
Rila Monastery and Boiana church private tour
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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
5.0/5
Based on 24 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Rila Monastery and Boiana church private tour worth booking?
Rila Monastery and Boiana church private tour is a 6-hour experience in Sofia, Bulgaria, from $118 per person. It scores 66 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 24 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 66 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (24)
- Duration
- 6 hours
- From
- $118 per person
You have the chance to visit two UNESCO world heritage sites in one day- Boyana church and Rila Monastery.
What you get
About this experience
You have the chance to visit two UNESCO world heritage sites in one day- Boyana church and Rila Monastery.
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- Bottled water
- On-board WiFi
- In-vehicle air conditioning
Not included
- Boyana church entry ticket- 12 lv (6 euro) per person
- Lunch
- Gratuities
- Entrance fees
What you'll see and do
Rila Monastery
Rila Monastery is the biggest active male orthodox monastery in Bulgaria, founded by the first Bulgarian hermit- Saint Ivan Rilski in the 10th century. After the big fire in 1833 the monastery was rebuilt anew, the only building which remained from the old monastery is the defense tower. In the Monastery you will have the chance to visit: The Church “Birth of the Holly Virgin” with the relics of Saint John of Rila (Ivan Rilski), the coffin of Tsar Boris III, the monastery kitchen /called Magernitsa/, Hrelyo’s defence tower, history and monastery economy museum. Visit to Saint Yoan’s Cave possible only in good weather.
120 minutes here
Boyana Church
Boyana church and its beautiful frescos.
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
- de, ru, en, it, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Elit 54 transfers and tours
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 24 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 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.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
24 verified traveler reviews for Rila Monastery and Boiana church private tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Absolute Hidden Gem of a Tour
Amazing Rila Monastery & Boyana Church Private Tour! Wow, what a fantastic private tour! We were picked up right from our hotel and taken straight to our first stop, Boyana Church, where our guide clearly explained everything from what to expect to how the tickets work. On the way to Rila Monastery, our guide took us to a total hidden gem: incredible restaurant by the river with fresh fish on the menu (easily the best meal of our trip!). I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting!
via Viator
Nice day out to see Boyana Church and Rila Monastery
We really enjoyed our day trip to visit Boyana Church and Rila Monastery. Boyana Church is really small, but it is interesting to see the layers of painting inside the church. Plus, the setting is very pretty. Rila Monastery is a can't miss site in Bulgaria. The setting is stunning as is the painted church. Both the interior and exterior are covered in paintings. We also stopped for a very nice lunch- overall it was the perfect way to spend a day.
via Viator
Vladi made it possible!
We were a party of 7 and it was a last minute booking. We could not get entrance tickets to Boyana Church but Vladi made it happen! Very resourceful and creative in how he made it happen. Rila Monastery was also a sight to behold. Excellent day handled beautifully!
via Viator
Day Trip to Boyana Church and Rila Monastery
This tour was very interesting and enjoyable. It was a full day from Sofia, but very well organized and efficient. I got to see a lot of the countryside and learn a great deal about Bulgarian history and culture. The two sites (Boyana Church and Rila Monastery) were interesting to visit and we had a nice Bulgarian lunch on the way back to Sofia. Vlady did a wonderful job explaining everything to me and was very friendly and professional. A terrific experience.
via Viator
Beautiful memories made !
It was an amazing trip to the Rila Monastery! Vladi was amazing as a guide and driver ! He was kind & informative ! He was very knowledgeable ! We had an amazing experience!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 6 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $118 to $200
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 8
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 66
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Rila Monastery and Boiana church private tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Sofia.
How much does Rila Monastery and Boiana church private tour cost?
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Prices start at $118 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 Rila Monastery and Boiana church private tour take?
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Plan for about 6 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 Rila Monastery and Boiana church private tour 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 (5/5 across 24 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 Rila Monastery and Boiana church private tour?
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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 Rila Monastery and Boiana church private tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 6-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Rila Monastery and Boiana church private tour?
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Around 8 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 6-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Rila Monastery and Boiana church private tour 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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