
Plovdiv and Rila Monastery tour in one day
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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 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
Plovdiv Old Town
Visit to Plovdiv
180 minutes here
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






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 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral 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.
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
Great trip
Our tour guide Apostolos was amazing very knowledgeable and helpful we as a family had a great time . Thanks
via Viator
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
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
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.
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?
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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?
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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?
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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?
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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 Plovdiv and Rila Monastery tour in one day suitable for kids and families?
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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?
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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?
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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 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?
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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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