Day Trip to Rila Monastery and the Stobs Pyramids
Rila monastery is the Top tourist attraction in Bulgaria which you must definitely visit during your tour in Bulgaria. The monastery keeps precious manuscripts, old printed books and ancient documents. Its location makes it easily accessible from the capital and the most famous day tour from Sofia and winter resorts. On the way to the Rila Monastery we’ll pass near the Stob village which rises a group of peculiar pyramids. They’re a nature sight with legends surrounding their arising. They stand as towers of conical shape, adorned with formations looking like hats.
Please, keep in mind that the pick up locations you will find in the detailed programs bellow are not the only places we can start the tour to Rila monastery. Send me a requirement with convenient place for you to start and I’ll create a route for you.
Total Distance:
From Sofia: 246 km
From Bansko: 180 km
From Borovets: 210 km
Tour Duration: Full Day
Best period for Rila monastery: All year.
During the winter Stob’s pyramids are not accessible
Price: Depends on your personal needs and preferences
Visiting the top Bulgarian Landmark and the biggest Monastery on the Balkans – Rila monastery.
Know more about the Eastern Orthodox traditions, frescoes and history
Get closet to the nature and the odd shapes that she has created
Get closer to the rich history of Rila monastery by visiting the Rila monastery complex and museum, where you’ll find collections of precious church items, coins, and old books some of which date from the 11th century
09:00 Pick up from your hotel in Sofia
11:00 Stob`s Pyramids (light hiking)
12:30 Lunch break
13:30 Visit Rila Monastery + the monastery museum
16:30 Transfer back to your hotel in Sofia
09:00 Pick up from your hotel in Borovets
11:00 Stob`s Pyramids (light hiking)
12:30 Lunch break
13:30 Visit Rila Monastery + the monastery museum
16:30 Transfer back to your hotel in Borovets
09:00 Pick up from your hotel in Bansko
10:30 Stob`s Pyramids (light hiking)
12:00 Lunch break
13:00 Visit Rila Monastery + the monastery museum
16:00 Transfer back to your hotel in Bansko
Rila Monastery is a much visited sight, not only because it is part of the UNESCO list of precious heritage sights. It is scenically located in the upper section of the Rilska river basin, and above it rises the greenery clad Rila mountain. The monastery’s founder was Ivan Rilski who established it in the 10th century. The Rilska river flows past, and the Pastra village lies nearby. The imposing building of the Rila monastery dating from the 18th century rises in five floors, four of which can be seen. That is a peculiarity which was necessitated during the building period, imposed by the Ottoman rulers. The Rila monastery museum is arranged on the ground floor.
One of the symbols of the Rila Monastery is the tower named after Hrelyo, a local ruler. It is the oldest preserved building in the whole Rila monastery complex. On top of the tower, a chapel boasts precious 14th century frescoes.
The Stob’s pyramids are located close to the village of Stob, in the western part of the Rila Mountain, Bulgaria. The average height of the pyramids is between 7 and 10 meters, but some individual pyramids reach heights of 12 meters.
On the northern slope of the hill the pyramids are more pronounced and distinct, since they are significantly less. Most pyramids are located on the southern slope of the hill. Here, the pyramids are larger and concentrated. The color of the rocks varies between yellow and brown. In 1964, the pyramids were declared a natural landmark.
This day tour is Private. No strangers will travel with you!
Friendly local tour guide
Breaks and photo stops at your convenience
Pick-up/ Drop off from your hotel
Pay only 20 % in advance and the rest at the end of the tour
Entrance fees (Stobs pyramids and the Rila monastery museum)
All transportation costs along the route, fuel, VAT and parking fees
Transfer with minivan
Pickup and drop off from your hotel
Food and drinks
Tips and gratuities
Personal expenses
Wearing comfortable shoes is recommended
Bring a long sleeve clothes or a scarf to cover your arm when you get in the Rila monastery’s church
The Bulgarian monastery is situated up in the mountain and it is wise to bring warm clothes even during the hot summer months, because the weather in Rila monastery national park can change in minutes
Bring sun protection cream, hat and sunglasses to protect yourself during the hiking around the Stobs pyramids
Photos are not allowed inside the Rila monastery museum
Don’t forget your camera