Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Tour from Sofia
by City Tour Ltd.
Choose from 11 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
Rila Monastery, Bulgaria’s largest monastery founded in the 10th century, features 19th-century buildings and a 14th-century defensive tower. This full-day bus tour from Sofia lasts about 8 to 10 hours and includes visits to two UNESCO World Heritage sites. The tour begins at the Vasil Levski Monument, where the group meets before departing at 9am. At Rila Monastery, guests take a 40-minute guided walk through the complex to see its architecture and frescoes. After the tour, there are 2.5 hours of free time to explore the monastery’s museum, shops, take photos, or have lunch. The second stop is Boyana Church, dating from the 11th century, known for its well-preserved frescoes from the 11th to 14th centuries. The group has a brief guided visit limited to about 10 minutes inside due to the church’s small size, followed by time in the churchyard for photos and additional information. The bus returns to the Vasil Levski Monument at the end of the day. Transportation is by air-conditioned bus or minibus. An English-speaking guide or driver provides commentary outside the vehicle. Entrance fees to Boyana Church and the Rila Monastery museum and monk’s room are not included and must be purchased separately. Women must cover their shoulders and knees when visiting the monastery. On certain holidays Boyana Church is closed and the tour visits only Rila Monastery. The sequence of visits may vary depending on weather or other factors. For safety, intoxicated or disruptive guests may be removed without refund. Visitors are advised to bring cash for shops and bakeries near the monastery, and to bring lunch on busy summer weekends to save time.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Vasil Levski Monument
The tour meeting point is at Vasil Levski Monument, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7, at 8:40am. Departure is scheduled for 9am. Punctuality is required.
30 min
Rila Monastery
Rila Monastery is Bulgaria’s largest monastery, originally founded in the 10th century. The current buildings mainly date from the mid-19th century, and the site includes a defensive tower from the 14th century. The visit includes a 40-minute guided tour focusing on the architecture and frescoes. Afterward, there is 2.5 hours of free time to explore the museum, browse shops, take photos, or have lunch.
180 min
Boyana Church
Boyana Church dates back to the 11th century and contains unique frescoes from the 11th to 14th centuries. The guided visit inside the church is limited to 10 minutes per group due to its small size. Visitors then spend additional time in the churchyard for photos and further historical information.
30 min
Vasil Levski Monument
The tour concludes with a return by bus or van to the starting point at Vasil Levski Monument, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7.
5 min
Meeting point
The meeting point for the tour is Vasil Levski Monument, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7 . Ask for travel agency City Tour. Please be there at 8:40 am. The van/bus departs at 9am and will not wait for you if you are late.
End point
The meeting point for the tour is Vasil Levski Monument, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7 . Ask for travel agency City Tour. Please be there at 8:40 am. The van/bus departs at 9am and will not wait for you if you are late.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Tour from Sofia
by City Tour Ltd.
Choose from 11 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
Rila Monastery, Bulgaria’s largest monastery founded in the 10th century, features 19th-century buildings and a 14th-century defensive tower. This full-day bus tour from Sofia lasts about 8 to 10 hours and includes visits to two UNESCO World Heritage sites. The tour begins at the Vasil Levski Monument, where the group meets before departing at 9am. At Rila Monastery, guests take a 40-minute guided walk through the complex to see its architecture and frescoes. After the tour, there are 2.5 hours of free time to explore the monastery’s museum, shops, take photos, or have lunch. The second stop is Boyana Church, dating from the 11th century, known for its well-preserved frescoes from the 11th to 14th centuries. The group has a brief guided visit limited to about 10 minutes inside due to the church’s small size, followed by time in the churchyard for photos and additional information. The bus returns to the Vasil Levski Monument at the end of the day. Transportation is by air-conditioned bus or minibus. An English-speaking guide or driver provides commentary outside the vehicle. Entrance fees to Boyana Church and the Rila Monastery museum and monk’s room are not included and must be purchased separately. Women must cover their shoulders and knees when visiting the monastery. On certain holidays Boyana Church is closed and the tour visits only Rila Monastery. The sequence of visits may vary depending on weather or other factors. For safety, intoxicated or disruptive guests may be removed without refund. Visitors are advised to bring cash for shops and bakeries near the monastery, and to bring lunch on busy summer weekends to save time.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Vasil Levski Monument
The tour meeting point is at Vasil Levski Monument, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7, at 8:40am. Departure is scheduled for 9am. Punctuality is required.
30 min
Rila Monastery
Rila Monastery is Bulgaria’s largest monastery, originally founded in the 10th century. The current buildings mainly date from the mid-19th century, and the site includes a defensive tower from the 14th century. The visit includes a 40-minute guided tour focusing on the architecture and frescoes. Afterward, there is 2.5 hours of free time to explore the museum, browse shops, take photos, or have lunch.
180 min
Boyana Church
Boyana Church dates back to the 11th century and contains unique frescoes from the 11th to 14th centuries. The guided visit inside the church is limited to 10 minutes per group due to its small size. Visitors then spend additional time in the churchyard for photos and further historical information.
30 min
Vasil Levski Monument
The tour concludes with a return by bus or van to the starting point at Vasil Levski Monument, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7.
5 min
Meeting point
The meeting point for the tour is Vasil Levski Monument, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7 . Ask for travel agency City Tour. Please be there at 8:40 am. The van/bus departs at 9am and will not wait for you if you are late.
End point
The meeting point for the tour is Vasil Levski Monument, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7 . Ask for travel agency City Tour. Please be there at 8:40 am. The van/bus departs at 9am and will not wait for you if you are late.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.