Private Day Trip to Boyana Church and Rila Monastery
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September 2026
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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
4.8/5
Based on 111 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Day Trip to Boyana Church and Rila Monastery worth booking?
Private Day Trip to Boyana Church and Rila Monastery is a 8-hour experience in Sofia, Bulgaria, from $237 per person. It scores 71 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 111 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 71 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (111)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $237 per person
Visit Rila Monastery and Boyana church, UNESCO World Heritage sites. Relive history as your guide's commentary takes you back into time. This is a Private Tour so you will not be combined with other people besides those
What you get
About this experience
Visit Rila Monastery and Boyana church, UNESCO World Heritage sites. Relive history as your guide's commentary takes you back into time. This is a Private Tour so you will not be combined with other people besides those in your reservation- there will be a private car and a private driver- guide just for you! And you will be able to stop for pictures, shops and other things whenever you want! Enjoy a full-day tour out in the mountains with a convenient hotel pick up and drop off. *Women should have thier knees and shoulders covered on the monastery. *The Boyana church is closed on the 1st of January, on the Sunday of the Orthodox Easter, on the 24th of December, 25th of December and the 31st of December - and on such days the tour is done only to the Rila Monastery. Most times the trips are done with eco friendly cars - with cng engine or electro mobiles, so that we can help fighting the air polution.
What's included
Included
- Hotel pick up and drop off
- A trip to Boyana Church and Rila Monastery
- Private driver- guide
- Transportation by an A/C car
Not included
- 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 & personal expenses
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Rila Monastery
First you will head to the Rila Monastery- 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. During the guided tour (45 minutes) in the inner yard and the monastery museum, you will discover the most precious pieces that are kept from the past and all the facts and stories about the biggest Bulgarian monastery complex. You will also have the chance to see an old and authentic monk room! Before going back to Sofia, you will have free time for a lunch break in a great local restourant with delicious cuisine.
180 minutes here
Boyana Church
On the way back you will stop 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 13th century period. You will have the chance to explore the church and learn its hisotry from your guide. The expected return in Sofia is at 5pm.
30 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
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
- City Tour Ltd.
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- 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
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 111 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
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
111 verified traveler reviews for Private Day Trip to Boyana Church and Rila Monastery. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, one day!
Wow! Two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in one day! So much history and color! Had a great guide, knowledgeable not only Bulgarian history, but also the Balkan countries! Highly recommend this tour when in Sofia.
via Viator
Rila Monastery is the most beautiful monastery I ever visited
This day trip is a must for all travelers who visit Bulgaria. Rila Monastery is the most impressive monastery in this beautiful and friendly country. I was very fortunate to have Alexander as my private tour guide and driver. I learned a lot about the history, religion, art and music in Bulgaria because Alexander is a professor in these topics. I have found that the most beautiful monasteries in the entire Balkan countries are in Bulgaria. I also enjoyed immensely the conversations I had with Alexander.
via Viator
Julian was our guide for...
Julian was our guide for the day. He was very informative and brought his own story to the places we visited. Beautiful day. Highly recommend.
via Viator
Best options to discover Bulgaria from Sofia
We are in Bulgaria for business and we are spending the weekend here. We want to understand the local culture and discover local history and for we identified this company as high recommendation. I booked the tour online and I communicate with the company via WhatsApp to ensure all is ok. They where very customer focused and ensured I have all information I need to have a perfect client experience. In the morning the small van for 8 people came and we discovered our guide - Alexander ( Sasha). History teacher, lot of knowledge about Bulgarian history and about Balkans, he ensured during entire tour we have no question unanswered, and we know as much as possible about the places and buildings we see. Rila Monastery is something you want to see, I was impressed by the location and by the paintings on the church walls. Boyana church is something singular and the paintings from 1200ish are exceptional. For Boyana I recommend you read their web site to understand why you will stay inside the church just 10 min and why are all the restrictions in place. I was positively impressed by Sasha and by this tour ands for sure when back here I will consider again this agency
Response from the operator: Hello, thank you for giving us such a high rate for our private tour of the Rila Monastery and Boyana Church . We really appreciate it. We're also glad to hear you had a great time with our tour guide Alexander. We will be happy if you recommend our service to all your friends coming to Sofia. :) Best Regards
via Tripadvisor
BEWARE- it’s a scam! Never pay for this “private” tour.
We signed up for a private tour. When the van arrived to our hotel, the driver got out and told us that he had a private tour with people scheduled for the day prior but the van broke down so they were added to our tour. We had no say. We later found out that it was a lie. The people did not have plans the day prior for the tour but they were booked on our tour. The “tour guide” knew nothing. The employee who was inside the Boyana Church corrected him multiple times when he was attempting to tell us about the church to us.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $237 to $400
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 39
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 71
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Day Trip to Boyana Church and Rila Monastery: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Sofia.
How much does Private Day Trip to Boyana Church and Rila Monastery cost?
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Prices start at $237 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 Private Day Trip to Boyana Church and Rila Monastery 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 Private Day Trip to Boyana Church and Rila Monastery worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 71 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 111 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 Private Day Trip to Boyana Church and Rila Monastery?
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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 Private Day Trip to Boyana Church and Rila Monastery 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 Private Day Trip to Boyana Church and Rila Monastery?
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Around 39 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 Private Day Trip to Boyana Church and Rila Monastery 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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