Rhodope Mountains Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

I don't necessarily connect monasteries with religion. For me they are magical places ✨ Magical for their architecture, the atmosphere, the art and the minds behind all that. Can you imagine building a place like this deep into the woods... Only the people who had the need or the will used to visit them. ⠀ Now they are open to all of us and the best we can do is just to appreciate them!
I don't necessarily connect monasteries with religion. For me they are magical places ✨ Magical for their architecture, the atmosphere, the art and the minds behind all that. Can you imagine building a place like this deep into the woods... Only the people who had the need or the will used to visit them. ⠀ Now they are open to all of us and the best we can do is just to appreciate them!
The domes of the church "Nativity of the Virgin Mother" are one of the most distinguishable parts of the Rila Monastery.⠀ This is the main church in the monastery and was erected in 1837 after the demolishing of the original church.⠀ ⠀ The frescoes inside, the gold-plated iconostasis, the altars, and icons are amazing pieces of art! ⠀ ⠀ It was forbidden to take pictures inside the church but I can tell you - you will not get bored by the gold and the wood-carving! It's breathtaking! 🙌🏻🧡
Dospat is a dam on the Dospat river in the Western Rhodopes. Located at 1200 m altitude. height. It was built on the Dospat River. It is perfect for vacation and enjoying both water and mountains. #BVStrove
Little part of beautiful Bulgaria. The lakes are situated between 2,100 and 2,500 metres elevation above sea level.

Where to stay in Rhodope Mountains

A nice hotel!

Old Town Bansko

While visiting Old Town Bansko, you might make a stop by sights like Holy Trinity Church and Paisii Hilendarski Historical Center.

Old Town Bansko
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Varosha

When in Varosha, you can plan a visit to Bachinovo Park and History Museum, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Varosha
Saint George Palace

Saint George Palace

4 out of 5
5 Kosherinata Str. Bansko
The price is NZ$206 per night from 14 Jan to 15 Jan
NZ$206
14 Jan - 15 Jan
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Bansko. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Bansko Ski Resort and SkiBansko by Traventuria are ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (191 reviews)
Overall, it was good
It was pretty good. On the upside, The room was clean, the staff was nice and responsive, the view from the window was great, there was a pool and a jacuzzi which were good. On the downside - the mattresses were not very comfort and the resturant quality was somewhat below average (maybe because ...

Reviewed on 21 Oct 2025

Saint George Palace
Rila Hotel Borovets

Rila Hotel Borovets

4 out of 5
Borovets Resort Samokov Samokov
The price is NZ$573 per night from 3 Feb to 4 Feb
NZ$573
3 Feb - 4 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Samokov. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Yanakiev Ski and Snowboard School and Sitnyakovo ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (162 reviews)
Brilliant for families learning to ski

Reviewed on 8 Jan 2026

Rila Hotel Borovets
Mountain Dream Hotel

Mountain Dream Hotel

3 out of 5
Borovets Samokov Sofia Province
Stay at this spa hotel in Samokov. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Yanakiev Ski and Snowboard School and Sitnyakovo ...
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Mountain Dream Hotel
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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Predela 2 Holiday Apartments

Predela 2 Holiday Apartments

3 out of 5
Gramadeto Str. 19 Bansko
Stay at this ski aparthotel in Bansko. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Bansko Ski Resort and SkiBansko by Traventuria ...
7.8/10 Good! (47 reviews)
A very nice hotel great spa Staff very helpfull

Reviewed on 20 Dec 2025

Predela 2 Holiday Apartments
Winslow Infinity & Spa

Winslow Infinity & Spa

2.5 out of 5
7 Karamanitsa Str Bansko
Stay at this spa aparthotel in Bansko. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Bansko Ski Resort and SkiBansko by Traventuria ...
Decent hotel, close to the ski slopes. It's not exceptionally fancy but the SPA area was nice and the apartment was spacious and comfortable

Reviewed on 15 Mar 2023

Winslow Infinity & Spa
Grand Monastery Private Apartments

Grand Monastery Private Apartments

3 out of 5
Studenets area Smolyan Smolyan
Stay at this ski aparthotel in Pamporovo. Enjoy free parking, a nightclub and a fitness centre. Popular attractions Pamporovo Ski Resort and Studenets 2 are ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (31 reviews)
Nothing beats Pamporovo after a good snowfall. Hotel is right next to the ski slopes. Amazing experience.

Reviewed on 1 Jan 2025

Grand Monastery Private Apartments
See all properties in Rhodope Mountains
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

A beautiful monastery, it is the Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila. Very atmospheric and historic, Well worth a visit, but get there early otherwise there are long queues to enter.

Rila Monastery

Rila Monastery is just one of the places to see in Rila, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Make time to visit the spas and monuments while you're in the area.

Rila Monastery
Learn to ski without breaking the bank, plus beautiful scenery, food and friendly people.

Pamporovo Ski Resort

Hit the slopes in Pamporovo with a visit to Pamporovo Ski Resort. Take in the jazz scene and mountain views in the area.

Pamporovo Ski Resort
#lifeatexpedia #weloveourmarkets #EMEA Pirin mountains, Bulgaria

Pirin Golf and Country Club

Play a round of golf at Pirin Golf and Country Club and enjoy other activities in Razlog such as skiing. While you're in the area, find time to visit its spas.

Pirin Golf and Country Club
Pathway to the peak - Winter! #WinterWonders #lifeatexpedia

Yanakiev Ski and Snowboard School

Hit the slopes in Samokov with a visit to Yanakiev Ski and Snowboard School. Amble within the forests or visit the spas in this relaxing area.

Yanakiev Ski and Snowboard School

Bansko Ski Resort

Hit the slopes in Bansko with a visit to Bansko Ski Resort. While you're in the area, find time to visit its spas.

Bansko Ski Resort

Borovets Ski Resort

Hit the slopes in Samokov with a visit to Borovets Ski Resort. Amble within the forests or visit the spas in this relaxing area.

Borovets Ski Resort