Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Tour
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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
4.6/5
Based on 1,119 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Tour worth booking?
Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Tour is a 8-hour experience in Sofia, Bulgaria, from $24 per person. It scores 85 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 1,119 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 85 / 100
- Rating
- 4.6/5 (1,119)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $24 per person
Join an 8.5–10 hour guided group tour to Rila Monastery, with select options also including Boyana Church — please check your chosen option before booking. Enjoy a 40-minute guided tour at Rila Monastery, followed by 2.5
What you get
About this experience
Join an 8.5–10 hour guided group tour to Rila Monastery, with select options also including Boyana Church — please check your chosen option before booking. Enjoy a 40-minute guided tour at Rila Monastery, followed by 2.5 hours of free time for photos, museums, shopping, or lunch. On options that include Boyana Church, admire its stunning 800-year-old frescoes with a brief guided visit. Note: Women must cover shoulders and knees in the monastery. Tip: On busy summer weekends, bring lunch from Sofia to save time. *Boyana Church is closed on Jan 1, Orthodox Easter Sunday, and Dec 24–25. On these dates, the tour visits only Rila Monastery. This tour offers a perfect mix of cultural heritage, scenic mountain landscapes, and insightful storytelling from your professional English-speaking guide. Transport is provided by a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle, and the group size allows for a more personal experience. Ideal for history lovers and nature enthusiasts alike!
What's included
Included
- A trip to Boyana Church and/or Rila Monastery, depending on the booked option
- Smart audio commentary in 12 different languages (depending on the chosen option)
- Transportation by a comfortable bus/ minibus
- Expert guide in English, Spanish or Italian – (depending on the chosen option)
- Parking fees
Not included
- Boyana Church entry: 6.14€ adults, 1.53€ ages 7+/students, cash only - if the option is chosen
- Rila Monastery museum & monk room entrance ticket- 4 EUR
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
- Hotel pick up and drop off
What you'll see and do
Vasil Levski Monument
The meeting point for the tour is Vasil Levski Monument, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7 at 8:40am . The departure is at 9am. Please be on time!
30 minutes here
Rila Monastery
Your day begins with comfortable, air-conditioned transport from Sofia city centre, travelling through green valleys and forested mountain scenery with an international group. Upon arrival at Rila Monastery – the largest and most important Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria and one of the country's most visited landmarks – you'll have guided or free time to explore its striking black-and-white arcades, richly coloured frescoes, gold iconostasis and peaceful courtyards. Founded in the 10th century, the monastery sits dramatically among the Rila mountains and offers plenty to see, photograph and learn about. During your free time you can also visit the monastery museum, browse for local souvenirs, or try traditional Bulgarian food such as homemade mekitsi and local yogurt.
180 minutes here
Boyana Church
If you have booked an option that includes Boyana Church, your tour continues from Rila Monastery to this UNESCO-listed medieval church, famous worldwide for its exceptionally preserved 13th-century frescoes – considered among the most important examples of medieval European art, and noted for the realism that influenced later Renaissance painting. Entry is time-slotted and visits are limited to small groups in order to protect the fragile artwork, so please allow extra time for queuing.
30 minutes here · Admission not included
Vasil Levski Monument
At the end of the tour, the van/bus returns to the same starting point, Vasil Levski Monument, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7
5 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Sofia
The meeting point for the tour is Vasil Levski Monument, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7 . Ask for travel agency City Tour. Please be there at 8:40 am. The van/bus departs at 9am and will not wait for you if you are late.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The meeting point for the tour is Vasil Levski Monument, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7 . Ask for travel agency City Tour. Please be there at 8:40 am. The van/bus departs at 9am and will not wait for you if you are late.
Options you can book
RILA ONLY/SMART GUIDE- NO GUIDE
RILA ONLY/SMART GUIDE-NO GUIDE: ★ Includes: Transport, Rila Monastery visit, Smart Guide Access ☆ Excludes: Live guide , No Boyana Church visit
[EN] Guided Tour in English
Guided Tour in English: Enjoy an English-guided visit to both Rila Monastery and Boyana Church.
[SG] Smart Audio Guide
Smart Audio Guide: Travel in comfort to Rila Monastery and Boyana Church and discover both sites with an online audio guide (NO LIVE GUIDE).
[ES] Guided Tour in Spanish
Guided Tour in Spanish : Enjoy a Spanish-guided tour of the Rila Monastery and the Boyana Church.
[TR] Self-guided Tour
Self-guided Tour : With this option, you can discover the two UNESCO sites WITHOUT A GUIDE.
[AG] Tour with Audio Guide
Tour with Audio Guide: Travel in comfort to Rila Monastery and Boyana Church and discover both sites with an audio guide (NO LIVE GUIDE).
RILA MONASTERY ONLY - SPANISH
Rila ONLY SPANISH (NO BOYANA): This options includes an Spanish-guided visit ONLY to the Rila monastery WITHOUT a visit to the Boyana church.
[IT] Guided Tour in Italian
Guided Tour in Italian: Enjoy a Italian-guided tour of the Rila Monastery and the Boyana Church.
RILA ONLY/TRANSPORT - NO GUIDE
Rila ONLY Transport-NO BOYANA: Enjoy All Day visit to Rila monastery ONLY, NO VISIT TO BOYANA CHURCH WITHOUT A LIVE GUIDE - visit local museums (optional)
Rila Monastery Only - ENGLISH
Rila ONLY ENGLISH (NO BOYANA): This options includes an English-guided visit ONLY to the Rila monastery WITHOUT a visit to the Boyana church.
RILA MONASTERY ONLY - ITALIAN
Rila ONLY ITALIAN (NO BOYANA): This options includes an Italian-guided visit ONLY to the Rila monastery WITHOUT a visit to the Boyana church.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, ru, pt, uk, en, zh-CN, it, pl, fr, ro, es
- 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
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Women should have their knees and shoulders covered in the Monastery.
- Please note that some of the tour options do not include a visit to Boyana Church, even if it may appear in general destination descriptions. We kindly ask you to read each tour description carefully to ensure it includes the sites you wish to visit before booking. If you are unsure, feel free to contact us for clarification.
- Bring cash with you (preferably local currency) – the shops and the restaurants in the area of the monastery accept mostly cash payments so it is important to have some money with you.
- 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
- The visits within the Boyana Church itself are limited to 10 minutes per every group of 8 to 10 people. If you'd like to enter inside, you may also need to queue.
- On certain days, such as around holidays in Bulgaria, or when in groups over 100 people, delays are possible and the estimated tour finish time in Sofia could change as far as 18:30.
- The Boyana church is closed on the 1st of January, on the Sunday of the Orthodox Easter, on the 24th of December, the 25th of December - and on such days the tour is done only to the Rila Monastery.
- Safety Notice: For the safety and enjoyment of all guests, anyone who appears intoxicated or behaves in a way that makes guides uncomfortable may be removed from the tour. No refunds will be issued in such cases.
- The order of visits to the Rila Monastery and Boyana Church may be adjusted due to weather conditions or circumstances beyond our control.
- On certain days as 18th of May , 17th of September and 1st of November - Your entry to the Boyana church might NOT be guaranteed.
- There are not many dining options around the Monastery - there are bakeries where you can enjoy pastry. As an alternative, you can always bring your own food with you.
- Customers who book the Self-Guided Tour (Transportation Only) option do not have guaranteed entry to Boyana Church. Due to the church’s strict timed entry regulations and limited visitor capacity, access inside the church depends on ticket availability at the time of arrival.
- Guides are not obligated to provide guided commentary while inside the bus. Explanations and guided tours typically take place at designated stops and attractions rather than during transit.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 1,119 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
4 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
1,119 verified traveler reviews for Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Most special place in Bulgaria
Great trip, well organized, and must have if you're in Bulgaria. Contact with the tour operator was excellent, guide was very informative and the place is breathtaking.
via Viator
Good experience
Really nice experience, Eva was a good tour guide. I really enjoyed Rila monastery and food, drink recommendations from Eva.
via Viator
Wonderful day trip to the Rila Monastery.
Very good overall experience! Punctual, very friendly, all the information beforehand was helpful. Can only recommend!
via Tripadvisor
Good value for money
Guide had huge knowledge and explained everything really clearly.
via Tripadvisor
Special thanks to Iva the tour guide who made our tour!
10/10 experience! Tour guide Iva and the Bus Driver were awesome! Iva was amazing and patient when explaining, she always went the extra mile to make sure we understood every aspect of the history of the sites we saw! After the tour ended she even patiently took the time to answer any additional questions we had about Sofia to make sure our experience in Sofia was a great one. Would recommend this tour with Iva to anyone!
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
- $24 to $35
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 392
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 85
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Sofia.
How much does Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Tour cost?
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Prices start at $24 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 Boyana Church Full-Day Tour 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 Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 85 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 1,119 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Sofia, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day 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 Boyana Church Full-Day Tour 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 Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Tour?
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Around 392 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 Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day 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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