Make the most of your Bulgarian adventure by combining two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in a single, well-organized day trip from Sofia.
Journey into the serene Rila Mountains to explore the expansive Rila Monastery complex at your own pace. This is paired with a visit to the historic medieval Boyana Church.
⚠️ IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING BOYANA CHURCH ENTRY: Access inside Boyana Church is strictly controlled by UNESCO to preserve the 13th-century frescoes. Entry inside is ONLY guaranteed if you select an option that includes Boyana Church at checkout. Standard transport packages only include an exterior garden visit.
Discover two UNESCO icons in one day with an efficiently planned route departing from central Sofia.
Secure your entry slot for Boyana Church by upgrading your chosen tour tier.
Uncover the secrets of 800-year-old art with your guide.
Enjoy traditional local restaurants or bring your own lunch.
Please note that local entry fees apply depending on your selected booking option.
✓ Professional Tour Guide or Cloud Audio Guide App (based on your selected option)✓ Visit to Boyana Church, St. Ivan Cave, or The Bells Monument (depending on your booked option)✓ Parking Fees✓ Round-trip transportation via air-conditioned minibus or coach✕ Gratuities for guides and drivers✕ Hotel pick-up and drop-off services✕ Rila Monastery Museum (optional; entry to the main courtyard and church is free)✕ Boyana Church entrance fee1 Vasil Levski Monument
Depart at 09:00 AM from the designated starting point.
Please ensure you arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time.
· 15 min
2 Boyana Church Visit
Duration: 45 minutes. Entry fee is not included.
Boyana Church is a small temple located on the outskirts of Sofia, featuring frescoes from three distinct periods: the 11th, 13th, and 19th centuries.
The most significant and captivating frescoes date back to 1259.
These Renaissance frescoes predate the Italian Renaissance (initiated by the works of Giotto) and deviate from strict Christian canon law by depicting pure human emotions, royal figures, and folklore elements.
· 45 min · Admission not included
3 Rila Monastery
Duration: 2 hours.
Rila Monastery is a prominent symbol of Bulgaria and a highly sought-after tourist destination.
The monastery is nestled deep within the Rila Mountains, situated between the Rilska and Drushliavitza Rivers, at an altitude of 1147 meters (3760 feet) above sea level.
It is located 120 kilometers south of Sofia.
· 2 h
4 Vasil Levski Monument
Pass by without stopping.
Arrive back at the starting point at approximately 5:00 PM.
· Non-stop passage
Mobile or paper ticket accepted. One ticket per booking.
IMPORTANT: The meeting point is located next to the Vasil Levski Monument, directly in front of the Embassy of Slovakia.
Please be present at the meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
This tour is not recommended for children under the age of 5.
IMPORTANT: The meeting point is located next to the Vasil Levski Monument, directly in front of the Embassy of Slovakia.
Please be present at the meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
This tour is not recommended for children under the age of 5.
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
This tour is suitable for individuals of all physical fitness levels. Due to the presence of uneven surfaces, this tour is not advised for individuals with walking disabilities. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended for this excursion. Please note the following exceptions to the standard program: Boyana Church will NOT be visited on the following dates: January 1st (tour starts at 11 AM only on this day); Orthodox Easter Sunday; December 24th and 25th. The minimum age requirement for travelers is 6 years old. ENG Live: Rila & Boyana Church ★ Visit Rila and Boyana Church: accompanied by an English-speaking guide. ⚠ NOTE: Your entry slot for Boyana Church is pre-booked! The 10 EUR entry fee is NOT included and must be paid locally in cash. ⚠ Variable Return Logistics: The return time is strictly dependent on confirmed Boyana Church entry slots. Please note that the 09:50 AM departure typically results in a longer tour day. Vehicle & Group Size: Transportation is provided by large tourist coaches with 45 to 65 seats (not small minibuses). ✔ The Original 2009 Tour: This is the one! We pioneered this Rila and Boyana Church tour over 15 years ago, and it remains our most popular signature offering. ESP Guide: Rila + Cave No Boyana ★ Visit Rila and St. Ivan Cave: accompanied by a Spanish-speaking guide. BOYANA CHURCH IS COMPLETELY EXCLUDED! Do not book this option if you wish to visit the historic church. Direct Route To Rila Temple: This Spanish-guided tour proceeds directly to Rila Monastery. There are NO logistical stops at Boyana Church during this journey. Vehicle & Group Size: Transportation is provided by large tourist coaches with 45 to 65 seats (not small minibuses). ENG Guide: Rila & Cave Tour ⚠ Optional Forest Cave Walk: The pleasant forest walk to St. Ivan's Cave is optional. Opting for this walk will reduce your free time at Rila Monastery. ✔ Live English Guided Tour: Enjoy a dedicated English-speaking guide for the bus transfer and on-site walking tours at Rila Monastery and the Cave. ★ Boyana Exterior Visit Only: The bus will make a logistical stop at Boyana Church, but entry is EXCLUDED. You will visit Rila Monastery & Cave with a live guide. Vehicle & Group Size: Transportation is provided by large tourist coaches with 45 to 65 seats (not small minibuses). ITA Guide: Rila & Cave Tour ⚠ Optional Forest Cave Walk: The pleasant forest walk to St. Ivan's Cave is optional. Choosing to do it will reduce your free time at Rila Monastery. ✔ Live Italian Guided Tour: Enjoy a dedicated Italian-speaking guide for the bus transfer and on-site walking tours at Rila Monastery and the Cave. ★ Boyana Exterior Visit Only: The bus will make a logistical stop at Boyana Church, but entry is EXCLUDED. You will visit Rila Monastery & Cave with a live guide. Vehicle & Group Size: Transportation is provided by large tourist coaches with 45 to 65 seats (not small minibuses). ENG Guide: Boyana & Cave Hike! ★ Visit Rila, Boyana, and Cave: accompanied by an English-speaking guide. ⚠ NOTE: Your entry slot for Boyana Church is pre-booked! The 7 EUR entry fee is NOT included and must be paid locally in cash. ➤ Guided Cave Forest Hike Walk: is included. Enjoy a guided 30-minute forest walk to the sacred St. Ivan Rilski Cave. Please wear comfortable walking shoes. Vehicle & Group Size: Transportation is provided by large tourist coaches with 45 to 65 seats (not small minibuses). ✔ The Original 2009 Tour: This is the one! We pioneered this Rila and Boyana Church tour over 15 years ago, and it remains our most popular signature offering. ITA Live: Rila & Boyana Church ★ Visit Rila and Boyana Church: accompanied by an Italian-speaking guide. ⚠ NOTE: Your entry slot for Boyana Church is pre-booked! The 10 EUR entry fee is NOT included and must be paid locally in cash. ⚠ Variable Return Logistics: The return time depends strictly on confirmed Boyana Church entry slots. Please note: The 09:50 AM departure usually results in a slightly longer day. Vehicle & Group Size: Transportation is provided by large tourist coaches with 45 to 65 seats (not small minibuses). ✔ The Original 2009 Tour: This is the one! We pioneered this Rila and Boyana Church tour over 15 years ago, and it remains our most popular signature offering. Audio App: Rila, Boyana Church ★ Visit Rila and Boyana Church: via a web audio guide. ⚠ NOTE: Your entry slot for Boyana Church is pre-booked! The 10 EUR entry fee is NOT included and must be paid locally in cash. ℹ Phone Audio App Requirements: You will access a web audio guide. Please bring your own fully charged smartphone, mobile internet connection, and a pair of headphones. ⚠ Variable Return Logistics: The return time depends on confirmed Boyana Church entry slots. Please note: The 09:50 AM start time usually results in a longer tour day. ⚠ Large Shared Bus Logistics: You may share a bus with another language group. Their live guide commentary might affect your app experience. ✔ The Original 2009 Tour: This is the one! We pioneered this Rila and Boyana Church tour over 15 years ago, and it remains our most popular signature offering. Audio App: Rila & Cave Tour ⚠ Optional Forest Cave Hike: The steep, scenic hike to St. Ivan's Cave is optional. Choosing to do it will reduce your free time at Rila Monastery. ❌ NO Live Guide In ANY Lang: This is an AUDIO app tour on a shared bus. Foreign commentary may be audible, so please bring headphones! A basic English host will be present. ★ Boyana Exterior Visit Only: The bus will make a logistical stop at Boyana Church, but entry is EXCLUDED. You will visit Rila Monastery & Cave using a phone audio app. Vehicle & Group Size: Transportation is provided by large tourist coaches with 45 to 65 seats (not small minibuses). Book the option that includes entry to Boyana Church if you wish to see the frescoes inside. Wear comfortable shoes as there will be walking involved. Bring cash for optional entrance fees and souvenirs. Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly. Ensure your smartphone is fully charged if opting for the audio guide. To receive a full refund, please ensure your cancellation is made at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure time.
Product code: 6992RILA
Activity offered by Traventuria via Viator.
WizardTrip Help Center History enthusiasts Culture seekers Religious site explorers Day-trippers from Sofia Visit two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in one day. Explore the magnificent Rila Monastery. Discover the ancient frescoes of Boyana Church (optional entry). Convenient day trip from Sofia. Option to visit St. Ivan's Cave. Audio guide or live guide options available.
Population 1,213,134 (2025)
Elevation 560 m
Currency euro
Official language Bulgarian
Driving on the right
Power plugs C, F · 230 V
Emergency number 112 Average temperatures -2° Jan 0° Feb 4° Mar 9° Apr 14° May 18° Jun 21° Jul 21° Aug 16° Sept 11° Oct 5° Nov -1° Dec Sources: Wikidata; climate: NASA POWER, 2001-2025 averages.
What is included in the tour? + The tour includes a professional guide or audio guide app, a visit to Boyana Church, St. Ivan Cave, or The Bells Monument (depending on the option), parking fees, and round-trip transport by air-conditioned minibus or coach.
What is not included in the tour? + Gratuities, hotel pick-up and drop-off, Rila Monastery Museum entry (optional), and Boyana Church entrance fee are not included.
Can I cancel my booking? + Yes, for a full refund, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What should I wear? + Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Dress according to the weather forecast.
Is there an age restriction for this tour? + The minimum traveler age is 6 years old. The tour is not suitable for children under the age of 5.
What happens if the weather is bad? + The tour is not cancelled due to bad weather.
★★★★★ Tripadvisor review
Beautiful monastery
001Nora, October 2026
Monastery was beautiful and we had fun on our trip!
★★★★★ Tripadvisor review
Great day
HelderP941, October 2026
Great day, me and my family (wife and two kids) went in a spanish tour, in a cave, monastery and bells park (which we were not expecting), all good tips from the guide, like the cheap bulgarian bbq, highly recommended.
★★★★★ Tripadvisor review
Amazing!
A7505CIantoniog, October 2026
Hristo was a great guide! He made it a wonderful experience, even if the weather was bad. Very good price/quality experience.
★★★★★ Tripadvisor review
Excursion to Rila
fralon65, October 2026
Nice experience, places to see. The pickup was convenient, enough time to visit the monastery on our own as well.
★★★★★ Tripadvisor review
Discovering Sofia and its surroundings
676chemar, October 2026
Coinciding with the Sofia half marathon, we decided to spend a few days in the capital, visiting the Rila Monastery and the Boyana Church, both World Heritage Sites.
The Boyana Monastery is in a spectacular natural setting and its state of preservation is perfect. It is toured quickly, leaving time to try the typical "mekitsa".
The Boyana Church, 15 km from Sofia, is just another Orthodox church, and I don't know if the €10 entrance fee is worth the interior visit to the tiny temple flanked by sequoias.
In any case, these are must-see visits if you travel to Sofia and do so with Traventuria.
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