.566 ₫ total
26 Mar - 27 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Samokov. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a free ski shuttle. Popular attractions Yanakiev Ski and Snowboard School and Sitnyakovo ...
6.8/10 (5 reviews)
Not my best stay in Borovets!
Toilet not flushing, mould on the walls, 2nd room didn’t even have a bed, it was a fold out couch from last century, not possible to put any items from the bar on the room, reception tried to charge us for the night which we had paid for online

Reviewed on 11 Feb 2019

Villa Sokol
See all 139 properties in Rilski Manastir
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.
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
Yagoda & Malina Villas

Yagoda & Malina Villas

3 out of 5
Borovets Samokov
Stay at this family-friendly villa in Samokov. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Yanakiev Ski and Snowboard School ...
Yagoda & Malina Villas
2-bed - Sleeps 4 - With Parking

2-bed - Sleeps 4 - With Parking

3.5 out of 5
Blagoevgrad Blagoevgrad Province
Stay at this apartment in Blagoevgrad. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and balconies. Popular attractions History Museum and Bachinovo Park are located ...
2-bed - Sleeps 4 - With Parking
See all properties in Rilski Manastir
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

St Luke’s Hermitage & St Ivan’s Cave

You can find out about the history of Rila with a stop at St Luke’s Hermitage & St Ivan’s Cave. Make time to visit the spas and monuments while you're in the area.

St Luke’s Hermitage & St Ivan’s Cave

Church of Rozhdestvo Bogorodichno

After visiting Church of Rozhdestvo Bogorodichno, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Rilski Manastir. Make time to visit the spas and temples while you're in the area.

Church of Rozhdestvo Bogorodichno