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Private Self-guided tour in Rila Monastery

2.2 (11)
Rila, BG
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Private Self-guided tour in Rila Monastery

2.2 (11)
Rila, BG
Share
Embark on a private self-guided tour in the enchanting Rila Monastery, the largest and most renowned Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. Nestled amidst the fragrant coniferous forests of Rila Mountain, this architectural masterpiece is a sight to behold. The monastery's impressive stone walls, arches, and colonnades create an atmosphere of grandeur and charm. Explore the monastery's vast complex of cultural, dwelling, and farming buildings, spanning over 8,800 square meters. Ascend the covered wooden stairs, admire the intricate carvings on the verandas, and discover the 300-400 monastic cells. Dive into the rich history and spirituality of this sacred site as you wander through the history museum, Tower of Hrelio, ethnographic museum, Bulgarian Renaissance guestrooms, and the monastery farm. Immerse yourself in the serene beauty and cultural significance of Rila Monastery during this unforgettable tour.

About this experience

  • Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
  • Admission Included
  • 2 hours - 6 hours
  • Suitable for 1-15 Participants
  • Self Guided Experience
  • Explore the largest Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria
  • Marvel at the unique architecture of the Rila Monastery
  • Discover the history and cultural significance of the monastery
  • Visit the Tower of Hrelio and the Ethnographic museum
  • Immerse yourself in the peaceful atmosphere of the monastery
  • Skip-the-line tickets
  • General entry
  • E-guide for the Monastery
  • Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
  • Transportation to/from attractions
  • Additional entrance fees for other sights inside approx. 8 EUR

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More about this experience

Introduction

Experience the beauty and serenity of the Rila Monastery with a private self-guided tour. Nestled in the picturesque Rila Mountain, the Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila, also known as the Rila Monastery, is a renowned Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. Immerse yourself in the rich history and stunning architecture of this unique complex, spanning over 8,800 square meters. With its impressive stone walls and intricate details, the monastery resembles a fortress, captivating every visitor who steps foot inside.

What to expect?

During this private self-guided tour, you can anticipate a truly immersive experience in the Rila Monastery. Explore the monastery's cultural, dwelling, and farming buildings, marveling at the beautiful arches, colonnades, and carved verandas. Discover the 300-400 monastic cells that create a sense of tranquility and contemplation. With a skip-the-line ticket and an E-guide at your disposal, you'll have the freedom to explore the monastery at your own pace, ensuring a personalized and enriching visit.

Who is this for?

This private self-guided tour is perfect for individuals or groups who seek a deeper connection with Bulgarian culture, history, and spirituality. Whether you're a history enthusiast, an architecture lover, or simply someone looking for a serene and peaceful experience, the Rila Monastery welcomes all. The tour caters to individuals of all ages and interests, providing an inclusive and memorable experience for everyone.

Why book this?

Embarking on this private self-guided tour of the Rila Monastery offers a multitude of unique selling points and advantages. By exploring the monastery at your own pace, you have the freedom to fully immerse yourself in its rich history and stunning architecture. The skip-the-line ticket ensures a hassle-free entry, allowing you more time to soak in the tranquility and beauty of the surroundings. With an E-guide to provide you with valuable insights and information, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the cultural significance of the monastery, making your visit even more meaningful.

Good to know

As you plan your visit to the Rila Monastery, it's important to note that transportation to and from the attraction is not included. However, this provides an opportunity to enjoy the scenic drive through the Rila Mountain, adding to the overall experience. Additionally, souvenir photos are available for purchase, allowing you to capture the memories of your visit. Keep in mind that there may be additional entrance fees for other sights inside the monastery, totaling approximately 8 EU. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and clothing, as there is plenty to explore within the monastery complex.

Reviews

Visitors who have experienced the private self-guided tour of the Rila Monastery have expressed their awe and satisfaction with the overall experience. They praise the monastery's stunning architecture, the peaceful atmosphere, and the opportunity to explore at their own pace. Many highlight the E-guide's valuable insights, enhancing their understanding of the monastery's history and cultural significance. Overall, visitors highly recommend this tour to anyone seeking a unique and unforgettable experience in Bulgaria's Rila Mountain.

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

The Rila Monastery was founded in the 30-th years of X century on the place of the Old Anchoress in Rila Mountain. While the monastery has been existing, it was many times rebuilt, destroyed and reconstructed. Today the Rila Monastery has had this appearance since the middle of the previous century. It is the biggest and the most respected Bulgarian monastery. It is considered that the creator of the Rila Monastery is the first Bulgarian hermit Ivan Rilsky (876-946), he chose to live in this way as a method of spiritual perfection and a way to express his protest against the suppression of the high moral rules of the real Christianity. The Bulgarian saint was born in the 70-th years of IX century. He was a witness of the decline of the First Bulgarian Kingdom at the time of king Peter I and Saint Ivan Rilsky became the most respected saint in the Orthodox Christianity in that time. At the time of the Byzantine slavery the established brotherhood was turned into a monastery. At the beginning of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom the relics of Saint Ivan Rilsky was displaced to the capital of the country Veliko Tarnovo as the most important relic for the Bulgarians. Entrance ticket will include the history museum and Tower of Hrelio, Ethnografic museum, Bulgarian renaissance guestrooms and Monastery farm.

Admission Included

Reviews

(11)

2.2 (11)

EKaterina1710

We used the car rental to reach the sight. And this activity is a real gem we found out. All the guides notes and audio in our pockets. Extremely nice!

Kelly_S

They don’t accept it. They make you buy another one. I guess I was confused to how it works Spoke to Viator said supposed to just download on phone but in a lot of area not allowed to have phone out

MaggieYou92

One of the gems out there. We wanted to save money and had a car rental so we drove to the monastery and used the e-guide which was sent beforehand. Really interestingly written by the local guides with everything you need. Very cheap price.

Heyitsimionhowya

My friend Hristo, please do not try to scam people by saying the following points below because there is no entry fee/genera admission (its free) and no lines whatsoever. Yes you do supply the e guided tour so maybe only include this in your price. General entry Entry/Admission - Rila Monastery Guaranteed to skip the lines

EKaterina1710

I loved this magnetic place! The incredible monastery is the largest in Bulgaria. The information provided in the guide was complete and interesting! My friends and I did not miss a single detail and watched this impressive object at our own pace, taking many amazing photos!

Serena T

This is a fraud. I booked a day trip at Boyana Church and Rila Monastery with this operator through booking.com but the information provided in their advert is very incorrect and misleading. I paid 23 euro for a self-guided tour and I do understand what is the difference between a self-guided trip and privately guided trip, BUT my ticket clearly stated a meeting time 9am and a meeting point pl. "Sveti Aleksandar Nevski" 4 so I was expecting a shuttle bus to be provided, and then I will have used a written self guide in the sites. Clearly this is not what they offer.They sent me a PDF the day before, and the PDF contained nothing more than public information that you can easily find for free on google. The day of the tour I arrived at the time written on my ticket and at the meeting point on my ticket and nobody showed up. I phoned them and they lied to me saying that this was the first time this thing has happened (there are other reviews like mine!!), they didn't apologise, they blamed booking.com or some other intermediary for the incorrect information. So they ask you to pay 23 euro for a PDF and then you have to arrange your transportation even though on your ticket there is meeting information? This doesn't make any sense. On the phone they told me they were going to refund me but then I received an email just saying that since this was somebody else's fault (??) I wasn't entitled to a refund.  I've tried to contact them again but they stopped getting back to me. There are many other good and reliable operators, beware of this one!

WorldTravelerDora

If you visit Bulgaria without seeing this piece of art, it's like you have never been to that country! Truly mesmerizing!!! I LOVED IT!

MaggieVIP

Some people do not really understand what a self-guided tour is. We perfectly know as we wanted to dispose with our own time and pace. That's why we took this fantastic tour which is featuring an absolute leader of an e-guide, so detailed and interesting. That was one of our trips we took in Bulgaria.

EKaterina1710

This tour let's you explore the monastery on your own with the help of the e-guide. We were fascinated by the beauty of the place and the quality of this self-guided tour. We definitely recommend it!

Rlloret

Es una estafa. La entrada al monasterio es gratuita y no hay colas. Lo único que dan por 6 euros es una e-guide de 5 paginas con un texto místico-religioso, sin apenas descripciones artísticas o históricas
Collected by Evendo, Tripadvisor & Viator
2024-04-24 08:26
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    Sorry, this date is sold out We recommend you try another date or try another product if your dates aren’t flexible.