The Ultimate Rila Monastery 3-in-1 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
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
Visit to Rila Monastery
Professional Tour Guide OR Cloud Audio Guide App (depending entirely on the option you have booked)
Parking Fees
Round-trip transport by air-conditioned minibus or coach
Gratuities
Food and drinks
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Rila Monastery Museum (Optional; entrance to the main courtyard/church is free)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Options
Audio App: Bells,Boyana,Rila
Audio App only: No live guide. 3-in-1: Bells, Boyana Church (fee local) & Rila Monastery. NO Cave. Late return (18:30).
ITA Live: Bells,Boyana & Rila
Live ITA guide: 3-in-1: Bells Monument, Boyana Church (fee local) & Rila Monastery. NO Cave. Late return (after 18:30).
ITA Live: Rila, Bells & Cave
Italian-guided tour : Live Italian guide. 3-in-1 tour: Visit Rila Monastery, Bells Monument & hike to St. Ivan Cave. Boyana Church is EXCLUDED.
ESP Live: Rila, Bells & Cave
Spanish-speaking guide: Live Spanish guide. 3-in-1 tour: Visit Rila Monastery, Bells Monument & hike to St. Ivan Cave. Boyana Church is EXCLUDED.
Audio App: Rila, Bells, Cave
Self-guided tour: Audio App only. No live guide! 3-in-1 tour: Visit Rila Monastery, Bells Monument & hike to St. Ivan Cave. Boyana EXCLUDED.
ITA Live: Rila, Boyana, Cave
Italian-guided tour : Live Italian guide! 3-in-1 tour. Visit Rila Monastery, Boyana Church (fee paid locally) and hike to St. Ivan Rilski Cave.
ENG Live: Rila, Bells & Cave
English-speaking guide: Live English guide. 3-in-1 tour: Visit Rila Monastery, Bells Monument & hike to St. Ivan Cave. Boyana Church is EXCLUDED.
ENG Live: Bells,Boyana & Rila
Live ENG guide: 3-in-1: Bells Monument, Boyana Church (fee local) & Rila Monastery. NO Cave. Late return (after 18:30).
FRA Live: Rila, Bells & Cave
French-speaking guide: Live French guide. 3-in-1 tour: Visit Rila Monastery, Bells Monument and hike to St. Ivan Cave. Boyana Church is EXCLUDED.
ENG Live: Rila, Boyana, Cave
English-guided tour : Live English guide. 3-in-1 tour! Visit Rila Monastery, Boyana Church (fee paid locally), and hike to St. Ivan Rilski Cave.
Audio App: Rila, Boyana, Cave
Self-guided tour: Audio App only. No live guide. 3-in-1 tour: Visit Rila Monastery, Boyana Church (fee paid locally) & hike to St. Ivan Cave.
Reviews
17 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Itinerary was not as stated at time of booking
Alex R,May 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
2.00Unfortunately I have to leave a negative review for this tour. The itinerary stated on the Viator site at the time of booking was to leave Sofia at 9am and return at 5pm after visiting Rila Monastery. However, when we left the Monastery (which is very nice) we were taken to a winery, where we stayed for 45 mins, and did not return to Sofia until 7pm. We had to significantly change our evening plans as a result of arriving back late. When we asked the tour guide Hristo why the winery stop was included, he said it was a standard part of the tour and we would need to speak to the tour company. To be honest, he didn't seem bothered at all. Others on the tour were in the same situation, so this must surely happen all the time. I imagine the winery stop is for the guide to get commission from people buying the wine, regardless of whether it was on their original itinerary. Overall, very disappointing. I messaged the Bulgarian tour company who runs the tours and who the guide works for (Traventuria) and have not received a reply. I recommend booking the Rila Monastery tour through a different provider and with a different tour company.
It is worth a visit to Rila!
Ana R,May 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The guide was very friendly and helpful and the place wonderful. The frescoes, the perfect arches, the peace of the place marked the day without a doubt.
Great guide made this a fun day
Lucy S,Apr 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Well organized trip for such a big group. Our guide gave us a great explanation and history of Bulgaria as we were driving. He was very specific with departure times which kept us on track. It was nice to leave the city and see the monastery.
Monastery of Rila
michelapN3474BH,Feb 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Unique and beautiful place despite the rain. Guide very prepared and helpful. Cheap tour and absolutely to recommend.
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....
From €23.00
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Operated by Traventuria