Plovdiv and Rila Monastery tour in one day in Sofia
Sofia, Bulgaria

Plovdiv and Rila Monastery tour in one day

Outty Ranking 66 4.4 · 87 traveler reviews10 hoursFrom $117

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

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Age 12 and under

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Outty Ranking

66/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.4/5

Based on 87 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Plovdiv and Rila Monastery tour in one day worth booking?

Plovdiv and Rila Monastery tour in one day is a 10-hour experience in Sofia, Bulgaria, from $117 per person. It scores 66 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice, based on a 4.4/5 rating across 87 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
66 / 100
Rating
4.4/5 (87)
Duration
10 hours
From
$117 per person

We are the only company that offers this unique combination of tour to Rila Monastery and Plovdiv in one day. Visit the two most visited locations in one day with this amazing tour. The Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila is

What you get

    About this experience

    We are the only company that offers this unique combination of tour to Rila Monastery and Plovdiv in one day. Visit the two most visited locations in one day with this amazing tour. The Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila is the largest and most famous monastery in Bulgaria. Plovdiv’s history spans 8,000 years, it’s the second biggest city in Bulgaria. Entrance in the monastery is only allowed with covered shoulders and covered knees. Please have appropriate clothes. We won't have time for a restaurant meal, just packed lunch or fast food. Approximate schedule, it can be plus/minus 30 minutes at those stops depending on traffic: 07:45 Meet and leave Sofia 09:15 Arrivel at Rila Monastery 10:15 Leaving for Plovdiv 13:30 Some time to walk around Plovdiv 14:00 We join the Free Plovdiv Tour (this is a donation based tour, and the tip for the guide is not included in the price of the tour) 16:00 Time to walk around and optionally grab some food 17:00 We leave Plovdiv 18:30 We arrive in Sofia

    What's included

    Included

    • On-board WiFi
    • Driver
    • In-vehicle air conditioning

    Not included

    • Food and drinks
    • Gratuities

    What you'll see and do

    1. Plovdiv Old Town

      Visit to Plovdiv

      180 minutes here

    2. Rila Monastery

      Visit to the Rila Monastery

      60 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Sofia

    Big Yellow House

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Big Yellow House

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Smart Trans Bulgaria

    Know before you go

    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    Sofia - Plovdiv transferRila Monastery and Plovdiv tourPlovdiv and Rila Monastery tour in one day in Sofia, photo 4Plovdiv and Rila Monastery tour in one day in Sofia, photo 5Plovdiv and Rila Monastery tour in one day in Sofia, photo 6Plovdiv and Rila Monastery tour in one day in Sofia, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 87 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    8 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    5 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Value for money

    2 mentions

    Travelers feel they got more than they paid for.

    Food and drink

    2 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    Good for families

    2 mentions

    Reviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.

    Pace and timing

    2 mentions

    Several reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.

    Traveler reviews

    87 verified traveler reviews for Plovdiv and Rila Monastery tour in one day. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    63
    4 star
    7
    3 star
    8
    2 star
    5
    1 star
    4
    Sort
    hvieira1976 · February 2026

    Alexander, great guide, he made the difference

    O would like to express my sincere thanks for the excellent one‑day tour to Rila and Plovdiv from Sofia on January 25th. The experience exceeded our expectations and I’m truly grateful for the professionalism and care shown throughout the day. I especially want to highlight our guide, Alexander. His deep knowledge of the sites, engaging explanations and warm welcoming attitude made the entire tour memorable. He created a comfortable atmosphere from the very beginning, always concerned about our kids safety, gave us free time to enjoy the places and shared the history and culture of Bulgaria in a way that was both insightful and enjoyable. It’s clear that he is passionate about what he does and it made a real difference in the quality of the experience.

    via Tripadvisor

    Gurdeep_R · December 2025

    Great trip

    Our tour guide Apostolos was amazing very knowledgeable and helpful we as a family had a great time . Thanks

    via Viator

    Cynthia_B · October 2025

    We loved this trip!...

    We loved this trip! Alexander was so informative and interesting to talk to. He is clearly very smart and enjoys sharing his passion for history. Plovdid is such an interesting place! The two hour tour was a good overview but I need to come back and spend a week next time. Rila monastery was beautiful but an hour was plenty of time there. If you have limited time like we did, this was a great way to see two of the best bulgarian sights.

    via Viator

    Ileana_I · August 2025

    Plovdiv and Rila Monastery: Consolidate two Unescorted sites in a day

    This was a long day, but it was worth the time and money. Our driver/host Apostolos inew a lot about the country and kept us on track while ensuring we had opportunity to stop for food and bathroom. We very much enjoyed the 2hr walking free tour (tip based) that Apostolos arranged for us( we learned a lot about Plovdiv from our very knowledgeable local tour guide. We had enough time at the Rila Monastery to walked around and admire the architecture and religious wealth. We wished that we had received the audio tour hyperlink from the company that runs the tour one day in advance, as we had planned our time there more efficiently. However, we strongly recommend the tour.

    via Viator

    Allison_E · June 2025

    Wonderful day outside of Sofia

    Apostolous was a great guide and very knowledgable. It was a long day but he was very accommodating and paced the trip right for our group. I am so glad we got to venture outside of the city with him!

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    10 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    30
    Verdict
    Solid Choice

    Why this scores 66

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)61
    Review evidence (18% weight)69
    Booking momentum (14% weight)63
    Value for money (12% weight)72
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)19
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Plovdiv and Rila Monastery tour in one day: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Sofia.

    How much does Plovdiv and Rila Monastery tour in one day cost?

    +

    Prices start at $117 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 Plovdiv and Rila Monastery tour in one day take?

    +

    Plan for about 10 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 Plovdiv and Rila Monastery tour in one day worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 66 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.4/5 across 87 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 Plovdiv and Rila Monastery tour in one day?

    +

    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 Plovdiv and Rila Monastery tour in one day suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 10-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Plovdiv and Rila Monastery tour in one day?

    +

    Around 30 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?

    +

    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 10-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Plovdiv and Rila Monastery tour in one day start and how do I get there?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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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