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Sofia: Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Tour

By City Tour Sofia
9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
Free cancellation available
Price is $28 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 | 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 with Online Audio Guide (No Tour Guide)
  • Activity duration is 9 hours9h
    9h
  • English

Download our Online Audio Guide in your chosen language! See both UNESCO sites Rila Monastery & Boyana Church.
☆ Includes: Transport, Rila & Boyana, Smart Guide Access
★ Excludes: Live guide
✮ Requires: SMARTPHONE DEVICE & INTERNET CONNECTION

Starting time: 9:00am
Price details
$27.76 x 1 Adult$27.76
Total
Price is $27.76
Rila Monastery Only Guided Tour (English Guide/No Boyana)
  • Activity duration is 8 hours and 30 minutes8h 30m
    8h 30m
  • English

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

Language options: English
Starting time: 8:57am
Price details
$34.70 x 1 Adult$34.70
Total
Price is $34.70
Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Tour in Italian
  • Activity duration is 9 hours9h
    9h
  • Italian

Discover the original tour to Rila Monastery & Boyana Church! See 2 unique UNESCO sites in just one day!
☆Includes: Italian-speaking guide, Rila Monastery, Boyana Church
★Excludes: Boyana Church entry fee (local payment of 6.00 EUR)

Language options: Italian
Starting time: 8:50am
Price details
$40.49 x 1 Adult$40.49
Total
Price is $40.49
ENGLISH Guide: Rila & Boyana + BONUS (★ TOP DEAL ★)
  • Activity duration is 9 hours9h
    9h
  • Bulgarian

Our tour to Rila Monastery & Boyana Church with an ENGLISH tour guide + BONUS service - our Online Audio Guide in your chosen language!
☆ RO, RU, BG, DE, FR, CN, PL, PT or UA
✮ SMARTPHONE & STABLE INTERNET CONNECTION REQUIRED FOR PROPER FUNCTION

Starting time: 9:00am
Price details
$40.49 x 1 Adult$40.49
Total
Price is $40.49
Rila Monastery & Cave of St. John (English Guide/No Boyana)
  • Activity duration is 8 hours and 30 minutes8h 30m
    8h 30m
  • English

An unforgettable cultural experience with a professional English-speaking guide. Discover Rila Monastery and the Cave of Saint John.
☆ Includes: Guided tour in English , transport, free time
★ Excludes: Boyana Church, meals, personal expenses

Language options: English
Starting time: 9:00am
Price details
$40.49 x 1 Adult$40.49
Total
Price is $40.49
Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Tour in English (Everyday)
  • Activity duration is 9 hours9h
    9h
  • English

Discover the original tour to Rila Monastery & Boyana Church! See 2 unique UNESCO sites in just one day!
☆Includes: English-speaking guide, Rila Monastery, Boyana Church
★Excludes: Boyana Church entry fee (local payment of 6.00 EUR)

Language options: English
Starting time: 9:00am
Price details
$40.49 x 1 Adult$40.49
Total
Price is $40.49
Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Tour in Spanish (Everyday)
  • Activity duration is 9 hours9h
    9h
  • Spanish

Discover the original tour to Rila Monastery & Boyana Church! See 2 unique UNESCO sites in just one day!
☆Includes: Spanish-speaking guide, Rila Monastery, Boyana Church
★Excludes: Boyana Church entry fee (local payment 6.00 EUR)

Language options: Spanish
Starting time: 9:00am
Price details
$40.49 x 1 Adult$40.49
Total
Price is $40.49

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's included
    Day trip to Rila Monastery and Boyana Church
  • What's includedWhat's included
    English-speaking guide or driver, depending on the booked option
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Transportation with an air-conditioned vehicle
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Entry to Boyana Church (12 BGN per person)
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Entry to Rila Monastery Museums (optional visit during the free time)
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Food and drinks
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Tips

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 | 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. The bus/ van has a City Tour sign and our guides usually wear blue.
    • 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 09:00. Please be there at 08:35.
    • 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 | The meeting point for the tour is Vasil Levski Monument, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7. The bus/ van will have a sign City Tour and our guides usually wear blue clothes.
    • Sofia, Sofia City Province, Bulgaria
  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    • Sofia Center, bul. "Yanko Sakazov" 7, 1527 Sofia, Bulgaria | The meeting point is Vasil Levski Monument, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7. Look for the 'City Tour" guide, the guides are dressed in blue.
    • 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.
    • Sofia, Sofia City Province, Bulgaria