Rila Monastery Day Tour from Sofia
Overview
Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
Discover one of the Bulgaria’s UNESCO World Heritage gems on this day trip from Sofia. Traveling by minibus, admire rural Bulgaria on route to the Rila Monastery in the pine-carpeted Rila Mountains. Take a guided tour of the medieval treasure with its fresco-coated church, and visit its fascinating museum. Then, spend some time to explore independently. Entrance fees not included.
The tour offers 3 different options:
1. The guided tour option is with an English-speaking live guide.
2. Tour with an an audio guide in Spanish, Italian, German, Russian or English.
3. Transport only (that option might not be bookable for some dates).
Additional Info
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities
Comfortable walking shoes recommended
All touch points in the vehicles will be cleaned frequently.
Minimum traveler age is 5 years old
The total duration of the tour includes the travel time
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Vasil Levski Monument
09:00 departure from the starting point. Be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes before departure.
Rila Monastery
Rila Monastery is one of Bulgaria’s symbols and a popular tourist destination. The monastery is set deep in the heart of Rila Mountain, between the Rilska and Drushliavitza Rivers, at 1147 metres (3760 feet) above sea level. It is situated 120 kilometres south of Sofia.
What‘s Included
Driver/Tour guide in English
Transport by air-conditioned minibus
Parking Fees
Gratuities
Audio guide in Spanish, Italian, German, Russian or English (approx. 5 euros per person)
Food and drinks
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Options
Guided Tour in English
Join this English-guided tour to Rila monastery with a professional English-speaking guide.
Tour with online audio guide
Internet&own headphones needed: Live guide -NOT included. An accompanying tour conductor will speak a different language.Internet required for the audioguide
Reviews
13 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Didn't set off on time...
Kathleen B,,Jan 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Didn't set off on time but considering the number of people going it wasn't surprising. The coach was comfortable and warm. The monastery is well worth a visit but it wasn't comfortable hanging about in such cold weather. Our guide was superb. Restaurant/cafe was well worth a visit and reasonably priced. All round - great day.
Great time
alianassar404,,Dec 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Was great tour. Bus was amazing, clean, charging outlet and new. The driver Assan and the tour guide Simone were great and funny.
Tour guide was very nice,...
Daniela D,,Oct 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00Tour guide was very nice, driver was very good. The monastery is awesome! Word of advise: if you have mobility & severe chronic pains issues, do not just state so, speak up before the trip starts that the front seat is for such people, and be brave to ask your tour guide to put you there. Beware that fellow travellers (like the ones I found) might be egoistic and cruel not caring enough to understand even if you explain your pain, that the level of vibrations in the rest of the bus is unbearable for you! If you stay shy and laid back like I did you are in for a nasty two hour ride. Normal people though are perfectly comfortable in any part of the bus and vibrations are unnoticeable, apparently
Tour Rila and Boyana Bulgaria.
Rosario C,,Oct 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We visited Rila Monastery and Boyana Church with Traventuria agency. We found a coach made up of only Italians with a guide in Italian. In the morning they welcomed us on a cozy and comfortable van. The guide, a Bulgarian girl who spoke perfect Italian was a cicero, very considerate and kind. She made sure, both on the way and on the way back she made the appeal to make sure no one stayed on the ground. 5 stars!
Excellent...
Emanuela D,,Sep 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent experience, great driving and organization. Bus clean and comfortable. Highly recommended
Unmissable
Raymundo C,,Sep 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Rich in knowledge of modern Bulgarian culture and admiration of mountain landscapes....
Well organized Rila Monestry Tour (with Boyana church optional)
Sijmen D,,Aug 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Rila Monestry is amazing. As for the tour: the tour guide was good & funny, everything according was well-planned, and the information was clear.
It's an experience to do...
Salvo P,,Aug 17, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It is an experience to be had absolutely. Our guide was attentive and helpful Rila Monastery is a timeless place.
Perfect tour
Gianluca F,,Aug 15, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Perfect experience, timely and precise organization. Kamen was an excellent guide, explained everything precisely and delighted us with really remarkable anecdotes and curiosities.
Acceptable
Chelo P,,Aug 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00Go very carefully with the booking in case you don't find the guides in your list, as I thought
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Operated by Traventuria