Small Group Tour to Rila Monastery and Boyana Church
Overview
Available languages
7 hours
Mobile ticket
Situated deep in the dense pine forests of Rila Mountain, Rila Monastery is the biggest and most important Orthodox cloister in Bulgaria.It is an outstanding example of the Bulgarian cultural and historical heritage, in which architecture and painting merge harmoniously. The site is part of the UNESCO World Heritage list. Rila Monastery was founded in the 10th century by St Ivan Rilski, a hermit canonized by the Orthodox Church. His ascetic dwelling and tomb became a holy place and later on, a monastic complex was formed. It played an important role in the spiritual and social life of medieval Bulgaria.
After the guided visit to the Monastery complex and lunch, we will head back to Sofia. On the way, we will stop at the second UNESCO site for the day Boyana church. Small but unique with the most preserved frescoes from 1259 in this part of Europe. The tour will end with drop-off at your hotel/accommodation.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Children must be accompanied by an adult
We understand your concerns in relation to COVID 19, therefore we've taken the needed measures for you to feel safe. All our guides and drivers go through regular medical checks, wear masks during the tours and in each vehicle, we have a disinfectant spray. Furthermore due to the situation nowadays we organize tours only for small groups (up to 7 persons) and we have the option for private tours.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Rila Monastery
At 8:30 AM, we embark from Sofia on a journey to one of Bulgaria’s most sacred and breathtaking sites, the Rila Monastery. As we leave the city behind, the landscape transforms into lush forests and towering peaks, offering a scenic drive through the heart of Bulgaria's natural beauty. Upon arrival at the monastery, you’ll immediately feel the tranquility of this ancient place. Founded in the 10th century by St. Ivan of Rila, the monastery stands as a beacon of Bulgarian Orthodoxy and culture. Inside the church, you’ll have the chance to marvel at the rich iconography and the famous gilded iconostasis, a masterpiece of Bulgarian craftsmanship. The peaceful atmosphere of the monastery is enhanced by the sound of nature, with birds singing and a nearby river gently flowing, creating the perfect environment for reflection. Before we leave this magical place, you’ll have some free time to wander the surrounding area.
Boyana Church
After exploring the Rila Monastery, we continue our journey to another of Bulgaria's UNESCO World Heritage sites—the Boyana Church, located just outside Sofia. Nestled at the foot of Vitosha Mountain, this small yet extraordinary church is famed for its 13th-century frescoes, which are among the most significant examples of medieval art in Europe. Upon arrival, you'll be captivated by the intricate and vibrant frescoes inside, depicting saints and biblical scenes with stunning detail and human emotion, a rare artistic achievement from that time. These paintings are considered a precursor to the Renaissance, offering a unique glimpse into Bulgaria’s rich cultural heritage. After absorbing the beauty and history of this hidden gem, you’ll have a moment to enjoy the peaceful surroundings of the Boyana village before returning to Sofia. This stop completes a day rich with art, history, and spiritual significance.
What‘s Included
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Professional guide
All Fees and Taxes
Air-conditioned vehicle
Food and drinks
Pickup points
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Options
Small Group Tour to Rila Monastery and Boyana Church
Pickup included
Reviews
21 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Incredible tour!
Johanna C,,Dec 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide, Ilian, was amazing! He knew so much about EVERYTHING - not only the history of Boyana Church and Rila Monastery, but about the history of Bulgaria in general. The drive flew by because we were talking the whole time. The sites were beautiful and fascinating. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Mountain drive to the Monestary
Mary J,,Nov 22, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00It is about a 2 hour drive to to get to Rila Monestary with the last 45 minutes on a windy mountain road. The only thing to see is the Monestary, which is not that big, so be sure to go to the museum to extend your visit. The day we were there most vendors were closed, it was a fairly short visit. We then drove back towards Sofia to the Boylan church, which had interesting frescoes. Again, a short visit and we were back by 3pm.
Incredible locations and a wonderful guide
Heather M,,Jun 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Daniel was amazing as our tour guide! He was so knowledgeable about the locations that we visited. We loved learning the history. It was easy to see that he loves his country and the culture and was excited to share this with us. Thank you Daniel for such a wonderful experience.
A day of history and beautiful churches
MeredithB368,,Jun 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My daughter and I had an amazing day with Adrian visiting Rila Monastery and Boyana Church. The artwork on the interior of each church is breathtaking and you don't want to miss seeing them. With his background in history and archaeology, Adrian was a wealth of knowledge and was eager to answer all of our questions. We learned a lot, not just about the sites themselves, but about the history and culture of Bulgaria. The pace of the day was ideal - relaxed and not rushed, and Adrian was happy to tailor things as we wished. This was our first excursion on our trip, and it set the tone for the rest of our stay perfectly. We ended up taking two excursions with BulTrips during our stay in Sofia, and I highly recommend them for their planning, their communication, and their people!
Definitely something to see
joycel852,,May 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Both the monastery and church were amazing! Our guide was very knowledgable and accomodating. He gave us enough time to see everything we wanted. It was well worth it!
Fantastic day out
janetr727,,May 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Maria was a fantastic tour guide and driver. She picked me up and dropped me off directly at my accommodation. There was only myself and one other person on the tour, making it a relaxed and informal experience. Maria provided guided tours and detailed explanations at both sites, as well as chatting to us about our lives and Bulgarian culture in general. I appreciated that she avoided queues and traffic as much as possible. Both sites were were fascinating and well worth the visit. The food at the lunch spot was tasty and affordable. I wholly recommend this tour.
Great Guide, Great day
Littlemoggies,,Apr 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our overall experience was great. Our guide Daniel was friendly, efficient, on time and well informed. The treats at the monastery were delicious. The convenience of being picked up and dropped of at at accommodation was a real bonus. Thanks for a great day Daniel!
Well-organized tour
yoheiw2025,,Mar 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The guide was very kind and shared many interesting stories about Sofia and the tour sites. Considering it was a small group tour with entrance fees for both the museum and the church included, I felt the price was very reasonable. It was a great experience overall.
Perfect trip
matthewhM6742GG,,Jun 30, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a perfect private tour of Rila monastery and Boyana church. This was just a tour with 2 people and the guide. The guide was really relaxed and made the trip about us and what we wanted to see. This made us feel relaxed and made it more a conversation that just a typical tour. We went for lunch at this perfect ‘non tourist’ spot by the river which was a highlight of the day also. All round, I’d recommend this to anyone wanting a great day exploring while it not feeling touristy.
Great intimate tour of the Rila Monastery
EricS6930,,Jun 14, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We booked this tour to avoid the chaos of large bus tours and get some quality time with a local expert. Our guide Laura did not disappoint, she was great. Very knowledgeable about the history of the region and the monastery. Laura did a great job of balancing the guided time of the tour with free time for us to roam and explore. The bread at the Monastery's bakery was incredible! The frescoes at the main chapel were beautiful and Laura provided a lot of info that made them come to life. She even understands the older Bulgarian language the Monks use to chant. This tour was worth every lev and I highly recommend it if you want a more personal and focused experience.
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Operated by BulTrips