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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
Features
  • Free cancellation available
  • 9h+
  • 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 10 hours10h
    10h
  • English

Download our Smart Guide App on your smartphone in English, Spanish, Italian, Bulgarian, Russian, Romanian, German, French, and Chinese. Explore at your own pace with a fast, stable internet connection required for the best experience.

Starting time: 9:00am
Price details
$27.94 x 1 Adult$27.94

Total
Price is $27.94
Live English guide Rila & Boyana tour (Guaranteed Every Day)
  • 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 6.00 EUR)

Language options: English
Starting time: 9:00am
Price details
$40.75 x 1 Adult$40.75

Total
Price is $40.75
Live Spanish guide Rila & Boyana tour (Guaranteed Every Day)
  • 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
$40.75 x 1 Adult$40.75

Total
Price is $40.75

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. 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