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From Sofia: Must-See Rila Monastery & Boyana Church Day Tour

By City Tour Sofia
9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
Free cancellation available
Price is £17 per adult
See tickets

Features

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

Overview

  • Visit Bulgaria’s top two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in a perfectly planned day
  • Enjoy breathtaking Rila Mountains scenery and photo stops in nature
  • Walk through Rila Monastery with time to explore courtyards, museums, and views
  • Dive into the rich heritage and traditions of Eastern Orthodox Christianity
  • Learn the stories behind Boyana Church’s rare frescoes, admired worldwide

Activity location

    • Sofia
    • Sofia, Sofia City Province, Bulgaria

Meeting/Redemption Point

    • Sofia Center, bul. "Yanko Sakazov" 7, 1527 Sofia, Bulgaria | The meeting point for the tour is Vasil Levski Monument, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7. Ask for travel agency City Tour (our guides usually wear blue clothes). The van/bus departs at 9:00. Please be there at 8:35.
    • Sofia, Sofia City Province, Bulgaria

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

Check availability

Self Guided Tour to Rila & Boyana (No Tour Guide)
  • Activity duration is 9 hours9h
    9h
  • English

With this option you can explore the Rila Monastery on your own, WITHOUT a guided tour. See both UNESCO sites Rila Monastery & Boyana Church.
☆ Includes: Transport, Rila & Boyana,
★ Excludes: Live guide

Starting time: 09:00
Price details
£17.40 x 1 Adult£17.40
Total
Price is £17.40
Rila Monastery Only Guided Tour (English Guide/No Boyana)
  • Activity duration is 9 hours9h
    9h
  • English

★ Includes: Guided visit to Rila Monastery in English, return transport, free time for photos.
☆ Excludes: Boyana Church entry, meals, and personal expenses.
An amazing, in-depth cultural experience with professional English-speaking guide.

Language options: English
Starting time: 08:58
Price details
£21.75 x 1 Adult£21.75
Total
Price is £21.75
Rila Monastery Only Guided Tour (Spanish Guide/No Boyana)
  • Activity duration is 8 hours8h
    8h
  • Spanish

★ Includes: Guided visit to Rila Monastery in Spanish, return transport, free time for photos.
☆ Excludes: Boyana Church visit, meals and personal expenses.
An amazing, in-depth cultural experience with professional Spanish-speaking guide.

Language options: Spanish
Starting time: 08:58
Price details
£21.75 x 1 Adult£21.75
Total
Price is £21.75
Self-Guided Rila tour with Online Audio Guide (NО GUIDE)
  • Activity duration is 8 hours8h
    8h
  • Bulgarian

★ Includes: Transport, Rila Monastery visit, Smart Guide Access
☆ Excludes: Live guide , No Boyana Church visit
✮ Requires: SMARTPHONE DEVICE & INTERNET CONNECTION
Download our Online Audio Guide in your chosen language! See the majestic Rila monastery.

Starting time: 08:58
Price details
£21.75 x 1 Adult£21.75
Total
Price is £21.75

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's included
    Expert guide in English, Spanish, or Italian - if option was selected
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Air-conditioned transport
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Smart audio commentary in English, Spanish, Italian, French, German, Russian, Bulgarian, Romanian, Chinese, Ukrainian, Polish, and Portuguese
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Entry to Boyana Church – Adults 6.14 EUR per person. For children over 7 years old and students - 1.53 EUR per person.
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Entry to Rila Monastery Museums (optional visit during free time) - 4 EUR per person
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Meals and drinks
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Service charge/tips for guides and drivers

Know before you book

  • Not allowed: Short skirts, Sleeveless shirts
  • In accordance with UK consumer law, activities services are not subject to the right of withdrawal. Supplier cancellation policy will apply.

What you can expect

Immerse yourself in Bulgaria’s rich heritage and spectacular landscapes on this expertly guided day trip from Sofia. Ideal for culture lovers, history enthusiasts, and curious travellers, this experience takes you to two of the country’s most iconic landmarks:
Rila Monastery and Boyana Church—both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

What to expect

Comfortable start from Sofia
Your day begins at the Vasil Levski Monument (Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7), where you’ll meet your friendly, knowledgeable guide. Enjoy a relaxing scenic drive through picturesque mountains, forests, and traditional villages as you head towards Bulgaria’s most revered monastery.

Rila Monastery – Bulgaria’s spiritual symbol
At Rila Monastery, the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria, you’ll have approximately three hours to explore at your own pace.

Discover the monastery’s dramatic history and magnificent frescoes with your guide

Wander independently to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere

Visit the museum and monastery church

Take stunning photos of the surrounding mountains

Enjoy a traditional Bulgarian lunch at a local restaurant nearby

Optional visit to Boyana Church
On the return journey to Sofia, you’ll have the opportunity to visit Boyana Church, a small yet extraordinary medieval chapel famous for its 13th-century frescoes, considered among the finest preserved in Europe.

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 | The meeting point for the tour is Vasil Levski Monument, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7. Ask for travel agency City Tour (our guides usually wear blue clothes). The van/bus departs at 9:00. Please be there at 8:35.
    • Sofia, Sofia City Province, Bulgaria
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    • Sofia Center, bul. "Yanko Sakazov" 7, 1527 Sofia, Bulgaria | The meeting point for the tour is Vasil Levski Monument, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7. Ask for travel agency City Tour (our guides usually wear blue clothes). The van/bus departs at 9:00. Please be there at 8:35.
    • Sofia, Sofia City Province, Bulgaria
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    • Sofia Center, bul. "Yanko Sakazov" 7, 1527 Sofia, Bulgaria | The meeting point for the tour is Vasil Levski Monument, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7. Ask for travel agency City Tour (our guides usually wear blue clothes). The van/bus departs at 9:00. Please be there at 8:35.
    • Sofia, Sofia City Province, Bulgaria
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    • Sofia Center, bul. "Yanko Sakazov" 7, 1527 Sofia, Bulgaria | The meeting point for the tour is Vasil Levski Monument, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7. Ask for travel agency City Tour (our guides usually wear blue clothes). The van/bus departs at 9:00. Please be there at 8:35.
    • Sofia, Sofia City Province, Bulgaria
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    • Sofia Center, bul. "Yanko Sakazov" 7, 1527 Sofia, Bulgaria | The meeting point for the tour is Vasil Levski Monument, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7. Ask for travel agency City Tour (our guides usually wear blue clothes). The van/bus departs at 9:00. Please be there at 8:35.
    • Sofia, Sofia City Province, Bulgaria
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    • Sofia Center, bul. "Yanko Sakazov" 7, 1527 Sofia, Bulgaria | The meeting point for the tour is Vasil Levski Monument, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7. Ask for travel agency City Tour (our guides usually wear blue clothes). The van/bus departs at 9:00. Please be there at 8:35.
    • Sofia, Sofia City Province, Bulgaria