This place shouldn't be missed! A wonderful situated monastery with a very interesting design located far into a deep gorge which even makes the trip there intersting. At the place, there is a no photo policy inside the church and the museums, but photos are allowed on the grounds. As for the museums, there are several and you can buy entrance to some of them or buy a combined ticket. I visited the icon museum (not so impressive, can be skipped), and the historical museum, the "main" museum which was interesting. Several very beautiful pieces and a lot of history to read about, English signs everywhere. You can also visit a kitchen, a representative loding of some sort and maybe one museum more (can't recall). Bring cash if you go here since the monastery shop only accept cash and if you come by car, the parking will also be needed to be paid in cash. Museum entrance fee can be made by card. If you drive - whach out for the road since the gorge is deep. At the entrance I had +12 C but at part insdie the gorge the temperature went down to 0 C making the road icy.

The monasteries must be the jewel in Bulgaria UNESCO heritage and it’s absolutely beautiful. It takes about an hour and 45 thereabouts from Sofia. I hired a car and drove there and left about 7am and got me there about 9 o’clock at which point there were no tourist buses and just a couple of people in the monastery who are staying there overnight in a couple of people who decided to drive in early. The atmosphere was peaceful. Enjoyed the monastery bells ringing. The church was empty other than a few local worshippers which chants being sung.there are also two shops selling religion art. There is another museum about the guards for 4 lev at the back entrance of the monastery. The museum was rather small with a cost eight lev for entrance fee( cash or card) on the ground and the lower ground. The start takes you underground with one large room with two smaller. Middle lower ground room - article for church, gifts , church memorabilia religions art, Ecclesiastical flags, guns shrouds. Far end room of the lower ground had machine for Printing prints from metal cliche, modern day posters. Top Floor were three rooms with Priest liturgical And Vestments. Probably only need 30mins in there. The back entrance of the monastery is a lovely as there is fast stream adjacent with a hotel and a number of restaurants, one with a terrace and nice view. Here again there is parking. The stand-load coffee shop sells coffee and snacks with coffee for 3.50lev that was below average. The hole in the wall with the Mekitsa was good for 1 lev. Free parking 250meters with three enclaves before the main car park. Total time in the monastery was about 90mins.

I think it's totally worth it to go out there to the Monastery. It is incredible and really nice to have a look at everything. If you don't have a tour or anything, I think an hour is enough, at least for me. It's nicely situation in the mountains too, which also means that it's another 30mins to drive from the freeway on smaller roads. Behind the monastery is a small restaurant, a small bakery which I really liked and maybe two souvenir stands. There are also toilets which are dirty and awful. Overall, a really nice getaway from Sofia or when you're around.

I felt the energy of this place in all my hair and bones the moment I touched the metal filing with a part of the mortal remains of St Ivan Rilski inside the church! This place brings peace and it is a must visit. We took our kids on this journey and were incredibly satisfied. We paid a family combo ticket of 60leva and it worth it. This allows to visit the 6 guest rooms, the rooms with the traditional Bulgarian clothes, dishes, carpets, jewellery and many more, the hall with icons, the museum , the tower. Everything was very well organised and informative. Lastly we visited the church which is free anyway. The scripts are very beautifully painted. I considered myself lucky as a group of Greek tourists were waiting for one of the monks to give them access to the alter and more importantly part of the remains of St Ivan Rilski. I queued with them while my husband stayed with the kids. He told me later that the same monk hid the remains after the group left the church and he was not able to touch them. Shame! Toilets were stinky, so use only if you really need. 4km forward is the tomb of St Ivan Rilski. There is a car park and a moderate hike into the forest of about 30min, get good shoes. It was incredible to see where he lived, fasted, prayed and died. There is a spring where the water comes directly from the rock, so don’t miss out to fill in your water bottle with it. All in all fantastic experience!

Originally founded in the 10th century by St. John of Rila, this monastery is situated in the Rila Mountains in southwestern Bulgaria. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the monastery is notable for its beautiful architecture, its rich history, and the stunning scenery that surrounds it. The monastery was erected in its present location in the early 14th century, and its oldest buildings in the complex date from that time. The main church dates from the 19th century. Buried inside the church are the relics of St. John of Rila and the remains of Bulgaria’s King Boris III. Still an active monastery, the complex contains residential areas as well as a museum that houses artifacts including a famous crucifix, Rafail’s Cross, worked on by the monk who created it for some 12 years before the monk lost his sight in 1802. This was a great stop on our recent tour of Bulgaria and well worth a visit.

This religious centre has been an important Christian Orthodox enclave for centuries even during the Ottoman occupation and in times past has served as a refuge for persecuted revolutionaries. Imposing fortress like structure on the outside but once inside the courtyard, the interior is beautiful with tier upon tier of decorated monastic cells lines all around the outside of the site (not accessible to the public). The church housed in the centre is richly decorated with a splendid iconostasis painted in gold leaf. We were late arriving so did not view the Treasury which closes at 5pm. Besides the church is Hrelyo’s Tower, the only remaining building dating back to the 14th century. Just outside the complex there are snack and restaurant options. Be aware of the need to dress modestly, shoulders covered and no shorts significantly above the knee. Also no large backpacks in the church. Photos okay in the courtyard but not inside the church.

Well worth the drive. Rila was beautiful. The iconography stunning, spent hours inside and out looking at them. Visited the museum, worth paying to go in. Climbed the clock tower. Quick word of warning you really need comfy shoes here and if you don't walk we'll use a walking stick, loads of cobble stones. The bakers out back was good for a coffee and a magenitsa. Even the drive there was stunning. Next visit will stay overnight in the monastery.

Although when planning our trip to Bulgarian, everything we read said that the Rila Monastery was a must visit, by looking at the pictures, we were not convinced. However, after being there, this is definitely a MUST VISIT! First, the pictures of the outside do not do it justice – it is MUCH more beautiful in person. Second, the surrounding scenery is also beautiful, making the experience even better. And last and most important, you cannot take pictures inside the monastery and it is mind-blowingly stunning! We were with a private guide that added to the experience with all the information he gave us on its history, etc.