A Self-Guided Trip of Rila Monastery and Plovdiv From Sofia

Are you looking to explore some of Bulgaria’s most beautiful places? Sofia can be your perfect starting point for a great self-guided trip. There are a lot of things to experience and explore in and around the country. In this guide, you’ll learn more about self-guided trips to Rila Monastery and Plovdiv from Sofia.

Overview

Situated in the south-western part of Bulgaria, Sofia is one of the largest cities in the country. It is renowned for its natural beauty, rich history and culture. From Sofia, it is very easy to organise a self-guided trip to two of Bulgaria’s most popular attractions – the Rila Monastery and Plovdiv.The Rila Monastery is one of the largest monasteries in Bulgaria and located in the Rila Mountains. It is renowned for its religious and cultural importance, as well as for its stunning architecture. Plovdiv, meanwhile, is a 2,000-year-old city, providing plenty of historic sites, such as the ancient Plovdiv Roman Theatre, to explore. A self-guided trip to these two destinations is the perfect way to experience different aspects of Bulgarian culture and history. In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know before planning a trip to these destinations from Sofia.

How to get to Rila Monastery from Sofia

The quickest way to get to the Rila Monastery from Sofia is by car. The route is relatively straightforward and takes around two and a half hours by car. The first part of the journey is to take the E79 motorway north from Sofia towards the town of Dupnitsa. After Dupnitsa, take the E656 until it meets with the E79 again and from there, follow it until you get to the village of Rila, where you will find the monastery. If you don’t have a car, you can get to the Rila Monastery by public transport. The journey takes around four hours and there are regular buses from Sofia Central Bus Station to the city of Blagoevgrad. From there, take a bus or taxi to the Rila Monastery.

The Best Things To Do at Rila Monastery

The Rila Monastery is one of the most important religious and cultural sites in Bulgaria. It is renowned for its stunning architecture as well as its religious significance. Here are some of the best things to do when visiting the Rila Monastery from Sofia: 1. Explore the Elevated Walkways: The Rila Monastery complex is surrounded by elevated walkways offering views of the surrounding mountains and valley. These walkways provide visitors with the perfect opportunity to take some amazing photos of the monastery and its surroundings. 2. Visit the Church of Hyacinth: Inside the grounds of the monastery, visitors can explore the enchanting Church of Hyacinth. This stunning building was constructed in 1835 and includes frescoes depicting Biblical stories. 3. Visit the Archaeological Museum: The Archaeological Museum of the Rila Monastery is home to more than 20,000 items related to Bulgarian history and culture. This is one of the best places to learn more about Bulgarian heritage. 4. See the Tombs: Inside the monastery complex, visitors can see tombs containing the remains of Bulgarian saints and respected religious figures from centuries ago. 5. Shop for Souvenirs: Don’t forget to shop for some souvenirs at the monastery complex. They offer some great traditional handicrafts for sale which make for great gifts for friends and family back home.

How to get to Plovdiv from Rila Monastery

After visiting Rila Monastery, the next stop on your self-guided tour from Sofia should be Plovdiv! You can get from Rila Monastery to Plovdiv by car in around three hours following signs for Blagoevgrad/Velingrad/Plovdiv on E79 southbound towards Blagoevgrad and then taking E80 southbound towards Plovdiv. If you don’t have access to a car, you can take a bus or train from Rila Monastery to Plovdiv instead. The journey by bus takes around four hours via Krystilovo or Blagoevgrad/Koprivshtitza/Plovdiv bus services. There are also daily train services from Dupnitsa Station which take approximately 2 hours 30 minutes depending on whether it is an express or stopping service.

The Best Things To Do in Plovdiv

Plovdiv is an ancient city brimming with history and culture ideal for an exciting self-guided exploration while on your Sofia trip. Here are some of the best things to do when visiting Plovdiv: 1. Visit Old Town: The Old Town district dates back thousands of years and includes stunning cobbled streets, old town houses with inner courtyards and plenty of markets selling traditional souvenirs and local products. It is one of the most picturesque areas in Plovdiv and has plenty of great restaurants offering traditional local cuisine. 2. Check out the Roman Theatre: A highlight for any visitor to Plovdiv is the Ancient Roman Theatre, located just outside Old Town. This impressive structure dates back to the 1st century AD and has been restored over recent years so visitors can now enjoy this Roman relic without any worries about safety or weather conditions! 3. Explore Bachkovo Monastery: Located about 25km away from Plovdiv is Bachkovo Monastery – one of Bulgaria’s oldest monasteries with a long history dating back to 1083 when it was founded by Georgian monks fleeing Muslim conquest in Georgia. It continues operating today with over 100 monks chanting during some services which provides a unique atmosphere during your visit! 4. Spend Time at Stanley Park: Located right on the edge of town, Stanley Park is a great place to spend an afternoon or day outdoors exploring nature trails, viewing wildlife, fishing lakes or playing sports like football or volleyball – all surrounded by lush vegetation! 5. Enjoy Joining a Tour: Taking part in a dedicated tour such as this Plovdiv 4×4 jeep safari tour can be a great way to learn about this rich region and get off the beaten path for some amazing views! This tour takes place across 2 days in and around Plovdiv, providing a great opportunity for sightseeing and exploration away from any crowds!

Final Thoughts

From stunning outdoor trails, ancient ruins and traditional bars and restaurants, there’s plenty to keep you busy on your self-guided tour from Sofia to Rila Monastery and Plovdiv! With this guide, you should now have all of the information you need to make your trip a resounding success – enjoy your journey! And if you are looking for an even bigger adventure around Plovdiv don’t forget about this great 4×4 jeep safari tour!