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Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Tour

8 hours

Easy

Small group guided day trip from Sofia to the Rila Monastery and Boyana Church.
Join an 8.5–10 hour guided group tour to two UNESCO sites – Rila Monastery and Boyana Church. Enjoy a 40-minute tour at Rila Monastery, followed by 2.5 hours of free time for photos, museums, shopping, or lunch. At Boyana Church, admire its stunning 800-year-old frescoes with a brief guided visit.

Note: Women must cover shoulders and knees in the monastery.

Tip: On busy summer weekends, bring lunch from Sofia to save time.

*Boyana Church is closed on Jan 1, Orthodox Easter Sunday, and Dec 24–25. On these dates, the tour visits only Rila Monastery.

This tour offers a perfect mix of cultural heritage, scenic mountain landscapes, and insightful storytelling from your professional English-speaking guide. Transport is provided by a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle, and the group size allows for a more personal experience. Ideal for history lovers and nature enthusiasts alike!
What's included?
    Transportation by a comfortable bus/ minibus
    A trip to to Boyana Chuch and Rila Monastery
    Parking fees
    English speaking guide OR driver, depending on the booked option
    Exclusions
    • Tip or gratuity
    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
    Please note
    • Public transportation nearby
    • Not wheelchair accessible
    • Not stroller accessible
    • Not suitable for pets
    • Infants must not sit on laps
    • Infant seats unavailable
    • Women should have their knees and shoulders covered in the Monastery.
    • There are not many dining options around the Monastery - there are bakeries where you can enjoy pastry. As an alternative, you can always bring your own food with you.
    • 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.
    • Please warn us if you have a 0-2 years old baby when you make the reservation so that we can prepare a special seat for them
    • The visits within the Boyana Church itself are limited to 10 minutes per every group of 8 to 10 people. If you'd like to enter inside, you may also need to queue.
    • On certain days, such as around holidays in Bulgaria, or when in groups over 100 people, delays are possible and the estimated tour finish time in Sofia could change as far as 18:30.
    • Boyana Church offers entrance FREE of charge every last Monday of each month. On such days, you will be taken to the Boyana Church, however please keep in mind that your entrance WON'T be guaranteed, especially if the Church is in high demand by other people on spot.
    • The Boyana church is closed on the 1st of January, on the Sunday of the Orthodox Easter, on the 24th of December, the 25th of December - and on such days the tour is done only to the Rila Monastery.
    • For the safety and enjoyment of all guests, any customer who appears intoxicated at the time of the tour will not be permitted to participate. In such cases, no refunds will be issued.
    • The order of visits to the Rila Monastery and Boyana Church may be adjusted due to weather conditions or circumstances beyond our control.
    What to bring