Day trip from Sofia to Rila Monastery and Boyana Church

Monuments

Sofia, Bulgaria

Free Cancellation

Language: English

Mobile voucher accepted

Duration: 8 Hours

Instant Confirmation

Guided Tour

e-Voucher

Group Tour

Do this because

You'll visit two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in one day trip from Sofia

You'll discover the Boyana Church with its remarkable medieval frescoes

At the Rila Monastery, you'll have free time to explore at your own pace

You'll be accompanied by an expert tour guide throughout the journey

What to expect

Join a day trip from Sofia to visit two of Bulgaria's UNESCO World Heritage Sites—the Rila Monastery and Boyana Church.The journey begins with a guided tour of the Boyana Church. Its frescoes represent a turning point in mural painting and are considered as precursors to the European Renaissance. Over 240 figures are depicted within these murals, each brimming with individuality, vitality, and psychological depth.Next, you'll head to the Rila Monastery, a sight not to be missed when visiting Sofia. Surrounded by beautiful mountain views, the monastery features arcade balconies, gilded iconostasis, and distinctive frescoes, crafted by one of Bulgaria's most celebrated Revival Period painters. You'll have 2 hours of free time to explore the monastery at your own pace. Step into the main church to photograph the narthex’s gallery, and take a moment to appreciate the exhibits in the monastery's history museum.Afterwards, you'll have time to enjoy lunch, sampling the local speciality of mekitsi (Bulgarian donuts) with buffalo’s milk, or take a leisurely stroll around the area before embarking on the return journey to Sofia.

What's included

Guided tour

Transportation in air-conditioned vehicle

Parking

Multilingual audio commentary

What's not included

Food and drinks

Entrance fees

What to remember

Accessibility:

Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking difficulties

Not wheelchair accessible or stroller friendly

Not allowed:

Shorts, short skirts, and see-through clothing are not permitted

Pets are not allowed

Extra fees to be paid on-site:

Entry to Boyana Church of €7 per person

Entry to Rila Monastery Museum of €4 per person (optional)

Know in advance:

Boyana Church will not be visited on the following dates: 18 May, 19 April, 24 and 25 December

Minimum age to join this tour is 5

An English-speaking tour guide will accompany you throughout the day. Audio guides are available in English, Spanish, Italian, French, German, and Russian. Internet connection is required to download and use the audio guide

Entry to Rila Monastery is free of charge

Remember to bring:

Warm clothes even during summer and comfortable walking shoes

Headphones if you plan on using the audio guide

Cash for personal expenses

Provider

Traventuria Ltd.

Booking Fee

Good news! No extra fees are applied to this booking.

Cancellation Fee

Receive a 100% refund if you cancel up to 1 day before the experience begins

Where

Sofia Center, бул. &bdquo;Янко Сакъзов“ 9, 1527 Sofia, Bulgaria

Meeting point:

The trip starts from Embassy of Slovakia, next to the Vasil Levski Monument. Please arrive at the meeting point at least 15 minutes before the tour starts.