• Language:EnglishEn
  • Currency:USD  (US$)
  • Wishlist
  • Cart
  • Help
  • Log in
Skip to content
  • Bulgaria
  • Sofia Province
  • Things to do in Sofia
  • Boyana Church
Day trip

From Sofia: Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Day Trip

4.5  / 5
520 reviews
Activity provider:City Tour Sofia
photo-gallery
photo-collagephoto-collagephoto-collagephoto-collage
Add to wishlist
Day trip

From Sofia: Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Day Trip

Activity provider:City Tour Sofia
4.5  / 5
520 reviews
Save up to 50%

From US$ 41.22 US$ 20.61 per person

Discover 2 UNESCO World Heritage Listed religious sites on a day trip 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 6 - 8 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English, Spanish
Optional audio guide
Spanish, Italian, French, German, Russian

Experience

Itinerary
  • getyourguide-logo-icon.svg

    3 starting location options:

    pl. "Sveti Aleksandar Nevski" 1А, pl. "Sveti Aleksandar Nevski" 1А, ploshtad "Sveti Aleksandar Nevski"

  • Bus / coach

    (2 hours)

  • main-stop-icon.svg

    Rila Monastery

    Visit (3 hours)

  • Bus / coach

    (1.5 hours)

  • main-stop-icon.svg

    Boyana Church

    Visit (30 minutes)

  • Bus / coach

    (30 minutes)

  • 3 drop-off locations:

    pl. "Sveti Aleksandar Nevski" 1А, ploshtad "Sveti Aleksandar Nevski", pl. "Sveti Aleksandar Nevski" 1А

Main stop

For reference only. Itineraries are subject to change.

Highlights
  • Take the chance to explore 2 UNESCO World Heritage sites
  • Choose a guided tour of Rila monastery or discover it on your own
  • Dive into the authentic countryside of Bulgaria on the way
  • Gain a fascinating insight into the history of Eastern Orthordoxy in Bulgaria
  • Admire beautiful examples of medieval frescoes in the church of Boyana
Full description

Experience the religious history of Bulgaria on a day trip 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 5:00 PM to 5:30 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 (10 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 inside visits within Boyana Church are limited to 10 minutes per group.
  • 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
Save up to 50%

From US$ 41.22 US$ 20.61 per person

Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today
Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today
  • Give this as a gift

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.5 /5

based on 520 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.5/5
  • Transportation
    4.6/5
  • Value for money
    4.4/5
  • Service
    4/5

Filter

By star rating

Sort by:

Excellent trip. The Rila Monastery is both beautiful and interesting, and the surrounding scenery is lovely. My one note of caution is that there are very few places to sit down and, given that you're there for 3 hours that could be a problem for some. The additional visit to the Boyana Church was brief, but very much worth it as both tis history and interior are fascinating.

Read more

September 23, 2023

L
Linda – United KingdomVerified booking

Helpful?

I loved this trip! The guide was very knowledgable and interesting. There was plenty of time to explore the monastery, I did not feel rushed at all. The trip to Boyana church was a great added bonus. Overall a fabulous trip I would definitely recommend.

Read more

August 31, 2023

L
Lucy – United KingdomVerified booking

Helpful?

I spent a day trip in Rila Monastery and Boyana church and it was so good. The places were rich in history and amazing. Both the Monastery and the very small church were fantastic and to be seen once in my life. The guide was very smart and prepared (not boarding) he gave us historical and architectural information. I really appreciate it. I recommend that short day excursion, indeed.

Read more

August 12, 2023

G
GetYourGuide traveler – ItalyVerified booking

Helpful?

Product ID: 417180

  • Bulgaria
  • Sofia Province
  • Things to do in Sofia
  • Boyana Church

Top Attractions in Sofia

  • 1Crystal Garden
  • 2Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
  • 3Boyana Church
  • 4Sofia International Airport
  • 5St. Sophia Church
  • 6Russian Church, Sofia
  • 7Ivan Vazov National Theatre
  • 8National Palace of Culture, Sofia
  • 9Sofia Central Mosque
  • 10City Garden, Sofia
  • 11National Gallery, Sofia
  • 12Sofia Synagogue
  • 13St. Kyriaki Cathedral Church
  • 14Socialist Art Museum
  • 15National Museum of History, Sofia
  • 16Presidential Palace, Sofia
  • 17Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski
  • 18Bells Park, Sofia
  • 19St. George Rotunda Church, Sofia
  • 20National Assembly of Bulgaria, Sofia

Things to Do in Sofia

  • 1Sofia Activities
  • 2Sofia Tours
  • 3Sofia Day trips
  • 4Sofia Day trips
  • 5Sofia Architecture
  • 6Sofia Culture & history
  • 7Sofia Self-guided activities
  • 8Sofia Religious & spiritual activities
  • 9Sofia UNESCO sites
  • 10Sofia Good for groups
  • 11Sofia Audio guides
  • 12Sofia Rainy-day activities
  • 13Sofia Deals & discounts
  • 14Sofia Eco-certified
  • 15Sofia Outdoor activities
  • 16Sofia Autumn activities
  • 17Sofia Nature & adventure
  • 18Sofia Summer activities
  • 19Sofia Churches & cathedrals
  • 20Sofia Natural Attractions & National Parks

Cities in Bulgaria

  • 1Sunny Beach
  • 2Bansko
  • 3Nessebar
  • 4Varna
  • 5Plovdiv
  • 6Borovets
  • 7Burgas
  • 8Koprivshtitsa
  • 9Kazanlak
  • 10Obzor, Bulgaria

Top destinations

  • Paris
  • Rome
  • Amsterdam
  • London
  • Barcelona
  • Venice
  • Dubai
  • Florence
  • New York City
  • Budapest
  • Berlin
  • Prague
  • Lisbon
  • Milan
  • Reykjavik
  • Vienna
  • Krakow
  • Edinburgh
  • Marrakech
  • Madrid

Popular on GetYourGuide

  • Rome Culture & history
  • Paris Architecture
  • Rome Tours
  • Krakow Bus & minivan tours
  • Paris Theme & amusement parks
  • Reykjavik Bus & minivan tours
  • London Entry tickets
  • Amsterdam Cruises & boat tours
  • Venice Airport transfers
  • Amsterdam City cards
  • Dubai Audio guides
  • Paris Bus & minivan tours
  • Marrakech Bus & minivan tours
  • Rome Airport transfers
  • Florence Culture & history
  • Paris Audio guides
  • London Culture & history
  • Paris Tours
  • Paris Entry tickets
  • London Bus & minivan tours

Popular Attractions

  • Vatican Museums
  • Colosseum
  • Seine River
  • Sagrada Familia
  • Van Gogh Museum
  • The London Eye
  • Tower of London
  • Prague Castle
  • Alcázar of Seville
  • Seville Cathedral
  • 9/11 Memorial, NYC
  • Edge
  • Top of the Rock Observation Deck
  • Caminito del Rey
  • Underground Naples
  • Pantheon, Rome
  • Pompeii
  • Sainte-Chapelle
  • Empire State Building
  • Louvre Museum
Get it on Google PlayDownload on the App Store
  • Contact
  • Legal Notice
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookies and Marketing Preferences
  • General Terms and Conditions
  • Information according to the Digital Services Act
  • Sitemap
  • Do not Sell or Share my Personal Information
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Blog
  • Press
  • Gift Cards
  • Magazine
  • Travel Guides
  • As a Supply Partner
  • As a Content Creator
  • As an Affiliate Partner
Paypal
Mastercard
Visa
Maestro
American Express
Jcb
Discover
Sofort
Klarna
Google Pay
Apple Pay
Bancontact

© 2008 – 2023 GetYourGuide. Made in Zurich & Berlin.

Facebook Instagram Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn