Skip to content
Tripsora

From Sofia Rila Monastery with Boyana Church or St. Ivan’s Cave

4.6(1,104)Rated 4.6 out of 5 from 1104 reviews9 hFree cancellationBy Traventuria
From Sofia Rila Monastery with Boyana Church or St. Ivan’s Cave

About this activity

Maximize your time in Bulgaria by combining two UNESCO World Heritage Sites into one efficiently coordinated day trip from Sofia. Journey into the peaceful Rila Mountains to explore the sprawling Rila Monastery complex at your own pace, paired with a stop at the historic medieval Boyana Church.

⚠️ BOYANA ENTRY NOTICE: Inside entry is heavily regulated by UNESCO to protect the 13th-century frescoes. Indoor access is ONLY guaranteed if you select an option including Boyana at checkout. Standard transport tiers include an exterior garden visit only.

- 2 UNESCO Icons in 1 Day: An efficiently paced route from central Sofia.

- Secure your Boyana entry slot by upgrading your tier.

- Uncover the secrets of 800-year-old art with your guide.

- Enjoy traditional restaurants nearby or bring your own lunch.

Note: Local entry fees apply based on your selected booking option

What's included

  • ✓Professional Tour Guide OR Cloud Audio Guide App (depending on the selected option you have booked)
  • ✓Visit to Boyana Church, St. Ivan Cave, OR The Bells Monument (depending on the option you booked)
  • ✓Parking Fees
  • ✓Round-trip transport by air-conditioned minibus or coach

Not included

  • ✕Gratuities
  • ✕Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • ✕Rila Monastery Museum (Optional; entrance to the main courtyard/church is free)
  • ✕Boyana Church

Meeting and pickup

  • IMPORTANT: The meeting point is next to the Vasil Levski Monument, in front of the Embassy of Slovakia. Please be there 15 minutes in advance. This tour is not suitable for children under the age of 5.

Good to know

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities
  • Comfortable walking shoes recommended
  • Exceptions to the standard program:
  • Boyana church will NOT be visited on the following days: 1st of January (the tour starts at 11 AM on that day only); The day of Orthodox Easter; 24th and 25th December.
  • Minimum traveler age is 6 years old

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

More things to do in Sofia

Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Tour

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: Wome…

4.6(1,217)Rated 4.6 out of 5 from 1217 reviews8 hFree cancellation

From £17.01 per person

Sofia Highlights 2 Hour Sightseeing Walking Tour

Want to explore Sofia's main landmarks in just 2 hours? Then this walking tour is for you! You will get to see 20 of the city's most famous spots, learn about Sofia's and Bulgaria's history in a fun and interactive way, and learn more about local habits and traditions. All this while being accompanied by an enthusiastic professional local guide. We meet right in front of Sofia's most famous build…

4.9(784)Rated 4.9 out of 5 from 784 reviews2 hFree cancellation

From £13.61 per person

Communist Walking Tour of Sofia

Find out what it was like on the eastern side of the Iron Curtain by joining our Communist tour. A 45-year-long period compressed in about 3 hours, including the factors that led to it, its aftermath and how it affects present-day Bulgaria. The main goal is to present this controversial period of Bulgarian history in an objective and informative way. Topics include World War 2, education, healthc…

4.9(788)Rated 4.9 out of 5 from 788 reviews3 hFree cancellation

From £15.31 per person