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Sofia: Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Tour

By City Tour Sofia
9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
Free cancellation available
Price is P 1,589 per adult
See tickets
Features
  • Free cancellation available
  • 8h 30m+
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
  • Multiple languages
Overview
  • Visit two UNESCO World Heritage sites in one day
  • Opt for a guided tour of Rila Monastery or explore independently
  • Experience Bulgaria's picturesque countryside along the route
  • Learn about the rich history of Eastern Orthodoxy in Bulgaria
  • Admire the exquisite medieval frescoes in Boyana Church (if selected option)

Activity location

    • Sofia
    • Sofia, Sofia City Province, Bulgaria

Meeting/Redemption Point

    • Sofia Center, bul. "Yanko Sakazov" 7, 1527 Sofia, Bulgaria | Meet your guide at Vasil Levski Monument, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7. Ask for the City Tour travel agency. The van departs at 9:00 AM and will not wait for you if you are late.
    • Sofia, Sofia City Province, Bulgaria

Multiple meeting/redemption points available, see location information for full list

Check availability

Transport - Self Guided Tour (No Tour Guide)
  • Activity duration is 10 hours10h
    10h
  • English

With this option you can explore the Rila Monastery on your own, WITHOUT a guided tour.

Starting time: 9:00
Price details
P 1,589.45 x 1 AdultP 1,589.45
Total
Price is P 1,589.45
Self-Guided Tour with Online Audio Guide (No Tour Guide)
  • Activity duration is 10 hours10h
    10h
  • English

Download our Smart Guide Application on your smartphone - available in English, Spanish, Italian, Bulgarian, Russian, Romanian, German, French and Chinese. WARNING: A FAST AND PROPER INTERNET CONNECTION ON YOUR DEVICE IS REQUIRED FOR PROPER FUNCTION.

Starting time: 9:00
Price details
P 1,655.67 x 1 AdultP 1,655.67
Total
Price is P 1,655.67
Rila Monastery Only Guided Tour (English Guide)
  • Activity duration is 10 hours10h
    10h
  • English

Includes a visit to the Rila Monastery WITHOUT the Boyana Church.
Entitles you to the services of a tour guide with English at the Rila Monastery.

Language options: English
Starting time: 8:57
Price details
P 1,986.81 x 1 AdultP 1,986.81
Total
Price is P 1,986.81
Guided Tour in Italian
  • Activity duration is 10 hours10h
    10h
  • Italian

This option includes an Italian-speaking tour guide. The tour includes both Rila Monastery and Boyana Church.

Language options: Italian
Starting time: 8:50
Price details
P 2,317.94 x 1 AdultP 2,317.94
Total
Price is P 2,317.94
Guided Tour in English
  • Activity duration is 8 hours and 30 minutes8h 30m
    8h 30m
  • English

With this option you will have a guided tour in English at the Rila Monastery and Boyana Church.

Language options: English
Starting time: 9:00
Price details
P 2,317.94 x 1 AdultP 2,317.94
Total
Price is P 2,317.94
Guided Tour in Spanish
  • Activity duration is 10 hours10h
    10h
  • Spanish

This option includes a Spanish-speaking tour guide. The tour includes both the Rila Monastery and the Boyana Church.

Language options: Spanish
Starting time: 9:00
Price details
P 2,317.94 x 1 AdultP 2,317.94
Total
Price is P 2,317.94
Rila Monastery and Cave of Saint John Tour (English Guide)
  • Activity duration is 10 hours10h
    10h
  • English

With this option, visit the Rila Monastery and take a hike to the cave of Saint John. Includes a guide with English.

Language options: English
Starting time: 9:00
Price details
P 2,317.94 x 1 AdultP 2,317.94
Total
Price is P 2,317.94

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's includedDay trip to Rila Monastery and Boyana Church
  • What's includedWhat's includedEnglish-speaking guide or driver, depending on the booked option
  • What's includedWhat's includedTransportation with an air-conditioned vehicle
  • What's excludedWhat's excludedEntry to Boyana Church (12 BGN per person)
  • What's excludedWhat's excludedEntry to Rila Monastery Museums (optional visit during the free time)
  • What's excludedWhat's excludedFood and drinks
  • What's excludedWhat's excludedTips

Know before you book

  • Not allowed: Short skirts, Sleeveless shirts

What you can expect

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 Vasil Levski Monument, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7. 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.

IMPORTANT: AS OF NOVEMBER 2024, BOYANA CHURCH DOES NOT TAKE RESERVATIONS IN ADVANCE. BECAUSE OF THIS, PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT NOT ALL VISITS WILL BE GUARANTEED.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    • Sofia
    • Sofia, Sofia City Province, Bulgaria

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    • Sofia Center, bul. "Yanko Sakazov" 7, 1527 Sofia, Bulgaria | Meet your guide at Vasil Levski Monument, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7. Ask for the City Tour travel agency. The van departs at 9:00 AM and will not wait for you if you are late.
    • Sofia, Sofia City Province, Bulgaria
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    • Sofia Center, bul. "Yanko Sakazov" 7, 1527 Sofia, Bulgaria | Meet your guide at Vasil Levski Monument, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7. Ask for the City Tour travel agency. The van departs at 9:00 AM and will not wait for you if you are late.
    • Sofia, Sofia City Province, Bulgaria
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    • Sofia Center, bul. "Yanko Sakazov" 7, 1527 Sofia, Bulgaria | Meet your guide at Vasil Levski Monument, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7. Ask for the City Tour travel agency. The van departs at 9:00 AM and will not wait for you if you are late.
    • Sofia, Sofia City Province, Bulgaria
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    • Sofia Center, bul. "Yanko Sakazov" 7, 1527 Sofia, Bulgaria | Meet your guide at Vasil Levski Monument, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7. Ask for the City Tour travel agency. The van departs at 9:00 AM and will not wait for you if you are late.
    • Sofia, Sofia City Province, Bulgaria
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    • Sofia Center, bul. "Yanko Sakazov" 7, 1527 Sofia, Bulgaria | Meet your guide at Vasil Levski Monument, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7. Ask for the City Tour travel agency. The van departs at 9:00 AM and will not wait for you if you are late.
    • Sofia, Sofia City Province, Bulgaria
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    • Sofia Center, bul. "Yanko Sakazov" 7, 1527 Sofia, Bulgaria | Meet your guide at Vasil Levski Monument, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7. Ask for the City Tour travel agency. The van departs at 9:00 AM and will not wait for you if you are late.
    • Sofia, Sofia City Province, Bulgaria
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    • Sofia Center, bul. "Yanko Sakazov" 7, 1527 Sofia, Bulgaria | Meet your guide at Vasil Levski Monument, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7. Ask for the City Tour travel agency. The van departs at 9:00 AM and will not wait for you if you are late.
    • Sofia, Sofia City Province, Bulgaria