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A historic building with striped arches and domes, surrounded by a cobblestone courtyard and lush green hills. 1
A group of people standing in front of a building with religious artwork. 3
Boyana Church 4
Day view of Rila Monastery 5

From Sofia : Rila Monastery & Boyana Church Tour

By Traventuria
9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
Free cancellation available
Price is RM 93 per adult
See tickets

Features

Overview

  • Discover the two most frequented Bulgarian UNESCO sites
  • Uncover the history of Boyana Church and Rila Monastery
  • Be captivated by the fascinating Rila Monastery frescoes
  • Experience and admire the awesome beauty of Rila Nature Park
  • Sample local fresh, healthy food and good wines

Activity location

  • Rila Monastery
    • 2643, Rilski Manastir, Kiustendil, Regiunea Kiustendil, Bulgaria

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • Vasil Levski Monument (Embassy of Slovakia)
    • 9 bulevard "Yanko Sakazov"
    • 1527, Sofia, Sofia City Province, Bulgaria

Check availability

Rila monastery WITHOUT visiting Boyana Church transport only

  • Activity duration is 8 hours8h
    8h
  • English

This option includes transportation services to the Rila monastery only. An English/Spanish/Italian-speaking conductor might be accompanying you. Please note that a live guide and a guided visitation to Boyana church are not included in the price of this tour.

Language options: English
Starting time: 8:53
Price details
RM 93.27 x 1 AdultRM 93.27
Total
Price is RM 93.27

English Guided : Rila Monastery & St Ivan's Cave (No Boyana)

  • Activity duration is 8 hours and 28 minutes8h 28m
    8h 28m
  • English

Escape the city of Sofia to visit the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery and optional St. Ivan's Cave in the heart of Rila Nature Park. Enjoy magnificent mountain scenery and Bulgaria's cultural heritage.

Language options: English
Starting time: 9:00
Price details
RM 116.59 x 1 AdultRM 116.59
Total
Price is RM 116.59
Until Fri, 3 Jul

Rila Monastery & Boyana Church Guided Tour

  • Activity duration is 8 hours8h
    8h
  • English

Explore the magnificent Rila Monastery and enchanting Boyana church alongside a certified English-speaking guide, who will enrich your experience with fascinating insights and stories. Please note that an entry fee to Boyana church needs to be paid on spot.

Language options: English
Starting time: 9:00
Price details
RM 116.59 x 1 AdultRM 116.59
Total
Price is RM 116.59

Self-Guided: Rila Monastery & Cave (Online audioguide)

  • Activity duration is 8 hours and 30 minutes8h 30m
    8h 30m
  • English

The complete self-guided adventure! Explore the monastery and hike to the sacred hermit's cave independently using our multi-language Audio App. NOTE: The onboard logistics host usually speaks Spanish or Italian (NOT English). NO live guide included.

Starting time: 9:00
Price details
RM 116.59 x 1 AdultRM 116.59
Total
Price is RM 116.59

ENG Guide: 3-in-1 Rila Monastery, Boyana Church & Cave

  • Activity duration is 8 hours and 30 minutes8h 30m
    8h 30m
  • English

The ultimate one-day adventure with a live guide in ENGLISH. Explore the magnificent Rila Monastery, St. Ivan Rilski cave and the Boyana church alongside a live-speaking guide, who will enrich your experience with fascinating insights and stories.

Language options: English
Starting time: 9:00
Price details
RM 139.90 x 1 AdultRM 139.90
Total
Price is RM 139.90

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's included
    Guided tour in English of Rila monastery and Boyana church
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Roundtrip transportation to and from a central meeting point in Sofia
  • What's includedWhat's included
    All transportation and parking costs
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Boyana church entry fee (if option selected, 7 Euro per person)
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Food and beverages
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Gratuities

Know before you book

  • Children under 4 years old are not allowed on this tour.
  • The time spent inside the Boyana church is limited to a maximum of 10 minutes, as a preservation measurement for the UNESCO World Heritage site's fragile frescos.
  • Check in: 15 minutes before departure

What you can expect

Rila Monastery is definitely a must-see if you are a tourist with a free day in Sofia. The arcaded balconies, the unique frescoes – a work of one of the most famous Bulgarian Revival Period painters, the gilded iconostasis, the fabulous mountain views. and the unique combination of them all makes the visit to the monastery extraordinary and memorable one. You will have around an hour of free time at the Rila Monastery to explore the most visited UNESCO site in Bulgaria, enter the main church and take photos of the narthex’s gallery, admire the exhibits in the History Museum of the Monastery, try the tasty Bulgarian donuts with delicious buffalo’s yogurt (local specialty) or even have a short walk in the area;

The Boyana Church's frescoes bring epochal change in the mural painting and are considered predecessors of the European Renaissance. The majority of more than 240 figures depicted there have individuality, vitality and psychological depth.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    Rila Monastery
    • 2643, Rilski Manastir, Kiustendil, Regiunea Kiustendil, Kiustendil

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Vasil Levski Monument (Embassy of Slovakia)
    • 9 bulevard "Yanko Sakazov"
    • 1527, Sofia, Sofia City Province, Kiustendil