USE CODE TOUR10 for a 10% DISCOUNT on your tour! Prices start from €24 *Limited time offer!
- Daily departure! Discover two Bulgarian UNESCO World Heritage Sites in a single, unforgettable day.
- The original: This has been the original and best-selling day tour to Rila Monastery and Boyana Church since 2010.
- Flexible style & different itineraries: choose your perfect touring itinerary and style: self-guided freedom or a fully guided experience.
- Travel in comfort and immerse yourself in art, history and nature!
- Enjoy plenty of free time to explore the main church, walk in the adjacent Rila National Park, take stunning photos, and try a local delicacy: tasty mekitsi (Bulgarian donuts) served with yogurt.
Rila Monastery is an absolute must-see and the crown jewel of Bulgarian heritage. Its stunning 19th-century architecture creates an extraordinary atmosphere, framed by fabulous mountain views. Enjoy the unique splendor of the complex, from its graceful arcaded balconies to the gilded iconostasis, and learn about the vivid frescoes painted by masters of the Bulgarian Revival.
Boyana Church is a small basilica of immense global significance, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its frescoes, painted in 1259, are considered groundbreaking, as they revolutionized mural art by pioneering the individuality and psychological depth that later defined the Italian Renaissance. Due to the need to preserve these priceless murals, entrance is strictly regulated, allowing a maximum of 8 visitors per 10-minute slot. Ensure your visit by booking our tour well in advance.
Meeting point: Vasil Levski Monument (Embassy of Slovakia LINK) – a detailed map will be provided with your reservation.
Duration: approx. 8 hours
Tour language options:
Live guided tour: English, Spanish or Italian (depending on the option selected)
Self-guided tour (audio guide): English, Spanish, Italian, French, German, and Russian.
Tour itinerary options:
– Rila Monastery & Boyana Church
– Rila Monastery & St. Ivan Rilski Cave (art, history and a nature walk)
– Rila Monastery, Boyana Church and Dragalevtsi Monastery (intensive, but worth every second trip)
09:00: The trip starts from Vasil Levski Monument (Embassy of Slovakia) LINK
09:30: A planned visit to the Boyana Church. The visit can be rescheduled for the afternoon. The entrance fee is not included in the tour package.
10:15: Departure for a 2-hour journey through beautiful Bulgarian countryside to the Rila Monastery.
12:15: Estimated time of arrival at the monastery.
12:15 – 13:15: Tour of the monastery
13:15 – 14:45: Free time for lunch or further explorations of the area on your own.
14:45-15:00: Departure from Rila Monastery and head back to Sofia.
16:30-17:30: Approximate time of arrival at Vasil Levski Monument (Embassy of Slovakia) meeting point
Please note that all of the timetables are approximate and are subject to change, depending on the size of the group and the traffic along the way.
Price: From 25 euros per person
Service variations:
TRANSPORT ONLY/NO BOYANA – return transportation service (stop by Boyana church is not always part of the itinerary)
ENGLISH GUIDED/NO BOYANA – with an English-speaking guide (visit to Boyana church is NOT included)
SPANISH GUIDED/NO BOYANA – with an English-speaking guide (visit to Boyana church is NOT included)
ITALIAN GUIDED/NO BOYANA – with an English-speaking guide (visit to Boyana church is NOT included)
SMART AUDIO/NO BOYANA – with online audio guide on your smartphone (internet and headphones required; visit to Boyana church is NOT included)
HARDWARE AUDIO + BOYANA – with an audioguide device (headphones provided);
ENGLISH GUIDED + BOYANA – with an English-speaking guide
&DRAGALEVTSI GUIDED – with an English-speaking guide and extension to Dragalevtsi Monastery;
&DRAGALEVTSI SMART – with online audio guide on your smartphone and extension to Dragalevtsi Monastery
RILA MONASTERY & MELNIK – with an English-speaking guide and extension to the town of Melnik (visit to Boyana church is NOT included).More info HERE
Admission fees (not included): 4 EUR pp for Rila Monastery Museum (optional), 7 EUR pp for Boyana Church
The price includes: All transportation along the route, services as per variation, VAT, and parking fees.
Please note:
- Wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking.
- A strict dress code is imposed and should be respected. Clothing should cover the shoulders for both men and women. Women are advised to avoid wearing short skirts or shorts.”
- The tour is not suitable for disabled people.
- The tour is not recommended for children under 6 years old.
- If you are travelling with a child, a separate seat (ticket) must be booked.
- Please get in touch with us to arrange a booster seat (as required by law)
Private Tour option available, please contact us for details!
