Seven Rila Lakes, Bulgaria

Seven Rila Lakes

Seven glacial lakes stepping down a mountain cirque.

  • Jun–Sep
  • Best by car
  • 1 night
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Nearby hidden places
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Things to do

2 days in Seven Rila Lakes

Day 1

  1. MorningTake the chairlift up from Panichishte and start the trail early.
  2. AfternoonClimb to the top viewpoint where you can see all seven lakes.
  3. EveningStay in Sapareva Banya with its hot springs.

Day 2

Visit Rila Monastery the next day.

What to eat

Bob chorba, a hearty bean soup at the mountain hut.

Local tips

Make the most of Seven Rila Lakes

Beat the crowds

Summer weekends are very busy. Go on a weekday and start early.

Best photo spot

The lakes from the ridge above, where you can see several of them at once.

Getting there

Drive to the Panichishte area, then take the chairlift up. It may not run in bad weather.

Don't miss nearby

Rila Monastery, on the other side of the mountains.

Good to know

It's a mountain walk of several hours; bring warm layers and water. Swimming in the lakes isn't allowed.

Secret spots

3 secret spots near Seven Rila Lakes

Our most hidden places around Seven Rila Lakes: fewer people, same wow. Unlock them with a route in Google Maps and a PDF guide of Seven Rila Lakes to take with you.

8.0 km away
40 km away
43 km away
Unlock the secret spots · €2.99+ VAT · one payment, valid for a year

Plan your visit

Getting to Seven Rila Lakes

Getting there

  • Sofia Airport (SOF)55 km away
  • Skopje Airport (SKP)145 km away
  • Sofia55 km away
  • Plovdiv115 km away

A car is the easiest way to get here and to see the area around it. Distances are in a straight line.

At a glance

Best timeJun–Sep
TypeNature spot
Good forNature
Getting thereBest by car
Stay1 night
CountryBulgaria

Questions

Seven Rila Lakes: good to know

Is Seven Rila Lakes worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like nature. Seven glacial lakes stepping down a mountain cirque.

How many days do you need in Seven Rila Lakes?

Plan 1 night. Our free 2-day plan above shows how to spend your time.

When is the best time to visit Seven Rila Lakes?

The best time to visit is Jun to Sep. Summer weekends are very busy. Go on a weekday and start early.

How do you get to Seven Rila Lakes?

The nearest airport is Sofia Airport (SOF), about 55 km away. Drive to the Panichishte area, then take the chairlift up. It may not run in bad weather.

What is there to see near Seven Rila Lakes?

Nearby hidden places include Sofia (55 km), Lake Kerkini (113 km) and Plovdiv (117 km).

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