Small Group Tour to Rila Monastery and Boyana Church

Recommended by 97% of travelers

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Sofia, Bulgaria

Great choice

5+ bookings last month.

7 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Group discounts
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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From Sofia Rila Monastery with Boyana Church or St. Ivan’s Cave

Sofia, Bulgaria

4.6

(1,008)

From Sofia Rila Monastery with Boyana Church or St. Ivan’s Cave

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Plovdiv Small Group Full Day Guided Tour from Sofia

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Full Day Tour Rila Monastery St. Ivan's Grave

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Overview

Leave the crowds of Sofia behind for the day and take a small group tour to Rila Monastery and Boyana Church. Relax as comfortable transportation takes you from the city and into the scenic Bulgarian countryside. Discover 10th-century medieval history at Rila Monastery, then see some of the best preserved Orthodox frescoes in Europe at the Boyana Church. Enjoy immersive guided visits at both UNESCO sites, along with free admission.

Visit two Bulgarian UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Travel comfortably by provided transportation
Get complimentary entrance to both attractions
Discover the beauty of the Bulgarian countryside

What's Included

Professional guide
Hotel pickup and drop-off
All Fees and Taxes
Air-conditioned vehicle

Food and drinks

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

We pick up all of our clients from any point in the center of Sofia

Start time
.8:30 am

Itinerary

Rila Monastery

4 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Boyana Church

3 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Near public transportation

Infant seats available
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
We understand your concerns in relation to COVID 19, therefore we've taken the needed measures for you to feel safe. All our guides and drivers go through regular medical checks, wear masks during the tours and in each vehicle, we have a disinfectant spray. Furthermore due to the situation nowadays we organize tours only for small groups (up to 7 persons) and we have the option for private tours.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Johanna_C

Our guide, Ilian, was amazing! He knew so much about EVERYTHING - not only the history of Boyana Church and Rila Monastery, but about the history of Bulgaria in general. The drive flew by because we were talking the whole time. The sites were beautiful and fascinating. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

Reviews

4.9

based on 29 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

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Sort by: Most insightful

Must do.

arnold_N, Sep 2026

The tour was fantastic. Joseph and his mom were very knowledgeable and helpful in everything. The monastery was beautiful and the church was one of the kind.

A+ Tour and Experience

Wake_G, Aug 2026

Fantastic experience! I learned so much about the history of the Monastery, the churches, and Bulgaria as a whole. I really enjoyed my day and it was perfect!

The ONLY Way to see Rila and Boyana.

Alan_W, Apr 2026

From start to finish the trip was flawless. Pickup in a comfortable van with our driver/guide Dimo. He guided us through both sites giving detailed historical background and thorough guiding in the sites themselves. Our day went very rapidly as he was so organized for our small group. The tour is a must do if staying in Sofia and we would recommend Dimo without reservation.

Incredible tour!

Johanna_C, Dec 2025

Mountain drive to the Monestary

Mary_J, Nov 2025

It is about a 2 hour drive to to get to Rila Monestary with the last 45 minutes on a windy mountain road. The only thing to see is the Monestary, which is not that big, so be sure to go to the museum to extend your visit. The day we were there most vendors were closed, it was a fairly short visit. We then drove back towards Sofia to the Boylan church, which had interesting frescoes. Again, a short visit and we were back by 3pm.

Response from Host, Dec 2025

Dear Mary, Thank you for sharing your honest impressions. The drive to Rila Monastery is indeed long, with the final mountain stretch adding to the experience, and the monastery itself can feel like a shorter visit unless you include the museum, which we always recommend. Boyana Church is always a brief stop because only small groups are allowed inside for about eight minutes at a time to protect the frescoes, which also explains the early return to Sofia. We appreciate your feedback and are glad you enjoyed the main highlights. Our small-group approach and knowledgeable guides aim to make the journey comfortable and meaningful, and we’d be happy to welcome you again.

Incredible locations and a wonderful guide

Heather_M, Jun 2025

Daniel was amazing as our tour guide! He was so knowledgeable about the locations that we visited. We loved learning the history. It was easy to see that he loves his country and the culture and was excited to share this with us. Thank you Daniel for such a wonderful experience.

A great experience at Rila Monastery and Boyana Church

SUZANNE_K, May 2024

Set high up in the mountains the Rila Monastery has a fascinating history and offers much to explore. The Boyana church, while ancient and very small in size and permits entry to only 8 persons at a time, is built in 3 distinct phases, which make for very interesting viewing, both from within and externally. Overall, visiting the Monastery and the Church, was a great experience.

Orthodox

ELIZABETH_L, Sep 2023

Maria was great! She did a great job explaining all about the two UNESCO sites on this tour. She even took us to an amazing restaurant.

Day Trip

Jacinta_B, Jun 2023

Beautiful monastery and interesting history shared by our guide Todo, whom was very informative, knowledgeable and his humour made the experience all the more pleasant.

Rila Mountains

martyn_B, May 2023

Good tour but our guide decided to do their own thing and take us on a hike to see a cave. Not great for those with walking difficulties. This delayed everything. No lunch until 4pm. Did not return to hotel until after 7pm. Long day. Also we should have had a coach. We ended up on a school bus with no air conditioning. However, the mountains were beautiful.

Response from Host, May 2023

Dear traveler, I am sure that school buses do not have luxury leather seats, media screens, and 2 A/C systems (they work perfectly). Every seat has separate ventilation and yours could have been closed. I am sure if you have asked your guide or driver they would have helped you. Regarding the visit to the cave, according to our guide, it was decided after a discussion with all travelers and it was an extra site that you have visited. It was a compliment from us. Sorry that you have not liked it and it was difficult for you but it was not a last moment chaotic decision of the guide.

Good bulgarian expierence

Klaus_P, May 2023

The Guide was really nice and a good Driver, also speaking very good english and he gave us good information about the visited places.

Very special wonderful tour

Julie_S, Apr 2023

Great guide Adrian. So knowledgable, patient, knows so much history. Rila is a very special beautiful place. Awesome tour

The complete perfect package with history and wonders.

Joby_V, Apr 2023

This is the perfect trip for the people who loves wonders, history, nature, forest, mountain, adventure etc.. If you are in Bulgaria, you should must see Rila Monastery. Actually Inside the monastery are the wonders and surprises. Don't forget to visit the original old monastery and the cave 20 minutes upward walk in the mountain. The guide Maria was with an exceptional wonderful personality. We have been to more than 60 (Sixty) countries and we remember very few guides - Maria is in our heart.

Nice time

Jessica_N, Feb 2023

Great tour! Just the 3 of us! It was nice to get out if the city & see the countryside. Rila is amazing & picturesque.

Exceeds expectations

Antonio_G, May 2026

Although it is already known that these two places are World Heritage Sites and therefore an attractive experience is expected, the beauty of the Monastery and the exceptional nature of the Church is surprising.

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