Rila Monastery day tour with Optional SPA/Thermal baths

This tour combines two of Bulgaria's most distinctive experiences in a single day — the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery, one of the country's most important spiritual and cultural landmarks, and the option to relax afterwards at Aqua Club Kotvata, a natural mineral thermal spa in Sapareva Banya at the foot of the Rila Mountains. Few day trips from Sofia let you pair a guided historical and cultural visit with genuine mineral hot springs relaxation on the same day, making this ideal for travelers who want both culture and wellness without needing to plan two separate excursions.

Itinerary

Escape the city and discover two of Bulgaria's most unforgettable experiences in one day trip – the iconic Rila Monastery and, on select departure days, an optional visit to Aqua Club Kotvata, a thermal spa complex in Sapareva Banya.

Please note before booking: "Optional" means the spa visit is available as an add-on choice — it does not mean it's automatically included. There are two distinct options for this tour:

Rila Monastery + Spa — includes transport to Aqua Club Kotvata and free time there. Available only on Thursday ,Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday (excluding the last Monday of the month). Spa entrance fee is paid on site, in cash, and is not included in the tour price.

Rila Monastery only / No Spa visit — no spa transport or spa time is included at all. Instead you get extra free time at the monastery, museum and souvenir shops. This option runs on all other days.

Please check the specific date and option you are booking carefully — the two are not interchangeable, and the spa is not available on days outside Thu–Mon.

Discover the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery

Enjoy a scenic drive through the spectacular Rila Mountain before arriving at the world-famous Rila Monastery – Bulgaria's largest and most important Eastern Orthodox monastery and one of the country's top UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Founded in the 10th century by Saint John of Rila, the monastery is renowned for its colourful frescoes, elegant arcades, intricate wood carvings, ancient icons and remarkable Bulgarian Revival architecture. Your English-speaking guide will share the history of the monastery, the life of Saint John of Rila, and the symbolism behind its frescoes.

Optional (Thu–Mon only): Aqua Club Kotvata, Sapareva Banya

On departures where the spa option is selected and available (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday — excluding the last Monday of the month), you'll be driven to Aqua Club Kotvata in Sapareva Banya, with approximately 2–3 hours free for the thermal pools. Entry tickets, towel/bathrobe hire and lockers are paid directly at the spa, in cash (entry approx. €X, plus €5 locker deposit, €5 entrance chip deposit, €10 towel/bathrobe deposit). Bring your swimsuit, towel and flip-flops if you plan to swim.

If you book the Rila Monastery only / No Spa visit option, or if your travel date falls outside Fri–Mon (or is the last Monday of the month), the spa is not part of your itinerary — you'll instead have extra free time to explore the monastery courtyard, museum and souvenir shops.

Scenic Return to Sofia

After a day filled with history, mountain scenery and (where applicable) spa relaxation, enjoy a comfortable drive back to Sofia. Expected return time is approximately 18:30–18:40 PM, depending on traffic.

What's included

• Spa option available Thu,Fri, Sat, Sun & Mon only (excl. last Monday of month)
• English- speaking guide or driver, depending on the booked option.
• Entrance to Rila Monastery (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
• Optional experience of your choice:
• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Scenic drive through the Rila Mountains
• Monastery Museum visit

What's not included

• Personal expenses
• Gratuities (optional)
• Entrance ticket to SPA complex ( 15 Euro - Monday to Friday) (20 Euro - Saturday and Sunday)
• Towels and bathrobes are not included in the price

Meeting point

Start time

08:59 · 09:00

End point

Languages

In-person guide: English, Italian, Spanish · Audio guide: German, Russian, Chinese (Taiwan), Portuguese, English, Italian, Polish, French, Romanian, Hebrew, Spanish

Travellers

• Adult (3–99)

Options

• Rila Monastery Only - NO SPAfrom €20

  Rila Monastery Only - NO SPA: Rila Monastery, a UNESCO site, is Bulgaria’s spiritual heart—famed for its vivid frescoes, striking architecture. NO SPA.

  Start time: 09:00

  In-person guide: English, Spanish, Italian

• Rila Monastery and SPA - Italian Guidefrom €30

  Rila and SPA - Italian Guide

  Start time: 08:59

  In-person guide: Italian

• Rila Monastery and Spa - English Guidefrom €30

  Rila and SPA - English Guide

  Start time: 08:59

  In-person guide: English

• Rila Monastery and SPA - Spanish Guidefrom €30

  Rila and SPA - Spanish Guide

  Start time: 08:59

  In-person guide: Spanish

• Rila Monastery and SPA + Bonus Online Audio Guidefrom €30

  Rila & SPA EN Guide + Audio

  Start time: 08:59

  In-person guide: English · Audio guide: German, Portuguese, French, Hebrew, Romanian, Chinese (Taiwan), Polish, Spanish, Russian, Italian

Additional information

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Please warn us if you have a 0-2 years old baby when you make the reservation so that we can prepare a special seat for them
• For the safety and enjoyment of all guests, any customer who appears intoxicated at the time of the tour will not be permitted to participate. In such cases, no refunds will be issued.
• Please note, women should have their knees and shoulders covered in the monastery
• Please note that the option for a visit to the Spa complex have separate entrance fees that are paid on spot
• Guides are not obligated to provide guided commentary while inside the bus. Explanations and guided tours typically take place at designated stops and attractions rather than during transit.

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.