Bulgaria · national park
Rila National Park
Rila National Park is a national park in Bulgaria, established in 1992, covering 810 km² (313 sq mi). It is the largest of Bulgaria's 3 national parks.
- Area
- 810 km²
- Established
- 1992
- IUCN
- II: National Park
- Nearest airport
- SOF · 59 km
Nearest airports to Rila National Park
- 1 SOF59 kmstraight line
- 2 PDV105 kmstraight line
- 3Skopje International AirportSKP164 kmstraight line
Ilinden, North Macedonia
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More about Rila National Park
Rila National Park is one of 3 national parks in Bulgaria. It covers 810 km² (81,046 ha) — about the size of New York City, making it the largest national park in Bulgaria (42.4% of the country's national park area).
History and protection
The park was established in 1992, 34 years ago — the first national parks in Bulgaria date back to 1962. It is listed in IUCN category II: National Park — protecting whole ecosystems while welcoming visitors for recreation and education.
Visiting Rila National Park
The closest airport is Sofia Airport (SOF), about 59 km away — around 1 h 16 min by car; alternatively Plovdiv International Airport (PDV, 105 km). Other national parks within reach include Pirin National Park (384 km²), Rodopi Mountain Range National Park (549 km²), Lake Kerkini National Park and Central Balkan National Park (717 km²) — easy to combine on one trip.
Frequently asked questions
How big is Rila National Park?
When was Rila National Park established?
What is the nearest airport to Rila National Park?
What protection category is Rila National Park?
Data: Wikidata (CC0), English Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons.