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Daily Departure! Discover two Bulgarian UNESCO wonders in a single, unforgettable day. Since 2010, this has been the original and best-selling day tour to Rila Monastery and Boyana Church. Travel in comfort and choose your perfect touring style: self-guided freedom or a guided experience. Prices start at just €25.
Rila Monastery is an absolute must-see, especially if you have a free day in Sofia. Its stunning 19th-century architecture—featuring arcaded balconies, unique frescoes by a master of the Bulgarian Revival, and a gilded iconostasis—creates an extraordinary experience, framed by fabulous mountain views.
You’ll have plenty of free time to tour the complex – admire the main church, photograph the magnificent narthex gallery, have a walk in the Rila National Park and enjoy a local delicacy: tasty mekitsi (Bulgarian donuts) served with Bulgarian yogurt.
Boyana Church – a small basilica of great importance. The frescoes inside Boyana Church revolutionised mural art, pioneering the individuality and psychological depth later seen in the Renaissance.
Meeting point: Vasil Levski Monument (Embassy of Slovakia LINK) – a detailed map will be provided with the reservation
Duration: approx. 8 hours
Tour options:
English-speaking live guide
Spanish-speaking live guide
Italian-speaking live guide
Audio guide (audio device or online) in different languages -English, Spanish, Italian, French, German, and Russian.
Drop off: Vasil Levski Monument (in front of the Embassy of Slovakia)
09:00: The trip starts from Vasil Levski Monument (Embassy of Slovakia) LINK
09:30: A planned visit to the Boyana Church (! can be rescheduled for the afternoon).
10:15: Departure for a 2-hour journey through beautiful countryside to the Rila Monastery.
12:15: Estimated time of arrival at the Monastery.
12:15 – 13:15: Guided visit to 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, 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!
ADDITIONAL DEPARTURE HOURS DURING THE HOLIDAYS!
(*Special timetables, rates and conditions apply during e.g. Easter holidays! Note that these may show differences as compared to the normal tour program as per above)
