Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Tour
Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Tour
Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Tour
Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Tour
Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Tour
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Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Tour

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Service languages: English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian (select your preferred language in the package options)
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Free cancellation by 00:00, 1 day before the date of use
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US$23.92
Itinerary

Itinerary 1 itinerary

Day 1

Meet at meeting point: The meeting point for the tour is Vasil Levski Monument, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7 . Ask for travel agency City Tour. Please be there at 8:40 am. The van/bus departs at 9am and will not wait for you if you are late.
Attractions and Activities: National Monument “Vasil Levski” (Free entry) The meeting point for the tour is Vasil Levski Monument, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7 at 8:40am . The departure is at 9am. Please be on time! 30 min(s)
Attractions and Activities: Rila Monastery (Free entry) The Rila Monastery is the biggest monastery in Bulgaria. It was established back in the 10th century. The current buildings are from the mid 19th century, with a defensive tower that survived from the 14th century. In the monastery complex you will admire the impressive architecture and frescoes. You will have 40-mintue guided tour and 2.5 hours free time to check the museum, the shops, take photos and have lunch break. 3 hr(s)
Attractions and Activities: Boyana Church (At your own expense) Your other stop is at the great UNESCO historical place – Boyana church, dating back to the 11th century, which has unique and very well preserved frescoes and pictures from the period of 11 to 14 century. You will have the chance to explore the church and learn its amazing history from your guide. Please have in mind that the inside visit of the church is limit to 10 minites per group because of its small size. Additionally, you will also spend some time in the yard of the church where you can take photos and also learn some of the interesting historical facts. 30 min(s)
Attractions and Activities: National Monument “Vasil Levski” (Free entry) At the end of the tour, the van/bus returns to the same starting point, Vasil Levski Monument, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7 5 min(s)
Guests leave on their own: End the tour on your own and bring your trip to a happy conclusion The meeting point for the tour is Vasil Levski Monument, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7 . Ask for travel agency City Tour. Please be there at 8:40 am. The van/bus departs at 9am and will not wait for you if you are late.


*Itinerary times are in the local time of the place of visit and may be subject to changes due to weather conditions, road conditions, and other factors. We appreciate your understanding.
Product details
Join an 8.5–10 hour guided group tour to two UNESCO sites – Rila Monastery and Boyana Church. Enjoy a 40-minute tour at Rila Monastery, followed by 2.5 hours of free time for photos, museums, shopping, or lunch. At Boyana Church, admire its stunning 800-year-old frescoes with a brief guided visit. Note: Women must cover shoulders and knees in the monastery. Tip: On busy summer weekends, bring lunch from Sofia to save time. *Boyana Church is closed on Jan 1, Orthodox Easter Sunday, and Dec 24–25. On these dates, the tour visits only Rila Monastery. This tour offers a perfect mix of cultural heritage, scenic mountain landscapes, and insightful storytelling from your professional English-speaking guide. Transport is provided by a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle, and the group size allows for a more personal experience. Ideal for history lovers and nature enthusiasts alike!
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What's included
A trip to to Boyana Chuch and Rila Monastery
Transportation by a comfortable bus/ minibus
Parking fees
English speaking guide OR driver, depending on the booked option
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
Eligibility
Adult: Age 3 to 99
Infant: Age 1 to 2
How to use
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
 
Your voucher will be sent to your email after your booking is confirmed. Please check the usage instructions on your voucher for more info about how to use it.
 
Any traveler groups not mentioned in the booking options are not applicable for voucher use.
 
For inquiries:
 
1. Tour-specific inquiries (including the itinerary and transport): Please refer to the Tour-Specific Inquiries section of your e-voucher to find the relevant tour organizer's details.
 
2. Change or cancellation issues: Please contact Trip.com Customer Support via the email address or contact numbers provided in your e-voucher.
Change & cancellation policies
If a cancellation request is submitted before 00:00, 1 day(s) prior to the date of use, no cancellation fee will be charged.
If a cancellation request is submitted after 00:00 1 day(s) before the date of use, a fee of 100% will be charged.
If a discount is applied, the cancellation fee will be calculated based on the original price before the discount and will not exceed the amount paid.
Partial refund is not available.
Important note

Public transportation options are available nearby

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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.

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