Save

Rila Monastery and Boyana Church: A UNESCO Sites Shuttle Day Tour Experience

4.7

501 Ratings

Sofia

Embark on a captivating 8-hour day tour to the Rila Monastery and Boyana Church, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Explore ancient frescoes, learn their history, and enjoy free time in the picturesque mountains.

Duration: 8 hours

Cancellation: 1 day learn more

Highlights

St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral - The meeting point for the tour is Behild Alexander Nevsky Cathedral at 8:45. The departure is at 9am. Please be on time!

What's Included

Visit Boyana Church and Rila Monastery
Travel in comfort with a minibus
Parking fees included
Choose an English-speaking guide or driver

What's Not Included

Boyana church entrance ticket - approx. 5 euro per person (10 lev)
Rila Monastery museum + monk room entrance ticket - approx. 4 euro per person (8 lev)
Food and drinks
Gratuities
Hotel pick up and drop off

Additional Information

Experience a day amidst the mountains touring 2 UNESCO heritage sites - Rila Monastery and Boyana Church. This full-day tour of 8 hours, conducted in English, is organized for a group led by a professional guide. Your time at the monastery will include a 40-minute guided tour and you will be given 2.5 hours of free time for photography, visiting museums and shops, and for your lunch. Despite the brief visit to Boyana Church, it is undeniably worthwhile as you get to see centuries-old (800 years old) wall-paintings and understand their historical significance from your guide.

For women, it’s mandatory to have their knees and shoulders covered within the monastery! On summer weekends, the restaurants might be bustling, so bringing your own meal from Sofia is suggested for additional free time at the monastery.
*The Boyana Church remains closed on January 1st, Orthodox Easter Sunday, and December 24th and 25th, hence on these days, the tour is restricted only to Rila Monastery.

Women should have their knees and showders covered in the monastery.
There are not many dining options around the monastery, so in the period April – October we recommend you to bring your own food. In the period November – March we organize a stop at a nearby restaurant, since the weather is colder and it is not comfortable to eat outside.
Bring cash with you (preferably local currency) – the shops and the restaurants in the area of the monastery accept mostly cash payments so it is important to have some money with you.

Location

Rila Monastery Trip from Sofia

ulitsa "Oborishte"

The meeting point for the tour is BEHIND Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, near to cafe La Cathedrale. Ask for travel agency City Tour. Please be there at 8:45am. The van/bus departs at 9am and will not wait for you if you are late.

Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings

4.7

(501 Ratings)

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Bill_w

Apr 23, 2024

Well worth the visit - This was easy to book, and the host was excellent, very knowledgeable and spoke very good English. We had plenty of time after the informative details of what we were seeing to explore around on our own. The visit was exactly as described. Good value for money particularly as this is a difficult place to visit if you don't hire a car.

Review provided by Viator

Johannaru9659oy

Apr 22, 2024

Super historical input - The tour was really well organised and full of interesting information. Antonio knows so much about the history of both places and is capable of sharing his knowledge lively. I also enjoyed seeing Bulgaria's nature during the trip. Definitely recommendable!