Product photo
Product photo
Product photo
Product photo
Product photo
Product photo
Product photo
/ Person
Product photo
Product photo
Product photo
Product photo
Product photo
Product photo
Product photo
/ Person
Select date and participants
At least one participant is required. Please adjust and try again.

Flexible Day Trip to Rila Monastery and Boyana Church

3 (11)
Рилски манастир, BG
Share

Flexible Day Trip to Rila Monastery and Boyana Church

3 (11)
Рилски манастир, BG
Share
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Bulgaria's rich cultural heritage with the Flexible Day Trip to Rila Monastery and Boyana Church. Immerse yourself in the magic of these two UNESCO World Heritage sites in just one day. Marvel at the grandeur of Rila Monastery, the largest and most beautiful monastery in Bulgaria, and be captivated by the exquisite proto-Renaissance wall paintings of Boyana Church. Whether you choose to explore at your own pace or with a private guide, this tour promises an incredible experience. From the moment you meet at the designated meeting point, your adventure begins. Travel through Sofia and the stunning Sofia Region, taking in the breathtaking scenery and surrounding landmarks along the way. Delve into Bulgaria's fascinating history and immerse yourself in its vibrant culture. Don't miss the chance to discover these must-see sights and create memories that will last a lifetime.

About this experience

  • Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
  • Admission Not Included
  • 10 hours
  • Suitable for 1-15 Participants
  • Private Tour
  • Guided Experience
  • Visit the largest and most beautiful Bulgarian monastery
  • Explore a UNESCO World Heritage site - Rila Monastery
  • Discover the stunning proto-Renaissance wall paintings at Boyana Church
  • Enjoy a self-guided or privately-guided tour
  • Experience sightseeing from the bus as you drive through Sofia
  • English speaking guide (If the privately-guided option is chosen)
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off (If the privately-guided option is chosen)
  • Transport (If the privately-guided option is chosen)
  • E-guide (If the self-guided option is chosen)
  • Personal expenses & insurance
  • Entrance fee Boyana Church

Popular Hotels Closeby

More about this experience

Introduction

Indulge in a captivating journey to discover the cultural and spiritual heritage of Bulgaria with the Flexible Day Trip to Rila Monastery and Boyana Church. This enchanting tour takes you to two UNESCO World Heritage sites in just one day, offering a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich history and breathtaking beauty of these iconic landmarks.

What to expect?

During this immersive experience, you can anticipate a day filled with awe-inspiring architecture, stunning frescoes, and a deep sense of spirituality. Begin your journey at the remarkable Rila Monastery, the largest and most important Bulgarian monastery. Explore its intricate details and immerse yourself in the tranquility that surrounds this sacred place. Next, visit the Boyana Church, renowned for its extraordinary proto-Renaissance wall paintings dating back to the 13th century. Marvel at the intricacy and vibrant colors of the artwork, showcasing the talent of ancient Bulgarian artisans.

Who is this for?

This exceptional tour is perfect for history enthusiasts, art lovers, and spiritual seekers alike. Delve into the depths of Bulgarian culture and gain a deeper understanding of the country's heritage. The tour is also ideal for those with a limited amount of time who want to maximize their experience by visiting multiple attractions in just one day. By catering to a range of interests and providing flexibility in touring options, this experience is designed to appeal to a diverse audience.

Why book this?

Embark on a journey that transcends time and immerses you in the rich tapestry of Bulgarian history and spirituality. Both the Rila Monastery and Boyana Church hold unparalleled beauty and historical significance, making this tour an absolute must for any aspiring traveler. Feel the weight of the past as you walk in the footsteps of ancient monks and witness the unique artistic heritage of Bulgaria. Whether you choose the self-guided or privately-guided option, this tour offers a seamless and immersive experience that will leave you with lasting memories and a deeper appreciation for Bulgarian culture.

Good to know

It is important to note that the total duration of this tour is approximately 600 minutes, allowing you ample time to explore the wonders of both the Rila Monastery and Boyana Church. For self-guided tours, the meeting and end point will be in Sofia, ensuring convenient accessibility. This tour offers a balance of guided experiences and independent exploration, allowing you to appreciate the sites at your own pace. Immerse yourself in the beauty of Bulgaria and take advantage of this opportunity to witness two UNESCO World Heritage sites on a single remarkable day trip.

Reviews

Travelers who have embarked on this captivating journey have raved about the unique experience and the opportunity to witness the awe-inspiring beauty of both the Rila Monastery and Boyana Church. Many have praised the knowledgeable guides, who provided fascinating insights into the history and significance of these cultural landmarks. Visitors have also expressed their admiration for the intricate artwork and well-preserved architecture, making this tour an exceptional opportunity to immerse oneself in Bulgarian heritage. Overall, the reviews for this tour highlight the profound impact it had on travelers, leaving them with a newfound appreciation for Bulgaria's cultural and spiritual treasures.

How long before the event do I need to book?

  • You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

  • Mobile

Is an adult required for the booking?

  • At least one adult or senior required per booking

Your Itinerary

Rila Monastery

One of the must-see sights while in Bulgaria

Boyana Church

One of the must-see sights while in Bulgaria

Admission Not Included

St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral

(Pass by)

One of the must-see sights while in Bulgaria

Vitosha Mountain

(Pass by)

One of the must-see sights while in Bulgaria

Sofia

(Pass by)

Sightseeing from the bus as we drive

Sofia Region

(Pass by)

Sightseeing from the bus as we drive

Reviews

(11)

3 (11)

Travelergk2016

Do not choose this tour nor the operator. It's a tourist trap. The tour was named "Self Guided Tour", and our first impression was shuttle buses were provided, and guests will guide themselves in the sites. This is a common understanding of a "Self Guided Tour" in Bulgaria. However, this was not the case for this tour operator. The tour operator sent us a PDF at midnight before the tour start, and the PDF contained nothing more than public information (such as public bus and time schedule) between Rila Monetasary and Boyana Church. Every person can google by themself without any cost. The PDF has only 13 pages and with low quality of tourist site introductions, which is not worth the money at all. When I realized this tour was a fraud, it was already too late to cancel. I applied for a refund, however, the operator declined and responded like " It is clearly stated as a Self Guided tour", "It's your responsibility to choose a tour", etc. We asked the tour operator how the 13 page PDF can charge 46 euro for two people (the price is enough for people to join a guided-bus tour), but he didn't explain. Instead, he offered us a two-hour guided tour in Sofia based on a "goodwill". The tour in Sofia is not worth what we paid for and we didn't want it as well. How can anyone comfortably join a guided tour provided by an unreliable operator? I contacted TripAdvisor and received a partial refund from TripAdvisor, which was better than nothing. This is clearly the worst experience I had with tour operators in my life.

921iriss

Didn't worth the money. We got no service at all. The price for self-guided tour only included a 13 page PDF (only contained public information)!!!! The operator refused to refund and responded very rudely. They claimed it was clients' sole responsibility to choose them.

nick6BG

This operator organized us the cheapest Albena holiday ever and that's where I understood they are dealing with day tours and I had booked this tour directly with them before. This was one of the experiences I booked for my business visitors whom I drove and was with, that's why i took the self-guided option of this tour. The organization of the trip was a real gem, everything structured nicely in the several languages I requested it. It was so easy to drive around the spots and read the provided e-guide to my customers. We were waited on spot by the local people as a part of the logistics. The company helped me book the time for Boyana church which I paid on spot. Very delighted and truly recommend these guys. I took several tours with them after the released Covid measures and all of them were absolutely flawless.

EwaT372

I booked a self-guided trip to Boyana and Rila Monastery. What I didn't know was that self-guided means being totally on your own. You get a pdf with a lot of info about the history. As for organization, the only details you get is the name of the bus station in Sofia from which buses to Rila depart and timetable. As for reaching Boyana, there is no information. I paid USD 22 to for getting the latest bus schedule The description on the website is misleading and refers only to the guided trip.

WorldTravelerDora

It's great to be back this time on an organized trip. Fortunately I was lucky that we were 5 people in that day so, it was like a private trip to the Rila Monastery which I visited before on a self-guided trip.Boyana church is only visited with reservation and in small group. It was a fantastic day, truly awesome guide!!!!

MaggieVIP

Rila Monastery and Boyana Church should be on your bucket list in Bulgaria. This guided tour showed them both to us no matter that we had the self-guided option on our schedule. The guide, the vehicle, the guiding itself, the pre-arranged visits were so good that we couldn't feel how the day passed and we were back to Sofia.It truly is an experience you cannot miss while you are in Bulgaria or the capital Sofia.

lorrimcc

Scheduled a tour with hotel pickup. I received an email the night before and I replied to confirm I was still going and highlighted my hotel. The following morning i receive an email and I confirmed again that I'll be attending the tour and mentioned my hotel. I get a response literally MINUTES before the scheduled pickup that I would not be getting picked up at my hotel. I would have to go to a central location within the city. I paid extra for a hotel pickup. I requested a full refund and I have not heard back from this company. I'm surprised I got this link to leave a review. It must be automated. I've been to a dozen countries all over the world and this has been the worst experience! I'll never use this company again. They basically stole my money through deceptive advertising. I wish I could give a zero or negative star rating.

Roholaholita

El monasterio de Rila es precioso, el trayecto es un poco largo pero el enclave es maravilloso. Después de la visita, nos llevaron a un restaurante cerca para probar la comida local. Trucha a la brasa, carne a la brasa, ensaladas y panes buenísimos. Tras el almuerzo, visitamos la iglesia de Boyana. Es patrimonio de la Humanidad. Solo dejan estar 10 minutos dentro, suficiente porque es bastante pequeña. Recomendaría que el tour se hiciera a la inversa, primero visitar la iglesia y luego el monasterio. Impresiona más.

Tomoya_T

事前に依頼していた日本語のガイド(書面)は機械翻訳以下の出来栄えで読むに耐えないものでしたが、当日は他のグループと一緒になり、英語のガイドも受けることができました。 英語ガイドのおかげで、リラの僧院とボヤナ教会の歴史的な背景がよくわかりました。

Carlosdimar

Cuidado !!!! A pesar de llamarse la excursión como "Excursión privada de un día al monasterio de Rila y la iglesia de Boyana desde Sofía"; y creer que te van a llevar en un autocar a éstos dos lugares, no es así. Sólo te envian un pdf al correo que, si quieres, te lo imprimes tú. Nada de guia impresa. Ni transporte. Ni guia personal. Unas horas horas antes de comenzar la excursión me mandaron un correo diciendo que me vaya a la estación de autobuses y me compre un ticket de transporte público si quiero ir a ver el monasterio. O sea, que vaya por mi cuenta. Para eso no necesito contratar ninguna excursión y pagar ése dinero. Por supuesto que la visita a la iglesia de Boyana ni se nos planteó como ir hasta allí. Tambien tuve que ir por mi cuenta. Conclusión que pagas el dinero sólo para que tengas un pdf con información que podrías sacar tú de la wikipedia. Esa es toda la excursión "autoguiada" por su parte. Buen negocio.
Collected by Evendo, Tripadvisor & Viator
2024-04-25 13:34
Price breakdown
    Total
    Sorry, this date is sold out We recommend you try another date or try another product if your dates aren’t flexible.