Rila Monastery and Wine Tasting Tour in Sofia
Sofia, Bulgaria

Rila Monastery and Wine Tasting Tour

Outty Ranking 58 4.2 · 9 traveler reviews8 hoursFrom $79

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

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Age 12 and under

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From, per person$79
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Outty Ranking

58/100

Worth a Look. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.2/5

Based on 9 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Rila Monastery and Wine Tasting Tour worth booking?

Rila Monastery and Wine Tasting Tour is a 8-hour experience in Sofia, Bulgaria, from $79 per person. It scores 58 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look, based on a 4.2/5 rating across 9 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
58 / 100
Rating
4.2/5 (9)
Duration
8 hours
From
$79 per person

Rila Monastery private tour will take you to Bulgaria's most important and visited historical site and even more -  Bulgaria's most visited UNESCO place, the 14th century defensive tower and a local wine cellar. Enjoy th

What you get

    About this experience

    Rila Monastery private tour will take you to Bulgaria's most important and visited historical site and even more -  Bulgaria's most visited UNESCO place, the 14th century defensive tower and a local wine cellar. 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. In the afternoon we will visit a special winery where you will try 3 different wines.

    What's included

    Included

    • Professional guide
    • Private tour
    • Wine tasting
    • Driver/guide
    • Transport by air-conditioned minivan
    • Hotel/port pickup and drop-off

    Not included

    • Food and drinks
    • Gratuities

    What you'll see and do

    1. Rila Mountains

      The highest Balkan peninsula mountain!

      60 minutes here

    2. Rila Monastery

      Rila Monastery visit

      120 minutes here

    3. Medi Valley Winery

      Excellent wine, winery, views and wine tasting

      120 minutes here · Admission 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 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    V Travel Ltd.

    Know before you go

    • Specialized infant seats are available
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • 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
    • Comfortable walking shoes are recommended this tour does involve a moderate amount of walking
    • Minimum age is 2 years

    Photos

    Rila Monastery and Wine Tasting Tour in Sofia, photo 2Rila Monastery and Wine Tasting Tour in Sofia, photo 3Rila Monastery and Wine Tasting Tour in Sofia, photo 4Rila Monastery and Wine Tasting Tour in Sofia, photo 5Rila Monastery and Wine Tasting Tour in Sofia, photo 6Rila Monastery and Wine Tasting Tour in Sofia, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 9 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Food and drink

    8 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    The guide

    6 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    5 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Value for money

    2 mentions

    Travelers feel they got more than they paid for.

    Traveler reviews

    9 verified traveler reviews for Rila Monastery and Wine Tasting Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    6
    4 star
    1
    3 star
    1
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    1
    Sort
    Vijay_P · March 2025

    Culture and wine

    If you're looking for a perfect blend of history, culture, and wine, this day trip to Rila Monastery and Medi Valley Winery is an absolute must! Our guide, Georgi, made the experience truly exceptional with his deep knowledge, professionalism, and warm personality.

    via Viator

    508nadezhdam · September 2024

    Unreliable service provider

    The trip was canceled last moment although it was booked well in advance. The operator excused themselves with the grape picking season :o. "Because it was the grape picking season the winery they partnered with could not offer the wine tasting." :-0. As if grape picking happened by surprise and could not be planned accordingly. Or the one hour wine tasting would jeopardise the whole harvesting. No other options were offered to compensate for the inconvenience. Unreliable service provider.

    via Tripadvisor

    FellowTraveler623488 · November 2022

    Would Recommend

    The monastery is truly a must see, one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited. Ivan was a brilliant tour guide who was very passionate about the monastery and had a lot of knowledge about Bulgarian wine. Would recommend to anyone

    via Tripadvisor

    JehanCarew · February 2020

    Great Trip

    This is a place not to be missed. It has a certain about of charm and the artistry on the wall is immense/ strikingly beautiful. We went to the Rila Monastery and the Boyana trip for as the wine tasting tour is out of season at the moment. Michael the tour guide looked after us and explained the history of the place. We went in February and it even snowed. They also stop for lunch at a quaint restaurant that had a fire. Try the fresh trout if you like fish. Definitely a lovely trip to go on.

    Response from the operator: Thank you for the nice words! We wish you all the best!

    via Tripadvisor

    Sherri_D · June 2019

    Rila and Wine tasting review

    My friend and I had a great trip to the Rila Monastery and Wine Tasting. Our guide Victor was excellent and gave us much information about the Monastery that we would have never known had we gone on our own. We had a nice lunch in a cozy restaurant where Victor continued to share personal stories of the Bulgarian history with us, which was all very eye opening. The winery part was good, perhaps a little rushed, but the wine was excellent. I highly recommend this tour for a personalized experience with loads of information. It was a great combination of sightseeing, walking and relaxation.

    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
    $79 to $299
    Hotel pickup
    Included for all travelers
    Booked in 30 days
    3
    Verdict
    Worth a Look

    Why this scores 58

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)68
    Review evidence (18% weight)35
    Booking momentum (14% weight)25
    Value for money (12% weight)82
    Listing quality (10% weight)75
    Local standing (8% weight)31
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Rila Monastery and Wine Tasting Tour: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Sofia.

    How much does Rila Monastery and Wine Tasting Tour cost?

    +

    Prices start at $79 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 Wine Tasting Tour take?

    +

    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 Wine Tasting Tour worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 58 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.2/5 across 9 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 Wine Tasting 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 Wine Tasting Tour suitable for kids and families?

    +

    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 Wine Tasting Tour?

    +

    Around 3 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-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Rila Monastery and Wine Tasting 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.

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