Small Group Tour to Rila Monastery and Boyana Church | 7 hours

13 Reviews | Sofia
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2
Child (3-11) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 2
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Free Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Small Group Tour to Rila Monastery and Boyana Church
2 Adults x $100.86
$201.72
Approx Total
$201.72
Pickup included

Inclusions / Exclusions

  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Professional guide
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • All Fees and Taxes
  • Food and drinks

Overview

Situated deep in the dense pine forests of Rila Mountain, Rila Monastery is the biggest and most important Orthodox cloister in Bulgaria.It is an outstanding example of the Bulgarian cultural and historical heritage, in which architecture and painting merge harmoniously. The site is part of the UNESCO World Heritage list. Rila Monastery was founded in the 10th century by St Ivan Rilski, a hermit canonized by the Orthodox Church. His ascetic dwelling and tomb became a holy place and later on, a monastic complex was formed. It played an important role in the spiritual and social life of medieval Bulgaria. After the guided visit to the Monastery complex and lunch, we will head back to Sofia. On the way, we will stop at the second UNESCO site for the day Boyana church. Small but unique with the most preserved frescoes from 1259 in this part of Europe. The tour will end with drop-off at your hotel/accommodation.

Itinerary

  • Rila Monastery

    At 8:30 AM, we embark from Sofia on a journey to one of Bulgaria’s most sacred and breathtaking sites, the Rila Monastery. As we leave the city behind, the landscape transforms into lush forests and towering peaks, offering a scenic drive through the heart of Bulgaria's natural beauty. Upon arrival at the monastery, you’ll immediately feel the tranquility of this ancient place. Founded in the 10th century by St. Ivan of Rila, the monastery stands as a beacon of Bulgarian Orthodoxy and culture. Inside the church, you’ll have the chance to marvel at the rich iconography and the famous gilded iconostasis, a masterpiece of Bulgarian craftsmanship. The peaceful atmosphere of the monastery is enhanced by the sound of nature, with birds singing and a nearby river gently flowing, creating the perfect environment for reflection. Before we leave this magical place, you’ll have some free time to wander the surrounding area.

    4 hours

  • Boyana Church

    After exploring the Rila Monastery, we continue our journey to another of Bulgaria's UNESCO World Heritage sites—the Boyana Church, located just outside Sofia. Nestled at the foot of Vitosha Mountain, this small yet extraordinary church is famed for its 13th-century frescoes, which are among the most significant examples of medieval art in Europe. Upon arrival, you'll be captivated by the intricate and vibrant frescoes inside, depicting saints and biblical scenes with stunning detail and human emotion, a rare artistic achievement from that time. These paintings are considered a precursor to the Renaissance, offering a unique glimpse into Bulgaria’s rich cultural heritage. After absorbing the beauty and history of this hidden gem, you’ll have a moment to enjoy the peaceful surroundings of the Boyana village before returning to Sofia. This stop completes a day rich with art, history, and spiritual significance.

    3 hours

Sample Menu

Additional Info

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • We understand your concerns in relation to COVID 19, therefore we've taken the needed measures for you to feel safe. All our guides and drivers go through regular medical checks, wear masks during the tours and in each vehicle, we have a disinfectant spray. Furthermore due to the situation nowadays we organize tours only for small groups (up to 7 persons) and we have the option for private tours.

Free Cancellation

June 19100% refund
June 20No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews

4.8

13 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
  • 5 stars
    12
  • 4 stars
    0
  • 3 stars
    1
  • 2 stars
    0
  • 1 star
    0

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-5 of 12 reviews with 5 stars

Definitely something to see

Published on May, 2025

Both the monastery and church were amazing! Our guide was very knowledgable and accomodating. He gave us enough time to see everything we wanted. It was well worth it!

Fantastic day out

Published on May, 2025

Maria was a fantastic tour guide and driver. She picked me up and dropped me off directly at my accommodation. There was only myself and one other person on the tour, making it a relaxed and informal experience. Maria provided guided tours and detailed explanations at both sites, as well as chatting to us about our lives and Bulgarian culture in general. I appreciated that she avoided queues and traffic as much as possible. Both sites were were fascinating and well worth the visit. The food at the lunch spot was tasty and affordable. I wholly recommend this tour.

Great Guide, Great day

Published on Apr, 2025

Our overall experience was great. Our guide Daniel was friendly, efficient, on time and well informed. The treats at the monastery were delicious. The convenience of being picked up and dropped of at at accommodation was a real bonus. Thanks for a great day Daniel!

Well-organized tour

Published on Mar, 2025

The guide was very kind and shared many interesting stories about Sofia and the tour sites. Considering it was a small group tour with entrance fees for both the museum and the church included, I felt the price was very reasonable. It was a great experience overall.

Perfect trip

Published on Jun, 2024

What a perfect private tour of Rila monastery and Boyana church. This was just a tour with 2 people and the guide. The guide was really relaxed and made the trip about us and what we wanted to see. This made us feel relaxed and made it more a conversation that just a typical tour. We went for lunch at this perfect ‘non tourist’ spot by the river which was a highlight of the day also. All round, I’d recommend this to anyone wanting a great day exploring while it not feeling touristy.

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