
Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Shuttle Tour
Pick your date
Highlighted days have spots open. Grey days are sold out or not running.
September 2026
Loading live availability
Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.5/5
Based on 70 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Shuttle Tour worth booking?
Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Shuttle Tour is a 8.5-hour experience in Sofia, Bulgaria, from $41 per person. It scores 71 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.5/5 rating across 70 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 71 / 100
- Rating
- 4.5/5 (70)
- Duration
- 8.5 hours
- From
- $41 per person
Rila monastery shuttle will take you to Bulgaria's most important and visited historical site and even more - two UNESCO places, amongst with Boyana church. Enjoy the wonderful frescoes from 19th century, representing th
What you get
About this experience
Rila monastery shuttle will take you to Bulgaria's most important and visited historical site and even more - two UNESCO places, amongst with Boyana church. Enjoy the wonderful frescoes from 19th century, representing the achievement of the Bulgarian Revival painting school, feel the amazing spirit of the largest monastery in the country, surrounded by the indescribable beauty of Rila mountain. V travel team will represent to you all the secrets of this place. In the afternoon we will visit Boyana church, where murals from 13th century will show you the majesty of the Bulgarian medieval country.
What's included
Included
- English-speaking driver/guide
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
- Online audio-guide in Eg, Fr, Sp, It, De, Rus (use with your smartphone & earphones)
Not included
- Entrance fee for Boyana church
- Food and drinks
- Live Guide in Spanish, Italian, French - 100 € per booking
- Hotel pickup
- Hotel drop-off
What you'll see and do
Rila Monastery
Rila Monastery was founded in the 10th century by St John of Rila, a hermit canonized by the Orthodox Church. His ascetic dwelling and tomb became a holy site and were transformed into a monastic complex which played an important role in the spiritual and social life of medieval Bulgaria. Destroyed by fire at the beginning of the 19th century, the complex was rebuilt between 1834 and 1862. A characteristic example of the Bulgarian Renaissance (18th–19th centuries), the monument symbolizes the awareness of a Slavic cultural identity following centuries of occupation.
120 minutes here
Boyana Church
Located on the outskirts of Sofia, Boyana Church consists of three buildings. The eastern church was built in the 10th century, then enlarged at the beginning of the 13th century by Sebastocrator Kaloyan, who ordered a second two storey building to be erected next to it. The frescoes in this second church, painted in 1259, make it one of the most important collections of medieval paintings. The ensemble is completed by a third church, built at the beginning of the 19th century. This site is one of the most complete and perfectly preserved monuments of east European medieval art.
1800 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Sofia
Vasil Levski Monument (Embassy of Slovakia)
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Vasil Levski Monument (Embassy of Slovakia)
Options you can book
Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Shuttle Tour
Rila & Boyana with Audioguide
Audioguide EG,IT,SP,RUS,EG
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 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- V Travel Ltd.
Know before you go
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders MUST be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 70 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
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
70 verified traveler reviews for Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Shuttle Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Wonderful experience
I had a great time. The tour guide was very kind and helpful. I recommend it 100%. I will definitely book another trip with them next time.
via Tripadvisor
Rila Monastery is a MUST to visit
Rila Monastery is amazing, is a MUST to pay a visit. The tour guide Lubo is a very good tour guide, provided very sufficient historical knowledge and background , and explained the instructions very detailed. Strongly recommend to pay a v8sit there.
via Viator
An amazing experience, definitely recommend
Hristo was an amazing guide, so knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the history of the monastery and church. We really enjoyed our trip and would definitely recommend it to everyone. Our only issue was finding the bus to begin with! We were in the right place but originally turned away as the provider was listed on our ticket as "V Travel". We went back and asked them to check for our name on the reservation and it was there but the guide wasn't aware that tickets like ours could be with his company. Very glad we went back to ask or we would have missed this amazing experience!
via Viator
Great experience
It was raining hard, unfortunately, but we had a great time there. With the help of the explanation of the guide, we understood well the history and how precious the churches are.
via Viator
Don’t miss this tour
Excellent tour Guide was great Small group as opposed to touristing with the masses Very comfortable Delivered on what was advertised and more
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 8.5 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
- 25
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 71
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Shuttle Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Sofia.
How much does Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Shuttle Tour cost?
+
Prices start at $41 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 Shuttle Tour take?
+
Plan for about 8.5 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 Shuttle Tour worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 71 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.5/5 across 70 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 Shuttle Tour?
+
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 Shuttle Tour suitable for kids and families?
+
Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Shuttle Tour?
+
Around 25 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 8.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Shuttle Tour 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.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Shuttle Tour.
Pick your date





