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This is the iconic monastery of Bulgaria. It is free and well worth the visit. It should only take you about two hours to see the whole monastery. Make sure to out the back side of the monastery and buy some makitsa.

There was enough to see at the monastary, even though most museums there seemed no to be open (it was February!). Entrance is free but be ready to pay 5 levs for parking (you do get all day for that). The area has dramatic scenery with some other things to see other than just the Monastary. We visited the grave of James Baucher and discovered why Sofia has a station named after this Irishman!

We take all our foreign guests to visit the Monastery. It is iconic. The parking cost 5 Leva, but there is no entry fee to the Monastery. The two museums in the monastery require an entry fee, but are worth the price. Make sure that you see the clock tower bells that ring on the hour. Behind the Monastery is a little fast food place that sells a Bulgarian treat called "makitsa", it costs 1 Lev and even the Bulgarians will tell you that is the best "makitsa" in the country.

In the warmer months,go early, as in be there by 10AM. Afterwards it gets very crowded by Noon. Avoid the weekends and holidays if possible. There is a 5LV parking fee. Admission is free to the church-no photos inside. There are 4 museums each with a 4 LV charge. The exterior murals are from the late 19th C. The main beauty is the exterior of the church and it's grounds. The back entrance and parking area is heavily commercialized, however there is a stand there making fresh hot donuts. They are as close to heaven as you'll get!

Check the Internet for Rila monastry. They do have an excellent website. It is worth the visit. Mind that it is a 30 min drive from the interstate each way. Accomodation quality seems questionable in the area. at least my negative experience with Gorski Kut was horrible.