From Sofia: Rila Monastery & Boyana Church Day Tour

4.6
(849 reviews)

8 hours (approximately)
Offered in: German and 7 more

Discover two of Bulgaria’s UNESCO World Heritage gems on this day trip from Sofia. Traveling by minibus, admire rural Bulgaria on route to the Rila Monastery in the pine-carpeted Rila Mountains. Take a guided tour of the medieval treasure with its fresco-coated church, and visit its fascinating museum. Then, after time to explore independently, continue to Boyana Church, near Sofia, to marvel at its spectacular pre-Renaissance frescoes. Entrance fees not included.

Important: As of November 2024, Boyana Church now does not take reservations in advance, so we can not guarantee all visits. If entry is unavailable on your booked day, you will be able to visit St. Ivan's Cave at Rila Monastery as an alternative.

What's Included

Driver/Tour guide in English
Transport by air-conditioned minibus
Parking Fees
Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Audio guide in Spanish, Italian, German, Russian or English (approx. 5 euros per person)
Food and drinks
Rila Monastery Museum
Boyana Church

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

IMPORTANT: The meeting point is next to the Vasil Levski Monument, in front of the Embassy of Slovakia. Please be there 15 minutes in advance. This tour is not suitable for children under the age of 5.

End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Duration: 8 hours (approximately)
  • 1
    Vasil Levski Monument

    09:00 departure from the starting point. Be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes before departure.

    15 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 2
    Boyana Church

    Boyana Church is a small temple at the outskirts of Sofia with frescoes dating back to three separate periods: 11th, 13th and 19th century. The most important and fascinating are the frescoes dating from 1259. They are Renaissance frescoes that predate the Italian Renaissance (triggered by the works of Giotto) and brake the strict Christian canon law to present pure human emotions, royal figures and folklore elements.

    45 minutes Admission ticket not included
  • 3
    Rila Monastery

    Rila Monastery is one of Bulgaria’s symbols and a popular tourist destination. The monastery is set deep in the heart of Rila Mountain, between the Rilska and Drushliavitza Rivers, at 1147 metres (3760 feet) above sea level. It is situated 120 kilometres south of Sofia.

    2 hours Admission ticket free
  • Vasil Levski Monument (Pass by)

    Return to the starting point at approximately 17:00

    Admission ticket free

Additional info

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • 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.
Supplied by Traventuria

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Tags

Day Trips
Full-day Tours
Bus Tours
Audio Guides
Cultural Tours
Historical Tours
Car Tours
Excellent Quality
Best Conversion
Additional fees
Top Product
Low Supplier Cancellation Rate
Low Last Minute Supplier Cancellation Rate
Curated Catalog
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

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

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Rating

4.6 Based on 849 849 reviews
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