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Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Self-Guided Day Trip from Sofia

31 Reviews 4.81 out of 5 stars Based on 31 reviews collected by City Boat Tours and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 94% of reviewers |
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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8 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation

Overview

Discover two of Bulgaria’s UNESCO World Heritage gems on this day self-guided day tour from Sofia. Traveling by minivan, admire rural Bulgaria en route to the Rila Monastery in the pine-carpeted Rila Mountains. Take a self-guided tour of the medieval treasure with its fresco-coated church, and visit its fascinating museum. Then, after time to explore independently, continue to Boyana Church, near Sofia, to marvel at its spectacular pre-Renaissance frescoes.
This tour is with an English-speaking driver only.

What's Included

  • Driver
  • Transport by air-conditioned minivan
  • Parking Fees
  • Gratuities
  • Food and drinks
  • Entrance fees- Boyana curch- 12 BGN
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

Old City Center
ulitsa "Oborishte", 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

St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral (Pass By)

09:00 departure from the starting point. Be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes before departure.
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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 meters (3760 feet) above sea level. It is situated 120 kilometers south of Sofia.
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2 hours • Admission Ticket Free

St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral (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
  • Comfortable walking shoes recommended
  • 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.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 40 travelers

Frequently Asked Questions

(6)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Self-Guided Day Trip from Sofia?

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-6992P26

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Reviews

4.81
31 reviews

Average 4.81 out of 5 stars based on 31 traveler reviews collected by City Boat Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
28
4 stars
1
3 stars
1
2 stars
1
1 star
0

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What's Included

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

  • Driver
  • Transport by air-conditioned minivan
  • Parking Fees
  • ONLINE, cloud-based audioguide in different languages. INTERNET required to download and use.
  • Gratuities
  • Food and drinks
  • Entrance fees- Boyana curch- 12 BGN
  • Monastery Museum - 8 BGN
  • Tour guide

Additional Info

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

  • 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
  • Not wheelchair accessible or stroller friendly
  • Comfortable walking shoes recommended
  • 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.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 40 travelers

Report Product Issue

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

Free Cancellation

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

100% refund
No refund

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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American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

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