Rila Monastery
Rila, Bulgaria
Bulgaria’s great monastery, striped arcades and a church painted inside and out, set in a forested valley. Cover shoulders and knees; there is paid parking outside.
Rila Monastery is one of Bulgaria's most important monasteries, set in the Rila Mountains at 1,147 m and about 117 km south of Sofia. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983 and lies within Rila Monastery Nature Park. Its foundation is traced back to the hermit Ivan of Rila (876-946).
After a fire in 1833 the complex was rebuilt between 1834 and 1862. Older is the Hrelyu Tower of 1334-35, which History Hit gives as 23 m high. The frescoes of the main church were completed in 1846 by masters from Bansko, Samokov and Razlog, among them the brothers Zahari and Dimitar Zograf. The museum holds, among other things, Rafail's Cross, finished in 1802, carved from a single piece of wood with 104 religious scenes. A path of about 4 km leads to the Cave of Saint Ivan. From Sofia the drive via the A3 takes around two hours. Check opening hours, parking rules and dress code in advance.
- Nearest town
- Rila, Bulgaria
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 42.1335, 23.3403
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. Cold, short days in December–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Bulgaria: Vignette needed for motorways. Buy the e-vignette online before you drive on motorways. Motorway limit for cars: 140 km/h.
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Къмпинг БорCampsite1 km from Rila Monastery
- Free camp spotCampsite11 km from Rila Monastery
- Wild campCampsite11 km from Rila Monastery
- Camping PanoramaCampsite17 km from Rila Monastery
- 7 lakes campingCampsite19 km from Rila Monastery
- ВерилаCampsite19 km from Rila MonasteryTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWi-Fi
All campsites in Bulgaria · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Rila Monastery?
Rila Monastery is in Rila, Bulgaria, at GPS 42.1335, 23.3403. It is about 18 km from Sapareva Banya.
Can you camp near Rila Monastery?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Къмпинг Бор, about 1 km away; within 25 km there are 8 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Rila Monastery?
Rila Monastery is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Rila and Pirin: lakes, monasteries and sand pyramids.
What is there to see near Rila Monastery?
Places worth a stop nearby: Seven Rila Lakes (8 km), Bansko Old Town (35 km), Boyana Church (57 km) and Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (63 km).
When is the best time to visit Rila Monastery?
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)