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A historic church with a bell tower and domed roof, surrounded by cobblestone streets and mountains. 1
A stone building with arched windows and a staircase. 2
Rila Monastery 3
Rila monastery 4
A group of people standing in front of a stone building with a window and a door. 5
By City Tour Ltd.

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
Free cancellation available
Price is P 1,423 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 Rila Monastery, with select options also including Boyana Church — please check your chosen option before booking. Enjoy a 40-minute guided tour at Rila Monastery, followed by 2.5 hours of free time for photos, museums, shopping, or lunch. On options that include 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

[TR] Self-guided Tour

  • Activity duration is 8 hours8h
    8h
  • English

Self-guided Tour : With this option, you can discover the two UNESCO sites WITHOUT A GUIDE.

Language options: English
Starting time: 9:00
Price details
P 1,422.61 x 1 AdultP 1,422.61
Total
Price is P 1,422.61

[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
P 1,778.26 x 1 AdultP 1,778.26
Total
Price is P 1,778.26

[ES] Guided Tour in Spanish

  • Activity duration is 8 hours8h
    8h
  • Spanish

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

Language options: Spanish
Starting time: 9:00
Price details
P 1,778.26 x 1 AdultP 1,778.26
Total
Price is P 1,778.26

[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
P 1,778.26 x 1 AdultP 1,778.26
Total
Price is P 1,778.26

[SG] Smart Audio Guide

  • Activity duration is 8 hours8h
    8h
  • German

Smart Audio Guide: Travel in comfort to Rila Monastery and Boyana Church and discover both sites with an online audio guide (NO LIVE GUIDE).

Starting time: 9:00
Price details
P 1,778.26 x 1 AdultP 1,778.26
Total
Price is P 1,778.26

[AG] Tour with Audio Guide

  • Activity duration is 8 hours8h
    8h
  • German

Tour with Audio Guide: Travel in comfort to Rila Monastery and Boyana Church and discover both sites with an audio guide (NO LIVE GUIDE).

Starting time: 9:00
Price details
P 2,489.57 x 1 AdultP 2,489.57
Total
Price is P 2,489.57

What's included, what's not

  • Inclusions
    A trip to Boyana Church and/or Rila Monastery, depending on the booked option
  • Inclusions
    Smart audio commentary in 12 different languages (depending on the chosen option)
  • Inclusions
    Transportation by a comfortable bus/ minibus
  • Inclusions
    Expert guide in English, Spanish or Italian – (depending on the chosen option)
  • Inclusions
    Parking fees
  • Exclusions
    Boyana Church entry: 10 € adults, 3 € ages 7+/students, cash only - if the option is chosen
  • 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
    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Women should have their knees and shoulders covered in the Monastery.
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • 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.
    • 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
Your day begins with comfortable, air-conditioned transport from Sofia city centre, travelling through green valleys and forested mountain scenery with an international group. Upon arrival at Rila Monastery – the largest and most important Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria and one of the country's most visited landmarks – you'll have guided or free time to explore its striking black-and-white arcades, richly coloured frescoes, gold iconostasis and peaceful courtyards. Founded in the 10th century, the monastery sits dramatically among the Rila mountains and offers plenty to see, photograph and learn about. During your free time you can also visit the monastery museum, browse for local souvenirs, or try traditional Bulgarian food such as homemade mekitsi and local yogurt.

Boyana Church

  • 30m
  • Admission ticket not included
If you have booked an option that includes Boyana Church, your tour continues from Rila Monastery to this UNESCO-listed medieval church, famous worldwide for its exceptionally preserved 13th-century frescoes – considered among the most important examples of medieval European art, and noted for the realism that influenced later Renaissance painting. Entry is time-slotted and visits are limited to small groups in order to protect the fragile artwork, so please allow extra time for queuing.

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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