From Sofia Rila Monastery with Boyana Church or St. Ivan’s Cave

Name: From Sofia Rila Monastery with Boyana Church or St. Ivan’s Cave
Brand: Viator
Price: 23.65 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.6 (922 reviews)

4.6(922)8 hoursGerman, Russian, English, Italian +2Sofia, Bulgaria

From

$24

Book on Viator

Maximize your time in Bulgaria by combining two UNESCO World Heritage Sites into one efficiently coordinated day trip from Sofia. Journey into the peaceful Rila Mountains to explore the sprawling Rila Monastery complex at your own pace, paired with a stop at the historic medieval Boyana Church.

⚠️ BOYANA ENTRY NOTICE: Inside entry is heavily regulated by UNESCO to protect the 13th-century frescoes. Indoor access is ONLY guaranteed if you select an option including Boyana at checkout. Standard transport tiers include an exterior garden visit only.

- 2 UNESCO Icons in 1 Day: An efficiently paced route from central Sofia. - Secure your Boyana entry slot by upgrading your tier. - Uncover the secrets of 800-year-old art with your guide. - Enjoy traditional restaurants nearby or bring your own lunch.

Note: Local entry fees apply based on your selected booking option

Included

Professional Tour Guide OR Cloud Audio Guide App (depending on the selected option you have booked)
Visit to Boyana Church, St. Ivan Cave, OR The Bells Monument (depending on the option you booked)
Parking Fees
Round-trip transport by air-conditioned minibus or coach

Not included

Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Rila Monastery Museum (Optional; entrance to the main courtyard/church is free)
Boyana Church

Choose your option

8 options

Check availability on Viator

What you'll do

Vasil Levski Monument
Just North of Aleksander Nevski Cathedral, Sofia, Bulgaria
09:00 departure from the starting point. Be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes before departure.
15 min
Boyana Church is a small temple at the outskirts of Sofia with frescoes dating b
ack to three separate periods: 11th, 13th and 19th century. The most important and fascinating are the frescoes dating from 1259. They are Renaissance frescoes that predate the Italian Renaissance (triggered by the works of Giotto) and brake the strict Christian canon law to present pure human emotions, royal figures and folklore elements.
45 minAdmission not included
Rila Monastery
Rila, Bulgaria
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.
2 hours
Vasil Levski Monument
Just North of Aleksander Nevski Cathedral, Sofia, Bulgaria
Return to the starting point at approximately 17:00

Meeting and pickup

2 locations

Pickup details

IMPORTANT: The meeting point is next to the Vasil Levski Monument, in front of the Embassy of Slovakia. Please be there 15 minutes in advance. This tour is not suitable for children under the age of 5.

Good to know

Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities
Comfortable walking shoes recommended
Exceptions to the standard program:
Boyana church will NOT be visited on the following days: 1st of January (the tour starts at 11 AM on that day only); The day of Orthodox Easter; 24th and 25th December.
Minimum traveler age is 6 years old

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

Similar Experiences

Viator
Rila Monastery and St. Ivan Cave History & Nature Trip from Sofia
4.8(39)
8 hours
Sofia, Bulgaria
- Free cancellation
From
$23
Musement
Guided Rila Monastery and Boyana Church day trip
5.0(2)
8 hr 30 min
Sofia, Bulgaria
- Free cancellation
- Instant confirmation
From
$29
Viator
The Ultimate Rila Monastery 3-in-1 Day Tour from Sofia
4.7(17)
8 hours
Sofia, Bulgaria
- Free cancellation
From
$27
Musement
Plovdiv small group guided tour from Sofia
5.0(2)
8 hr 30 min
Sofia, Bulgaria
- Free cancellation
- Instant confirmation
From
$40
Viator
Plovdiv Small Group Full Day Guided Tour from Sofia
4.4(240)
12 hours
Sofia, Bulgaria
- Free cancellation
From
$22
Musement
Self-guided trip to Rila Monastery and Boyana Church
4.0(1)
10 hours
Sofia, Bulgaria
- Free cancellation
- Instant confirmation
From
$26
Viator
Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Tour
4.6(1112)
8 hours
Sofia, Bulgaria
- Free cancellation
From
$24
Musement
Day trip from Sofia to Rila Monastery and Boyana Church
8 hours
Sofia, Bulgaria
- Free cancellation
- Instant confirmation
From
$40
Viator
Must-See Plovdiv Day Tour from Sofia
4.6(359)
9 hours
Sofia, Bulgaria
- Free cancellation
From
$22
Viator
Plovdiv and Koprivshtitsa Full-Day Trip
4.7(183)
11 hours
Sofia, Bulgaria
- Free cancellation
From
$22
Viator
Rila Monastery In-Depth Tour (Extended Free Time)
4.8(41)
8 hours
Sofia, Bulgaria
- Free cancellation
From
$23
Viator
Small Group Tour to Rila Monastery and Boyana Church
4.9(26)
7 hours
Sofia, Bulgaria
- Free cancellation
From
$106