Explore Rila Monastery: Bulgaria's Most Iconic Landmark

Explore the most famous natural and cultural sites of Bulgaria on a full day trip to the 7 Rila Lakes and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Rila Monastery in Rila National Park.

Be enchanted by the allure of the 7 Rila Lakes & Rila Monastery (when available/the option is selected) on this unforgettable tour. Explore the natural wonders of the Rila Mountains on a guided hike.

Visit Rila Monastery from Sofia, with Boyana Church included on select options. Enjoy scenic Rila Mountain views. Guides available daily in English, Spanish or Italian.

Join an 8.5–10 hour guided group tour to Rila Monastery, with select options also including Boyana Church — please check your chosen option before booking. Enjoy a 40-minute guided tour at Rila Monastery, followed by 2.5 hours of free time for photos, museums, shopping, or lunch. On options that inc...

• Vasil Levski Monument
• Rila Monastery
• Boyana Church
• Vasil Levski Monument

• Public transportation options are available nearby, Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health, Suitable for all physical fitness levels, Women should have their knees and shoulders covered in the Monastery., 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., 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., 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., 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.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Explore Rila Monastery and Boyana Church - two UNESCO sites. Еnjoy breath-taking views of the Rila National Park. Your day, your way - guided or self-guided.

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. ⚠️ ...

• Vasil Levski Monument
• Rila Monastery
• Vasil Levski Monument

• 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

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Escape the city of Sofia to visit the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery and optional St. Ivan's Cave in the heart of Rila Nature Park. Enjoy magnificent mountain scenery and Bulgaria's cultural heritage.

Experience Bulgarian icons in one day from Sofia: an alpine hike past the Seven Seven Rila Lakes and a cultural visit to UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery.

Explore the picturesque Bulgarian countryside, visiting three famous Bulgarian attractions within a day tour from Sofia! Spend the morning in the Rila Monastery, one of the country’s most famous UNESCO World Heritage sites, a "must see" for anyone visiting Bulgaria. Discover the centuries old forest...

• Rila Monastery
• Stob's Pyramids

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap, Specialized infant seats are available, Suitable for all physical fitness levels, Easy to moderate walking tour

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

This self-guided, shared shuttle tour will take you to both the 7 Rila Lakes area in the morning and then in the afternoon to the UNESCO Rila Monastery in the Rila National park - Bulgaria's most famous natural and cultural sites. In the morning the shuttle bus tour bus will take you to the start of...

• St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral
• Seven Rila Lakes
• Rila Monastery
• Rila Shuttle
• Rila Mountains
• Rila National Park

• Public transportation options are available nearby, Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, Not recommended for pregnant travelers, Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health, Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness, A moderate to intensive amount of walking is involved (walking/hiking experience is a must), Comfortable walking shoes and clothes suitable for mountain/walking are required, Sun cream and sunglasses are strongly recommended, Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately, Dress code at the Rila Monastery: high heels, short skirts and trousers, shirts with no sleeves, etc. are not allowed in the monastery.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.