Rila Monastery day tour with Optional SPA/Thermal baths
Overview
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.
What's Included
- Spa option available Thu,Fri, Sat, Sun & Mon only (excl. last Monday of month)
- 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
- English- speaking guide or driver, depending on the booked option.
- 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 Location
Sofia Center
bul. "Yanko Sakazov" 7, 1527 Sofia, Bulgaria
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
What To Expect
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.
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- 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
- Specialized infant seats are available
- 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.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (8)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Rila Monastery day tour with Optional SPA/Thermal baths?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-42558P116
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Average 4.63 out of 5 stars based on 24 traveler reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (8)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Balloon Tours customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EET).
- Spa option available Thu,Fri, Sat, Sun & Mon only (excl. last Monday of month).
- 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.
- English- speaking guide or driver, depending on the booked option.
- 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.
This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Apr 2025The minimum age to participate is 3..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Rila Monastery day tour with Optional SPA/Thermal baths is as follows:
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- 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
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Rila Monastery day tour with Optional SPA/Thermal baths will be included in your confirmation email from City Balloon Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- Spa option available Thu,Fri, Sat, Sun & Mon only (excl. last Monday of month)
- 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
- English- speaking guide or driver, depending on the booked option.
- 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
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- 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
- Specialized infant seats are available
- 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.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers
