The 8 Bulgaria Rafting Tours We Would Book Again

1.From Sofia: Struma River Rafting and Rila Monastery Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 51 reviews · 8 hours · from $42 a head Our pick

Leave Sofia at 8:30 AM for a guided Struma River rafting run, then continue to UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery for a one-hour audio-guided visit. English-speaking staff handle transport and river safety. Bring dry clothes, sun protection, and cash for the separate rafting fee and optional lunch.

“Alles prima, alleen het raften mocht iets heftiger. Dit lag aan het seizoen vh jaar, volgens de gids.”

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2.Rafting on Struma River

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 9 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $48 a head

Raft the Struma River near Borovets on a 10 to 12 km run with a qualified instructor, full neoprene gear, transport, changing rooms, showers, lockers, and secure parking. The trip takes about three hours from briefing to return. Expect river scenery and birdlife, with rapids that depend on current water levels.

“The river didn't carry too much water, so the rapids were unexciting, although the scenery is impressive in itself.”

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3.Blagoevgrad: Rafting on Struma River

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 8 reviews · 3 hours · from $47 a head

Spend about three hours rafting the Struma River through Kresna Gorge, with English or Russian-speaking guides, changing rooms, full neoprene gear, river jumps, swimming stops, and rapids that vary with water levels. The $47 trip includes parking, insurance, hot showers, and a transfer back to the rafting base.

“Leuke dag gehad, vriendelijke gids, niet te duur. Op de rustige delen de kans gehad om het water in te gaan en van een rots te springen.”

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4.Superb Rafting Adventure on the Struma River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 3 hours · from $116 a head Best rated

Take on an 11-kilometer stretch of Bulgaria’s Struma River with a licensed English-speaking instructor. Expect 1 to 1.5 hours on the water, 13 notable rapids, class-3 sections, views of the Pirin peaks, and a passage through Tisata Reserve. Full rafting gear, insurance, and the return transfer are included.

“Really fun activity for a little outdoor adventure. Our guide was also fantastic.”

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5.Rafting Tour & Rila Monastery visit from Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 4 reviews · from $38 a head Cheapest seat

Start in Sofia at 8:30 am, ride about two hours to the Struma River gorge, and raft for roughly 90 minutes with an English-speaking instructor and included gear. After lunch at your own expense, continue to Rila Monastery for an hour with a smartphone audio guide in six languages. Return to Sofia the same day.

“Great experiences and great guides. Not so much water in river but normal for a summer I believe. Rila is also nice”

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6.The Ultimate Struma River White Water Rafting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $119 a head

You’ll spend about three hours rafting the Struma River through Kresna Gorge with a licensed guide and instructor. Expect winding turns, choppy waves, and roughly 8 to 10 rapid sections, depending on water levels. English and Bulgarian support is available, and guide Ivo is known for mixing clear instruction with humor.

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7.Lakatnik: Rafting on Iskar River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 2h 30m · from $47 a head

Raft the Iskar River through the Lakatnik Gorge, about 70 km from Sofia. English or Russian-speaking guides lead you through 8 to 11 km of changing rapids, with time for swimming and views of the Lakatnik rocks. Full neoprene equipment, changing rooms, parking, river transfer, and insurance are included.

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8.River Rafting Adventure in Bulgaria (incl. transfer from Sofia)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $174 a head

Travel from central Sofia to the Struma River for about three hours of guided rafting through Kresna Gorge. You receive a helmet, life jacket, wetsuit, and paddle, then handle mild to moderate rapids mixed with calm water. The private tour includes transport, equipment, fees, and a return to Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.

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