The Ultimate Rila Monastery 3-in-1 Day Tour from Sofia
Discover one of the Bulgaria’s UNESCO World Heritage gems on this day trip from Sofia. Traveling by minibus, admire rural Bulgaria on route to the Rila Monastery in the pine-carpeted Rila Mountains. Take a guided tour of the medieval treasure with its fresco-coated church, and visit its fascinating museum. Then, spend some time to explore independently. Entrance fees not included.
The tour offers 3 different options:
1. The guided tour option is with an English-speaking live guide.
2. Tour with an an audio guide in Spanish, Italian, German, Russian or English.
3. Transport only (that option might not be bookable for some dates).
★ 4.3 · 24 reviews · Viator ★ 4.4 (20) · Tripadvisor ★ 4.3 (4)
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews.
Discover one of the Bulgaria’s UNESCO World Heritage gems on this day trip from Sofia. Traveling by minibus, admire rural Bulgaria on route to the Rila Monastery in the pine-carpeted Rila Mountains. Take a guided tour of the medieval treasure with its fresco-coated church, and visit its fascinating museum. Then, spend some time to explore independently. Entrance fees not included.
The tour offers 3 different options:
1. The guided tour option is with an English-speaking live guide.
2. Tour with an an audio guide in Spanish, Italian, German, Russian or English.
3. Transport only (that option might not be bookable for some dates).
Itinerary
- Vasil Levski Monument · 30 min
09:00 departure from the starting point. Be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes before departure.
- Rila Monastery · 2 h
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.
- Rila Monastery · 2 h
After the guided tour, enjoy some free time for further exploration, lunch, photo shoots, etc.
- Vasil Levski Monument · 30 min
Return to the starting point at approximately 17:00
What's included
- Visit to Rila Monastery
- Professional Tour Guide OR Cloud Audio Guide App (depending entirely on the option you have booked)
- Parking Fees
- Round-trip transport by air-conditioned minibus or coach
What's not included
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Rila Monastery Museum (Optional; entrance to the main courtyard/church is free)
Meeting point
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.
View on the mapStart time
09:00 · 09:45 · 09:50
End point
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.
View on the mapLanguages
In-person guide: English, Italian, French, Spanish · Audio guide: German, Russian, English, Italian, French, Spanish
Travellers
- Child (6–12)
- Adult (13–99)
Options
- ENG Live: Bells, Boyana, Rilafrom €28
★ Visit Rila, Bells and Boyana: with an English guide. ⚠ NOTE: We prebook your Boyana slot! The 7 EUR entry fee is NOT included. You must pay local in cash.
➤ Bells Monument Stop Included: on this specific route. You will visit the unique socialist-era Kambanite Bells Monument park. Note: Cave hike is EXCLUDED.
Vehicle & Group Size: : Transport is provided by large 45 to 65-seater tourist coaches (not small minibuses).
Start time: 09:00 · 09:45 · 09:50
In-person guide: English
- ITA Live: Rila, Bells & Cavefrom €25
★ Visit Rila, Bells, and Cave!: with an Italian live guide. BOYANA CHURCH IS COMPLETELY EXCLUDED! Do not book this option to visit the historical interior
➤ Guided Cave Forest Hike Walk: is included. Enjoy a guided 30-minute forest walk to the sacred St. Ivan Rilski Cave. Please wear comfortable walking shoes.
Vehicle & Group Size:: Transport is provided by large 45 to 65-seater tourist coaches (not small minibuses).
Start time: 09:00
In-person guide: Italian · Audio guide: English, Italian, Spanish, French, German, Russian
- Audio App: Rila, Bells, Cavefrom €25
★ Visit Rila, Bells, and Cave!: via web audio app. BOYANA CHURCH IS COMPLETELY EXCLUDED! Do not book this option if you want to visit the church interior.
ℹ Phone Audio App Requirements: You get access to a webpage audio guide. Bring your own fully charged smartphone, mobile internet, and a pair of headphones.
⚠ Large Shared Bus Logistics: mean you may share a bus with an ES/IT group. On Tue-Thu you might wait outside during a short stop at Boyana with no entry.
Start time: 09:00
Audio guide: English, Spanish, French, German, Russian, Italian
- ITA Live: Rila, Boyana, Cavefrom €28
★ Visit Rila, Boyana, and Cave: with an Italian guide. ⚠ NOTE: We prebook your Boyana slot! The 7 EUR entry fee is NOT included. You must pay local in cash.
➤ Guided Cave Forest Hike Walk: is included. Enjoy a guided 30-minute forest walk to the sacred St. Ivan Rilski Cave. Please wear comfortable walking shoes.
Vehicle & Group Size: : Transport is provided by large 45 to 65-seater tourist coaches (not small minibuses).
Start time: 09:00
In-person guide: Italian
- ESP Live: Rila, Bells & Cavefrom €28
★ Visit Rila, Bells, and Cave!: with a Spanish live guide. BOYANA CHURCH IS COMPLETELY EXCLUDED! Do not book this option to visit the historical interior.
➤ Guided Cave Forest Hike Walk: is included. Enjoy a guided 30-minute forest walk to the sacred St. Ivan Rilski Cave. Please wear comfortable walking shoes.
Vehicle & Group Size: : Transport is provided by large 45 to 65-seater tourist coaches (not small minibuses).
Start time: 09:00
In-person guide: Spanish
- ITA Live: Bells, Boyana, Rilafrom €28
★ Visit Rila, Bells and Boyana: with an Italian guide. ⚠ NOTE: We prebook your Boyana slot! The 7 EUR entry fee is NOT included. You must pay local in cash.
➤ Bells Monument Stop Included: on this specific route. You will visit the unique socialist-era Kambanite Bells Monument park. Note: Cave hike is EXCLUDED.
Vehicle & Group Size: : Transport is provided by large 45 to 65-seater tourist coaches (not small minibuses).
Start time: 09:00 · 09:50
In-person guide: Italian
- ENG Live: Rila, Boyana, Cavefrom €28
★ Visit Rila, Boyana, and Cave: with an English guide. ⚠ NOTE: We prebook your Boyana slot! The 7 EUR entry fee is NOT included. You must pay local in cash.
➤ Guided Cave Forest Hike Walk: is included. Enjoy a guided 30-minute forest walk to the sacred St. Ivan Rilski Cave. Please wear comfortable walking shoes.
Vehicle & Group Size: : Transport is provided by large 45 to 65-seater tourist coaches (not small minibuses).
Start time: 09:00
In-person guide: English
- ENG Live: Rila, Cave & Bellsfrom €30
★ Visit Rila, Bells, and Cave!: with a live English guide. BOYANA CHURCH IS COMPLETELY EXCLUDED! Do not book this option to visit the historical interior.
➤ Guided Cave Forest Hike Walk: is included. Enjoy a guided 30-minute forest walk to the sacred St. Ivan Rilski Cave. Please wear comfortable walking shoes.
Vehicle & Group Size: : Transport is provided by large 45 to 65-seater tourist coaches (not small minibuses).
Start time: 09:00
In-person guide: English
- FRA Live: Rila, Bells & Cavefrom €25
★ Visit Rila, Bells, and Cave!: with a live French guide. BOYANA CHURCH IS COMPLETELY EXCLUDED! Do not book this option to visit the historical interior.
➤ Guided Cave Forest Hike Walk: is included. Enjoy a guided 30-minute forest walk to the sacred St. Ivan Rilski Cave. Please wear comfortable walking shoes.
Vehicle & Group Size: : Transport is provided by large 45 to 65-seater tourist coaches (not small minibuses).
Start time: 09:00
In-person guide: French
- Audio App: Rila, Boyana, Cavefrom €23
★ Visit Rila, Boyana and cave: via web audio. ⚠ NOTE: We prebook your Boyana slot! The 7 EUR entry fee is NOT included. You must pay locally in cash to us.
ℹ Phone Audio App Requirements: You get access to a webpage audio guide. Bring your own fully charged smartphone, mobile internet, and a pair of headphones.
⚠ Large Shared Bus Logistics: mean you may share a bus with an ES/IT group. On Tue-Thu you might wait outside during a short stop at Boyana with no entry.
Start time: 09:00 · 09:45 · 09:50
Audio guide: English, Spanish, French, German, Russian, Italian
- Audio App: Bells,Boyana, Rilafrom €32
★ Visit Rila, Bells and Boyana: via web audio. ⚠ NOTE: We prebook your Boyana slot! The 7 EUR entry fee is NOT included. You must pay locally in cash to us.
ℹ Phone Audio App Requirements: You get access to a webpage audio guide. Bring your own fully charged smartphone, mobile internet, and a pair of headphones.
⚠ Large Shared Bus Logistics: mean you may share a bus with an ES/IT guided group. Their live commentary might interfere with your web audio app experience
Start time: 09:00 · 09:50
Audio guide: English, Spanish, French, German, Russian, Italian
Additional information
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities
- Comfortable walking shoes recommended
- All touch points in the vehicles will be cleaned frequently.
- Minimum traveler age is 5 years old
- The total duration of the tour includes the travel time
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.