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Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Day Trip from Sofia

4.5 (678)
Sofia, BG
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Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Day Trip from Sofia

4.5 (678)
Sofia, BG
Share
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Experience the enchanting beauty of Bulgaria on this captivating day trip from Sofia. Journey through picturesque landscapes to the renowned Rila Monastery, nestled in the pine-covered Rila Mountains. Explore the medieval treasure with its stunning frescoes and delve into its fascinating museum. Afterward, continue to the Boyana Church, a true masterpiece adorned with pre-Renaissance frescoes that will leave you in awe. Choose from three options: a guided tour with an English-speaking live guide, an audio guide in multiple languages, or transport only. Immerse yourself in the rich history and culture of Bulgaria as you uncover these UNESCO World Heritage sites. Don't miss this opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Rila Monastery and Boyana Church.

About this experience

  • Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
  • Admission Not Included
  • 8 hours
  • Suitable for 1-15 Participants
  • Small Group Tour
  • Guided Experience & Audio Guided
  • Explore the stunning frescoes of Boyana Church
  • Discover the medieval treasure of Rila Monastery
  • Admire the beautiful scenery of rural Bulgaria
  • Learn about the history of Bulgaria's UNESCO World Heritage sites
  • Experience the beauty and tranquility of the Rila Mountains
  • Parking fees
  • Driver/Tour guide in English
  • Transport by air-conditioned minibus
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Admission to Boyana Church (approx. 5 euros per person) and Rila Monastery Museum (approx. 4 euros per person)
  • Audio guide in Spanish, Italian, German, Russian or English (approx. 5 euros per person)
  • Food and drinks

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

St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral

09:00 departure from the starting point. Be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes before departure.

Boyana Church

Boyana Church is a small temple at the outskirts of Sofia with frescoes dating back 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.

Admission Not Included

Rila Monastery

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.

St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral

(Pass by)

Return to the starting point at approximately 17:00

More about this experience

Introduction

Experience the captivating beauty of Bulgaria’s UNESCO World Heritage sites on the Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Day Trip from Sofia. This immersive tour takes you on a journey through time as you explore two magnificent treasures. Set off in a comfortable minibus, allowing you to relax and take in the stunning scenery of rural Bulgaria.

What to expect?

With the Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Day Trip, you can expect an awe-inspiring adventure filled with history, art, and natural beauty. At the Rila Monastery, immerse yourself in the medieval charm of this architectural marvel. Guided by an experienced tour guide, you will discover the fresco-coated church and its fascinating museum, learning about the rich cultural heritage of Bulgaria. Next, visit the Boyana Church to marvel at its pre-Renaissance frescoes that will transport you to a different era.

Who is this for?

This day trip is perfect for history enthusiasts, art lovers, and anyone seeking to explore Bulgaria's cultural heritage. Whether you are a solo traveler, a couple, or a group of friends, this tour welcomes all. Immerse yourself in the vibrant history and stunning artistry of these UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Why book this?

Embark on this unique experience and discover the hidden gems of Bulgaria. The Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Day Trip offers a rare opportunity to witness the beauty of pre-Renaissance frescoes that predate the Italian Renaissance. Be captivated by the fusion of religious devotion and artistic expression that is showcased within these architectural wonders. Immerse yourself in the rich history and cultural significance of Bulgaria's UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Good to know

Please note that the meeting point for this tour is behind the Alexander Nevski Cathedral, opposite the La Cattedrale restaurant. Be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to departure. The tour is not suitable for children under the age of 5. Take advantage of the different options available for this tour, including a guided tour option with an English-speaking guide or an audio guide available in multiple languages. Transportation-only options may also be available for specific dates.

Reviews

Feedback from individuals who have experienced this day trip highlights the breathtaking beauty of the Rila Monastery and the awe-inspiring frescoes of the Boyana Church. Travelers have praised the knowledgeable guides who provide insightful information and bring the history to life. Visitors have expressed their overall satisfaction with the tour and the opportunity to explore these UNESCO World Heritage gems.

Reviews

(678)

4.5 (678)

Bhavesh_P

Two major landmarks on this trip and well worth it. It is a long day with an early start so be prepared. Only a short trip in the coach outside of Sofia to the Boyana church. A small but historic site. The tour guide was very knowledgeable of the site’s history and significance. Then a two hour coach ride to the Rila Monastery. You do spend about two hours at this site wandering around. Again the tour guide pointed out a lot about the location and a great place for pictures. We had snow which made it even more spectacular. Lunch is not provided but the guide will suggest lunch at a nearby place. Well worth the cost of this tour just for the travel included but you inevitably spend a lot of time travelling.

robertkl28

excellent place to visit. be aware of parking difficulties if you are renting a car. Interesting tourist site. need to plan other things to do as this is half a morning visit.

groovyloz

Great trip with great information from our guide Martin. He was informative and funny throughout. Rila Monastery was beautiful and well worth a visit. The bakery behind the Monastery sold a lovely sweet pastry. Would definitely recommend this trip.

471j_liar

Amazing views from the Rila Monastery and the Boyana Church, where we saw Sequoias. The guide was very nice, helpful and made the whole experience very smooth. Wonderful!

ks1197

Great day trip to the beautiful Rila Monastery. Guide and driver were fantastic. Highly recommended!

Andrew_N

Brilliant day out! The pick-up was well organised and then it was a short drive to the first church. The guide was very friendly and kept everyone engaged. Rila is stunning and a must see in Bulgaria

virtuosek

Very poor organisation. The meeting point was not where instructed and no information or communication was provided. Instead, another company was at the meeting point, but you wouldn't know that until you ask the tour guides. We called our actual tour guide, he gave some vague directions to the new location. We asked for him to at least send us the coordinates, didn't want to. He said he'll send somebody to fetch us, no one showed up. 5 minutes later, when we found the place, the bus has already departed because the police told them to leave (?). By some miracle we found the bus already moving (we didn't know it was the one at the time as there are 2 of them). He stopped, but told us there was only one spot. He was wrong. He didn't count well, said the tour operator later. When we called the guide again (not knowing it was the guy who told us there was only one spot), he proposed to take a taxi -paid by us obviously- and meet them there (?) and that it would cost 10 LEV (?). We did find the operator, and after a lengthy discussion, he proposed to postpone the booking. Well, this was our last day in Sofia, so that wouldn't do... So we had to ask for a refund. Last day wasted. If a tour operator reads this, the least you can do is communicate the new location if it changes for whatever reason.

calivoodoo

Wonderful tour! Our guide, Hristo, was extremely knowledgeable and pleasant. I learned so much more than I had expected. Would definitely recommend.

Jennifer_S

Very beautiful monastery! We did the cave tour as well, then the tour guide was just lovely and took us to a traditional Bulgarian restaurant out of the cold! Then when we got back to Sophia she took us to her friends shop so we could get traditional Bulgarian souvenirs! We had a great time!

Mira_D

The day trip to Boyana Church and Rila Monastery was wonderful. Boyana is such a special church. At Rila Monastery the frescos are so vibrant and the monastery complex and surrounding landscape is beautiful and peaceful. The monastery bread and Mekitsa (donut) were delicious treats. As an Orthodox Christian I was completely in awe and moved at both churches. The trip through the countryside is beautiful and our guide told us about the Rose Valley which was in the distance.
Collected by Evendo, Tripadvisor & Viator
2024-03-29 14:46