Day trip

Admire rural Bulgaria en route to the Rila Monastery, one of Bulgaria’s UNESCO World Heritage gems, on a day trip from Sofia. Visit the cave of St Ivan of Rila, one of Bulgaria's most sacred places.

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 - 11 hours: Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide: Italian, Spanish, English, Bulgarian, French, German, Russian
Optional audio guide: French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish, English
Pickup optional: Departure from different pick-up points: Sofia Central Bus/Train Station, Ploshtad "Vazrazhdane", Ploshtad "Atanas Burov", Restaurant "La Cattedrale", Rosslyn Central Park Hotel (Blvd. "Vitosha"), Hilton Sofia (Blvd. "Cherni Vrah"), Hotel Marinela (Blvd. "James Bourchier"), Boyana Church. Be sure to arrive at least 10 minutes before the notified departure time and try to find our sticker marking precisely the pick-up point in the area!

Highlighted reviews from other travelers

Elysia – United Kingdom

Such a fantastic day trip, really recommend! We added on the Boyana Church on the day so we went here, and to the Monastery & the cave as well☺️

Selene – Italy

I really appreciated the guide, Maria. She expressed her knowledge with such passion and calmness. I’d recommend her for any trip. She is lovely and patient ♥️

Itinerary

Starting/pickup location
Depends on the selected option
Bus/coach
(2 hours)
Rila Monastery
Guided tour, Sightseeing (1 hour)
Rila Monastery
Free time (1 hour)
The Cave of St. Ivan Rilski
Guided tour (1 hour)
Bus/coach
(2 hours)
2 drop-off locations:
La Cattedrale, pl. "Sveti Aleksandar Nevski" 1А

Main stop

Other stop

For reference only. Itineraries are subject to change.

Highlights

Marvel at one of Bulgaria's most famous UNESCO Sites - Rila Monastery
Discover the holy cave of St. Ivan Rilski in the woods above the Rila Monastery
Enjoy culture and nature sights during an one-day trip
Travel in comfort through the Bulgarian countryside
Learn about each location you stop at through the help of an audioguide

Full description

Travel in comfort as you visit several Bulgarian landmarks like the Rila Monastery and the Cave of Saint Ivan Rilski in the company of a guide. See one of Bulgaria's UNESCO World Heritage Sites, enjoy a delicious bite to eat, and learn about each location through the use of an audio guide.

Important: During the winter months, the trail to St. Ivan's Cave in Rila Monastery Nature Park may become inaccessible due to heavy snowfall, as it is not maintained in severe weather conditions. Additionally, the road leading to the area can pose safety risks, making visits impossible on certain days.

9:00 AM - Depart from Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Square (back side of the cathedral), and relax on a 3-hour drive to the Rila Monastery in the Rila Mountains. At noon arrive at the Rila Monastery.

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM - Enjoy a guided walk at the Rila Monastery. Admire the arcaded balconies, and discover unique frescoes by one of the most famous painters of the Bulgarian National Revival period.
See the gilded iconostasis and enjoy the fabulous mountain views. Hear the story of the monastery from your guide before enjoying some time to explore the monastic complex on your own. Learn more at the museum, or purchase souvenir icons and other items in the nearby shops.

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM - Take some free time to have lunch at one of the restaurants around the monastery, where you could taste local dishes such as mekitsi (a traditional Bulgarian dish of kneaded dough made with yoghurt that is deep-fried) or some grilled trout. Please kindly note that on some dates the free time at the Rila Monastery may be shorter due to traffic, group size, or complementary stop at Boyana church.

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM - Visit the Cave of Saint Ivan Rilski - one of the most sacred places in Bulgaria. Pass through the tunnel of St. Ivan Rilski. Drink some water from the holy spring which is believed to never freeze.

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM - Head back to Sofia and arrive at Alexander Nevsky Cathedral Square around 5:00 PM
The local tour operator, Traventuria, was awarded a “Business Which Supports Biodiversity” certification by the Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation for its “Tours with a Cause” initiative.

Includes

Transportation by modern, comfortable air-conditioned vehicle
English-speaking driver/guide
Parking fees
All transportation costs
Cloud-based audio-guide in different languages. Internet required to download and use
A planned visit to the Cave of St. Ivan Rilski (if the option is selected and prepaid)

Entrance fees
Food, drinks, and other personal expenses

Not suitable for

Children under 5 years
Pregnant women
Wheelchair users

Meeting point

Behind Alexander Nevski Cathedral, in front of the restaurant La Cattedrale, ul. "Oborishte" 1А, 1504 Sofia Center, Sofia, Bulgaria. Please arrive 15 minutes before the activity starts.

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Important information

Know before you go

Kindly note that the tour is offered with an online audioguide as well. It is an online (cloud-based) audio-guide in different languages. Internet is required to download and use
The monastery is a functioning Orthodox temple. A strict dress code is imposed and should be respected. Men and women should be wearing clothes covering their shoulders. Women should not wear short shorts or skirts
It is advised that you wear comfortable walking shoes as the inner yard of the Rila Monastery is cobbled. Walking around the monastic complex also requires comfortable walking shoes, especially for walking to the Cave of St. Ivan Rilski

Nearby destinations

Nearby sights

From Sofia: Rila Monastery and St. Ivan Cave Day Trip