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Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Shuttle Tour

4.5 (59)
Sofia, BG
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Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Shuttle Tour

4.5 (59)
Sofia, BG
Share
Embark on a journey to Bulgaria's most important and visited historical site with the Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Shuttle Tour. This captivating tour takes you to two UNESCO World Heritage sites, where you can admire the stunning frescoes and experience the majesty of Bulgarian medieval art. The Rila Monastery, founded in the 10th century, is the largest monastery in the country and showcases the achievements of the Bulgarian Revival painting school. After exploring this spiritual haven, you'll visit Boyana Church, known for its remarkable medieval paintings. Discover the secrets of these historical gems and immerse yourself in the beauty of the Rila mountains. With V travel team as your guide, this tour promises an unforgettable experience. Meet at the designated meeting point and embark on this enriching journey into Bulgaria's rich cultural heritage.

About this experience

  • Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
  • Admission Not Included
  • 8 hours 30 minutes
  • Suitable for 1-15 Participants
  • Small Group Tour
  • & Audio GuidedGuided Experience
  • Visit Bulgaria's most important historical site
  • Experience the amazing spirit of Rila Monastery
  • Witness the indescribable beauty of Rila mountain
  • Marvel at the wonderful frescoes from the 19th century
  • Explore the perfectly preserved Boyana Church
  • English-speaking driver/guide
  • Transport by air-conditioned minivan
  • Entrance fee for Boyana church
  • Food and drinks
  • Live Guide in Spanish, Italian, French - 100 € per booking
  • Hotel pickup
  • Hotel drop-off

Popular Hotels Closeby

More about this experience

Introduction

Immerse yourself in Bulgaria's rich history and culture with the Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Shuttle Tour. This tour takes you to two iconic UNESCO World Heritage sites, where you can marvel at exquisite frescoes, experience the spiritual ambiance, and explore the stunning natural beauty that surrounds these historical gems.

What to expect?

During this tour, you can expect a captivating journey through time and art. The Rila Monastery, founded in the 10th century, is a masterpiece of architectural and spiritual significance. Explore the monastery's complex, admire the impressive frescoes, and witness the revival of Bulgarian culture. Next, visit Boyana Church, a true hidden gem. Step into the enchanting world of medieval art and be mesmerized by the intricate and vibrant frescoes adorning the walls.

Who is this for?

This tour is for history enthusiasts, art lovers, and individuals seeking a deeper understanding of Bulgarian heritage. Whether you're a solo traveler, a couple, or a group, this experience is open to everyone with a passion for culture and a desire to explore unique landmarks. All ages and backgrounds are welcome to participate and discover the rich tapestry of Bulgaria's past.

Why book this?

Embark on this extraordinary tour to uncover the secrets of Bulgaria through its historical and artistic treasures. The Rila Monastery and Boyana Church transport you to different eras, allowing you to witness the evolution of Bulgarian art and spirituality. Led by the knowledgeable V travel team, you'll gain profound insights into the country's cultural identity and its enduring legacy. This experience promises to ignite your imagination and leave you with a profound appreciation for Bulgarian history.

Good to know

Entranced by the picturesque surroundings of the Rila Monastery, you'll find yourself immersed in the natural beauty of Rila Mountain. Remember to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a camera to capture the idyllic landscapes. At Boyana Church, feast your eyes on the well-preserved medieval artwork and be transported to a bygone era. Don't forget to dress modestly as a sign of respect when visiting these sacred sites.

Reviews

Visitors who have embarked on the Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Shuttle Tour have been enthralled by the architectural splendor and historical significance of these landmarks. They rave about the exquisite frescoes and the knowledgeable guides who bring the stories and legends to life. Travelers have expressed their delight in discovering the hidden treasures of Bulgarian culture, making this tour a must-do for anyone seeking a unique and enriching experience.

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

Rila Monastery was founded in the 10th century by St John of Rila, a hermit canonized by the Orthodox Church. His ascetic dwelling and tomb became a holy site and were transformed into a monastic complex which played an important role in the spiritual and social life of medieval Bulgaria. Destroyed by fire at the beginning of the 19th century, the complex was rebuilt between 1834 and 1862. A characteristic example of the Bulgarian Renaissance (18th–19th centuries), the monument symbolizes the awareness of a Slavic cultural identity following centuries of occupation.

Boyana Church

Located on the outskirts of Sofia, Boyana Church consists of three buildings. The eastern church was built in the 10th century, then enlarged at the beginning of the 13th century by Sebastocrator Kaloyan, who ordered a second two storey building to be erected next to it. The frescoes in this second church, painted in 1259, make it one of the most important collections of medieval paintings. The ensemble is completed by a third church, built at the beginning of the 19th century. This site is one of the most complete and perfectly preserved monuments of east European medieval art.

Admission Not Included

Reviews

(59)

4.5 (59)

AnneR_D

Excellent tour Guide was great Small group as opposed to touristing with the masses Very comfortable Delivered on what was advertised and more

TravelerJerusalem

The guide Georgi was knowledgable and attentive and the overall experience was good, as the Rila monestary is very special, it's surely worth a visit. Yet the tour was too long - we had too much free time in the monestary and aferwards we stopped in a reataurant for additional hour or so, which extended our tour even more unnecessarily. We could have come back to Sofia two hours earlier.

488arturoa

We really enjoyed the day. The monastery is really beautiful and we got to see some snow. Our guide, Todor, was really nice and made our experience totally worth it. Definitely the best Bulgarian guy that we've met.

Yael_V

Very interesting visit but a little bit short at the monastery . We had almost no time to visit the museum.

Angelica F

ThanK You so much for a beautiful trip in RILA e BOYANA, thanks a lot to Gheorghie very helpful guide, see You next time we'll fly to Bulgaria!

emamalv

It was a good tour. Very beatiful the monastery. excellent guide!! I recommend it as a tour to do!!!

Ludo T

When I found that tour operator V Travel offered a trip to the Rila Monastery and Boyana Church at only 30 euros a person, I was a bit sceptical. I still went ahead and booked, and I haven't regretted that decision for a minute. Our driver/guide, whose name I unfortunately have forgotten, had taken cultural studies in higher education. Both this English and his commentary were excellent. He knew what to say and what not to. I very much appreciated the links he established between the iconography in the two places. We stopped at a restaurant close to the monastery for coffee and returned there after our visit for lunch. Excellent service and good food. This was one of the best tours I've ever signed up for.

eightynine

Definitely recommend this trip with V Travel as their guides seem to really know the history behind the sites. Ivan was out guide and he had an answer for every question we had about sites we visited. It can be a long trip but our guide was friendly and made sure everyone was comfortable. Bonus points for taking us to a delicious lunch spot. Also, was the most affordable option when booking this tour.

Frankfurt-Westend

Excellent communication right from the start (tour booking) until the very end. Very good tour guide/driver, a small group made the tour more familiar. Very interesting places included (both Rila Monastery and Boyana Church). Punctuality, good service, very reasonable price...what else can you ask for?

Miguel B

We had a great day visiting the Rila Monastery and Boyana Church. We had enough time to visit the monastery on our own, take some pictures and buy some food/souvenirs outside the monastery. I don't remember the name of the driver unfortunately but he was very knowledgeable, with perfect English. He shared some background information about both locations and general info about Sofia and Bulgaria. We also loved that we did not make a stop for lunch as most of the passengers didn't want to - we had eaten outside the monastery, so the consensus was not to make a stop for lunch just because it was lunch time. This way we got to the city an hour earlier.
Collected by Evendo, Tripadvisor & Viator
2024-04-25 15:28
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