From Sofia: Rila Monastery & Boyana Church Day Tour

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Description

Summary

Starts
Sofia
Duration
8 Hrs.
Languages
English, Bulgarian, Spanish, Italian, German, French, and Russian
Admission
Printed voucher

Description

Experience Bulgaria’s spiritual and artistic heritage on a full-day tour from Sofia to the renowned Rila Monastery, with an optional stop at the historic Boyana Church. Begin your day in the Sofia suburbs, where you can marvel at Boyana Church’s celebrated Byzantine frescoes, famous for their emotional depth and vivid depictions of biblical scenes and local aristocrats, subject to availability on your travel date.

Afterward, relax as you journey through the scenic Bulgarian countryside to the Rila Mountains, where the magnificent Rila Monastery awaits. As the largest and most significant Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria, Rila Monastery impresses with its arcaded balconies, gilded iconostasis, and breathtaking mountain vistas.

Explore the monastery complex with your knowledgeable guide, who will share fascinating stories about its history and cultural importance. You’ll also have ample free time to wander the grounds, visit the museum, and browse for unique souvenirs such as icons and crafts in the nearby shops.

If the Boyana Church visit is unavailable due to reservation limitations, you’ll instead explore St. Ivan’s Cave at the Rila Monastery, ensuring your day remains rich with discovery. Refuel with an optional lunch at a local restaurant, where you can try authentic Bulgarian dishes like mekitsi, a delicious deep-fried yogurt dough specialty.

Please note the tour is not recommended for children under six years old. If you’re traveling with young children, contact us in advance to arrange required booster seats. Don’t miss your chance to explore these UNESCO World Heritage sites and Bulgaria’s stunning landscapes—check availability and book your adventure now!

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Included

Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle
Guide in English, Spanish, or Italian (depending on option chosen)
Smart audio in English, Spanish, Italian, French, German, or Russian (internet connection and own headphones are required)
Pickup from pre-defined stops (if option chosen)

Destinations

Sofia - city in BulgariaSofia

Map

Attractions

Photo of Beautiful view of the Orthodox Rila Monastery, a famous tourist attraction and cultural heritage monument in the Rila Nature Park mountains in Bulgaria.Rila Monastery
Boyana Church Museum, Vitosha, Sofia City, Sofia-City, BulgariaBoyana Church

Options

Self-Guided without Boyana Church (No guide)
✓ Includes: transportation to Rila Monastery, online audio guide on your smartphone ✕ Excludes: NO Boyana Church visit, guide, headphones Important: The accompanying conductor might speak English, Italian, or Spanish, but NOT French
Spanish Guided without Boyana Church
✓ Includes: Spanish-speaking guide ✕ Excludes: NO Boyana Church visit Important: The guide speaks SPANISH only
English Guided with Boyana Church
✓ Includes: English-speaking guide, Rila Monastery, Boyana church, online audio guide in Italian ✕ Excludes: Boyana Church entry fee (6.99 EUR) Important: The guide speaks English but NO Italian, internet access, and your own headphones are required
English Guided with Boyana Church
✓ Includes: English-speaking guide, Rila Monastery, Boyana church, online audio guide in Spanish ✕ Excludes: Boyana Church entry fee (6.99 EUR) Important: The guide speaks English but NO Spanish, internet access, and your own headphones are required
Self-Guided without Boyana Church (No guide)
✓ Includes: transportation to Rila Monastery, online audio guide on your smartphone ✕ Excludes: NO Boyana Church visit, NO guide, headphones Important: The accompanying conductor might speak English or Italian, but NOT Spanish
Self-Guided without Boyana Church (No guide)
✓ Includes: transportation to Rila Monastery ONLY, online audio guide on your smartphone ✕ Excludes: NO Boyana Church. NO guide, no headphones Important: The accompanying conductor might speak English or Spanish, but NOT Italian
English Guided with Boyana Church
Choose the original tour to the Rila Monastery & Boyana Church-pioneered by us over 15 years ago. Visit 2 UNESCO sites in one day! ✓Includes: English-speaking guide, Rila Monastery, Boyana Church ✕Excludes: Boyana Church entry fee (local payment 6.99 EUR)
Self-Guided without Boyana Church & German Smart Audio
✓ Includes: transportation to Rila Monastery, online audio guide on your smartphone ✕ Excludes: NO Boyana Church, NO guide, headphones Important: The accompanying conductor might speak English, Italian, or Spanish, but NOT German
English Guided with Boyana Church & Pre-defined Pickups
✓ Includes: Pick-up from pre-defined stops, English-speaking guide, Rila monastery, Boyana Church, smart audio ✕ Excludes: Boyana Church entry fee (6.99 EUR), headphones
English Guided with Boyana Church
✓ Includes: English-speaking guide, Rila Monastery, Boyana church, online audio guide in French ✕ Excludes: Boyana Church entry fee (6.99 EUR) Important: The guide speaks English, but NO French, internet access, and your own headphones are required
English Guided Tour without Boyana
✓ Includes: English-speaking guide, smart audio in German ✕ Excludes: NO Boyana Church, headphones Important: The guide speaks only ENGLISH
English Guided without Boyana Church
✓ Includes: English-speaking guide, smart audio in French ✕ Excludes: NO Boyana Church, headphones Important: The guide speaks only ENGLISH
11-hour English Guided with Melnik
✓ Includes: English-speaking guide, Rila Monastery, Melnik, online audio guide on your smartphone ✕ Excludes: headphones, Boyana Church visit, Kordopulova House entry fee (3 EUR) Important: The tour starts at 08:00 a.m. and lasts for 11 hrs
Italian Guided with Boyana Church
✓ Includes: Italian-speaking guide, Rila Monastery, Boyana Church ✕ Excludes: Boyana Church entry fee (6.99 EUR) Important: The guide speaks only ITALIAN
Online Audioguide with Dragalevtsi Monastery & Boyana Church
Enjoy the classic tour to the Rila Monastery & Boyana Church. Visit the beautiful Dragalevtsi Monastery. ✓Included: Smart audio in different languages, Rila Monastery, Dragalevtsi Monastery, Boyana Church ✕Excluded: Boyana Church entry fee (6.99 EUR)
English Guided with Dragalevtsi Monastery & Boyana Church
Enjoy the classic tour to the Rila Monastery & Boyana Church. Visit the beautiful Dragalevtsi Monastery. ✓Included: English-speaking guide, Rila Monastery, Dragalevtsi Monastery, Boyana church ✕Excluded: Boyana Church entry fee (6.99 EUR)
Self-Guided without Boyana Church & Smart Audio
✓ Includes: transportation to Rila Monastery ONLY, online audio guide on your smartphone ✕ Excludes: NO Boyana Church , NO guide, headphones Important: The accompanying assistant might speak Italian, or Spanish, but NOT English
Self-Guided without Boyana Church (No guide)
✓ Includes: transportation to Rila Monastery ONLY, online audio guide on your smartphone ✕ Excludes: NO Boyana Church visit, NO guide, headphones Important: The accompanying conductor might speak English, Italian, or Spanish, but NOT Russian
English Guided without Boyana Church
✓ Includes: English-speaking guide, smart audio in Russian ✕ Excludes: NO Boyana Church, headphones Important: The guide speaks only ENGLISH
English Guided with Boyana Church & German Smart Audio
✓ Includes: English-speaking guide, Rila Monastery, Boyana church, online audio guide in German ✕ Excludes: Boyana Church entry fee (6.99 EUR) Important: The guide might speak English but NO German, internet access, and your own headphones are required
English Guided with Boyana Church & Russian Smart Audio
✓ Includes: English-speaking guide, Rila Monastery, Boyana church, online audio guide in Russian ✕ Excludes: Boyana Church entry fee (6.99 EUR) Important: The guide speaks English but NO Russian, internet access, and your own headphones are required

Good to know

Interior visits to Boyana Church are limited to 10 minutes per group (8-10 people maximum) Queuing may be required for the Boyana church entry Boyana Church Closure dates: January 1st, Orthodox Easter Sunday, December 24th & 25th (tour visits Rila Monastery only on these dates) Boyana Church Free admission: Last Monday of each month (entrance not guaranteed due to high demand) Tour may finish late during Bulgarian holidays or with large groups

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From ancient cities to alpine peaks, we’re here for you 24/7 with local expertise and support, wherever your travels take you.
Secure your spot
Book instantly and lock in your place on one of Europe’s top-rated tours. Enjoy the best price and secure checkout so you can focus on the fun.
Get instant confirmation
Receive your e-ticket and booking summary immediately after checkout, with all meeting points and schedules included.
Easily make changes
Plans changed? No problem. Our team is just seconds away—ready to help with any adjustments quickly and smoothly.
Explore with confidence
From ancient cities to alpine peaks, we’re here for you 24/7 with local expertise and support, wherever your travels take you.

We guarantee

Your trip is protected, personalized, and priced right. No surprises, no stress.

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