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Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Day Trip
4.6
793 Ratings
Sofia
Embark on a UNESCO World Heritage day trip from Sofia to explore the stunning Rila Monastery and Boyana Church. Choose from guided tours or transport-only options.
Embark on a UNESCO World Heritage day trip from Sofia to explore the stunning Rila Monastery and Boyana Church. Choose from guided tours or transport-only options.
Duration:
8 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral - 09:00 departure from the starting point. Be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes before departure.
- St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral - 09:00 departure from the starting point. Be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes before departure.
What's Included
- Driver/Tour guide in English
- Transport by air-conditioned minibus
- Parking fees
- Driver/Tour guide in English
- Transport by air-conditioned minibus
- Parking fees
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Admission to Boyana Church (approx. 5 euros per person) and Rila Monastery Museum (approx. 4 euros per person)
- Audio guide in Spanish, Italian, German, Russian or English (approx. 5 euros per person)
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Admission to Boyana Church (approx. 5 euros per person) and Rila Monastery Museum (approx. 4 euros per person)
- Audio guide in Spanish, Italian, German, Russian or English (approx. 5 euros per person)
- Food and drinks
Additional Information
Explore two of Bulgaria’s UNESCO World Heritage sites on this day trip from Sofia. Travel by minibus and enjoy the scenic views of rural Bulgaria on the way to the Rila Monastery, nestled in the pine-covered Rila Mountains. Join a guided tour of this medieval marvel, featuring a church adorned with frescoes, and explore its intriguing museum. After some…
Explore two of Bulgaria’s UNESCO World Heritage sites on this day trip from Sofia. Travel by minibus and enjoy the scenic views of rural Bulgaria on the way to the Rila Monastery, nestled in the pine-covered Rila Mountains. Join a guided tour of this medieval marvel, featuring a church adorned with frescoes, and explore its intriguing museum. After some free time to wander, proceed to Boyana Church, located near Sofia, to admire its stunning pre-Renaissance frescoes. Please note that entrance fees are not included.
Important: Starting November 2024, Boyana Church no longer accepts advance reservations, so visits cannot be guaranteed. If entry is unavailable on your scheduled day, you will have the opportunity to visit St. Ivan’s Cave at Rila Monastery as an alternative.
- Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities
- Not wheelchair accessible or stroller friendly
- Comfortable walking shoes recommended
- Exceptions to the standard program:
- Boyana church will NOT be visited on the following days: 1st of January (the tour starts at 11 AM on that day only); The day of Orthodox Easter; 24th and 25th December.
- Hand disinfectant will be provided for free throughout the tour.
- All touch points in the vehicles will be cleaned frequently.
- Minimum traveler age is 5 years old
Location
St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
ploshtad "Sveti Aleksandar Nevski"
IMPORTANT: The meeting point is BEHIND Alexander Nevski Cathedral (opposite La Cattedrale restaurant) | Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/KY3uaHDALKjDJukQA | GPS coordinates: 42.695601, 23.333790 | Please, be there 15 min. in advance! | This tour is not suitable for children under the age of 5.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.6
(793 Ratings)
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1 star
Senthilvel_k
Dec 9, 2024
A Perfect Blend of Nature, History, and Hidden Gems - While the basic trip covers the monastery itself, you have the option to enhance your experience with a couple of side trips. For BGN 12, you can visit the nearby Boyana Church, a 30-minute drive from the starting point. This 13th-century gem is famous for its intricate medieval frescoes, considered a precursor to European Renaissance art.
Also, you can explore St. Ivan’s Cave, a short hike away from the monastery. The hike takes about 20 minutes along an unpaved trail, offering a serene connection to nature. The guide charges BGN 15 for this add-on experience, and it’s well worth it for the tranquil beauty and spiritual significance of the cave.
Important Tips
Carry local currency in cash. The bakery and restaurant near the monastery do not accept cards.
Review provided by Viator
Shaun_o
Dec 8, 2024
Excellent - This was worth every penny of the fee we were picked up and left on time from the centre of Sophia. Our tour guide had great English and was very knowledgeable and had some really interesting facts about the history of Bulgaria and Sophia. We stopped off at the Boya church which was well worth the extra for Les to pay to get into again our tour guide took us through and gave us an excellent summary of the history of the church which has the most amazing frescoes inside we had a beautiful hour and a half drive up the mountain and the further up we got the more it snowed it to guide give us some more facts off on throughout the drive and then when we entered the real monastery took us around and showed us all the points of interest And gave us a complete comprehensive rundown of the monastery. The restaurant was nice although the staff for Bowie there was some beautiful bits and pieces to buy from around the monastery and inside the main church was just breathtaking well worth every penny and I would recommend it to anybody visiting Sophia Five stars
Review provided by Viator
Intraordinarytravels
Nov 23, 2024
A good day tour full of history - It was a great day. I learned alot about the religious and governance history of Bulgaria. Activities were well-timed so we got explore as much on our own. I think our tour guide Liubomir (Lubo) was very personable. He seemed to love his job and so it showed in how the day went. The driver drove very carefully and safely too. I highly recommend this tour and Traventuria :)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
991sahars
Nov 23, 2024
Informative and fun - 8 hours of fun , recommended. Make sure you have cash . You will need it for lunch. Super nice tour guide also. Thank you for the whole day fun
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Annalisamarazia
Nov 18, 2024
Spectacular! - The Rila Monastery is, in my opinion, a must for those who come on holiday to Sofia. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is 120km from the capital. We booked a guided tour in Italian that explained the whole story in detail.
It is a real spectacle, frescoes on all the exterior facades of the church. Inside it is not possible to take pictures.
The oven located outside the monastery is very original, you need it from a small window and the Mekitsa is worth trying. They do not accept credit cards so bring euros or better lev
The bathrooms as mentioned by others are very few and smelly.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Claire_g
Nov 11, 2024
Fascinating destinations.... - Fascinating destinations. The fact that Boyana Church had been painted like that centuries before the Renaissance is mind-boggling. Lubo was a wonderful guide and did so well managing a large group, but being passionate about the history he was telling us about.
Review provided by Viator
Santana442
Nov 4, 2024
History in the woods - The hotel arranged for us to take a trip to Rila Monastery and Boyana Church through this tour operator. Arrived at the meeting we discover that the Italian guide is available only for the route Monastero di Rila - Grotta del Santo. We adapt to change but we couldn't make a better choice. Kamen, the guide spoke perfect Italian, told us many anecdotes about Bulgaria and the story of Giovanni di Rila.
The path through the woods in search of the really beautiful (and tiring!) Saint's rock enhanced even more by the colors of the autumn of the forest! Probably the change made with the initial choice of the Church of Boyana was apt!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jessica_d
Nov 1, 2024
A great cultural and historical experience - Clear communication at the point of booking and smooth journey to both locations. Very knowledgeable tour guide and a well planned day trip with enough time to explore independently from the group.
Review provided by Viator
Cpop1966
Oct 31, 2024
A visit to the Rila Monastery is a must! - Our guide very enthusiastic guide, Martin, masterfully lead a busload of over 50 passengers to visit the Boyana Church and the Rila Monastery. He was full of information about both sites which were stunning in their own way. Upon our return to Sofia he proceeded to provide further tips about what to see and experience in the city. It was obvious that he loves his country and enjoys sharing his knowledge with visitors. Thank you for a wonderful day Martin!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marcocara7
Nov 13, 2024
Great trip outside Sofia - It is definitely worth visiting the rila monastery, although it takes an hour and a half to go, and an hour and a half to return to Sofia. I recommend doing in addition to these two attractions also the Ivan Rilski quarry, which is your choice once you arrive at the monastery (not for children)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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