Day 3: Day Tour to Rila Monastery and Beyond

Weather: Cloudy with Sunny Intervals, High of 2°C

Elevation: 1,147 metres (3,763 ft)

Early Start & Good Company

We were up early this morning for a full-day adventure into the mountains. Four of us from the hostel—Jonas from Germany, Ryan from Colorado (USA), Ariane from Canada, and myself—set off to visit the famous Rila Monastery. Jonas was on his last day before catching an overnight train to Istanbul, and the rest of us were keen to soak up Bulgaria’s rich history.

The tour cost €35 (70 BGN or NZD 68.10)—the most expensive day trip I’ve taken on this journey so far. The two-hour drive to the monastery was mostly quiet, punctuated with moments of half-sleep and travel talk: where we've been, where we’re headed, and our favourite countries so far. It was clear that today would be one for the photo albums.

Rila Monastery: A Sacred Mountain Gem

We arrived at 9:45 AM, greeted by the stillness of the mountains and the grandeur of the Rila Monastery. Founded by Saint Ivan of Rila during the reign of Tsar Peter I (927–968), the monastery is a symbol of Bulgarian spiritual and cultural identity.

Although the saint lived as a hermit in a nearby cave, it was his students who built the monastery in his honour. The site has survived centuries of turmoil—including Ottoman raids and destruction—yet today it stands proudly as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its intricate frescoes, wooden carvings, and the towering Hrelja Tower from 1335 left us speechless.

We spent two hours here, wandering slowly through courtyards and chapels, camera shutters clicking quietly as we tried to capture its mystique.

Boyana Church: Small but Significant

On our return to Sofia, we made a stop at Boyana Church, a UNESCO site nestled in Sofia’s outskirts. Entry was 12 BGN (€6.14/NZD 11.93), and photography inside was strictly forbidden.

Despite the underwhelming service and steep price for such a small site, the church’s history and art are deeply impressive. Built-in the 10th century and expanded in the 13th and 19th centuries, the church holds a powerful collection of medieval frescoes painted in 1259, including lifelike portraits that feel ahead of their time.

I’ll likely have to download reference photos later, but the memory of that serene, candlelit interior will stay with me.

Golden Bridge: Nature’s Wonder

From Boyana, we climbed higher into the mountains to a height find the Golden Bridge, or Zlatnite Mostove—a vast stone river formed by glacial movement and covered in golden-hued lichens.

We weren't entirely sure what we were looking for at first, trudging through snow-covered paths, slipping and laughing as we went. While we didn’t find the exact tourist marker, the experience itself—searching for the “golden fleece” through Bulgaria’s crisp mountain air—was poetic. The stone river stretches over 2.2 km, descending from 1,800 m down to 1,410 m, and offers breathtaking sights of natural sculpture and alpine serenity.

Scenic Stops and Farewells

Before returning to the city, we pulled over at an abandoned cable car station, perched high above Sofia. The view was panoramic—clouds resting gently over rooftops, a sprawling city below. A nice pause to reflect.

I couldn’t have asked for a better group to share the day with. As our paths part—Jonas heading to Istanbul, Ryan and Ariane off to other corners of Europe—I’m reminded that travel isn’t just about places, it’s about people.

Final Thoughts

“Once the travel bug bites, there is no known antidote, and I know that I shall be happily infected until the end of my life.”

Today’s journey was filled with history, connection, and unexpected beauty. I hope you enjoyed walking alongside me, from sacred monasteries to stone rivers, from the silence of mountains to the laughter of shared stories.

Tomorrow’s another day—and more of the world awaits.