Incredibly beautiful spiritual site, highly recommended visiting if you’re in the area and can easily make a day trip out of it from Sofia! So much history in this site, the Monastery is free to enter but I would recommend a guided tour for a rich experience.

Beautiful Monastery and beautiful surrounding. The road from Rila to Monastery was magical as forest around this Autumn was like fairy tale. It was on and off rain so not many tourists came (perfect!). You are not allowed to take photos inside the church and walk into the residential area. Entry is free (not sure about museum as I didn’t get in)

Best place to bei. Spiritual and cultural Highlight placed in magical mountain scenery. Parking ahead with a few Meters walkway possible free of Charge. Highly recommend. If you avoid peaktime, than It ist more relaxing. Full around noon.

Magnificent and unforgettable! Rila Monastery is truly one of Bulgaria’s greatest treasures. The architecture is stunning, surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery, and the atmosphere is peaceful and spiritual. The frescoes and details inside are incredible — a must-visit for anyone traveling in Bulgaria. Absolutely worth the trip from Sofia!

Rila Monastery is truly breathtaking. Nestled in the mountains, it feels like stepping into a peaceful world far removed from everyday life. The architecture is stunning—colorful arches, intricate frescoes, and beautifully preserved details everywhere you look. The courtyard is especially magical, with the striped façade and central church creating a postcard-perfect view. Inside the church, the frescoes are extraordinary and worth taking your time to appreciate. The surrounding nature is equally impressive; the fresh mountain air and quiet trails make the whole visit feel rejuvenating. Parking and access are straightforward, and there are small shops nearby with local treats and souvenirs. A must-visit if you’re in Bulgaria—both for its history and its serene atmosphere.

Rila Monastery is about a 1.5-hour drive from Sofia, nestled deep in the mountains. It’s best to go by car — the road is easy and takes you through stunning scenery. Plan to spend around two hours at the monastery itself, plus extra time to explore the surrounding area. The complex is breathtaking — beautifully preserved and full of history. Don’t miss the small museum and the icon exhibition next to it. From the courtyard, the colorful buildings set against the mountain backdrop are truly spectacular. Behind the monastery, you’ll also find a restaurant and a few souvenir shops. It’s worth arriving early — I got there around 10 a.m., when it was still peaceful, but by 11:30 the tour buses start to arrive and it gets crowded.

You don't need to buy a ticket to see inside the monastery and church. The paid bit is the museum. The parking out the front it also paid, but 200m down the road are other parking options for free. You need to cover shoulders and knees to enter. No pictures inside the church part. The autumn colours are stunning! There are some trails starting from the car park. It was a cool thing to wander around and see. So big and detailed!

We were there at the last week of the season, therefore didn’t have any questions. Everything was so fast, easy and relaxed. Cards are in good condition. Dont get the ones with ads on cause you cant see and enjoy the view 😂 We took half day tickets (from 12.30 till 16.00). It was more than enough since it wasn’t crowded. Ticket office and the machines are the same prices. There are stairs to go up very hard to walk would be nice to have a lift.

Extremely long cues, up-to 2 hours in the morning. To save time buy the VIP to use the back entrance, or, take the taxi to the top, or, arrive after the morning rush! There are also long cues to come down as the sun starts to set. Beautiful ride to the top

Absolutely great. I'm over 75, have difficulty walking and for 1Lv had a Gondala pass (same for my assisting daughter). The Gondala staff not only stopped the Gondala so I could get on but messaged ahead to the other end so they would do the same.

One of the greatest views in the area, quick and reliable service!

It's a gondola.... We were in Bansko week before Feb half term and after 9am it was mega busy, 30 minutes wait minimum if you don't have the magic queue jump pass. Runs all day up and down with a mid station stop at Chalin Valog. Takes about 29mins to reach the top. Tickets bought via crystal Ski so can't comment on the usual cost.

Great experience, but the price of 25 EUR /person for a ride is way too much. July 2025

Incompetent system to transfer people to the ski zone. The queue may take up to 3 hours. Second lift shall be in service at earliest. Although they charge 50€ per day, the quality does not match the expectation. There are alternative queues (so called Vip line and Ski school) inside gondola station, this is the reason why you wait too long outside. Apart from that, slopes are surrounded with pine trees and the lifts uphill are relatively less busy.

We had an amazing experience . The shuttle services were very convenient and we will definitely be back

(Translated by Google) excellent. Before the corona virus, we were on a ski holiday through Bansko Ski and it was perfect. Great guides and good prices. We decided to book a vacation again now and received excellent service again. I recommend following Lior's recommendations, which usually saved us money (Original) מעולה. היינו לפני הקורונה בחופשת סקי דרך בנסקו סקי והיה מושלם. מדריכים מעולים ומחירים טובים. החלטנו להזמין עכשיו שוב חופשה וקיבלנו שוב שירות מעולה. ממליץ לעקוב אחר ההמלצות של ליאור שבדרך כלל חסכו לנו כסף

(Translated by Google) We arrived in Montenegro, so as mentioned there is no snow. But a family with children has a lot to do here besides skiing. Yesterday we had a wonderful ATV experience with John. Two hours of adrenaline, mud, wonderful views of nature and a lot of fun. Highly recommended! (Original) הגענו למונטנגרו, אז כאמור שלג אין. אבל למשפחה עם ילדים יש הרבה מה לעשות כאן חוץ מסקי. אתמול היתה לנו חווית טרקטרונים נפלאה עם ג"ון. שעתיים של אנדרנלין, בוץ, נופים נפלאים של הטבע והרבה הנאה. מומלץ ביותר!

5 out of 5. They are helpful. Effordible equipments and ski school. Our 8 year old kid become a perfect skier in 3 days 6 hours private lesson with Ivan. IVAN is a great instructor and professional skier. He leads our kid to 2600 meter to down Bansko. I highly recommend Ivan to new learner in private lesson so you don't waste time. It was a great week us in Bansko with ski mania. Many thanks them.

Great and very helpful service. Basic but good equipment and fairly priced. You can leave your equipment in the shop at the end of the day and pick it up the next morning, without having to carry it to your hotel. And this is free of charge!

Top ski rental! Very friendly staff, the equipment is good quality and prices are very reasonable. Also, the cable car to the slopes is literally round the corner from the shop. Highly recommended!

These ski instructors are absolutely amazing! They are amazing with the kids, even my anxious, difficult (but lovely) 4 year old. Which is a miracle! They had my 2 eldest skiing down red runs after 6 hours of teaching them. They had my 4 year old using the ski road. I honestly cannot believe it. 100% worth every penny. Thanks so much guys!

⭐️Nick⭐️ you were absolutely amazing and taught us to ski from zero experience to this in just 2x2hour lessons... we can't thank you enough. We love skiing. From Emily and Ruairí If you want to look as fantastic as us on the slopes we booked the following... *private lesson 2-1*

The skiing itself is brilliant and very good value for money. The slopes near the top were very decent until the afternoon and the views are spectacular. But. To get to the slopes, everyone has to get on the same gondola. We got there at 8 in the morning and even though it was not peak season, we had to wait 1 hour just to get on. My recommendation: There are plenty of taxi drivers hanging around the bottom station who offer to take you up for 10 Lew. Do yourself the favour and pay for the taxi, it saved us so much time and hassle. Also, the restaurants on the mountain are terribly overpriced. Expect to pay double to three times as much as in town. Food was ok, but definitely nothing to write home about. Since the restaurants are all run by the same company, there’s no alternative other than bringing your own food so I find that a bit annoying. I would definitely come back though considering the overall value for money. Total cost (hotel, ski passes, ski rental, food,..) was probably close to a third of what we would have paid in Austria or Switzerland.

I had a great time learning to ski with Georgi Pantev / Ski Mania, a Bulgarian Ski Champion ! He has a very gentle approach and I was able to pick up the basics in no time ! This is your man !!!

Incredible. Hike is difficult so be prepared, so worth it. A bit slippery down, walking sticks would have been nice

Rila National Park and Musala Peak represent a perfect combination of natural beauty, biodiversity and mountain challenge. For nature lovers it offers peace and endless expanses of greenery and glacial lakes; for climbers, the highest peak of the Balkans as a prestigious achievement. This park is a destination that remained in my memory as a journey to the peak of Balkan nature.

282 species of mosses made me come here and I'm not disappointed. The skilift makes it way easier, but it is also possible to walk up yourself. (And it will safe you the money and the waiting) Still worth it to take the ski lift option. It's easy to find parking spots. There are some food and drinking options "upstairs". Good amount of high quality information in different parts of the hike. For me one of the high lights of Bulgaria!

The park is very beautiful especially if you go for a hike during the autumn. Fresh air, stunning views on the way and bright colors all around!

It's the most beautiful place in Bulgaria. LOCAL GUIDE IMPORTANT TIPS: 1. Don't go without warm clothes. It is mountain (2000 m altitude) and the weather changes very fast even if it's looks warm and nice. 2. Take cash money to pay the lift ticket. Tehy don't have card payment 3. You can't see the lakes from the hut. After you take the lift, you have to walk up at least 40 min to see the first three lakes. 4. The sixth and seventh lakes can be seen from the end of June to December. In other months it is dangerous to go there without special equipment. 5. In winter, you can't see the lakes because they're covered with meters of snow. 6. Go there only with trekking shoes. Don't go there with flip flops, sandals, and moccasin. 7. Check the weather before you go!!! 8. Don't go there in August it is crowded.

Beautiful Rila always exciting!!!

It was a fantastic memory in the middle of the rila mountain!!

The place is really up in the mountains so it could get quite cold. Even in hottest days the temperature there is bearable. The best thing is that those guys are doing this to save the bears and they have done an awesome job in finding the perfect place. It was also really nice seeing the bears from so close.

Very pleasant place! The road is ok, the staff is friendly and talkative, the park is well organized, clean and easy to get around. Tours are also organized every 30-40min with a guide and explanation. It is worth visited.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A really nice place to visit! The bears are well cared for, and the sanctuary is peaceful and educational. It’s great to see them in a natural environment. The guide spoke also in English. Mind the time of the season for visiting.

Lovely place and good cause. Stunning views and guided tours were informative. It’s every 30 min so the you don’t really wait for long. Recommended 👏👏👏

The bears look well. The tour is pretty short - about 40 min and you're back at the entrance. The walk is steep downhill and then back uphill, fortunately all the tour is under tree's shade, so it's not too hot, but it is an effort for those like me, who aren't in shape.

It is great to see the hard work that the foundation is doing for the bears. The tour took around 40 mins. You cannot walk freely in the park, which is the best for the animals. Our guide was very nice and humble.

It was great! We saw about 5 bears. Some really close some not so much. A nice place to visit and kids. Don't miss the rila fun park which is on the way there :)

I can highly recommend Polly - excellent communication, perfect English, clear instruction, helpful techniques, a passion for the skiing and the mountains. Her calm approach inspires confidence and is generally a very nice person to spend time with on the slopes!

We have never snowboarded before and had the most fantastic experience! We hired the kit, which was in great condition and well looked after. The team were super nice and helpful. Booking was really easy and the prices were excellent. We had 2 hour lessons over 5 days, and our instructor OJ was incredible, he was such a great teacher, he was fun, motivational and supportive. He progressed the challenges accordingly and we really felt we got most out of it, and we will definitely be back and booking again!

Just back from fab week in Borovets. 5th year of ski there. Wouldn’t get our equipment from anywhere else. Matt and his team have the best equipment,nicest team and very efficient system. I had private lessons with Matt who is empowering and relaxed and made me feel I could do anything. Thank you all! Cannot recommend enough.

If you are staying at hotel Musala don’t book anywhere else. It is so easy and efficient. People working there are friendly and very professional. 100% positive

This place is great. Efficient and friendly service in the hire shop, and very good instructors who explain things well. They know how to adapt their instruction for kids as well as adults, and they know when to push you so you get the most out of your lesson. I booked with them based on a recommendation from someone else who had used them and I was very pleased with my experience.

Huge thanks to Matt and the team. We used their expertise throughout our stay for children and adult lessons for both skiing and snowboarding. Cant recommend them enough and special mentioned to Mitko, OJ and Jess!

Yana was absolutely amazing, would recommended her to anyone! Friendly, polite & a such a great teacher. 👏 Guys at the ski shop also polite as ever. Top people!

We were in the middle of the week, a small park, renovations are taking place. A nice place to extract bones on the way from, and nothing more.

Could be a very nice and relaxing place if nor for the trashy people playing super loud and inappropriate music which can easily heard throughout the whole place. Could take a walk but very unaccomodating in case you wanna enjoy a drink or a meal.

The park has been renovated and looks much better now. There's still a lot of room for improvement. It's a pretty place for a walk. Kids love feeding the ducks and riding in the boats.

Lake Park with some renovated benches and paths, first lake is with clean water second one water has a dirty film on top, there is fish inside and a bistro next to the first lake,but seems as it has been 30yrs ago , it is ok for a walk and sitting next to spring water , municipality could turn it into a real gem if they put effort into it.

Very beautiful nature and great for a walk with kids and feeding the ducks.

Small but nice park. There is a lake with water wheels and ducks.

A beautiful park in Velingrad. Its sad to see so many restaurants have closed down. Some of the park upkeeping is not so good. Otherwise a nice place for a stroll 👌

Our group sat right in front of the bar for visibility. Despite that, we waited for more than 15 minutes to receive a menu and in the end we had to ask for it ourselves. The waitress had no idea what was on the menu and even almost argued with us that there isn't such product available. Mind that the conversation was held in Bulgarian, so we can't talk about a language barrier here. She also asked us to repeat half of the order because she didn't write it down and apparently forgot it. Eventually, she got our order but excused herself with the menu being recently changed. Even if that's the case, I think she should take some time to learn it better. What we also noticed is that another customer came inside to ask for his check because he had been waiting for over 20 minutes. We heard the staff dismiss his complaint loudly between themselves, which is terribly unprofessional and shows that they don't take complaints seriously. The place has a very pleasant vibe. However, the service needs a lot of improvement.

I think its the best place to drink something in Velingrad. I really enjoyed my lemonade. Place was decoreted well, inside has a cool vintage design. Outside is pretty fresh. Prices are OK.

The food is so so, but you have to wait 40 mins for just portion of fries. I am disappointed from the behaviour of the waitresses!

The staff yielded at me!I don’t like the prices- too much for one lemonade!The fries did have black dots on them and I waited 2 hours for them!

Great place. Delicious food and beverages. Good price and location

Very nice and modern place with great interior design ideas and wonderful cocktails ,hot beverages and drinks in economic prices.

Nothing good I would say for that place. You can wait waiters for hours and when they come up they do not bring menis.

Hristo from Avatar Extreme sport is a true professional and the experience flying with him was second to none! Highly recommend 😎

I went to ride waterski, something I have never done before. The whole crew were very friendly. Before entering the water they gave me very good instructions. In result I managed to stand from the first attempt. I highly recommend Avatar Extreme Sport. Definitely visiting again!

We thoroughly enjoyed flying over the Velingrad area and would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone considering it! The views on a clear day are incredible, and Hristo is very professional and knowledgeable. We were fully kitted up to stay warm, comfortable, and safe during your flight, and to communicate with Hristo all the time. We got great video footage of the flight from the onboard camera thrown in, as well as the ability to use our own action camera. Hristo is also fluent in English which was very helpful for my non-Bulgarian-speaking girlfriend. I have no doubt the other experiences on offer are would have tried them if we had the time and the weather allowed it.

A really enjoying experience. We did water ski and knee board. The instructions were clear and the staff made sure that we enjoyed the adventure fully and we learned the skills. Completely recommended to try and they also offer variety of other water sports.

It was easy peasy setting the appointment with Hristo. He was welcoming and nice during the conversation so any fears fade away. Right on time we were getting ready for our flight, he showed himself as a true proffesionalist and the experiance was amazing - 30 min in the sky over cities, mountains, fields and dams. You should try it

We flew yesterday with Hristo, this was an amazing experience, the weather was so clear, we could see 5 mountains. Hristo itself it’s amazing person, BIG THANKS!!!!

The Flyboard was super fun 🤩 nice staff, also speak English

We just came out of the cave. Excellent visit, good audio guide. The climb up from the parking is moderate, with many rest areas.

I loved it, new handrails all the way to the top, clean and well maintained. I saw and felt a lot of history and the guy who was there I think his name was Ivan add a huge amount of interesting information on top of was we saw. He spoke about the cave with so much love and passion it's impressing ❤️

It was very cool and I liked the weird shapes the cave. The tickets weren't expensive and we were able to take pictures. The climbing to get to the cave is not much, but only if you go to the top part with a car. If you have the option to visit, I definatly recommend it.

Very nice and interest place, from the parking lots to the cave itself there is a forest walk so be ready!!! It is not that difficult and look for those faces on the trees.

We didn't make it to the cave and we wish we'd known everything beforehand. So the road to the cave is very narrow and twisted and long. The last part of it of about several km, is not well maintained and difficult to drive. I personally think it's a good and fun experience but not sure everyone will like this. The bigger problem is the trail to the cave which start with couple of widen stairs but very quickly turns into a very steep and mussy trail not easy to walk with kids. We quit somewhere in the middle unfortunately.

From my point of view the price can be lower. But the cave i worth to see. It is no big, around 15-30 minutes to see everything.

A great location to visit with family or friends. The path up to the cave isn’t too difficult and is actually quite enjoyable. Everything is clean and maintained. Everyone was really nice, especially the guy selling tickets at the hut near the cave entrance. The cave itself was beautiful and the audio guide included with the ticket was immersive and informative. Overall a great experience.

Very nice, big, bright house with nice yard in front. Totally worth buying ticket for 5-6 houses in the city, a lot of history in it and good spirit. Second floor is very nicely decorated and cosy.

One of the most beautiful museum houses in Koprivshtica. You can buy a full ticket for all 6 at a decent price, but a thing they don't tell you is that you can pay a bit more and get a tour guide. However if you don't there is plenty of information everywhere in Bulgarian and English.

One of the 6 museums you can visit on a shared and very reasonably priced ticket. Even a surly preteen liked the experience

Wonderful place, rich in history. All museums work till 17,30 in the summer and can see 6 of them with one ticket. Enjoy at least two day stay in Koprivshtica so that you can see all museums and monuments.

Beautiful tour of 6 houses of the bulgarian renaissance. This one and Leydiva are the best ones, the rest... is more or less the same decoration inside and renovated façada. Anyway u can learn a lot about the bulgarian uprising with the info u get. The 6 houses are 8 lv. Take your time to enjoy the town.

Very nice typical house of the period of Vazrazhdane. One of the good preserved examples.

Beautiful, rich of information, very well taken care of.

My favorite house is this one, Dimcho Debelyanov's house is unique. With the entrance you will feel the atmosphere of another Era where the poet created, and you will enjoy the beauty and every details of the house. The entrance is free, you can donate money if you want, with 2 floors. You might feel a little sad atmosphere when you see his mother monument, waiting for him to come home as one of his most famous poems says. I Highly recommend to visit it.

Awesome house-museum that shows old bulgarian way of living and values which stood the test of time. It’s certainly not a miss if you’re in town!

great exposition for a noteworthy bulgarian tressure! higjly recommended for anyone who is interested in poetry or bulgarian history!

House Museum “Dimcho Debelyanov” preserves the birthplace and legacy of the Bulgarian poet. The historic home displays period furnishings, personal artifacts, and exhibits highlighting his life, work, and contributions to Bulgarian literature and culture.

Surreal atmosphere, loved the audio podcasts and the abundance of information about the author.

Very nice place to visit, part of the city museum tour. Very well kept and handled.

Authentic and nostalgic atmosphere lets you really feel the spirit and culture of the times.. a reading of the poet's poems is played in each room and brings the whole experience together. Exceptional, a must see!

One of the historic houses in Koprivshtitza -the only town-museum in Bulgaria. You are taking a time-mashine and going two centuries back. The experience is one in a life time.

This is one of the most breathtaking and beautiful houses I have ever seen. Its iconic front facade is extraordinary and fascinating and the fact that this house is build in 1854 is mind blowing. The garden in front is well maintained and creates calm and relaxing atmosphere. I loved the interior of the building because of its specific wall paintings. An intriguing history surrounds the family that owned the house. Also a good feature is that its part of a museum tour which contains several other iconic houses of other famous Bulgarian revolutionaries. It is a must see and I strong recommend visiting it!!! Date of experience: April 2022

Lutova House Museum in Koprivshtitsa preserves 19th-century Bulgarian architecture and interior design. The historic house features traditional woodwork, decorative murals, and exhibits illustrating the local lifestyle and cultural heritage of the period.

Very beautiful house from outside and inside. You can feel the history written all over it. All historical houses in Koprivshtica are nice, but this one was my favorite.

Very beautiful house built 2 centuries ago. Nice exposition of old fabric technologies and old textiles.

Beautiful building. Everything is restored and reserved so well.

Beautiful place. Strongly recommend visiting

I'd like to thank the management staff for their utmost (and successful) attempt at making sure we knew our presence at their complex was unwelcome! Good location but that about sums it up. I feel sorry for anyone who already has planned events at this place, you'll understand in time... Criticism is something they don't tolerate so there's no point in arguing with them, you'll always be in the wrong. You might ask why I'd say that? Because what was supposed to be a relaxing dinner along with my friends was turned into a shallow attempt to humiliate the group. The already small dining hall was divided in two sections with our tables all pointed towards the other guest group so we could watch them have fun while we were left in isolation. Needless to say any request for some music to loosen up the tension and possibly make our stay better were straight up rejected. Don't even get me started about the personnel, gloomy and negative toward us for no reason at all, could barely even look at them from all the hostility. The entire time we felt as if we were looked down on for no reason. And that of course translated over to the stale food we were served. I'm no picky eater and even I had a hard time finishing my plate. Nothing riles me up more than unprovoked negativity...Would've been better if they just told me to get up and get out as I got there rather than having to watch that clown show and THEN kindly tell us to get out. :) 10/10 Would NOT recommend!

Lovely location, the food I had in the restaurant was exceptional! All the waitresses were incredibly friendly and had a great knowledge of the menu and also knew what to recommend. Rooms are specious and decorated beautifully. Check in and check out was so easy, receptionist was very chatty and bubbly, also helpful with recommending wines from their own produce. Highly recommend visiting, beautiful hotel, delicious food, friendly service, mesmerising location and last but not least exceptional wine. We will be back for sure. 😊

Very nice place to spend a day or a weekend and to spend a night their (that we decide to do next time when we go to Plovdiv) we take our lunch , we take a variety of dishes from caw meat and from chiken and goat and all that Meat are came from their farmers . And we drink a very nice wine they produce it from the factory inside the complex (Ezba) , and the dishes of salad we enjoy the great taste of the Bulgarian’s cheese made from their farmers , Villa Yustina is a unique place produce every thing you eat and drink by locals with great professionalism .

I have visited Yustina every time I'm in Bulgaria. Beautiful views, amazing clean accommodation, lovely staff. Amazing wines and wine tasting, which are from their own vineyard and winery. I really can see why so many people want to get married here, or have any special occasion here. Definitely worth a trip

Thank you to the amazing staff of Yustina Villas! We had such a memorable stay. It was the perfect location to combine work and vacation. The pool was a total hit with dedicated pool sections for younger and elder kids, where they could enjoy a lot. The breakfast was perfect, with a great variety of options. The staff was super friendly and made us feel well taken care of. The Internet was very reliable, without any connectivity disruptions. I would highly recommend Yustina Villas and we will surely be visiting soon again! ☺️

the location and the hotel on their own are perfect. but the restaurant/bar service deeply is questionable. we needed to order three times the same things, directly at the counter to finally be seen because they kept forgetting our whole orders, or some dishes, or our presence... even when your ask BEFORE ordering smt to pay separate from your table, you end up paying for the whole thing cause they already closed your tab so it's not their problem anymore. im okay with making mistakes, it happens and it's no big deal, but the servers could at least be kind. however the food is absolutely amazing and i think that all the orderings issues are due to the language barrier, and that the waitresses struggle even if they do their best

We just spent 4 amazing days at Yustina Villas.We were there for a 3 day wedding party and loved the facilities.Management was extremely attentive and helpful when we had any issues or quearies.Service,however was horrible.All waiting personnel at the restaurant were extremely rude and inattentive.Room attendants did not clean our room at all and I had to ask for towel changing several times.I love the place,wedding was amazing but staff...speechless 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️

Really amazing. It is small but I could have stayed there and enjoyed it for hours. The place is just extraordinary and the area around it is gorgeous!

One of the biggest temples and tombs in the area. You can see a long distance all around the surrounding countryside. There is lots of information about the temple and it's history and discovery.

There is a parking place, if you leave your car there you need to walk hard 10 more minutes, but actually... there is a road to the top, no need to leave your car on the parking... however there are no signs!!! Too hot, take water with you :) No shop around. Place is nice, no gide you need to read, walk, look and learn by yourself. Anyway it’s not a bad place, idea is good and place is important... but still not good organized

The Thracian Cult Temple in Starosel is an absolute gem. The temple's intricate designs and beautiful location in the Bulgarian countryside make it a must-visit destination for history and architecture enthusiasts. The relics on display provide valuable insights into the Thracian civilization, and the staff are friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommended!

One of the relatively well restored and maintained place. I wish there were more signs which is where when you park your car at the parking, but we found out way around (I guess).

Amazing place. The energy that you feel when you are there is indescribable. The temple is 25 centuries old. Everything is authentic. The tour guide is great. You should definitely visit it if you have a chance.

The Thracian Temple Complex in the Chetinyovata Mogila, at a distance of 4km from the village of Starosel, was found in 2000. It has a statute of a group archaeological monument of culture. This is the oldest ever found royal Thracian complex with a mausoleum. It dates back to the end of the 5th and the beginning of the 4th century BC. The Thracian Temple Complex at Starosel covers six underhill temples, four of which are unique, as well as a few royal burials. The entire hill is surrounded by a wall made of processed granite blocks. The wall is called krepis and outlines a circle which according to the Thracian religious believes symbolizes the Sun. The entrance of the temple has a parade staircase and two pedestals, on which statues of lions were sitting. The staircase leads the visitors to a flat platform, used for ritual dances. A corridor leads to the real facade of the temple and to the round hall containing 10 decorative semi-columns and tryglyphs (a rectangular plate above each column) with blue and red decoration. Religious ceremonies, related to the cult to the Mother Goddess, her son the Sun and Orpheus were performed in the temple.

Amazing place! The road to get her isn't the easiest one but it's beautiful. Easy to park and you can easily spend a few hours there. Lot of locals selling souvenirs and food.

Beautiful location. Lives up to the name wonderful bridges! Easy parking, nice little stalls to visit.

Well worth the visit, very majestic and beautiful!

Amazing formations, something one can barely imagine, how it even happened. Definitely worth the trip up the mountain. Also a beautiful view over the mountains. Would for sure go back again and do one of the hiking trails. Bulgarian nature just never disappoints!

Wonderful place! In my opinion, one of the best nature’s site in Bulgaria. We spent here more than one hour and it was great. The only not pleasant thing here is the road leading to this place, which is really horrible. You should drive very carefully and beware of potholes. But in general, it worth to get here despite the bad road, because it is very beautiful here.

Incredible place to see nature at work, but a terrible journey to get there with a car. The road is very bad and I suggest you take very slow very early in the morning to avoid the traffic and crowds. There's a nice place to sit down and relax and a zip line that goes right through the attraction.

Nice place to spend a hour Your attention that the last 7 km of the roads to the entrance are mostly broken, thus your average speed is 20 kmh. Except of this, the site is really nice, easy walking, you can go down under the "bridges" or climb above them - both options will bring you excellent photos.

Has to be visited if you like historical places and culture!

To me, this is beautiful ancient history It’s hard to read something that’s so priceless Roman tomb gets 10 stars out of five

At the end of a beautiful forest path lies this interesting noble man tomb with mosaic on the floor; it’s not every day you get to see such tombs; worth the visit;

The guide there is not quite friendly, chance to ask “stupid questions” is guaranteed

Small thomb with field all around, nice panorama

Well restored tomb that looks very impressive from the inside.

Small tomb from the 4th century. Entry costs 2 bgn.

Very easy climb with great views throughout the journey,and of coure, the immaculate panoramic view from the peak. The monument is very emblematic and the surrounding trees and plants really elevate the area. Highly recommend taking this small hike in the center of Plovdiv.

Greatest vantage point in the city - as far as I can overlook the situation after 5 hours of walking through the city.

Very nice Monument and park.You can see the monument from city center but i advice you to climb and to see the monument and the view of the oldest European city Plovdiv.The meaning of the monument maybe not rhat much good but still its part of the city and i believe it shoul be kept.

Though I am not fan of Red Army, I have to say this is a great spot to have spectacular views of beautiful Plovdiv. I visited it on an evening of March 2025.

Beautiful place ! I didn’t have the view, but i m quite happy with my pictures !

Pretty nice walk, u can choose from “terain” alternatives if u like insects:D nice view on city

Nice statue and excellent viewing point

Lift Sopot in Bulgaria is a unique and thrilling experience that you won't soon forget. This giant elevator shaft leads up the side of a tall mountain, providing stunning views of the surrounding area as it climbs higher and higher over the course of the trip. As you make your way up the elevator, you'll see the countryside stretching out before you, and you'll be able to take in the breathtaking beauty of the Bulgarian landscape. The trip takes about 15 minutes to complete, and by the time you reach the top, you'll have seen things you never thought possible. At the top of the elevator, you'll find an observation deck where you can take in the sights and get a better appreciation of the incredible views you've seen on your climb. You can even take a short hike to the top of the mountain for even more breathtaking views. Overall, Lift Sopot is an amazing experience that offers a unique way to see the beauty of the Bulgarian countryside. It's a thrill that you won't soon forget, and it's definitely worth a trip if you're in the area. Whether you're a thrill-seeker, a nature lover, or just looking for an exciting adventure, this is one experience you won't want to miss!

This is a very impressive mountain lift that goes up 1000 meters and the journey from the first station to the second station which is located about 1500 meters above sea level takes over 20 minutes. In the future two more higher stations are planned and then it will probably be one of the longest in Europe, if not the longest. The view from the top is wonderful and a starting point for several routes. The ticket price is cheap and the attitude is kind and friendly. The problem is that the elevator is only activated when there is a group of more than 10 people so it is difficult to predict how long you will have to wait. At 9:00 in the morning at the opening there is usually a group and then you have to ask and find out that you won't get stuck returning. Of course, there is also a descent path of about an hour.

What a lovely experience! This will definitely become one of our regular destinations. When we visited the weather was fenomenal and we could enjoy the full experience. The staff is very friendly and the facilities are recently modernised and renovated. The safety measures are in place. There is convenient parking and outdoor cafe area. This place is used by many enthisiasts who like to camp, do mountaineering. Once you reach the top you can enjoy breathing views. Truly magical place.

Good, but it's a little bit old. Very bumpy and it stops from time to time. The second lift to the top it's not working. Hopefully they will fix and refurbish it, because it's beautiful out there.

The ride itself was very pleasant. However, the staff was not helpful at all. I have mobility issues and when i asked the staff if the lift can be stopped so that i can sit and stand up from the seat (not to do that movement while the lift is moving), I was made fun of. After the ride, I tried the Gelato ice cream. It was very delicious.

Parking is hard to find on weekends or events especially .the cable car is pricey. Pizza and ice cream best in town. Swimming pool was closed .only open in summer as the water is not heated.great to spend a day with or without children.

I really liked this place for the calm atmosphere. In a sunny weather is perfect for chilling. There is also tasty and natural ice cream offered and a good coffee. This place is know as a meeting point for paraplanners.

This is the most fascinating ancient structure that I visited in Plovdiv. I visited the place on an afternoon when it was about to close, so the employee offered me a private 3-D film viewing. The movie recreates the competitions at the stadium almost two thousand years ago. A part of it is underneath a store, so you have to enter it through a store.

It's a pity that the city has built roads and shops above the stadium and you can only see a piece of such an ancient Byzantine gem. The most outrageous thing is that there is also a bar located in the centre of the stadium.

Definitely worth a visit. Well, it's an absolute must-see if you're in Plovdiv

Many visitors confuse Plovdiv’s Roman sites, mixing up the theatre, the forum and the stadium, but this location is the Roman Stadium and the preserved section of it. Most of the original structure lies under the modern city center, so only part of it is visible today. Still, the way the city has integrated the remains into the urban space is genuinely impressive. You get a clear sense of the scale, and it’s easy to imagine how the full stadium once looked. The site is free to visit, and for 6 leva you can watch a short 20-minute film that explains the history and the excavation work. It’s a simple but effective way to understand the place better. Overall, a well-presented piece of Roman heritage right in the middle of Plovdiv.

A buried stadium that only has a small portion of it excavated, but the rest are still buried, because the city of Plovdiv has been built on top of it. Amazing!

Well worth a visit and I'd recommend seeing the short film screening of the stadiums history. The lady in the shop is very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful

*⭐ Ancient Stadium of Philipopolis – A Fascinating Journey into History* Visiting the Ancient Stadium of Philipopolis is an incredible experience for history lovers and curious travelers alike. The well-preserved ruins offer a glimpse into the grandeur of Roman-era Plovdiv, with impressive stone seating and the stadium’s original layout still visible. The site is clean, informative, and thoughtfully maintained, with clear signage that helps you understand the historical significance. It’s amazing to stand where thousands once cheered on athletic events centuries ago. Located in the heart of Plovdiv, it’s easily accessible and perfect for a quick cultural stop during your city exploration. *Overall:* A must-see landmark that beautifully connects the present with the ancient past. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Plovdiv! *Rating:* ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

If you look at the price and if you look at the potential of this site, I would not buy tickets if there is no event. Amazing location for live music. I'll advice to check shows in advance; then it will be something nice to visit. Just buying tickets and checking the site, it lacks info signs (there is a digital option, not the best quality). You can also perfectly have an idea of this site when walking around it.

The Roman Theatre in Plovdiv is one of the city’s strongest highlights. The hillside setting and the view over the modern city make it especially beautiful around sunset. From November onward it officially closes at 17:30, and when I arrived around 17:00 the lady at the entrance already hesitated to let people in, so timing really matters. If you want the best light and a calm atmosphere, aim for the late-afternoon–sunset window and get there earlier than the posted closing time.

The Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis is honestly one of the coolest places in Plovdiv. It’s huge, well-preserved, and the view from the top is amazing. It feels crazy to stand somewhere that old and still see it in such good condition. Super easy to walk around, take photos, and enjoy the atmosphere. Totally worth visiting.

It is a very beautiful and magnificent architecture. Ladies, be careful. The venue is not suitable for high heels, especially if you are trying to reach from the entrance on the very top of the hill to the scene downloads. There are no railing to hold on to, and the syairs are very high!

Great venue. A bucket list must, see a band play here. Best to select wooden seats rather than stone seats... when with a cushion, they are still warm from the sun earlier in the day.

It is impressive considering it was constructed in the 1st century. I visited it in March 2025. I found they did to accept credit cards and I did not have any Bulgarian Levs. The lady there was so kind that she asked me to go ahead to visit it and pay the next day. I found some $US eventually, and she accepted it.

The place you should see if you visit Plovdiv. Ancient ruins still used for art performances. Full of life place with this spiritual beauty. Don’t skip and take a walk through the stairs and tiny streets covered in stones.

Very nice old town. Good for a nice morning stroll. Lots of restaurants and bars around. I can recommend walking side streets as well. Overall a good experience but nothing really spectacular.

The Old City of Plovdiv (ancient Philippoupolis) is a magnificent blend of history, culture, and architecture. Once a thriving Greek and Roman city, it still preserves its charm through cobbled streets, colorful 19th-century houses, and elegant churches and museums. Highlights include the Ancient Theatre, the Ethnographic Museum, and beautifully restored mansions like Balabanov House. Don’t miss the crafts street, where local artisans create and sell handmade jewelry, ceramics and traditional souvenirs, a lively reminder of the city’s creative spirit. A must-see for history and art lovers alike.

Plovdiv’s Old Town is one of the most beautiful and atmospheric places I’ve visited. The cobblestone streets, colorful Revival-era houses, and hidden courtyards make the whole area feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Every corner has something interesting—museums, galleries, small cafés, and amazing viewpoints over the city. It’s clean, calm, and perfect for walking, even if you’re just exploring without a plan. The architecture is stunning, especially the traditional Bulgarian houses and the Roman theatre. Locals are friendly and there’s plenty of information signs in English too. If you’re in Plovdiv, you simply must visit the Old Town. It’s easily one of the highlights of the city.

It's a wonderful old city, but I definitely recommend avoiding it in hot weather. We think it's best visited in the fall. A stroller isn't comfortable due to the cobblestones. Sneakers are more comfortable. It's a pleasant city to visit.

Definitely worth visiting — it’s the only truly beautiful spot around. Just be careful with your footwear, as the ground is uneven with broken stones and no flat surfaces. Free entrance.

Very nice place to walk with your loved ones. Enjoyed the old city this afternoon 🤗

I had a wonderful experience visiting this place and saw the culture of a civilization that existed many years ago! What they discovered and what they have done to survive.

It is a great place to learn about Bulgarian culture and history. I enjoyed visiting it in March 2025. It has a beautiful garden, so it is also good spot for taking break in touring the city.

In the first place I bought myself a cheap student ticket because I had to go on the included toilet very urgent, but after I came to peace with this I really enjoyed the exhibition showing Bulgarians' customs and tradition. Worth-visiting place if you're in town in my opinion!

This is a nice cultural museum with nice items they used in the old times. There is a 4.50 euros ticket to get in. It is a huge museum to see a lot of folclore things.

This is a nice cultural museum with nice items they used in the old times. It has a beautiful garden.

It’s as beautiful in the outside as it is inside. There aren’t many unique to this museum artefacts ( I think ) but the place is so historic, amazing, it’s worth visiting.

Quite rich in exhibits, submersive into regional etno-culture. The building itself is old and authentic, made of wood.

Very nice Museum on Bulgarian culture. Have explanations in English. Very interesting.

Please don't get me wrong! The place feels and smells amazingly nostalgic, and genuine. However, somehow I didn't feel the spirit of one of the greatest (if not the greatest) Bulgarians ever lived! The museum with its exposures is the best thing to see there. Only there you could "touch" the spirit of this remarkable person. I've recently been visiting the Geo Milev house museum in Stara Zagora. Man, that was an experience! You could literally touch some of his (or his family) belongings. You could watch a short movie that is running constantly on a screen. I'm sorry if I lack knowledge of Levski, but I thought that more of what he left was preserved for the historians.

True heritage from the days under ottoman occupation, reveals the lifestyle and culture of the Bulgarian folk

A place where you feel proud Bulgarian. The emblem of the Bulgarian Revolution! The house is well maintained. Easy to visit. The staff is very competent and knowledgeable! The exhibit hall is very inspiring and there is a lock of Levski's hair in the church. The thing that made me really impressed was that there was a braille alphabet at the entrance for blind people!

The OIDFA 21 congress of lace was very nice organised

You will be given the opportunity to gain interesting information about Vassil Levski’s home, relatives and deed. Here you can see some of his preserver belongings, letters and documents as well as read about his unique destiny. It offers a great chance to get closer to what was left and reminds of the remarkable life-work of the Apostle of freedom. You can try to look deeply in the great mystery of his life: how in those difficult times of slavery his strong character, perseverance, human stamina and determination never faded away and combined with his revolutionary ideas and acts turned him into the most significant person in Bulgarian history.

Vasil Levski National Museum in Karlovo preserves the legacy of the Bulgarian revolutionary. The museum features personal artifacts, historical documents, and exhibitions highlighting his life, revolutionary activities, and contributions to Bulgaria’s struggle for independence.

Unique place hosted by friendly staff. Must see!

Beautiful small monastery. Excellent traditional eateries around it. It was a hot day in Plovdiv, but pleasant at the higher elevation at the site. 4 BGN to park right outside the walls and avoid the uphill walk from lower lots. It is probably hard to do this on busy days.

Hi there! We visited this wonderful monastery and we enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere and the “Vecernia”(around 6 p.m). Located ~ two hours away from Sofia, it is attracting many pilgrims and it’s worth visiting also for its unique architecture and painting - typical of Eastern Orthodox culture. Bachkovo Monastery has at least two other church buildings in addition to its main one, its own museum and later on we discovered that it preserves a significant ossuary which can be reached in a few hundred meters away from it… So, are you ready to visit one of the oldest monasteries on the Balkan Peninsula, still active (with monks) and the 2nd largest in Bulgaria? :)✌🏻

Beautiful location, would have been 5 stars but the museum and some of the other rooms were still closed at 9:45am and no one was sure what time they were meant to open so didn't get to see everything I'd hoped. Well worth the journey anyway though.

Here, nestled in the Rhodope mountains, the Bachkovo Monastery of the Dormition of the Theotokos stands as a moving testament to religious tolerance and historical continuity. Founded in 1083, it has welcomed different cultures, survived invasion and change, and still welcomes visitors of all faiths to reflect, pray or simply pause. The stone walls, the quiet courtyards and the rich frescoes speak of an era when different traditions—Byzantine, Georgian, Bulgarian—and yes, even Ottoman-era coexistence left their mark. It is a place that encourages respect, contemplation and the freedom to worship in one’s own way. A truly beautiful and humbling site.

A sanctuary of peacefulness. Some fantastic frescoes. We ate at one of the eateries on the street leading to the monastery which was below average. They all do the same thing and all look the same quality. Recommend eating elsewhere. But the monastery is great.

A nice monastery and the nature around and the fact that in the monastery there are the graves of two people that had a major role in preventing the deportation of Bulgarian Jews during WW2

Amazingly beautiful monastery! Definitely worth visiting or staying for a night. It’s one of the largest in Bulgaria. It’s restored and has a great audio guide. Highly recommend.

Nice views. There are lots of stairs besides the view, not very much to see. Back and forth not circular route. 8 Lev entry fee plus 1.5 for parking.

A tiny must see in spectacular Landscape. Parking nearby. Small entrance fee. Misty mountain scenery was perfect. Easy Access from main road. Definetely Not barrier free, because historical place withon wild Nature.

Excellent place to walk around and see great views on fortress and surrounding. Most mountains covered by trees and like as Switzerland, so many green color

Amazing place to visit. Offers a great view and a dive into the regions history. Highly recommended!

Small but very cool castle from the time of Assen II with a commanding view of the gorge and the valley. Doesn't take long to explore, but worth a visit if you haven't seen it and are into medieval castles 🙂

Beautiful place! This was stunning, and I recommend visiting here highly! It's 8 lev entrance fee per person. Stunning views when on the top. Easy to walk around as hand rails are all around (mostly) - it would feel very exposed without!

Not much here to see except ruins. Well it was a good walk.