Rila Monastery & Boyana Church: Cultural Heritage

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: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Vasil Levski Monument - The tour begins at the Vasil Levski Monument, located at Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7, with a meeting time of 8:40 am. Departure is scheduled for 9 am. Punctuality is appreciated!
  • Rila Monastery - Rila Monastery is the largest monastery in Bulgaria, founded in the 10th century. The current structures date back to the mid-19th…
What's Included
  • Trip to Boyana Church and Rila Monastery
  • Transportation by comfortable bus/minibus
  • Parking fees
  • English-speaking guide or driver (depending on option)
What's Not Included
  • Boyana church entrance ticket - approx. 6 euro per person (12 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

Participate in an 8.5–10 hour guided group tour to explore two UNESCO World Heritage sites – Rila Monastery and Boyana Church. Experience a 40-minute guided tour at Rila Monastery, followed by 2.5 hours of leisure time for taking photos, visiting museums, shopping, or enjoying lunch. At Boyana Church, marvel at its remarkable 800-year-old frescoes…

Location
bul. "Yanko Sakazov" 7
bulevard "Yanko Sakazov"
The meeting point for the tour is Vasil Levski Monument, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7 . Ask for travel agency City Tour. Please be there at 8:40 am. 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
(893 Ratings)
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Rosso53
Nov 6, 2025
A little jewel in the mountains - Beautiful monastery. Both outside and inside. Rich in many very bright and colorful frescoes. Two hours drive from Sofia, and interesting route in the mountains
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Maria_r
Nov 5, 2025
Great experience, the... - Fantastic experience, the monastery is lovely inside and out. Surrounded by greenery and autumn gave us fantastic colors, smells, flavors. All senses sublimated by a mystical atmosphere.
Review provided by Viator
Lucia_d
Nov 4, 2025
UNESCO site, perfect organization - Rila is really a destination of exceptional beauty, even the church of Boyana, although much more modest has its historical charm, which the guide has expertly illustrated to us. Punctual, efficient, everything perfect.
Review provided by Viator
Nicola_p
Nov 4, 2025
Super experience... - Super recommended experience. Excellent and punctual organization. Our Veli guide was super prepared, he provided us with many details both historical and geographical, as well as giving us valid insights on the works themselves, their value and the significance of the frescoes. She was also very patient, despite a very bubbly group.
Review provided by Viator
Keith_f
Oct 29, 2025
A great full-day tour... - A great full-day tour into the mountains to Rila Monastery. The scenery up to the monastery was fabulous, with the mountains covered in snow. We had plenty of time to explore the monastery complex, and then our guide Maria gave us a tour and spoke about its history. Boyana Church is also worth a visit. You may need to wait a short time as they only allow a limited number of people in at one time. The church is small, but the frescoes are well worth a visit. A full day, but well worth it.
Review provided by Viator
G5017kfsandras
Oct 26, 2025
Well worth a visit - The monastery is breath-taking - the frescoes are amazing. Taking photos is not permitted inside the monastery or the Boyana church. Our tour guide Maria had a tranquil manner whilst imparting extensive knowledge of the monastery history. The active monastery is set against a backdrop of mountains and trees, with a bakery round the back where we bought some lovely donuts dripped in chocolate - very tasty! Both the Rila monastery and Boyana church are UNESCO world heritage sites and definitely are well worth a visit. The latter is very small and only allows 9 people in at a time, however the early frescos here tell a story of history and provide an insight to painting inspirations, expression and techniques. Not to be missed!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Allison_k
Oct 25, 2025
Great day trip to the mountains. - We really enjoyed seeing the monastery and church and thought it was a worthwhile trip from Sofia. It’s in a beautiful setting in the mountains.
Review provided by Viator
Roberto_f
Nov 9, 2025
Nice experience - Nice experience in a monastery where you can breathe the sacred and religious freedom against domination. A jewel the church of Boiana. The guide Ines described the history and art of the two places in a professional way.
Review provided by Viator
Alessandro_f
Nov 4, 2025
The bus was on time and... - The bus was punctual and clean, our guide spoke fluent Italian and was always available and attentive to the needs of the group of tourists. She dedicated herself without sparing explanations and clarifications on the visit
Review provided by Viator
James
Oct 31, 2025
Rila in the rain - Excellent guide, Maria, who both clearly knew her subject and was also genuinely passionate and invested in it, not just going through the motions. Even on a cold and wet day, the monastery is stunning and unique in my experience and I thoroughly recommend it. Good value and a well-spent day.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $23
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).