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From Sofia:Rila Monastery with Boyana Church or St. Ivan’s Cave

677 Reviews 4.67 out of 5 stars Based on 677 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor |
Recommended by 94% of reviewers
94% of reviewers gave this experience a rating of 4 or higher.
|
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards. Sofia, Bulgaria
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from $23.32 per person

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From Sofia:Rila Monastery with Boyana Church or St. Ivan’s Cave Image 1
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On average, this is booked 25 (0) days in advance.
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8 hours (approx.)
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Offered in: English
and 5 more
French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian

Overview

Maximize your time in Bulgaria by combining two UNESCO World Heritage Sites into one efficiently coordinated day trip from Sofia. Journey into the peaceful Rila Mountains to explore the sprawling Rila Monastery complex at your own pace, paired with a stop at the historic medieval Boyana Church.

⚠️ BOYANA ENTRY NOTICE: Inside entry is heavily regulated by UNESCO to protect the 13th-century frescoes. Indoor access is ONLY guaranteed if you select an option including Boyana at checkout. Standard transport tiers include an exterior garden visit only.

- 2 UNESCO Icons in 1 Day: An efficiently paced route from central Sofia.
- Secure your Boyana entry slot by upgrading your tier.
- Uncover the secrets of 800-year-old art with your guide.
- Enjoy traditional restaurants nearby or bring your own lunch.

Note: Local entry fees apply based on your selected booking option

What's Included

  • Visit to Boyana Church, St. Ivan Cave, OR The Bells Monument (depending on the option you booked)
  • Parking Fees
  • Round-trip transport by air-conditioned minibus or coach
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Rila Monastery Museum (Optional; entrance to the main courtyard/church is free)
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

Sofia Center
bul. "Yanko Sakazov" 9, 1527 Sofia, Bulgaria

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

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Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Safe & secure • Easy breezy • Hassle-free

Vasil Levski Monument

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

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.
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45 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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.
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2 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Vasil Levski Monument (pass by)

Return to the starting point at approximately 17:00
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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities
  • Boyana church will NOT be visited on the following days: 1st of January (the tour starts at 11 AM on that day only); The day of Orthodox Easter; 24th and 25th December.
  • Minimum traveler age is 6 years old
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 40 travelers

Frequently Asked Questions

(6)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the From Sofia:Rila Monastery with Boyana Church or St. Ivan’s Cave?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EEST). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

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Activity code: C-6992RILA

Traveler Photos

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Reviews

4.67
677 reviews

Average 4.67 out of 5 stars based on 677 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and partner sites such as Trustpilot, Viator, and TripAdvisor

5 stars
522
4 stars
113
3 stars
24
2 stars
7
1 star
11

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On average, this is booked 25 (0) days in advance.
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Frequently Asked Questions (6)

Activity name

The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Destinations customers.

Filter by:

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the From Sofia:Rila Monastery with Boyana Church or St. Ivan’s Cave?
A:
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EEST).
Apr 2025
Q: What's included in the price?
A:
The following is included:
  • Visit to Boyana Church, St. Ivan Cave, OR The Bells Monument (depending on the option you booked).
  • Parking Fees.
  • Round-trip transport by air-conditioned minibus or coach.
  • Professional Tour Guide OR Cloud Audio Guide App (depending on the selected option you have booked).
The following is NOT included:
  • Gratuities.
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off.
  • Rila Monastery Museum (Optional; entrance to the main courtyard/church is free).
  • Boyana Church.
Apr 2025
Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:

The minimum age to participate is 5. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..

Apr 2025
Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:

If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

Apr 2025
Q: Is this an accessible tour?
A:

Accessibility information for the From Sofia:Rila Monastery with Boyana Church or St. Ivan’s Cave is as follows:

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Apr 2025
Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for From Sofia:Rila Monastery with Boyana Church or St. Ivan’s Cave will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Destinations. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

 

 

Mar 2024

What's Included

Activity name

  • Visit to Boyana Church, St. Ivan Cave, OR The Bells Monument (depending on the option you booked)
  • Parking Fees
  • Round-trip transport by air-conditioned minibus or coach
  • Professional Tour Guide OR Cloud Audio Guide App (depending on the selected option you have booked)
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Rila Monastery Museum (Optional; entrance to the main courtyard/church is free)
  • Boyana Church

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities
  • Comfortable walking shoes recommended
  • Exceptions to the standard program:
  • Boyana church will NOT be visited on the following days: 1st of January (the tour starts at 11 AM on that day only); The day of Orthodox Easter; 24th and 25th December.
  • Minimum traveler age is 6 years old
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 40 travelers
  • Operated by a business

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You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EEST).

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