Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Day Tour from Sofia
by Traventuria
Choose from 8 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.€40Overview
This full-day minibus tour lasts about 8 hours and visits two UNESCO World Heritage sites near Sofia. The tour starts at the Vasil Levski Monument with a 9:00 AM departure. Travelers ride by air-conditioned minibus through rural areas to the Rila Monastery, located deep in the Rila Mountains at 1147 meters elevation, 120 kilometers south of Sofia. At Rila Monastery, the group takes a guided tour of the medieval complex including the fresco-covered church and museum, spending around two hours there. After some free time to explore independently, the tour continues to Boyana Church on Sofia’s outskirts. This small church contains frescoes from the 11th, 13th, and 19th centuries, with the most notable dating from 1259, featuring pre-Renaissance art that shows human emotions and royal figures. Entrance fees for both sites are not included. Since November 2024, advance reservations for Boyana Church are no longer accepted, so entry cannot be guaranteed; if access is unavailable, visitors may see St. Ivan's Cave at Rila Monastery instead. The tour returns to the starting point near Vasil Levski Monument around 5:00 PM. The guide speaks English and parking fees are covered. Food, drinks, gratuities, hotel transfers, entrance fees, and optional audio guides are not included.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Vasil Levski Monument
The tour begins with departure from this location at 9:00 AM. Arrive at least 15 minutes before departure.
15 min
Boyana Church
Boyana Church is located on Sofia’s outskirts and features frescoes from the 11th, 13th, and 19th centuries. The most significant frescoes date from 1259 and show early Renaissance style, depicting human emotions, royal figures, and folklore elements outside strict Christian canon.
45 min
Rila Monastery
Rila Monastery is located 120 kilometres south of Sofia, deep in the Rila Mountain, at 1147 metres (3760 feet) above sea level. It is positioned between the Rilska and Drushliavitza Rivers. Visitors typically spend around two hours exploring the medieval complex, including the church with frescoes and the museum.
120 min
Vasil Levski Monument
Return to the original starting point at approximately 17:00.
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
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.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Day Tour from Sofia
by Traventuria
Choose from 8 available options
How do you want to book?
✓Confirmation before Wed, 9 Sept - card's only charged if it's a yes. If it's a no, still time to book on Viator.
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.€40Overview
This full-day minibus tour lasts about 8 hours and visits two UNESCO World Heritage sites near Sofia. The tour starts at the Vasil Levski Monument with a 9:00 AM departure. Travelers ride by air-conditioned minibus through rural areas to the Rila Monastery, located deep in the Rila Mountains at 1147 meters elevation, 120 kilometers south of Sofia. At Rila Monastery, the group takes a guided tour of the medieval complex including the fresco-covered church and museum, spending around two hours there. After some free time to explore independently, the tour continues to Boyana Church on Sofia’s outskirts. This small church contains frescoes from the 11th, 13th, and 19th centuries, with the most notable dating from 1259, featuring pre-Renaissance art that shows human emotions and royal figures. Entrance fees for both sites are not included. Since November 2024, advance reservations for Boyana Church are no longer accepted, so entry cannot be guaranteed; if access is unavailable, visitors may see St. Ivan's Cave at Rila Monastery instead. The tour returns to the starting point near Vasil Levski Monument around 5:00 PM. The guide speaks English and parking fees are covered. Food, drinks, gratuities, hotel transfers, entrance fees, and optional audio guides are not included.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Vasil Levski Monument
The tour begins with departure from this location at 9:00 AM. Arrive at least 15 minutes before departure.
15 min
Boyana Church
Boyana Church is located on Sofia’s outskirts and features frescoes from the 11th, 13th, and 19th centuries. The most significant frescoes date from 1259 and show early Renaissance style, depicting human emotions, royal figures, and folklore elements outside strict Christian canon.
45 min
Rila Monastery
Rila Monastery is located 120 kilometres south of Sofia, deep in the Rila Mountain, at 1147 metres (3760 feet) above sea level. It is positioned between the Rilska and Drushliavitza Rivers. Visitors typically spend around two hours exploring the medieval complex, including the church with frescoes and the museum.
120 min
Vasil Levski Monument
Return to the original starting point at approximately 17:00.
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
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.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.