From Sofia: Rila Monastery and Plovdiv Day Trip

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: 1 day learn more
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 Rila National park while at the Rila monastery.
  • Rila Mountains - Enoy the stunning views of the Rila Mountains
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 shuttle service in the morning will drive you to the Rila Monastery, offering you more than an hour to independently explore the location. The area is not extensive, thus the duration is sufficient to view its vital features. Afterward, in the afternoon, the communal shuttle winds through Bulgaria’s picturesque mountains for a 3.5-hour journey to reach Plovdiv town - an often frequented cultural and historic attraction in the country. You accrue over 4.5 hours to independently explore the historic town center. The driver is equipped with a tourist map and notable sightseeing suggestions.

  • A dress code is required to enter the Rila Monastery. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
  • A moderate amount of walking is involved in the city of Plovdiv
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • The duration of transfers are approximate, the exact duration will depend on the time of day and traffic conditions
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
4.8
(46 Ratings)
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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
Corradob217
Jun 16, 2024
Amazing experience - Amazing experience! Rila monastery in an amazing place. The guide, Philip, was very professional and kind. I recommend this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cptbenyo
May 28, 2024
Truly amazing experience - It was truly amazing! Everything was organised prefectly, and the time was enough for both places. Due to the weekend we arrived in the early moarning at the Rila Monastery and it was a good because we got there before the tourists. Philip was very kind and funny, he even lent me 20 bgn at the monastery when I told him I forgot to withdraw cash. I recommend this trip for everyone!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
419geoffreyo
May 20, 2024
Perfect Tour - This was the perfect tour for us because our guide Philip explained in detail all of the options at each location and we could pick and choose based on our interests. A long but very enjoyable day - lots of great memories! We could not have asked for a better guide or driver. 5 out of 5!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jemsunit
May 16, 2024
Really recommend it, beautiful tour! - "Rila Shuttle" was very a good option for our tour from Sofia to Rila Monastery and Plovdiv city. Everything was on time, well organized and we had enough time to see all the locations without many tourists. A special mention to Philip, our tour leader of the day: he was very professional and very kind (he answered to all my hundred questions). :-)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Veronikae865
Apr 27, 2024
Must see attractions while in Sofia, Bulgaria. - The combo visit to the monastery and the city of Plovdiv is a great compromise if you only have one day in Sofia. I would have liked another half hour at the monastery and a minimum of 2 more hours in the city. Philip was a good tour manager who communicated with the whole group via WhatsApp during the tour. He also provided good historical info on the monastery and Plovdiv while we were in the bus.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jeff_h
Apr 26, 2024
A great day - Excellent day to see Rila Monastery and Bulgaria’s second largest city - Plovdiv. Phillip, our host was clear with his communication and the two locations we visited were really interesting. I would highly recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Elit481
Apr 26, 2024
Super recommended excursion - The monastery is beautiful and Plovdiv has its charm. The excursion is very well organized, the guide is very friendly and explains everything perfectly.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
169vitoi
Apr 28, 2024
Very interesting trip - The guide and driver were very friendly and professional. I really appreciated the warnings and descriptions of places to visit written in the whatsapp group created by the organiser
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dantò
Apr 27, 2024
Excellent trip - Excellent trip, everything on time. Clean van, perfect driver guide. Filip was kind and professional. The monastery is a place worth visiting, enchanted!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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