Sofia

River rafting

Start your day by traveling to the Boyana Church in the suburbs of Sofia (if this option is selected). See the historically significant frescoes of the Byzantine building and hear how they started the fashion of illustrating biblical figures with emotions and placing them alongside the local aristocracy. After that, relax on the 2-hour drive to the Rila Monastery in the Rila Mountains. Upon arrival, explore the largest and most important Orthodox cloister in Bulgaria. Important: As of November 2024, Boyana Church now does not take reservations in advance, so we can not guarantee all visits. If entry is unavailable on your booked day, you will be able to visit St. Ivan's Cave at Rila Monastery as an alternative. 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. Take some time to refuel with lunch at one of the local restaurants, where you can purchase local dishes such as mekitsi (a traditional Bulgarian dish of kneaded dough made with yogurt that is deep-fried). * The tour is not recommended for children less than 6 years old. * If you are travelling with a child, please get in touch with us to arrange a booster seat (as required by law) * Kindly note that on some days we MAY stop at Boyana Church even if it is not included in your tour. Rest assured, this will not shorten your time at Rila Monastery. Enjoy the beautiful gardens at Boyana Church during this brief visit.

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. (if selected option) Meet your friendly group for the day at the parking lot behind Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. 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. If selected option, 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.

Depart Sofia in the morning and travel by shuttle bus with a friendly English-speaking driver. Journey in air-conditioned comfort to Panichishte in the beautiful Rila National Park. Get briefed on arrival by your driver, who will tell you the different options and routes you can take up the mountain. Ride the chairlift to the 7 Rila Lakes, where you will get 5 hours of free time to go on some amazing nature walks independently to experience the glacial lakes from different perspectives. Board the shuttle bus at the agreed meeting point and relax on the 2-hour drive to Rila Monastery in a deep valley of the Rilska River. Founded in the 10th century, the monastery complex is regarded as one of Bulgaria's most important cultural and historical monuments. Get 1.5 hours to explore the largest Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria at your own pace. Then, return to Sofia in the evening and get dropped off at the meeting point.

This full-day tour is designed for active people wishing to combine a trek to natural wonders, with a tour of the most visited tourist attraction in Bulgaria, the magnificent Rila Monastery (when available/the option is selected). Departing Sofia, you will head for the Rila Mountains, where you will enjoy a moderate hike through what is arguably the most distinguished area in the mountains, the 7 Rila Lakes. After a transfer of approximately 90 minutes, you will reach the region of Panichishte, where you will board a chair lift to the Rila Lakes hut. Consisting of a group of glacial lakes, the 7 Rila Lakes are located at an altitude of between 6,900 feet (2,100 meters) and 8,200 feet (2,500 meters) above sea level. Surrounded by rugged peaks and deep valleys, you will see spectacular views as you walk through its pearls, such as The Eye, The Tear, The Kidney, The Twins, The Trefoil, The Fish Lake, and The Lower Lake. The route can be adjusted on the spot, following more gentle or steeper paths, depending on your fitness levels. Having visited all of the lakes, continue by car for approximately 90 minutes to Rila Monastery, the biggest and most important symbol of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. Behind the 65-foot (20-meter) walls lie impressive monastery buildings, including a church and a chapel with valuable murals. The monastery's most treasured historic and artistic monuments include the 14th-Century Hrelyo Tower, the 5th-domed Birth of the Blessed Virgin Church, and the original monastery kitchen from the 19th century. You will also explore the monastery’s rich museum, containing a valuable collection of old manuscripts and documents, charters and icons, an ethnographic exhibition of fabrics, jewelry, carpets, and wrought iron objects, and a library containing more than 16,000 books. The tour is offered as well with an ONLINE, cloud-based audioguide in different languages - English, Spanish, Italian, German, French, and English. INTERNET required to download and use. 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.

Get ready for a full-day escape into the Rila Mountains—featuring Bulgaria’s most iconic UNESCO site and, optionally, a forest hike to a sacred cave. This tour takes you to the stunning Rila Monastery and, if you choose the extended option, to the Cave of Saint Ivan of Rila—accessible via a moderate 30-minute round-trip hike through the forest. The path is not difficult, but do wear sturdy shoes, as it can be slippery depending on the season. Note! The Cave of Saint Ivan of Rila is available only on select options. Rila Monastery, the centerpiece of the trip, is a must-see for anyone visiting Bulgaria. Founded in the 10th century, it’s famous for its striking architecture, richly painted frescoes, and serene mountain surroundings. Take a guided walk through the monastery complex and admire the arcaded balconies, the ornate gold iconostasis, and the vivid murals by Zahari Zograf—one of the masters of the Bulgarian National Revival. Your guide (or audio guide, depending on the option) will share stories that bring the monastery to life. Afterward, enjoy some free time to explore on your own, visit the monastery museum (entry fee not included - 8 BGN), or browse for souvenirs. 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 a complementary stop at Boyana church. 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.

Enjoy a full-day trek into the Rila Mountains to explore the most picturesque area near Sofia and one of Bulgaria's most beautiful natural sites, the Seven Rila Lakes. Take your chance to explore the Blue Pearls of the Rila Mountains, and the Seven Rila Lakes, with the local tour operator, Traventuria, which was awarded a “Business Which Supports Biodiversity” certification by the Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation for its “Tours with a Cause” initiative. About the lakes: This group of glacial lakes lies between 6,900 and 8,200 feet (2,100 and 2,500 meters) above sea level, surrounded by rugged peaks and deep valleys. Leaving Sofia, you will drive for 90 minutes to reach the Panichishte resort area, where you board the chairlift to the Rila Lakes mountain hut. From here, continue on foot to explore the landscape and its majestic blue pearls – the Eye, the Tear, the Kidney, the Twins, the Trefoil, the Fish Lake, and the Lower Lake.

Discover Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, on this full-day trip from Sofia. During this day tour to Skopje, you will have the chance to explore the city's highlights and hear its rich history and culture from your guide.  Be picked up from your accommodation or address in the center of Sofia and board an air-conditioned vehicle. During the trip to Skopje, you can ask your guide any questions and make this 4-hour drive valuable. Once in Skopje, your 2-hour walking tour will begin. Admire sweeping views of the city from the fortress before heading to the Church of the Holy Savior, home to a fantastic iconostasis. Continue towards the Sultan Murat Mosque and the Old Bazaar, where you can witness the remnants from the Ottoman Period.  Listen as your guide tells you about Skopje's history as one of the main trade centers in the Balkans. Crossing a bridge will take you to the modern part of Skopje's center. We will visit the new neo-classical square with the huge statue of Alexander the Great, and continue to the Mother Teresa memorial house. End your walking tour at the newly built triumphal arch, Porta Macedonia. After the tour, you will have 2 hours of free time to enjoy a nice Macedonian lunch and continue your exploration of this remarkable city. After that, you will meet your Bulgarian guide again for the journey back to Sofia. On the way back, you can continue the discussion and ask all your questions regarding the things you have heard. You will be dropped in the center of Sofia.

The guide will meet you near the National Theater Ivan Vazov. You will visit more than 20 attractions and cultural monuments of Sofia. For convenience and good audibility of the excursion, you will be given audio guides and headphones. You will move comfortably, enter the temples, take photographs, and all this will allow you not to stand next to the guide, but to listen to him at a distance of up to 200 meters. The tour will end at the Presidency, where you will be able to video the changing of the presidential guard. With us you will see the sights of Sofia freely, in your language, and at your own pace!

Embark on a 3-hour walking tour exploring Bulgaria's communist era (1944–1989). Learn about the events leading to this period, its impact, and its aftermath. Delve into topics such as World War II, religion, industry, economy, housing, culture, and the daily lives of Bulgarians. Gain insights into the pros and cons of this era and its influence on present-day Bulgaria. Discover Sofia's key communist landmarks, including the former Bulgarian Communist Party headquarters, a secret police investigation facility, the site of the destroyed mausoleum of Bulgaria's first communist leader, and several examples of classic communist architecture (the Rila Hotel and Sofia's Stalinist architectural ensemble from the 1950s). In the tour's second half, visit the controversial Monument of the Soviet Army, The Memorial to the Victims of the communist regime in Bulgaria, and the National Palace of Culture. We meet in front of the Sofia City Court (the big white building with two lion statues in front). The tour ends in front of the National Palace of Culture.

Often called the 8th wonder of the world, the Seven Rila lakes are legendary for their beauty and awesomeness. They are one of the most visited natural sites of Bulgaria. We combine them with a visit to the Rila Monastery. The Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila, better known as the Rila Monastery is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. The driver will pick you up, take you to the Monastery, and show you around. Entrance in the monastery is only allowed with covered shoulders and covered knees. So please make sure you have appropriate clothes. After that, he will take you to the elevator to the 7 Rila Lakes. You will be able to go up to the lakes; the driver will stay down and wait for you there. It's good to prepare 30 leva for the elevator. Spend some time exploring the lake on your own. When you come back, he will pick you up from the elevator and bring you back to Sofia.