Day trip

Sofia: Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Guided Tour

4.6  / 51894 reviews
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Media collage
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Day trip
Sofia: Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Guided Tour
4.6  / 51894 reviews

Discover these World Heritage religious sites on a day tour from Sofia. Choose to have a guided tour or explore the Rila Monastery on your own before admiring the frescoes of Boyana Church.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Duration 8.5 - 10 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
Italian, English, Spanish
Optional audio guide
Spanish, Italian, French, German, Russian, English, Romanian

Highlighted reviews from other travelers

A
Andrea – Italy

Our guide, Tuni, has been able to provide us with all the most important informations given the limited time available for the visits (especially at the Boyana Church). Much appreciated the efforts for including tourists as much as possible in the conversation. The places are amazing and worth visiting in any case, but doing it with a guide as prepared as Tuni is much better!

A
Andrea – Italy
H
Henryk – Ireland

Simón was very informative and well interacted with the group being able to accommodate everyone although it wasn't an easy task as he had to do it in 2 languages. The tour was worth the effort.

H
Henryk – Ireland

Experience

Itinerary

  • Timeline stop icon

    2 starting location options:

    Oborishte Street, Rila Monastery Trip from Sofia

  • Bus/coach

    (2 hours)

  • Timeline stop icon

    Rila Monastery

    Visit (3 hours)

  • Bus/coach

    (1.5 hours)

  • Timeline stop icon

    Boyana Church

    Visit (1.5 hours)

  • Bus/coach

    (45 minutes)

  • 2 drop-off locations:

    Rila Monastery Trip from Sofia, Oborishte Street

Main stop

For reference only. Itineraries are subject to change.

Highlights

  • Visit two UNESCO World Heritage sites in one day
  • Opt for a guided tour of Rila Monastery or explore independently
  • Experience Bulgaria's picturesque countryside along the route
  • Learn about the rich history of Eastern Orthodoxy in Bulgaria
  • Admire the exquisite medieval frescoes in Boyana Church

Full description

Experience the religious history of Bulgaria on a day tour to the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Rila Monastery and Boyana Church from Sofia. Follow your guide around the monastery to learn about this epic site or choose to explore it on your own before viewing Boyana Church's ancient frescoes. Meet your friendly group for the day at the parking lot Behind Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, near cafe La Cathedrale. Settle down in your seat and set off out of the city as you drive along scenic roads with picturesque views of rural Bulgaria. Arrive at Rila Monastery, the largest Eastern Orthodox monastery in the country. If you've booked the tour, follow your guide around the historic site and learn about the main frescoes. If you're an explorer you can visit the museum, take photos, and check out the church at your own pace. Spend about 3-hours at the monastery where you will get the opportunity to take photos, check the shops, visit the museums, and have a lunch break in the nearby restaurant. Then start your journey back to Sofia with one more important stop along the way. Enter the medieval Boyana Church and stroll within the ancient walls, studying the artistic frescoes which make this place so special. Finish your journey at around 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM in the city center.

Includes

  • Day trip to Rila Monastery and Boyana Church
  • English-speaking guide or driver, depending on the booked option
  • Transportation with an air-conditioned vehicle
  • Parking fees
  • Entry to Boyana Church (12 BGN per person)
  • Entry to Rila Monastery Museums (optional visit during the free time)
  • Food and drinks
  • Tips

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

Meeting point may vary depending on the option booked.

Important information

What to bring

  • Cash

Not allowed

  • Short skirts
  • Sleeveless shirts

Know before you go

  • The visits within the Boyana Church itself are limited to 10 minutes per every group of 8 to 10 people. If you'd like to enter inside, you may also need to queue.
  • The Boyana church is closed on the 1st of January, on the Sunday of the Orthodox Easter, on the 24th of December and the 25th of December ─ on such days the tour is done only to the Rila Monastery.
  • There are not many dining options around the Monastery, so in the period April – October we recommend bringing your own food. In the period November – March we organize a stop at a nearby restaurant, since the weather is colder and it is not comfortable to eat outside.
  • On certain days, such as around holidays in Bulgaria, or when in groups over 100 people, delays are possible and the estimated tour finish time in Sofia could change as far as 18:30.
  • Please warn us if you have a 0-2 years old baby when you make the reservation so that we can prepare a special seat for them.

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.6 /5

based on 1894 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.5/5
  • Transportation
    4.7/5
  • Value for money
    4.6/5
  • Service
    4/5

Filter

By star rating

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A
Andrea – ItalyDecember 4, 2024  – Verified booking
Our guide, Tuni, has been able to provide us with all the most important informations given the limited time available for the visits (especially at the Boyana Church). Much appreciated the efforts for including tourists as much as possible in the conversation. The places are amazing and worth visiting in any case, but doing it with a guide as prepared as Tuni is much better!
Helpful?
H
Henryk – IrelandDecember 4, 2024  – Verified booking
Simón was very informative and well interacted with the group being able to accommodate everyone although it wasn't an easy task as he had to do it in 2 languages. The tour was worth the effort.
Helpful?
J
Jake – United KingdomDecember 2, 2024  – Verified booking
Stasi was very knowledgeable and kind. The trip ran very smoothly. Well worth the experience of seeing these historic sites. Remember to wrap up warm in the winter.
Helpful?

Product ID: 417180

Activity provider:City Tour Sofia

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