Rila Monastery & Boyana Church: Cultural Heritage

Embark on a captivating 8-hour day tour to the Rila Monastery and Boyana Church, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Explore ancient frescoes, learn their history, and enjoy free time in the picturesque mountains.

Duration: 8 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Vasil Levski Monument - The tour begins at the Vasil Levski Monument, located at Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7, with a meeting time of 8:40 am. Departure is scheduled for 9 am. Punctuality is appreciated!
  • Rila Monastery - Rila Monastery is the largest monastery in Bulgaria, founded in the 10th century. The current structures date back to the mid-19th…
What's Included
  • Trip to Boyana Church and Rila Monastery
  • Transportation by comfortable bus/minibus
  • Parking fees
  • English-speaking guide or driver (depending on option)
What's Not Included
  • Boyana church entrance ticket - approx. 6 euro per person (12 lev)
  • Rila Monastery museum + monk room entrance ticket - approx. 4 euro per person (8 lev)
  • Food and drinks
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pick up and drop off
Additional Information

Participate in an 8.5–10 hour guided group tour to explore two UNESCO World Heritage sites – Rila Monastery and Boyana Church. Experience a 40-minute guided tour at Rila Monastery, followed by 2.5 hours of leisure time for taking photos, visiting museums, shopping, or enjoying lunch. At Boyana Church, marvel at its remarkable 800-year-old frescoes…

Location
bul. "Yanko Sakazov" 7
bulevard "Yanko Sakazov"
The meeting point for the tour is Vasil Levski Monument, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7 . Ask for travel agency City Tour. Please be there at 8:40 am. The van/bus departs at 9am and will not wait for you if you are late.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.7
(876 Ratings)
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Emanuela_s
Aug 22, 2025
A trip not to be missed - The monastery is a wonder, the guide Francesca explained all the historical aspects in simple detail. Francesca passed on her love for Bulgaria, now I understand this people better The excellent organization, punctual and attentive to people.
Review provided by Viator
Takao_s
Aug 21, 2025
Efficiently and comfortably travel around the Rila Monastery and Boyana Church - The tour was very well explained by our guide Velislava, who was very helpful and helpful. This is a difficult place to reach by public transport, so we recommend a full-day tour, which allows you to travel efficiently and comfortably through two places. The melissa (bread) and yogurt drinks from the monastery bakery were good and affordable.
Review provided by Viator
Mauriziosm4150wh
Aug 21, 2025
To visit - The monastery is very nice and definitely worth a visit. Architecturally beautiful to look at. Very nice interior and frescoes.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Road61256196256
Aug 21, 2025
Great experience - Beautiful hike, it's really worth it the penalty. Everything perfect: bus ride, guide, very prepared, and then the monastery.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Taianz2025
Aug 21, 2025
Lira Monastery--a must-see to Bulgaria. - Lira Monastery feels amazing, the architecture of the monastery is unique, the murals, the domes are beautiful. Take a day trip by bus, leaving Alexandria Church, is a bus, cheap and good, back just in time to walk around the cathedral, concert hall Capitol and other downtown attractions.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
V8028wqsimonav
Aug 20, 2025
City Tour -- Day Rila Monastery and Boyana Church - Day trip with City Tour, Sofia travel agency, and visited first Rila Monastery and then Boyana Church. They deserve the trip. Very good la.guida Italian Francesca. Highly recommended
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Salvatore_s
Aug 20, 2025
It's okay. - It is recommended to bring cash in local currency. You walk very little You can ask for an on-site guide in Italian You travel by coach
Review provided by Viator
29barborad
Aug 19, 2025
Great - A well organized trip, bus with AC, Diana was great guide. Plenty of time at the monastery to see everything. Boys a church is really small, so the allotted time for the visit is enough.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Oscarpinto86
Aug 23, 2025
Nice! - The monastery and church are absolutely amazing. The tour was very organized as well. The only negative aspect of the trip was that the guide kept calling us out in front of the whole group because we didn't pay the guide service. Me and my brother love privacy so we didn't want to walk with the group..but the guide made sure that everyone in the tour knew that we didn't pay for it and kept calling us out in front of everyone. Next time, I recommend that you approach the people that don't want to use the guide separately and you give instructions. Screaming "where are the guys that don't have a guide" in front of everyone simply defeats the purpose of us looking for privacy.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ricardoandres_v
Aug 17, 2025
It’s worth it. - A, unique experience . Mi guide was Maria. Really helpful. I enojoy the experience. I recommend the tour.
Review provided by Viator
From $23
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).