Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Tour

8 Hours • Free CancellationMeet on locationInstant confirmationGuided • Operated by City Tour
Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day TourRila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day TourRila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Tour
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Why we love it?

This guided 8.5–10 hour group tour explores two UNESCO World Heritage sites near Sofia: Rila Monastery and Boyana Church. Spend 40 minutes on a guided tour of Rila Monastery, followed by 2.5 hours of free time to explore its museums, shop, take photos, or have lunch. At Boyana Church, enjoy a brief guided visit to see its remarkable 800-year-old frescoes. The tour includes comfortable air-conditioned transport and an English-speaking guide, making it suitable for those interested in Bulgaria’s cultural heritage and mountain scenery. Note that Boyana Church is closed on certain holidays, in which case the tour focuses solely on Rila Monastery. Women should cover shoulders and knees when visiting the monastery, and bringing lunch from Sofia on busy summer weekends is recommended to save time.

Inclusions

  • Transportation by a comfortable bus/ minibus
  • A trip to to Boyana Chuch and Rila Monastery depending on the booked option
  • Parking fees
  • English speaking guide OR driver, depending on the booked option

Exclusions

  • Boyana Church – Adults 6.14 EUR. Children over 7 years and students - 1.53 EUR
  • Rila Monastery museum & monk room entrance ticket- 4 EUR
  • Food and drinks
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pick up and drop off

Please Note

  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not stroller accessible
  • Not suitable for pets
  • Infants must not sit on laps
  • Infant seats unavailable
  • Women should have their knees and shoulders covered in the Monastery.
  • There are not many dining options around the Monastery - there are bakeries where you can enjoy pastry. As an alternative, you can always bring your own food with you. Bring cash with you (preferably local currency) – the shops and the restaurants in the area of the monastery accept mostly cash payments so it is important to have some money with you. Please warn us if you have a 0-2 years old baby when you make the reservation so that we can prepare a special seat for them
  • The visits within the Boyana Church itself are limited to 10 minutes per every group of 8 to 10 people. If you'd like to enter inside, you may also need to queue.
  • On certain days, such as around holidays in Bulgaria, or when in groups over 100 people, delays are possible and the estimated tour finish time in Sofia could change as far as 18:30.
  • The Boyana church is closed on the 1st of January, on the Sunday of the Orthodox Easter, on the 24th of December, the 25th of December - and on such days the tour is done only to the Rila Monastery. Safety Notice: For the safety and enjoyment of all guests, anyone who appears intoxicated or behaves in a way that makes guides uncomfortable may be removed from the tour. No refunds will be issued in such cases.
  • The order of visits to the Rila Monastery and Boyana Church may be adjusted due to weather conditions or circumstances beyond our control.
  • On certain days as 18th of May , 17th of September and 1st of November - Your entry to the Boyana church might NOT be guaranteed.
  • Please note that some of the tour options do not include a visit to Boyana Church, even if it may appear in general destination descriptions. We kindly ask you to read each tour description carefully to ensure it includes the sites you wish to visit before booking. If you are unsure, feel free to contact us for clarification.
  • Customers who book the Self-Guided Tour (Transportation Only) option do not have guaranteed entry to Boyana Church. Due to the church’s strict timed entry regulations and limited visitor capacity, access inside the church depends on ticket availability at the time of arrival.
  • Guides are not obligated to provide guided commentary while inside the bus. Explanations and guided tours typically take place at designated stops and attractions rather than during transit.

Know Before You Go

  • Public transportation nearby

Cancellation Policy

Fully refundable until 1 day before start

Non-refundable after 1 day before start

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