Bulgaria Highlights: Rila Monastery and Plovdiv Tour

Experience the best of Bulgaria in just one day with a self-guided, shared shuttle tour. Visit the UNESCO Rila Monastery in the morning and explore the cultural capital of Plovdiv in the afternoon.

Duration: 12 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Rila Monastery - Explore the UNSECO Rila Monstery at your own pace
  • Plovdiv - Scroll through the culture capital of Bulgaria at your own pace. Or maybe join the free walking tour of the city. Your driver will leave you at a convenient place close to the city center for a tour of your own.
  • Rila National Park - Enjoy the stunning views of…
What's Included
  • Professional driving services
  • Shared transfers to Plovdiv city and Rila monastery by comfortable A/C minibus
  • English speaking host
  • Transportation with airconditioned vehicle
What's Not Included
  • Entrance fees (optional) Rila monastery museum : 8 BGN per person
  • Guiding services
  • Meals & personal expenses
Additional Information

Discover the highlights of Bulgaria in just one day on this independently-guided, collective shuttle excursion. The trip covers two significant spots - the UNESCO World Heritage Rila Monastery situated in the Rila National Park during the daybreak, and later in the noon, it would be the town of Plovdiv, recognized as Bulgaria’s cultural heartthrob. The…

Location
Parking „Knyaz Aleksander I Sq.“
Directions: The car parking is located at Knyaz Aleksander I square, in front of The Palace - National Art Gallery. The nearest metro station is Serdika. Vehicles have Rila Shuttle sign on the front window.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.7
(50 Ratings)
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Michelabv5772bt
Nov 19, 2024
Recommended tour! - We were very pleased with this trip! Philip was really good, always available in explanations and never intrusive.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
K4663ytmichelleg
Oct 26, 2024
Do it! - Beautiful experience, in one day you can see two completely different locations. From the monastery to Plovdiv the road is long enough, but it is absolutely worth it. Fundamental was our guide, Philip, who was able to give us valuable advice and was always available for clarification and curiosity
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Evangelina
Sep 9, 2024
DO IT! - Phillip was so amazing - everything was so well communicated and it was such a great day!! SO GOOD - Rila was first in the morning when it was very quiet! Very recommended xx
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kenneth_p
Aug 19, 2024
Excellent Experience - We didn't know much about Bulgaria before coming to Sofia. We decided to take this tour because of all the good ratings. Have to say, they were all speaking the truth. We had the same guide that the other reviews referenced. Our guide was Philip and he was a storehouse of great knowledge. He knew so much about the places we were visiting, but also gave us some great insights into Bulgaria and the recent history from Communism to Democracy. Our driver was excellent and was a very pleasant guy to be around at all the stops. I will say, this is a VERY LONG day. Out of 12+ hours, 6 - 7 are in the mini bus on the road between the places. So prepare. Philip was amazing with sending early suggestions and information with a WhatsApp group text. He also didn't talk the whole trip over the microphone which allowed people to doze off whoever wanted. He provided a ton of information on the whatsapp thread, as well as suggestions for lunch and different places to go. Wouldn't hesitate in the slightest to recommend Philip. Just be prepared for the long journey, but it will pay off in amazing pictures and experiences.
Review provided by Viator
946katinkae
Aug 1, 2024
Would recommend - Very good and enjoyable trip to the mountains and to experience the beautiful monastery. It was a great opportunity to meet people and the guide and driver were both very polite and helpful :)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
321xl
Jul 5, 2024
Very best trip - My guide was Philip and company is Rila Shuttle . I enjoyed the Plovdiv town and Rila monastery very much. The guide was very very nice and friendly. He was super kind to all the tourists. Make sure we understand everything. The tour was perfect and super easy. I enjoyed it very much. Thank you Philip!! Shell
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sara_f
Nov 25, 2024
Amazing - I recommend this trip that allows you to see the most important things in the surroundings of Sofia in one day. The guide Philip was very professional and clear.
Review provided by Viator
Huijbens57
Sep 10, 2024
Interesting day to get a feeling of the countryside of Bulgaria - We liked the tour and the tour guide (Philip) very much. Although we had to travel quite some time, is was interesting to see the countryside of Bulgaria. And all the information we received was interesting and never boring, or too long.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alexct5386vx
Aug 13, 2024
Nice but I wouldn't do it again - Friendly and helpful staff for a definitely interesting experience, but at the same time very tiring. Maybe too much: 4 hours of sightseeing and over 8 hours by bus (on the ruined roads very badly), make this experience quite tiring. The two places visited are extremely touristic and commercial. However, the journey into rural Bulgaria remains interesting. Without detracting from this experience, my Recommendation is to visit the two destinations more calmly.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
284alessioa
Aug 19, 2024
Scam. They advertise one thing, they offer another one in reality. - The tour does not pass in the advertised places. Check other options as you won’t get your money back when the driver decides to not go some places.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
December 2024
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