Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
Enjoy a day in the mountains by exploring 2 UNESCO sites - the Rila Monastery and the Boyana church. The 8-hour day tour will be with a group and a professional guide in English. In the monastery, you will have a 40-minute guided tour and 2,5 hours free time to make photos, check the museums and the shops, and have lunch. The visit of the Boyana church, although short, is definitely worth since you will see its amazing 800-years old frescoes and learn their history from your guide!
*Women should have their knees and shoulders covered in the monastery!
*If your tour is on a weekend day during the summer, the restaurants could be crowded so you can bring your own food from Sofia in order to have more free time and 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 on such days the tour is done only to the Rila Monastery.
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Women should have their knees and shoulders covered in the Monastery.
There are not many dining options around the Monastery - there are bakeries where you can enjoy pastry. As an alternative, you can always bring your own food with you.
Bring cash with you (preferably local currency) – the shops and the restaurants in the area of the monastery accept mostly cash payments so it is important to have some money with you.
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
The visits within the Boyana Church itself are limited to 10 minutes per every group of 8 to 10 people. If you'd like to enter inside, you may also need to queue.
On certain days, such as around holidays in Bulgaria, or when in groups over 100 people, delays are possible and the estimated tour finish time in Sofia could change as far as 18:30.
Boyana Church offers entrance FREE of charge every last Monday of each month. On such days, you will be taken to the Boyana Church, however please keep in mind that your entrance WON'T be guaranteed, especially if the Church is in high demand by other people on spot.
The Boyana church is closed on the 1st of January, on the Sunday of the Orthodox Easter, on the 24th of December, the 25th of December - and on such days the tour is done only to the Rila Monastery.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
A trip to to Boyana Chuch and Rila Monastery
Transportation by a comfortable bus/ minibus
Parking fees
English speaking guide OR driver, depending on the booked option
Boyana church entrance ticket - approx. 6 euro per person (12 lev)
Rila Monastery museum + monk room entrance ticket - approx. 4 euro per person (8 lev)
Food and drinks
Gratuities
Hotel pick up and drop off
St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral
The meeting point for the tour is Behild Alexander Nevsky Cathedral at 8:45. The departure is at 9am. Please be on time!
Rila Monastery
The Rila Monastery is 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. You will have 40-mintue guided tour and 2.5 hours free time to check the museum, the shops, take photos and have lunch break.
Guided Tour in English: With this option you have a guided tour in English in Rila Monastery and Boyana Church.
Tour to Rila Monastery ITALIAN: Guided tour in Italian, Full day tour to Rila monastery, NO VISIT of the Boyana Church.
Self-guided Tour : With this option you can explore the 2 UNESCO sites on your own. It is only with a driver.
Tour with Audio Guide: Enjoy comfortable transportation to Rila Monastery and Boyana Church and explore the 2 sights on your own with an audio-guide
Guided Tour in Spanish: With this option you have a guided tour in Spanish in Rila Monastery and Boyana Church.
Guided Tour in Italian: With this option you have a live guide in Italian.
Smart Audio Guide: You will need to have an active internet connection during the tour, in order to use it. It is English, Spanish, Italian etc.
Rila Monastery Only : This options includes a visit to the Rila monastery ONLY and WITHOUT Boyana church.
Monastery Express Transport: With this this option you get The All Day visit to Rila monastery ONLY, without the Boyana church - opt for local museums
Tour to Rila Monastery SPANISH: Full day tour to Rila monastery, NO VISIT of the Boyana Church. Optional visit of monastery museums, cave of St. Ivan Rilski
780 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
WH B,
Jun 4, 2025
- Viator
Rila Monastery is just marvelous! Uniquely located and an architectural gem. Boyana church is quite unique. Our guide - Diana was very good....
Deepti G,
May 29, 2025
- Viator
Such a wonderful trip. Well organised and it was down to the wonderful guides Simeon, Vali and our driver Stan. I took the English option so Simeon was our English guide. He is very articulate and highly informative. I learnt so much on the history of Bulgaria and Rila in particular. Overall a great trip. Highly recommend.
Heather M,
May 26, 2025
- Viator
Simon was our guide and he was excellent. Very knowledgeable and clear in his description. He had to work hard to repeat everything in 2 languages.
Lorna M,
May 23, 2025
- Viator
Spectacular the two sites are worth knowing. In the monastery eating sweet bread is unmissable. I would have preferred to eat at the monastery and not buy food on the way
Ilene B,
May 20, 2025
- Viator
The place is interesting and worthwhile but the experience on the bus was NOT. Most of the group spoke Spanish but We signed up and paid a lot for an English guide. On the bus for every ten minutes of Spanish there were two of English and while the guide spoke English the Spaniards talked and laughed and didn’t let us hear. The poor Germans had to listen to English and missed a lot. The guide tried but his English wasn’t as up to par as his Spanish. Too bad because he really knew what to tell us.
Operated by City Tour Ltd.