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Rila Monastery 1
A group of people standing in front of a historic building with domed architecture and stone walls. 2
A group of people in front of a historic building with arches and domes. 3
A group of people standing in front of a historic building with arches and domes. 4
A group of people in front of a historic building with arches and domes. 5

Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Tour

By City Tour Ltd.
9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
Free cancellation available
Price is RM 94 per adult
See tickets

Features

  • Free cancellation available
  • 8h
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
  • Multiple languages

Overview

Join an 8.5–10 hour guided group tour to two UNESCO sites – Rila Monastery and Boyana Church. Enjoy a 40-minute tour at Rila Monastery, followed by 2.5 hours of free time for photos, museums, shopping, or lunch. At Boyana Church, admire its stunning 800-year-old frescoes with a brief guided visit.

Note: Women must cover shoulders and knees in the monastery.

Tip: On busy summer weekends, bring lunch from Sofia to save time.

*Boyana Church is closed on Jan 1, Orthodox Easter Sunday, and Dec 24–25. On these dates, the tour visits only Rila Monastery.

This tour offers a perfect mix of cultural heritage, scenic mountain landscapes, and insightful storytelling from your professional English-speaking guide. Transport is provided by a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle, and the group size allows for a more personal experience. Ideal for history lovers and nature enthusiasts alike!

Activity location

  • Vasil Levski Monument
    • Just North of Aleksander Nevski Cathedral,
    • Sofia, Bulgaria

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • bul. "Yanko Sakazov" 7
    • 7 bulevard "Yanko Sakazov"
    • 1527, Sofia, Sofia City Province, Bulgaria

Check availability

RILA MONASTERY ONLY - ITALIAN

  • Activity duration is 8 hours8h
    8h
  • Italian

Rila ONLY ITALIAN (NO BOYANA): This options includes an Italian-guided visit ONLY to the Rila monastery WITHOUT a visit to the Boyana church.

Language options: Italian
Starting time: 8:58
Price details
RM 93.71 x 1 AdultRM 93.71
Total
Price is RM 93.71

RILA MONASTERY ONLY - SPANISH

  • Activity duration is 8 hours8h
    8h
  • Spanish

Rila ONLY SPANISH (NO BOYANA): This options includes an Spanish-guided visit ONLY to the Rila monastery WITHOUT a visit to the Boyana church.

Language options: Spanish
Starting time: 8:58
Price details
RM 93.71 x 1 AdultRM 93.71
Total
Price is RM 93.71

RILA ONLY/TRANSPORT - NO GUIDE

  • Activity duration is 8 hours8h
    8h
  • English

Rila ONLY Transport-NO BOYANA: Enjoy All Day visit to Rila monastery ONLY, NO VISIT TO BOYANA CHURCH WITHOUT A LIVE GUIDE - visit local museums (optional)

Starting time: 8:58
Price details
RM 93.71 x 1 AdultRM 93.71
Total
Price is RM 93.71

Rila Monastery Only - ENGLISH

  • Activity duration is 8 hours8h
    8h
  • English

Rila ONLY ENGLISH (NO BOYANA): This options includes an English-guided visit ONLY to the Rila monastery WITHOUT a visit to the Boyana church.

Starting time: 8:58
Price details
RM 93.71 x 1 AdultRM 93.71
Total
Price is RM 93.71

RILA ONLY/SMART GUIDE- NO GUIDE

  • Activity duration is 8 hours8h
    8h
  • German

RILA ONLY/SMART GUIDE-NO GUIDE: ★ Includes: Transport, Rila Monastery visit, Smart Guide Access ☆ Excludes: Live guide , No Boyana Church visit

Starting time: 8:58
Price details
RM 117.14 x 1 AdultRM 117.14
Total
Price is RM 117.14

[EN] Guided Tour in English

  • Activity duration is 8 hours8h
    8h
  • English

Guided Tour in English: Enjoy an English-guided visit to both Rila Monastery and Boyana Church.

Language options: English
Starting time: 9:00
Price details
RM 117.14 x 1 AdultRM 117.14
Total
Price is RM 117.14

[IT] Guided Tour in Italian

  • Activity duration is 8 hours8h
    8h
  • Italian

Guided Tour in Italian: Enjoy a Italian-guided tour of the Rila Monastery and the Boyana Church.

Language options: Italian
Starting time: 9:00
Price details
RM 117.14 x 1 AdultRM 117.14
Total
Price is RM 117.14

What's included, what's not

  • Inclusions
    A trip to to Boyana Chuch and Rila Monastery depending on the booked option
  • Inclusions
    Transportation by a comfortable bus/ minibus
  • Inclusions
    Parking fees
  • Inclusions
    English speaking guide OR driver, depending on the booked option
  • Exclusions
    Boyana Church – Adults 6.14 EUR. Children over 7 years and students - 1.53 EUR
  • Exclusions
    Rila Monastery museum & monk room entrance ticket- 4 EUR
  • Exclusions
    Food and drinks
  • Exclusions
    Gratuities
  • Exclusions
    Hotel pick up and drop off

Know before you book

    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Women should have their knees and shoulders covered in the Monastery.
    • There are not many dining options around the Monastery - there are bakeries where you can enjoy pastry. As an alternative, you can always bring your own food with you.
    • Bring cash with you (preferably local currency) – the shops and the restaurants in the area of the monastery accept mostly cash payments so it is important to have some money with you.
    • 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
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • The Boyana church is closed on the 1st of January, on the Sunday of the Orthodox Easter, on the 24th of December, the 25th of December - and on such days the tour is done only to the Rila Monastery.
    • Safety Notice: For the safety and enjoyment of all guests, anyone who appears intoxicated or behaves in a way that makes guides uncomfortable may be removed from the tour. No refunds will be issued in such cases.
    • The order of visits to the Rila Monastery and Boyana Church may be adjusted due to weather conditions or circumstances beyond our control.
    • On certain days as 18th of May , 17th of September and 1st of November - Your entry to the Boyana church might NOT be guaranteed.
    • Please note that some of the tour options do not include a visit to Boyana Church, even if it may appear in general destination descriptions. We kindly ask you to read each tour description carefully to ensure it includes the sites you wish to visit before booking. If you are unsure, feel free to contact us for clarification.
    • Customers who book the Self-Guided Tour (Transportation Only) option do not have guaranteed entry to Boyana Church. Due to the church’s strict timed entry regulations and limited visitor capacity, access inside the church depends on ticket availability at the time of arrival.
    • Guides are not obligated to provide guided commentary while inside the bus. Explanations and guided tours typically take place at designated stops and attractions rather than during transit.

Activity itinerary

Vasil Levski Monument

  • 30m
The meeting point for the tour is Vasil Levski Monument, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7 at 8:40am . The departure is at 9am. Please be on time!

Rila Monastery

  • 3h
The Rila Monastery is the biggest monastery in Bulgaria. It was established back in the 10th century. The current buildings are from the mid 19th century, with a defensive tower that survived from the 14th century. In the monastery complex you will admire the impressive architecture and frescoes. You will have 40-mintue guided tour and 2.5 hours free time to check the museum, the shops, take photos and have lunch break.

Boyana Church

  • 30m
  • Admission ticket not included
Your other stop is at the great UNESCO historical place – Boyana church, dating back to the 11th century, which has unique and very well preserved frescoes and pictures from the period of 11 to 14 century. You will have the chance to explore the church and learn its amazing history from your guide. Please have in mind that the inside visit of the church is limit to 10 minites per group because of its small size. Additionally, you will also spend some time in the yard of the church where you can take photos and also learn some of the interesting historical facts.

Vasil Levski Monument

  • 5m
At the end of the tour, the van/bus returns to the same starting point, Vasil Levski Monument, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    Vasil Levski Monument
    • Just North of Aleksander Nevski Cathedral,
    • Sofia, Bulgaria

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    bul. "Yanko Sakazov" 7
    • 7 bulevard "Yanko Sakazov"
    • 1527, Sofia, Sofia City Province, Bulgaria

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