Rila Mountain and Spa Day Trip from Sofia: Private Pickup

Mountain views and thermal pools in one day, without arranging the drive

A private day trip from Sofia to Borovets in the Rila Mountains, with hotel pickup and an English-speaking guide. You spend the morning exploring the alpine resort—taking the gondola, walking through pine forests, or visiting the restored Tsari Mali Grad fortress nearby—then move to a thermal spa center in the afternoon to soak in warm mineral pools and saunas. The tour runs about nine hours and returns to Sofia between 5pm and 6pm.

Step-by-step itinerary

Rila Mountain trip and spa visit

• Pickup from Sofia hotel at 9am
• Drive to Rila Mountain (1.5 hours)
• Choose activity in Borovets or Sapareva Banya
• Enjoy free time exploring Borovets resort
• Relax at thermal spa in Sapareva Banya
• Return to Sofia between 5pm and 6pm

The Experience

Your guide picks you up from your Sofia hotel at 9am and drives you through countryside and mountain landscape for roughly an hour and a half to reach Borovets, Bulgaria's oldest mountain resort. The drive settles the logistics; you arrive ready to spend the morning on your own terms. The resort sits in the Rila Mountains and offers several ways to spend those hours: take the cabin lift for panoramic views, walk through the pine forests, grab coffee at a mountain restaurant, or venture to the nearby Tsari Mali Grad fortress—a restored hilltop stronghold near the village of Belchin (note that it closes Mondays and Tuesdays, and entry is paid on site).

After your mountain time, the itinerary shifts to the spa. You continue to a thermal spa center in the region, where you unwind in warm mineral pools, saunas and wellness facilities surrounded by mountain scenery. The mineral springs are what draw people to this part of the Rila range; the spa experience is the counterweight to the morning's exploration. Spa entry fees are paid when you arrive, not in advance. Bring your own towels and flip-flops if you have them, though the center will have facilities available.

The return to Sofia takes place between 5pm and 6pm. Weather can shift mountain conditions, so the operator may adjust the itinerary if needed; dress for winter conditions and wear comfortable walking shoes. If you have a child under two, let the operator know at booking so they can prepare an infant seat.

What’s included

• Private driver-guide in English.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Sofia.
• transportation in a comfortable air-conditioned car.
• free time to explore Borovets resort, its forests and restaurants.
• access to thermal spa facilities in the afternoon (spa entry paid on site).

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by City Tour Ltd.

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're staying in Sofia without a car and want to reach the Rila Mountains and back in a single day—the pickup from your hotel and the fixed return time (5pm–6pm) mean you don't arrange transport or worry about timing the spa visit around a bus schedule.

Traveler reviews

4.67★★★★★★★★★★

3 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can I do activities like skiing or the gondola ride on this tour?

Borovets offers several options during your free morning time. The cabin gondola lift operates seasonally and may not run in all periods; check availability when you book. You can also rent skis or a snowboard and spend the afternoon skiing instead of visiting the spa—that option takes the full day and requires renting equipment on site. A private ski instructor can be arranged on request. Ski-doo rides are available separately for 1 or 2 hours at an additional cost (€80–€110).

What is Tsari Mali Grad and can I visit it?

Tsari Mali Grad is a restored fortress on a hill near the village of Belchin, about an hour and a half from Sofia in the Rila Mountains. It is one of the options you can choose to explore during your free time in the morning. The fortress is closed Mondays and Tuesdays, and entry costs €4, paid on site.

Is the spa entrance included in the price?

Spa entrance fees are not included and are paid directly at the thermal spa center when you arrive. The tour includes your transport there and your guide, but not the entry ticket itself.

How long is the drive from Sofia to Borovets?

The transfer from your hotel in Sofia to Borovets takes about an hour and a half through countryside and mountain landscape. Your guide picks you up at 9am, so you arrive at the resort mid-morning with time to explore before the spa portion of the day.

What should I bring or wear?

Dress appropriately for winter conditions and wear comfortable walking shoes for exploring the resort and forests. If you plan to use the spa, bring your own towels and flip-flops if possible, though the spa center has facilities available. The gondola lift and outdoor activities depend on seasonal conditions, so check the weather forecast before you go.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour can be canceled if weather conditions are severe. The itinerary may also vary depending on weather and seasonal availability in Borovets—for example, the gondola lift operates seasonally and may not be available in all periods. The operator will confirm details closer to your date.