From Sofia:Rila Monastery with Boyana Church or St. Ivan’s Cave
- Instant confirmation
- Meet on location, or hotel pickup
- Guided tour in English, Italian, and Spanish · Guidance in German, English, Italian, Russian, Spanish, and French
About this experience
Discover two of Bulgaria’s UNESCO World Heritage gems on this day trip from Sofia. Traveling by minibus, admire rural Bulgaria on route to the Rila Monastery in the pine-carpeted Rila Mountains. Take a guided tour of the medieval treasure with its fresco-coated church, and visit its fascinating museum. Then, after time to explore independently, continue to Boyana Church, near Sofia, to marvel at its spectacular pre-Renaissance frescoes. Entrance fees not included.
Group Size & Transport: This is a popular, budget-friendly day tour operating with large 45 to 65-seater coaches. This is not a small-group or minibus tour. You will share the transport with other international travelers.
Next available dates
What’s included
- Parking fees
- Transport by air-conditioned bus
- All transportation costs
- Guiding services (if option selected)
- Visitation to Rila monastery - a UNESCO world heritage site
Not included
- Tips and gratuities
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Admission to Boyana Church (10 euros per person) and Rila Monastery Museum (approx. 4 euros per person)
- Food and drinks
Itinerary
- 1
Departure from Vasil Levski Monument (Embassy of Slovakia)
09:00 departure from the starting point - Vasil Levski Monument (Embassy of Slovakia), Sofia. Be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes before departure.
- 2
Boyana Church tour - optional
Arrival at Boyana Church - 09:30am. Boyana Church is a small temple at the outskirts of Sofia with frescoes dating back to three separate periods: 11th, 13th and 19th century. The most important and fascinating are the frescoes dating from 1259. They are Renaissance frescoes that predate the Italian Renaissance (triggered by the works of Giotto) and brake the strict Christian canon law to present pure human emotions, royal figures and folklore elements.
- 3
Rila Monastery Tour
Around 12pm arrival at the Rila Monastery. Rila Monastery is one of Bulgaria’s symbols and a popular tourist destination. The monastery is set deep in the heart of Rila Mountain, between the Rilska and Drushliavitza Rivers, at 1147 metres (3760 feet) above sea level. It is situated 120 kilometres south of Sofia.
- 4
Arrival at Sofia, Vasil Levski Monument (Embassy of Slovakia)
Return to the starting point (Vasil Levski Monument, in front of Embassy of Slovakia) at approximately 17:00pm
Good to know
- Duration
- 9 hours
- How you meet
- Meet on location, or hotel pickup
- Confirmation
- Instant confirmation
- Cancellation policy
- This booking is non-refundable once confirmed.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Minimum age
- 5+ years
- Guide
- Guided tour in English, Italian, and Spanish · Guidance in German, English, Italian, Russian, Spanish, and French
- Start times
- 08:15 · 08:53 · 08:55 · 08:59 · 09:00 · 09:02 · 09:43 · 09:44 · 09:45 · 09:50 · 10:53 · 10:55 · 10:56 · 10:58 · 11:00 · 14:45
Know before you go
- Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities
- Not wheelchair accessible or stroller friendly
- Comfortable walking shoes recommended
- Exceptions to the standard program:
- 01.01.2020 departure at 11:00 AM without Boyana Church
- Boyana church will NOT be visited on the following dates: the 18th of May, the 19th of April, 24th and 25th December
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not stroller accessible
- Not suitable for pets
- No public transportation nearby
- Infants must not sit on laps
- Infant seats unavailable
- Hand disinfectant will be provided for free throughout the tour
- All touch points in the vehicles will be cleaned frequently.
- Comfotable shoes. And please, be aware of the monastery strict dress code: no short pants, no short skirts, no flip-flops/sandals and no sleeveless shoulders.
Cancellation policy
This booking is non-refundable once confirmed.
Default
Meeting point
View on map
Rila Monastery Trip from Sofia
- Address
- Sofia Center, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 9, 1527 Sofia (GPS coordinates: 42.69677705130451, 23.336332286917877) - behind Vasil Levski Monument - IN FRONT OF Embassy of Slovakia, Sofia, 1527, BG
- How you meet
- Meet on location, or hotel pickup
- Coordinates
- 42.69676, 23.33676
Illustrative map. Open it in Maps for the exact spot and live directions.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does this experience last?
It lasts 9 hours.
Can I cancel this booking?
This booking is non-refundable once confirmed.
Is this experience guided, and in what language?
Guided tour in English, Italian, and Spanish · Guidance in German, English, Italian, Russian, Spanish, and French
Is hotel pickup included?
Hotel pickup is available, or you can meet the group on location.
Where does this experience start?
It starts at Rila Monastery Trip from Sofia, Sofia Center, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 9, 1527 Sofia (GPS coordinates: 42.69677705130451, 23.336332286917877) - behind Vasil Levski Monument - IN FRONT OF Embassy of Slovakia, Sofia, 1527, BG.
Is there a minimum age?
Travellers must be 5 or older.
Still have a question?
Message our team on WhatsApp — we can help with dates, group bookings and anything else before you book.
From AED 82 per person
