Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Shuttle Tour
Overview
Available languages
8 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Rila monastery shuttle will take you to Bulgaria's most important and visited historical site and even more - two UNESCO places, amongst with Boyana church. Enjoy the wonderful frescoes from 19th century, representing the achievement of the Bulgarian Revival painting school, feel the amazing spirit of the largest monastery in the country, surrounded by the indescribable beauty of Rila mountain. V travel team will represent to you all the secrets of this place. In the afternoon we will visit Boyana church, where murals from 13th century will show you the majesty of the Bulgarian medieval country.
Additional Info
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
English-speaking driver/guide
Transport by air-conditioned minivan
Online audio-guide in Eg, Fr, Sp, It, De, Rus (use with your smartphone & earphones)
Entrance fee for Boyana church
Food and drinks
Live Guide in Spanish, Italian, French - 100 € per booking
Hotel pickup
Hotel drop-off
What To Expect
Rila Monastery
Rila Monastery was founded in the 10th century by St John of Rila, a hermit canonized by the Orthodox Church. His ascetic dwelling and tomb became a holy site and were transformed into a monastic complex which played an important role in the spiritual and social life of medieval Bulgaria. Destroyed by fire at the beginning of the 19th century, the complex was rebuilt between 1834 and 1862. A characteristic example of the Bulgarian Renaissance (18th–19th centuries), the monument symbolizes the awareness of a Slavic cultural identity following centuries of occupation.
Boyana Church
Located on the outskirts of Sofia, Boyana Church consists of three buildings. The eastern church was built in the 10th century, then enlarged at the beginning of the 13th century by Sebastocrator Kaloyan, who ordered a second two storey building to be erected next to it. The frescoes in this second church, painted in 1259, make it one of the most important collections of medieval paintings. The ensemble is completed by a third church, built at the beginning of the 19th century. This site is one of the most complete and perfectly preserved monuments of east European medieval art.
Options
Rila & Boyana with Audioguide
Audioguide EG,IT,SP,RUS,EG
Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Shuttle Tour
Reviews
69 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Recommended
Chiara D,
May 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The two sites: Rila Monastery and Boyana Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are definitely worth a visit. They are two architectural masterpieces, steeped in history, spirituality and culture, that fascinated us at first glance. Our guide, Simeon, was professional, knowledgeable and helpful (and speaks excellent Italian!). The bus driver was prudent and reliable.
Wonderful experience
I1757PTnoemis,
Apr 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had a great time. The tour guide was very kind and helpful. I recommend it 100%. I will definitely book another trip with them next time.
Great visit to Rila and Boyana with Simeon
montsenet,
Feb 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We visited the Rila and Boyana monastery with Simeon. Lovely place and explanations of Simeon or Simon. It is very cultured and has not stopped talking and explaining, plus it has put typical music on the bus.
Rila Monastery is a MUST to visit
SUFEI T,
Oct 9, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Rila Monastery is amazing, is a MUST to pay a visit. The tour guide Lubo is a very good tour guide, provided very sufficient historical knowledge and background , and explained the instructions very detailed. Strongly recommend to pay a v8sit there.
An amazing experience, definitely recommend
Nic,
Aug 16, 2024
- Review from Viator
4.00Hristo was an amazing guide, so knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the history of the monastery and church. We really enjoyed our trip and would definitely recommend it to everyone. Our only issue was finding the bus to begin with! We were in the right place but originally turned away as the provider was listed on our ticket as "V Travel". We went back and asked them to check for our name on the reservation and it was there but the guide wasn't aware that tickets like ours could be with his company. Very glad we went back to ask or we would have missed this amazing experience!
Beware of surprises with this tour operator
giorgiol586,
May 26, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00An unserious tour operator. We booked and paid for a tour to the Rila Monastery with an Italian guide. The night before it was cancelled.
Great experience
Takaya K,
May 5, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00It was raining hard, unfortunately, but we had a great time there. With the help of the explanation of the guide, we understood well the history and how precious the churches are.
Don’t miss this tour
AnneR D,
Oct 8, 2023
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent tour Guide was great Small group as opposed to touristing with the masses Very comfortable Delivered on what was advertised and more
Good experience yet a bit too long
TravelerJerusalem,
Apr 23, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00The guide Georgi was knowledgable and attentive and the overall experience was good, as the Rila monestary is very special, it's surely worth a visit. Yet the tour was too long - we had too much free time in the monestary and aferwards we stopped in a reataurant for additional hour or so, which extended our tour even more unnecessarily. We could have come back to Sofia two hours earlier.
Positive experience
alessiagomez,
Feb 13, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Positive experience. Must-see tours if you are in Sofia. Very nice guide, during the trip he also talked about the culture and history of Sofia in general entertaining us along the way. What a good audio guide also in Italian, useful to learn more about the Monastery of Rila
From €35.00
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