When to go · Rila
Rila in December
Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Apr (cold, snow may close trails).
Key facts
- Verdict
- Avoid
- Temperature
- 4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) / −1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 9
- Crowds
- Medium
- Bulgaria overall
- Prices
- Medium
- Bulgaria overall
Verdict
Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Apr (cold, snow may close trails).
Is another month better than December?
December is rated avoid. These months rate higher:
Weather in December
- RilaHighs around 4 °C (39 °F), lows around -1 °C (30 °F), rain on about 9 daysHighs around 39 °F (4 °C), lows around 30 °F (-1 °C), rain on about 9 days
- Mountains, Bulgaria · Rila, Pirin, Rhodopes, Balkan rangecool
Skiing December–March; high trails (Seven Rila Lakes, Vihren) snow-free from late June to September.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Christmas big impact
24–26 Dec · Bulgaria
Family holiday; shops and restaurants close on the 25th.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Bulgaria overall
- Medium
- Prices · Bulgaria overall
- Medium
Bulgaria overall: Christmas markets in Sofia and Plovdiv; ski season opens mid-month.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Rila, side by side.
Verdict
Dec: Avoid
May: Great (better)
Daytime high
Dec: 4 °C (39 °F)39 °F (4 °C)
May: 19 °C (66 °F)66 °F (19 °C)
Night low
Dec: -1 °C (30 °F)30 °F (-1 °C)
May: 9 °C (48 °F)48 °F (9 °C)
Rain days
Dec: 9
May: 5 (better)
Crowds
Dec: Medium
May: Medium
Prices
Dec: Medium
May: Medium
Festivals listed
Dec: 1
May: 1
December: Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Apr (cold, snow may close trails).
May: Inside Rila's best window: May–Oct.
Rila: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket