Private Tour
Private Day Trip to Boyana Church and Rila Monastery
Overview
Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
Visit Rila Monastery and Boyana church, UNESCO World Heritage sites. Relive history as your guide's commentary takes you back into time. This is a Private Tour so you will not be combined with other people besides those in your reservation- there will be a private car and a private driver- guide just for you! And you will be able to stop for pictures, shops and other things whenever you want! Enjoy a full-day tour out in the mountains with a convenient hotel pick up and drop off.
*Women should have thier knees and shoulders covered on the monastery.
*The Boyana church is closed on the 1st of January, on the Sunday of the Orthodox Easter, on the 24th of December, 25th of December and the 31st of December - and on such days the tour is done only to the Rila Monastery.
Most times the trips are done with eco friendly cars - with cng engine or electro mobiles, so that we can help fighting the air polution.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please warn us if you have a 0-2 years old baby when you make the reservation so that we can prepare a special seat for them
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Rila Monastery
First you will head to the Rila Monastery- the biggest monastery in Bulgaria. It was established back in the 10th century. The current buildings are from the mid 19th century, with a defensive tower that survived from the 14th century. In the monastery complex you will admire the impressive architecture and frescoes. During the guided tour (45 minutes) in the inner yard and the monastery museum, you will discover the most precious pieces that are kept from the past and all the facts and stories about the biggest Bulgarian monastery complex. You will also have the chance to see an old and authentic monk room! Before going back to Sofia, you will have free time for a lunch break in a great local restourant with delicious cuisine.
Boyana Church
On the way back you will stop at the great UNESCO historical place – Boyana church, dating back to the 11th century, which has unique and very well preserved frescoes and pictures from the 13th century period. You will have the chance to explore the church and learn its hisotry from your guide. The expected return in Sofia is at 5pm.
What‘s Included
Hotel pick up and drop off
A trip to Boyana Church and Rila Monastery
Private driver- guide
Transportation by an A/C car
Boyana Church – Adults 6.14 EUR / 12 BGN. Children over 7 years and students - 1.53 EUR / 3 BGN
Rila Monastery museum & monk room entrance ticket- 4 EUR / 8 BNG
Food & personal expenses
Gratuities
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Private Day Trip to Boyana Church and Rila Monastery
Pickup included
Reviews
108 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, one day!
AmySH,,Nov 17, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Wow! Two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in one day! So much history and color! Had a great guide, knowledgeable not only Bulgarian history, but also the Balkan countries! Highly recommend this tour when in Sofia.
Rila Monastery is the most beautiful monastery I ever visited
CHARLES D,,May 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This day trip is a must for all travelers who visit Bulgaria. Rila Monastery is the most impressive monastery in this beautiful and friendly country. I was very fortunate to have Alexander as my private tour guide and driver. I learned a lot about the history, religion, art and music in Bulgaria because Alexander is a professor in these topics. I have found that the most beautiful monasteries in the entire Balkan countries are in Bulgaria. I also enjoyed immensely the conversations I had with Alexander.
Excursion absolutely to do
Z7307HCdanielaz,,Jan 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Rila and Boyana are worth a visit: two beautiful places. The organization was great and the guide Simon impeccable: he also gave a lot of information about the culture of his country, in an engaging and interesting way.
Julian was our guide for...
Barbara C,,Oct 17, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Julian was our guide for the day. He was very informative and brought his own story to the places we visited. Beautiful day. Highly recommend.
Best options to discover Bulgaria from Sofia
Gdidea,,Oct 6, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We are in Bulgaria for business and we are spending the weekend here. We want to understand the local culture and discover local history and for we identified this company as high recommendation. I booked the tour online and I communicate with the company via WhatsApp to ensure all is ok. They where very customer focused and ensured I have all information I need to have a perfect client experience. In the morning the small van for 8 people came and we discovered our guide - Alexander ( Sasha). History teacher, lot of knowledge about Bulgarian history and about Balkans, he ensured during entire tour we have no question unanswered, and we know as much as possible about the places and buildings we see. Rila Monastery is something you want to see, I was impressed by the location and by the paintings on the church walls. Boyana church is something singular and the paintings from 1200ish are exceptional. For Boyana I recommend you read their web site to understand why you will stay inside the church just 10 min and why are all the restrictions in place. I was positively impressed by Sasha and by this tour ands for sure when back here I will consider again this agency
BEWARE- it’s a scam! Never pay for this “private” tour.
Adam M,,Aug 18, 2024
- Review from Viator
1.00We signed up for a private tour. When the van arrived to our hotel, the driver got out and told us that he had a private tour with people scheduled for the day prior but the van broke down so they were added to our tour. We had no say. We later found out that it was a lie. The people did not have plans the day prior for the tour but they were booked on our tour. The “tour guide” knew nothing. The employee who was inside the Boyana Church corrected him multiple times when he was attempting to tell us about the church to us.
👌
T5081DOanao,,Aug 3, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I went to this tour with Maria and Antonio! in a group speaking English and Spanish; very sympathetic and attentive; always explaining the historical and cultural context of everything ! the nature around this place is amazing ! saw for the first time sequoia tree!
Excellent day
cog2022,,Aug 1, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Perfect day with a great Paolina guide, we recommend. Transportation, comments, history,....
Best guide 🇧🇬🏎️
sophq2024,,Jun 21, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Jordan was the best guide we could've asked for, he knew about balkan history, politics in other countries and cultures. He was very open to learn of other places and explained things perfectly. Made us feel very comfortable by always offering breaks and even bought us some beautiful Bulgarian mekista. Very nice to talk to and even gave us suggestions on what to do that was reasonable prices and what scams to avoid. 10/10 and made the day very enjoyable (warning max verstappen fan) 🏎️🏎️
Rila Monastery
434alisl,,Jun 6, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Everything was well organized - the driver-guide was very competent - I recommend it The departure was on May 28, please say hello to you
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Operated by City Tour Ltd.