TOURIST INFORMATION
Rila National Park
This park is the largest in Bulgaria with an area of 81 046 hectares. Within its territory are over 100 peaks at a height of more than 2000m, including the highest mountain in the country and on the Balkan Peninsula – Mount Musala (2925m). Additionally, more than 120 glacial lakes can be found in the high parts of Rila and the biggest rivers in Bulgaria spring from here. The Rila National Park includes the best protected forest ecosystems of fir and spruce trees. Beli Iskar lies at the very edge of the park and provides easy access and an information centre. However, the parks' Visitor Centre is situated in the resort of Panichishte and is the first of its kind in Bulgaria.
Rock climbing & hiking
Beli Iskar is located in the heart of the Rila Mountain range and as such is the perfect base to for rock climbing. The Musala Peak is the highest in the Balkans at 2925m and the Maliovitsa Peak is only 20km away. 
Maliovitsa is situated in the North-Western Rila at about 1700 metres above sea level. An asphalt road connects it to the village of Govedartsi (13 km) and to the town of Samokov (27 km). There is a regular bus service from the village of Govedartsi and Samokov.
Maliovitsa is a natural base for alpine sports. Along with the stunning mount of Maliovitsa, a dozen of other peaks rise within the region, turning the Maliovitsa sub-region into a preferred place for high-mountain rock climbing and hiking. One of the most beautiful high-mountain lakes on the Balkan Peninsula - the Strashnoto Ezero (the Frightful Lake) - is located nearby.
A number of marked hiking trails start from both Beli Iskar (on the road into the National Park) and Maliovitsa, which advances towards North-Western Rila - some of these lead to the Ivan Vazov Chalet (7 hours), the Ribni Ezera (Fish Lakes) Chalet (9 to 10 hours), the Rila Monastery (6 hours), the Strashno Ezero (Frightful Lake) Shelter (3 hours), the BAK (Bulgarian Alpine Club) Shelter (2 hours), the Vada Chalet (1.30 hours), the Lovna (Hunter’s) Chalet (2.30 to 3 hours), the 7 Rila Lakes Chalet (8 hours along the ridge and 5 hours under it), the Mechit Chalet (4 hours). The Maliovitsa Chalet that includes an old and a new building, as well as wooden bungalows, is situated about an hours walk from the resort on a path that's next to the Maliovitsa River. It lies at over 2,000 metres above sea level and here you can find accommodation freshly cooked meals. Mount Maliovitsa can be climbed along a marked path (2 to 3 hours leisurely walk).
The Rila Monastery
 |
 |
 |
| Photo Gallery: Images of the Rila Monastery | ||
About 100km to the south-west of Samokov, this is the countrys' largest spiritual and cultural temple. It was founded by John of Rila in the 10th c AD by a colony of hermits and became a centre of early medieval culture. The five storey defence tower was built in 1335, but the monastery was devastated in the mid-15th c .In 1469 the relics of John of Rila were brought here from Veliko Turnovo. Unfortunately, the monastery has been burnt and pillaged on more than one occasion.
The construction of the present-day monastery buildings started in 1816 with money collected by the Bulgarian people. The courtyard facades offer one of the most perfect uses of the verandah system, lending much warmth and cosiness to the place. The Holy Virgin main church was built from1834 to 1837. The interior is extremely impressive and the murals were painted by icon-painters from the Samokov School of Arts.
The Museum of History has preserved a multitude of gold and silver church plates, collections of coins, weapons, jewelry, gold woven materials and embroidery. A truly unique masterpiece is the wood-carved cross of Monk Raphael who worked on it for a period of 12 years. The librarys' 16000 volumes include valuable manuscripts and documents. There is also a rich ethnographical collection of works of arts and crafts.
The Seven Lakes
The Seven Rila Lakes are a famous part of Bulgarian geography. The lakes are located in the northwestern part of Rila Mountain, not far from Beli Iskar, and have been listed as one of the 100 national tourism sites. Tiny streams connect the seven lakes, which are situated above each other at heights varying from 2100 to 2500 m.
Nearly 280 glacial lakes are to be found in Rila and the seven are part of this group. Similar lakes can also be found in the Pirin Mountains. During the winter, the surface freezes and the ice coverage can reach up to two meters.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Photo Gallery: Images of the Seven Lakes | ||
Each lake has a name that's associated with its most characteristic feature:
- Salzata ("The Tear") due to its clear waters that allow visibility in depth. and is the highest lake.
- Okoto ("The Eye") after its almost perfectly oval form and is the next one in height.
- Okoto is the deepest lake in Bulgaria, with a depth of 37.5 m.
- Babreka ("The Kidney") is the lake with the steepest shores of the whole group
- Bliznaka ("The Twin") is the largest one by area
- Trilistnika ("The Trefoil") has an irregular shape and low shores
- Ribnoto Ezero ("The Fish Lake") is the shallowest
- Dolnoto Ezero ("The Lower Lake") is where the waters that flow out of the other lakes are gathered to form the Dzherman river
The Skakavitsa cabin and Skakavitsa waterfall are located nearby and the waterfall is the highest in Rila.
The lakes can be accessed from the Vada cabin and the cabin owners have been known to direct visitors and help them to get to the lakes. A three-hour walk will take you from Rilski Ezera cabin to Sedemte Ezera cabin. Another way to access the lakes is from Panichishte or Sapareva Banya. The walk to the lakes from the village of Sapareva Banya takes nearly six hours.
Tsarska Bistritsa Palace
The palace/lodge is still occasionally used by Simeon Sax Coburg Gotha (Tsar Simeon), but now mainly serves as a museum. The Palace was used as a hunting lodge by the Bulgarian tsars along with chalets Sitniakovo (built for Ferdinand I) and Saragiol (built for Prince Kiril, the second son of Tsar Ferdinand I) but were confiscated by the communists for their own use. After the fall of communism, the property was returned to the Royal Family. In a strange twist of fortunes, Tsar Simeon, was until recently the prime minister of Bulgaria.
 |
 |
| Photo Gallery: Images of the Tsarska Bistritsa Palace | |
The property is powered by a 170kw Siemens generator, built and installed in the year 1912 and which still continues to provide power to this day.
| Opening hours: | 09.00 h - 16.00 h. |
| Phone | +359 (7128) 27 10 |
| Directions | Located on the main road from Borovets to Beli Iskar, approximately a 20 minute walk from the centre of Borovets. |
Malyovitsa
The resort complex of Malyovitsa is only 27 km away from Samokov and only about 5km from Beli Iskar. Situated on the north-west part of Rila, it offers alternative skiing to Borovets. Two drag lifts provide the access to the ski runs, which are suitable for skiers of intermediate and advanced levels.
Malyovitsa is also a well-known place for alpine climbing and a starting point for hiking tours.The several peaks in the area, combined with the highest mountain climbing walls and the most difficult climbing routes, are a real challenge for mountaineers from Bulgaria and abroad.
Lake Iskar
Lake Iskar, the biggest man-made lake in the country, was built in 1954. It is situated only 20km from Samokov on the road to Sofia. It has been a popular area for camping, water sports and recreation over the years and continues to be so with more facilities planned. Close to the lake on the way from Samokov to Ihtiman is the Iskar Hunting Reserve, which is visited by fishing and hunting fans. Red deer, deer, wild boar and other game are all found in this beautiful area.
There is so much to do at Lake Iskar that we have dedicated an entire page to it:
Check out our Lake Iskar page here.
Spas
Sapareva Banya
Situated 25 km to the west of Samokov, this small town boasts the hottest mineral springs in Bulgaria – 102.8 deg C. You can relax at the spa centre or visit the local church, dating back to the late antiquity period. The town is also a starting point for another Rila resort – Panichishte. This not so popular mountain resort has already started developing. At an altitude of 1350 m above the sea level it offers good ski runs, drag lifts and a number of modern hotels. Panichishte borders the Rila National Park.
Belchin Banya
Belchin Banya (Belchinski bani) Spa is situated about 13km to the west of Samokov, by the River Palakaria. The temperature of the mineral water is 41 degrees C. Bathing in the water is reputed to ease many ailments.