
From Sofia: Rila monastery & Boyana church and free pick up
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.4/5
Based on 14 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is From Sofia: Rila monastery & Boyana church and free pick up worth booking?
From Sofia: Rila monastery & Boyana church and free pick up is a 8-hour experience in Sofia, Bulgaria, from $45 per person. It scores 63 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.4/5 rating across 14 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 63 / 100
- Rating
- 4.4/5 (14)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $45 per person
On this day tour you will have the chance to visit the biggest cloister in the country - Rila monastery and the beautiful Boyana church, both under the UNESCO protection. You will have Audio guide (English, Espanol, Germ
What you get
About this experience
On this day tour you will have the chance to visit the biggest cloister in the country - Rila monastery and the beautiful Boyana church, both under the UNESCO protection. You will have Audio guide (English, Espanol, German, Italian, French, Русский) with you, who will tell you the history of the two sights and we will pick you up from your accommodation anywhere in Sofia.
What's included
Included
- Audio guide (English, Espanol, Italiano, Français, Deutsche, Русский)
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Pick up and drop off from any address in Sofia
Not included
- Entrance fee for Rila monastery museums - 20 BGN each (option- only in cash)
- Entrance fee for Boyana church - 12 BGN (option)
What you'll see and do
Rila Monastery
First and the main stop for the tour. The biggest and most important orthodox cloister in the country.
120 minutes here · Admission not included
Boyana Church
UNESCO site, located on the outskirts of Sofia
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 5 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, ru, en, it, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Sun
- Group size
- Up to 7 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- P Group
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Total duration is 8 hours - 5 hours transfer time and 3 hours sites visit.
- It is NOT allowed to wear shorts, short skirts.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 14 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
9 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
4 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Organization
3 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
14 verified traveler reviews for From Sofia: Rila monastery & Boyana church and free pick up. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Absolutely unacceptable: DRUNK DRIVER!!!
I would never recommend this company. The DRIVER WAS DRUNK or seriously hangover when arrived to my hotel. The almost fell when opening the door of the van, smelled of alcohol badly, almost fell asleep on the motor way, drove dangerously, had a really bad reaction time, could not speak properly. At one point we considered the possibility to switch places with him And the italian passenger (tourist) would drive the car instead of him, because we felt so much in danger. I immediately contacted the company And they sent another driver but Still, we had to stay in the van with him for almost 2 hours, anxious, overspeeding on the motor way, And fearing for our life basically. Absolutely outrageous!!!! I demand now some compensation on getyoirguide because I did not pay to endanger my life - obviously!
via Tripadvisor
Peter (our driver/guide)...
Peter (our driver/guide) was efficient and considerate. The info on the audio was interesting and not too long-winded. Rila monastery is a must-see!
via Viator
Fantastic experience!
I had a fantastic experience! Was only on sofia for a few days so my guide agreed to take me and it was just us. I had Lachezar who was a wonderful guide and a great person! If you can go with him I highly recommend as he is extremely patient and knowledgeable not to mention fluent in English!
via Viator
No show
I waited outside The address given for 30 minutes and nobody showed up. I’m sure the monastery is nice, but I wouldn’t know because I'm still in Sofia
via Viator
A fabulous trip to Rila Monestary and Boyana Church
I had a wonderful trip with Maria. She was my driver and guide of the trip and was super knowledgeable and shared tons of information about the places and everything Bulgarian. She was friendly and just a great guide. The Monastery was lovely and so picturesque especially having just snowed. The paintings were so vividly colored they seemed like they were painted yesterday.Boyana Church was tiny, but Maria shared great information. We stopped at a nice restaurant to sample the fresh trout. Food was quite good.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Sun
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 5
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 63
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
From Sofia: Rila monastery & Boyana church and free pick up: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Sofia.
How much does From Sofia: Rila monastery & Boyana church and free pick up cost?
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Prices start at $45 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Sofia usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does From Sofia: Rila monastery & Boyana church and free pick up take?
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Plan for about 8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Sofia is not rushed.
Is From Sofia: Rila monastery & Boyana church and free pick up worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 63 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.4/5 across 14 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Sofia, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule From Sofia: Rila monastery & Boyana church and free pick up?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is From Sofia: Rila monastery & Boyana church and free pick up suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book From Sofia: Rila monastery & Boyana church and free pick up?
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Around 5 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Sofia can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Sofia and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does From Sofia: Rila monastery & Boyana church and free pick up start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Sofia within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Sofia?
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On Outty we rank every Sofia experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Communist Walking Tour of Sofia, Sofia Highlights 2 Hour Sightseeing Walking Tour, Sofia Escape Room - Teorema Rooms. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Sofia?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Sofia?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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