Rilski Manastir

Travel 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.

Eid al-Fitr Sale

Members save up to 40% on hotels. Plan this year’s big trip and save.
Book now
Rilets Resort & Spa

Rilets Resort & Spa

4 out of 5
Rila Monastery, Rila National Park Rila Kyustendil
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Rila. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Rila Monastery and St Luke’s Hermitage & St Ivan’s ...
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 August 2019

Get rates
Rilets Resort & Spa
Rila Hotel Borovets

Rila Hotel Borovets

4 out of 5
Borovets Resort Samokov Samokov
The price is AED 503 per night from Apr 12 to Apr 13
AED 503
AED 548 total
12 Apr - 13 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Samokov. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Yanakiev Ski and Snowboard School and Sitnyakovo ...
9/10 Wonderful! (180 reviews)
Great location. Clean and modern hotel. Plenty of amenities and the breakfast was really good. Very helpful staff. A little noisy from the bars at the front pumping out really irritating music late afternoon/early evening. Don't go for a mountain view room if you want a quiet evening in your ...

Reviewed on 13 March 2026

Rila Hotel Borovets
Villa Sokol

Villa Sokol

5 out of 5
Borovets Samokov
The price is AED 382 per night from Mar 15 to Mar 16
AED 382
AED 424 total
15 Mar - 16 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Samokov. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a free ski shuttle. Popular attractions Yanakiev Ski and Snowboard School and ...
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 February 2019

Villa Sokol
See all 136 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
Book a stay at this luxury aparthotel in Samokov. Enjoy free breakfast, free parking, and a sauna. Popular attractions Yanakiev Ski and Snowboard School and ...
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 February 2026

Flora Residence Daisy
A friendly host offering a comfortable long-term stay with free wellness access.

A friendly host offering a comfortable long-term stay with free wellness access.

Razlog Bansko
Stay at this apartment in Razlog. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Bansko Ski Resort and Holy Trinity Church are ...
A friendly host offering a comfortable long-term stay with free wellness access.
Yagoda & Malina Villas

Yagoda & Malina Villas

3 out of 5
Borovets Samokov
Book a stay at this family-friendly villa in Samokov. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Yanakiev Ski and Snowboard ...
Yagoda & Malina Villas
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

4.5/5(9 reviews)

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