Title: Visit Rila: Best of Rila Tourism | Expedia Travel Guide - Expedia.ca [Hotels in Rila](https://expedia.ca/Rila-Hotels.d6147280.Travel-Guide-Hotels)[Vacation Rentals in Rila](https://expedia.ca/Rila-Vacation-Rentals.d6147280.Travel-Guide-VacationRentals)[Flights to Rila](https://expedia.ca/Cheap-Flights-To-Rila.d6147280.Travel-Guide-Flights)[Rila Car Rentals](https://expedia.ca/Car-Rentals-In-Rila.d6147280.Car-Rental-Guide)[Rila Vacation Packages](https://expedia.ca/Rila.d6147280.Destination-Travel-Guides) # Rila ## Travel Guide ![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.](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/3000043574/91482174-88c7-4385-af08-789edd56e460.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![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.](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/3000043574/91482174-88c7-4385-af08-789edd56e460.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Beautiful Rila Monastery near Sofia, Bulgaria.](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/3000043574/958d4208-6fb1-4a2b-8616-c0d43a061884.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Rila Monastery](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/3000043574/d9c1a99b-e821-4419-9d04-393129bc6516.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Located in a mountain setting, a short drive from Sofia we found Rila Monastery one of the top attractions in Bulgaria. Nearby there's a sacred cave where a monk lived in isolation.](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/3000043574/fbbd17a3-0f9c-4eb7-8a55-6123be42506c.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ## Visit Rila Things to do - Rila Hotel Deals - Vacation Rentals in Rila ![Rila Hotel Borovets](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/20000000/19830000/19827700/19827669/1baf86f0_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Rila Hotel Borovets Borovets Resort Samokov Samokov CA $316 CA $345 total Mar 9 - Mar 10 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! (168 reviews) Good overall Reviewed on Jan 16, 2026 [](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?startDate=09%2F03%2F2026&endDate=10%2F03%2F2026&selected=19827669&PinnedHotelID=19827669&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=6147280) ![Premier Luxury Mountain Resort](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/3000000/2810000/2803000/2802925/1ae11557_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Premier Luxury Mountain Resort 11 Karamanitza str. Bansko Fully refundable CA $235 CA $261 total Mar 8 - Mar 9 includes taxes & fees Book a stay at this luxury hotel in Bansko. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Bansko Ski Resort and SkiBansko by Traventuria ... 8.8/10 Excellent! (115 reviews) Very good included spa facilities. Good to have an on-site ski shop and shuttle bus. Dining facilities and food were very good, breakfast was tasty and in plentiful supply and variety, the half board evening meal was excellent - particularly the deserts. Convenient nearby parking. Staff generally ... Reviewed on Mar 20, 2025 [](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?startDate=08%2F03%2F2026&endDate=09%2F03%2F2026&selected=2802925&PinnedHotelID=2802925&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=6147280) ![Saint George Palace](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/4000000/3020000/3019500/3019454/15c7bd2a_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Saint George Palace 5 Kosherinata Str. Bansko CA $110 CA $124 total Mar 9 - Mar 10 includes taxes & fees Book a stay at this spa hotel in Bansko. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Bansko Ski Resort and SkiBansko by Traventuria ... 8.6/10 Excellent! (193 reviews) Overall, it was good It was pretty good. On the upside, The room was clean, the staff was nice and responsive, the view from the window was great, there was a pool and a jacuzzi which were good. On the downside - the mattresses were not very comfort and the resturant quality was somewhat below average (maybe because ... Reviewed on Oct 21, 2025 [](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?startDate=09%2F03%2F2026&endDate=10%2F03%2F2026&selected=3019454&PinnedHotelID=3019454&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=6147280) [See all 479 properties in Rila](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.Hotels.DestinationExperience&startDate=08%2F02%2F2026&endDate=09%2F02%2F2026®ionId=6147280) 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](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/13000000/12460000/12455700/12455604/77775767_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Predela 2 Holiday Apartments Gramadeto Str. 19 Bansko Book a stay at this ski aparthotel in Bansko. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Bansko Ski Resort and SkiBansko by ... 7.8/10 Good! (47 reviews) A very nice hotel great spa Staff very helpfull Reviewed on Dec 20, 2025 [](https://expedia.ca/Bansko-Hotels-Predela-2-Holiday-Apartments.h12455604.Hotel-Information) ![Yagoda & Malina Villas](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/24000000/23420000/23413900/23413808/34023b93_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Yagoda & Malina Villas 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 ... 7.4/10 Good! (27 reviews) Hotel is ok, bathroom was very old, no shower cabin, installations from the 90s Reviewed on Jul 1, 2022 [](https://expedia.ca/Samokov-Hotels-Yagoda-Malina-Villas.h23413808.Hotel-Information) ![Flora Residence Daisy](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/104000000/103410000/103408600/103408551/34460b2b_y.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=340&ch=150) ### Flora Residence Daisy 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! (5 reviews) Nice property, clean and comfortable. Staff always happy to help Reviewed on Sep 23, 2025 [](https://expedia.ca/Samokov-Hotels-Flora-Residence-Daisy.h103408551.Hotel-Information) [See all properties in Rila](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.Hotels.DestinationExperience®ionId=6147280&sort=VACATION_RENTAL) 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. ## Check Rila hotel availability [Tonight ](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6147280&startDate=2026-02-07&endDate=2026-02-08)[Feb 7 - Feb 8](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6147280&startDate=2026-02-07&endDate=2026-02-08) [Tomorrow night ](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6147280&startDate=2026-02-08&endDate=2026-02-09)[Feb 8 - Feb 9](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6147280&startDate=2026-02-08&endDate=2026-02-09) [Next weekend ](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6147280&startDate=13%2F02%2F2026&endDate=15%2F02%2F2026)[Feb 13 - Feb 15](https://expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?rfrrid=TG.LP.CheckPrices.DestinationExperience&adults=2&openPlayBack=true®ionId=6147280&startDate=13%2F02%2F2026&endDate=15%2F02%2F2026) ### 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.](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/3000043574/b660c381-10ce-46d2-b553-5c257f44d59c.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### 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. [](https://expedia.ca/Rila-Monastery-Kyustendil-Province.d6097908.Vacation-Attraction) #### 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. [](https://expedia.ca/St-Lukes-Hermitage-St-Ivans-Cave-Rila.d553248621533039049.Vacation-Attraction) #### Medi Valley Winery You can enjoy a tasting or tour at Medi Valley Winery during your travels to Rila. Make time to visit the temples and monuments while you're in the area. [](https://expedia.ca/Medi-Valley-Winery-Rila.d873860432348315648.Vacation-Attraction) ### Things to do ![Rila Monastery: Complex Smartphone Audio Guide](https://mediaim.expedia.com/localexpert/48275521/e0dba2a6-efdf-4ed5-a49d-8a48325ca249.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Rila Monastery: Complex Smartphone Audio Guide CA $8 per adult [](https://expedia.ca/things-to-do/rila-monastery-complex-smartphone-audio-guide.a48275521.activity-details) ![Rila Monastery & Boyana Church Tour ](https://mediaim.expedia.com/localexpert/516944/4a452dc2-7200-4857-b040-b4839d91399f.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Rila Monastery & Boyana Church Tour CA $32 per adult **92%** of travellers recommend [](https://expedia.ca/things-to-do/rila-monastery-boyana-church-tour.a516944.activity-details) ![From Sofia: Rila monastery & Boyana church and free pick up](https://mediaim.expedia.com/localexpert/678034/5e6c558f-21d6-4454-9827-c1daaf4cae3a.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### From Sofia: Rila monastery & Boyana church and free pick up CA $73 per adult [](https://expedia.ca/things-to-do/from-sofia-rila-monastery-boyana-church-and-free-pick-up.a678034.activity-details) ![The Seven Rila lakes](https://mediaim.expedia.com/localexpert/518426/d66ce1d3-bb68-4378-8c57-b724722e0fa0.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### The Seven Rila lakes CA $40 per adult **76%** of travellers recommend [](https://expedia.ca/things-to-do/the-seven-rila-lakes.a518426.activity-details) ![Rila Monastery Morning Half Day tour](https://mediaim.expedia.com/localexpert/48963114/e3760d55-bd40-428c-8d2e-b472f9459de2.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Rila Monastery Morning Half Day tour CA $79 per adult [](https://expedia.ca/things-to-do/rila-monastery-morning-half-day-tour.a48963114.activity-details) ![Rila Monastery Afternoon Half Day tour](https://mediaim.expedia.com/localexpert/48965285/4e210ab5-5693-4210-9bab-83f5c041acd9.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Rila Monastery Afternoon Half Day tour CA $79 per adult [](https://expedia.ca/things-to-do/rila-monastery-afternoon-half-day-tour.a48965285.activity-details) [See all activities in Rila](https://expedia.ca/Things-To-Do-In-Rila.d6147280.Travel-Guide-Activities) ## Cities near Rila ![Walking on the southern slopes of Vitosha with just the smallest remains of the river after a dry summer,with the trees showing the start of the Autumn colours on the mountain.](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/3000043484/14d7633b-f56f-4884-9245-794f6a815651.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=512&h=288&q=medium) ### Samokov ![European architecture ](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6128671/e7cb5bd6-2470-4273-87d6-8b319f3e928a.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=512&h=288&q=medium) ### Dupnitsa ![A university town in the south west of Bulgaria, about 2 hours form Sofia. It was like going back to the 50's & 60's looking at some of the architecture.](https://images.trvl-media.com/place/6144670/1d3d0568-4b8f-426f-896c-2f0fc0672ab6.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=512&h=288&q=medium) ### Blagoevgrad - Cities near Rila - Places of interest [Samokov](https://expedia.ca/Samokov.dx6125536)[Dupnitsa](https://expedia.ca/Dupnitsa.dx6128671)[Blagoevgrad](https://expedia.ca/Blagoevgrad.dx6144670) - [American University in Bulgaria ](https://expedia.ca/American-University-In-Bulgaria-Blagoevgrad.d6253073.Vacation-Attraction) ![](https://a.travel-assets.com/mad-service/footer/bnaBanners/BEX_Footer.jpg) ## Go further with the Expedia app Save on select hotels and earn double points when you book on the app. Our app deals help you to save on trips so you can travel more and manage it all on the go. Scan the QR code with your device camera and download our app