Bulgaria Highlights: Rila Monastery and Plovdiv Tour

Experience the best of Bulgaria in just one day with a self-guided, shared shuttle tour. Visit the UNESCO Rila Monastery in the morning and explore the cultural capital of Plovdiv in the afternoon.

Duration: 12 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Rila Monastery - Explore the UNSECO Rila Monstery at your own pace
  • Plovdiv - Scroll through the culture capital of Bulgaria at your own pace. Or maybe join the free walking tour of the city. Your driver will leave you at a convenient place close to the city center for a tour of your own.
  • Rila National Park - Enjoy the stunning views of…
What's Included
  • Professional driving services
  • Shared transfers to Plovdiv city and Rila monastery by comfortable A/C minibus
  • English speaking host
  • Transportation with airconditioned vehicle
What's Not Included
  • Entrance fees (optional) Rila monastery museum : 8 BGN per person
  • Guiding services
  • Meals & personal expenses
Additional Information

Discover the highlights of Bulgaria in just one day on this independently-guided, collective shuttle excursion. The trip covers two significant spots - the UNESCO World Heritage Rila Monastery situated in the Rila National Park during the daybreak, and later in the noon, it would be the town of Plovdiv, recognized as Bulgaria’s cultural heartthrob. The…

Location
Parking „Knyaz Aleksander I Sq.“
Directions: The car parking is located at Knyaz Aleksander I square, in front of The Palace - National Art Gallery. The nearest metro station is Serdika. Vehicles have Rila Shuttle sign on the front window.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.7
(55 Ratings)
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Emtupi
Apr 28, 2026
Highly recommended excursion. Stunning monastery. - Excursion essential to know more about Bulgaria than its capital. Detailed information at each moment of the visit by our guide Philip.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Patricia_t
Apr 27, 2026
Very well organized, very... - Very well organized, very punctual. The guide has sent us the whole organization by whatsap so that nothing can escape us.
Review provided by Viator
Laurac12751
Aug 27, 2025
Great day trip - We did the day tour to the 7 lakes and Rila Monastery and it was a success. It was not a guided tour, but our manager Philip took great care of us, he is very detailed. He received us with all the necessary information, sent us pictures marked the different routes of the trekking, provided us with a couple of folios with a map of the lakes and a small guide of the monastery... It was better than many guided tours I've ever done. I recommend it!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pilarp335
Mar 11, 2025
Private trip to Plovdiv, Nacho Monastery and Asen Fortress - chauffeur trip to Plovdiv, Bachkovo Monastery and Asen Fortress. Super trip in duration, punctuality. the driver Philip extraordinary. Highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michelabv5772bt
Nov 19, 2024
Recommended tour! - We were very pleased with this trip! Philip was really good, always available in explanations and never intrusive.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
K4663ytmichelleg
Oct 26, 2024
Do it! - Beautiful experience, in one day you can see two completely different locations. From the monastery to Plovdiv the road is long enough, but it is absolutely worth it. Fundamental was our guide, Philip, who was able to give us valuable advice and was always available for clarification and curiosity
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sara_f
Nov 25, 2024
Amazing - I recommend this trip that allows you to see the most important things in the surroundings of Sofia in one day. The guide Philip was very professional and clear.
Review provided by Viator
Huijbens57
Sep 10, 2024
Interesting day to get a feeling of the countryside of Bulgaria - We liked the tour and the tour guide (Philip) very much. Although we had to travel quite some time, is was interesting to see the countryside of Bulgaria. And all the information we received was interesting and never boring, or too long.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tianyi_w
May 16, 2026
Terrible experience. No showing - The operator never showed up. Me and other people in total 6 people waited for over an hour. No showing up no contact no notice. We just left. Terrible terrible experience. I have never seen anything like this.
Review provided by Viator
L8087pcelsal
Dec 10, 2024
Ghost excursion - We were advised at short notice that the excursion was cancelled. We actually found out when we were already at the meeting place at 7 a.m. and there was no coach. I think they could report in the same way, as when you have already made an excursion, that since they want feedback they send you messages, whatsapps and emails insisting until you make it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $69
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).