I have visited so many monasteries in Bulgaria in the recent years and I will continue to explore them, because each of them is unique, makes me feel with strong relation with the spiritual, and the most of them have reach history.
Find below the top monasteries in Bulgaria, top by meaning, history, and beauty.

Rila monastery: the most visited among all the monasteries in Bulgaria
- Distance from Sofia: 117 km.
- Coordinates: 42.13358, 23.3402.
- Temple feast day: September 8.

The monastery is the largest, most famous and most visited among all the monasteries in Bulgaria. It is located in the heart of the Rila Mountains, hence the name.
It was founded in the first half of the 10th century by St. Ivan the Wonderworker of Rila, the most revered Bulgarian saint, considered the protector of the entire Bulgarian people.
During the Renaissance (18th – 19th centuries) the Rila Monastery was a large educational center. After the Liberation, spiritual life in the monastery continued to flourish.
Nowadays, the monastery covers an area of 8,800 m², of which 5,500 m² is a built-up area, including residential, church and farm buildings. The main temple of the Rila monastery “Nativity of the Virgin” is one of the most beautiful and lavish in Bulgaria.
In 1976, the Rila Monastery was declared a national historical reserve, and since 1983 it has been a cultural monument under the auspices of UNESCO.
The monastery is located 117 km south of Sofia. It can be reached by car. It is one of the most visited sights in Bulgaria and part of the tourist routes of one-day and multi-day excursions.
I recommend the day tours to the Rila Monastery, organized by one of the major tour operators in Bulgaria. I have personal impressions of their services. Have a look for prices and availability here.
Bachkovo monastery
- Distance from Sofia: 176 km.
- Distance from Plovdiv: 27 km.
- Coordinates: 41.94378, 24.85041.
- Temple feast day: August 15.

The Bachkovo Monastery “Assumption of the Virgin Mary” is located in a picturesque area near the village of Bachkovo, 10 kilometers south of Asenovgrad on the way to the resort of Pamporovo. It is surrounded by high hills of the majestic Rhodope Mountain and is the second largest Bulgarian monastery after the Rila monastery.
The monastery was founded in 1083 by the Georgian Gregory Pakourianos. He was а Byzantine politician and military commander at that time. In the beginning, the monastery developed as a center of Georgian monasticism and retained its Georgian character until the end of the 12th century. From the 13th c. henceforth, the Bachkovo monastery several times fell within the borders of Byzantium, and several – of Bulgaria.
The current monastery church in Bachkovo monastery “St. Virgin” was built in 1604 on the foundations of the original Pakourianos’s church. You can see a miraculous icon there, depicting the Holy Virgin Mother of God. It is considered that this icon gave life and healing to many believers.
Troyan monastery
- Distance from Sofia: 159 km.
- Coordinates: 42.86213, 24.78096.
- Temple feast day: August 15.

The Troyan Monastery “Assumption of the Virgin Mary” is the largest in the Stara planina Mountain and the third largest in Bulgaria after the Rila and Bachkovo monasteries in Bulgaria. The monastery is located in a picturesque area next to the village of Oreshak on the banks of the river Cherni (Black) Osam. It is believed to have been founded in the early 17th century by an unknown hermit monk. During the Ottoman slavery, the monastery was looted several times.
The main place in the monastery is occupied by the Assumption temple, so beautifully painted by the great master Zahari Zograf. In it, you can see the miraculous icon “Holy Mother of God Troeruchitsa”, brought from Mount Athos.
Glozhene monastery
- Distance from Sofia: 99 km.
- Coordinates: 42.9759, 24.16973.
- Temple feast day: May 6.

Glozhene monastery “St. George the Victorious” is one of the most wonderful and impressive Bulgarian monasteries. It was founded in the time of Tsar Ivan-Assen II (13 century). There was a church school in the monastery during the Turkish slavery. A lot of Bulgarian fighters for freedom found shelter in the Glozhene monastery , including Vasil Levski.
After the Liberation, for about a year (1893-1894), the famous Bulgarian writer, politician and publicist Vasil Drumev, also known as Metropolitan Clement Tarnovski, was kept into custody in the monastery. The exile was because of his speech in defense of Orthodoxy while in the same time the head of the state was King Ferdinand who was a Catholic.
The monastery is located about 16 km away from the village of Glozhene, Teteven region.
Dragalevtsi monastery
- Distance from Sofia: 12 км.
- Coordinates: 42.619287, 23.298939.
- Temple feast day: 15 август.

The Dragalevtsi monastery “St. Virgin of Vitosha”, dedicated to the Mother of God, is located above the Dragalevtsi quarter, against the background of the Vitosha mountain hills above it.
The monastery was built during the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. It was then part of the so called Sofia’s Little Holy Mountain, a group of monasteries around Sofia.
Cherepish monastery
- Distance from Sofia: 91 km.
- Coordinates: 43.09389, 23.61616.
- Temple feast day: August 15.

The Cherepish Monastery “Assumption” was built during the time of King Ivan Shishman, the last ruler of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. The existence of the monastery is associated with a nearby medieval town with the name “Koriten Town”. According to a legend, the name of the monastery came from the bleaching bones of the warriors who died in a memorable battle that took place in the area, between Tsar Ivan Shishman and the Bulgarian troops and the Ottoman invaders.
Like most Bulgarian monasteries, the Cherepish monastery was burned and devastated several times. At the beginning of the 17th century, the monastery was restored under the pressure of the prominent Bulgarian icon painter Pimen Zografski. The current church was also built at that time. During the years of the Bulgarian revival, the Cherepish Monastery was an important educational center.
The Cherepish monastery is a favorite place of Ivan Vazov and Aleko Konstantinov, famous Bulgarian writers. Felix Kanitz, Austro-Hungarian geographer, archaeologist, painter and author of travel notes, defined it as the most beautiful place on earth.
Sokolski monastery “Assumption of Virgin Mary”
- Distance from Sofia: 215 km.
- Coordinates: 42.7974, 25.33807.
- Temple feast day: August 15.

The Sokolski monastery is located near the city of Gabrovo. The area around the monastery is called Sokolska Cave – there really is a cave there. The Sokolovo monastery is impressive for the beautiful views that are revealed there and for its interesting cultural and historical values – you can see there icons depicted by Zachary Zograf, and a beautiful stone fountain built by Kolyo Ficheto, both were famous Bulgarian Renaissance masters.
The Sokolski monastery is my favorite one among the monasteries in Bulgaria I know. I have visited it so many times.
Dryanovo monastery
- Distance from Sofia: 219 km.
- Coordinates: 42.95085, 25.4321.
- Temple feast day: November 8.

Dryanovo monastery “St. Archangel Michael” is located near the town of Dryanovo and it is 18 km far from the regional center Gabrovo. The monastery is located in a picturesque gorge. It was created during the time of King Kaloyan, and from then until today it has been an important educational center.
Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration of God
- Distance from Sofia: 238 km.
- Coordinates: 43.11822, 25.60738.
- Temple feast day: August 6.

The Transfiguration monastery (in Bulgarian it is called Preobrazhensky monastery) is one of the most visited and most valuable monasteries in Bulgaria. Some of the greatest Bulgarian Renaissance masters participated in its restoration during the Bulgarian Revival. The monastery is an essential stop on the itinerary of most tourists visiting Veliko Tarnovo and the region.
The Transfiguration monastery was built in the 11th century. Here you can see one of the most impressive Bulgarian frescoes – the Wheel of Life. The area around the monastery is so beautiful with the high cliffs above the monastery and the vast panorama.
Patriarchal Monastery “Holy Trinity”
- Distance from Sofia: 228 km.
- Coordinates: 43.1258, 25.62271.
- Temple feast day: Feast of Pentecost (movable).

The monastery is situated on the other bank of the Yantra River with regard the Transfiguration monastery, at the foot of the steep cliffs of the Arbanash plateau. It is 6 kilometres north of Veliko Tarnovo. According to some researchers, the Patriarchal Monastery was founded in 1070 and according to others – in the middle of the 14th century.
It is interesting to see the monastery, and even more interesting is to climb up to the plateau above and have a look at it from the top.
Lyaskovets Monastery “Sv. Sv. Peter and Paul”
- Distance from Sofia: 228 km.
- Coordinates: 43.10238, 25.70568.
- Temple feast day: June 29.

The Lyaskovets monastery is another of the ancient Bulgarian monasteries around Veliko Tarnovo. The area of the holy monastery offers great conditions for a walk – both pedestrian and lazier – by car. From the monastery yard there is a beautiful panoramic view of the towns of Lyaskovets, Gorna Oryahovitsa and their nearby surroundings.
Basarbovo Rock monastery
- Distance from Sofia: 307 km.
- Coordinates: 43.76676, 25.96486.
- Temple feast day: October 26.

The Basarbovo monastery “St. Dimitar Basarbovski” is the only active rock monastery in Bulgaria. It is accessible by car. It is situated in the picturesque valley of the Rusenski Lom River near the village of Basarbovo, about 10 km south of Rousse and about 104 km north of Veliko Tarnovo.
The monastery was founded during the Second Bulgarian Kingdom in the 12th-13th century. There were built several more rock monasteries during this time and the remains of many of them are still visible today.
The Basarbovo monastery became famous in the 17th century after the death of St. Dimitar Basarbovski (The New), who was a shepherd and lived modestly in the rocks of today’s monastery. The saint died in 1685.
Rozhen monastery
- Distance from Sofia: 187 km.
- Coordinates: 41.53075, 23.42671.
- Temple feast day: September 8.

It is believed that the Rozhen monastery “Holy Nativity of the Virgin” was founded in the 13th century during the time of despot Alexi Slav, the nephew of the Asenevtsi brothers. Despot Alexi Slav at that time ruled the lands around Melnik. The monastery is a very pleasant holy place, with a well-kept yard and a richly inscribed old church. A miraculous icon can also be seen there – the Holy Virgin Portaitissa.
If you visit the lovely town of Melnik, don’t miss also to see the Rozhen monastery. There is also a eco-trail between Melnik and the Rozhen monastery.
Kremikovtsi monastery
- Distance from Sofia: 23 km.
- Coordinates: 42.79714, 23.50714.
- Temple feast day: May 6.

The Kremikovtsi monastery is one of the many monasteries near Sofia. It was built at the end of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom and was a part of the monasteries group, mentioned above, “Sofia Saint Forest”. During the Ottoman rule, the Kremikovtsi monastery had similar fate as the most Bulgarian monasteries – destroyed by the Turks. Later on it was restored.
The monastery boasts two magnificent temples – the “St. George” with its precious murals and the new “Pokrov”. Nestled in the foothills of the Balkan Mountains, it offers a peaceful escape from the bustling city life. Just 4 km away from Kremikovtsi district, it is easily accessible by car, and from its courtyard, you can savor breathtaking views of Sofia, the Sofia Flat field, and the majestic Vitosha Mountain.
Klisurski monastery
- Distance from Sofia: 88 km.
- Coordinates: 43.18521, 23.20486.
- Temple feast day: May 11.

Klisurski monastery “St. St. Cyril and Methodius” is located in a very scenic place – the foot of the Todorini dolls peak in the Western Balkan Mountains. It is located 10 kilometers southeast of Berkovitsa, at a turn-off on the road to Varshets. The monastery was founded during the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. After that it was repeatedly devastated and rebuilt. The monastery was renovated in 1869 to its present Renaissance appearance. A curious fact about the monastery is that the holy monastery has the status of a separate settlement.
Razboishte Monastery “Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary”
- Distance from Sofia: 69 km.
- Coordinates: 43.01631, 22.94054.
- Temple feast day: November 21.

The Razboishte monastery is one of my favorite monasteries in Bulgaria. In the Middle Ages the caves in the area were inhabited by hermit monks. Some believe that the holy monastery as a rock monastery complex originated during the First Bulgarian Kingdom, while others believe it originated during the Second Bulgarian State.
The monastery can be reached in about 20 minutes on foot along a path starting from the western outskirts of the village of Razboishte.
Chirpan monastery “St. Athanasius”
- Distance from Sofia: 201 km.
- Coordinates: 42.14723, 25.4373.
- Temple feast day: January 18.

The Chirpan monastery of St. Athanasius is the oldest active European monastery. It was founded in 344 by St. Athanasius himself, who at that time was an Alexandrian patriarch.
The Chirpan monastery is located near the village of Zlatna Livada, very close to the Maritsa highway. It was one of the last places we visited in March when we went to Sakar.
Golyamo Bukovo monastery “St. Life-Giving Spring”
- Distance from Sofia: 384 km.
- Coordinates: 42.18526, 27.21087.
- Temple feast day: Good Friday i.e. the Friday after Easter.

This is the only active monastery in Strandzha. There is a miraculous spring in the monastery. It is well-known that the quaint and miraculous springs are among the symbols of the Strandzha region.
The Golyamo Bukovo monastery is located about 4.5 km southeast of the village of Golyamo Bukovo. There is asphalt road to the monastery, which is in quite bad conditions. It takes about 15-20 minutes to get from the village to the Golyamo Bukovo monastery by car and an hour of walk.
Final words
There are so many old and beautiful monasteries in Bulgaria. I really adore to visit such kind of places and wonder if you like to visit them as well? Would you recommend me some? Please share below in the comments!