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Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Shuttle Day Tour

8 hours

Easy

Small group guided day trip from Sofia to the Rila Monastery and Boyana Church.
Enjoy a day in the mountains by exploring 2 UNESCO sites - the Rila Monastery and the Boyana church. The 8-hour day tour will be with a group and a professional guide in English. In the monastery, you will have a 40-minute guided tour and 2,5 hours free time to make photos, check the museums and the shops, and have lunch. The visit of the Boyana church, although short, is definitely worth since you will see its amazing 800-years old frescoes and learn their history from your guide!

*Women should have their knees and shoulders covered in the monastery!
*If your tour is on a weekend day during the summer, the restaurants could be crowded so you can bring your own food from Sofia in order to have more free time and the monastery.
*The Boyana church is closed on the 1st of January, on the Sunday of the Orthodox Easter, on the 24th of December, 25th of December - and on such days the tour is done only to the Rila Monastery.
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.
    What to bring