Rila Monastery and Boyana Church tour from Sofia

Two UNESCO sites in one morning and afternoon, frescoes from the 13th century still vivid on the walls.

This 8.5-hour tour from Sofia visits Rila Monastery, Bulgaria's largest and most important monastery, and Boyana Church, a medieval site on the city's outskirts. You travel by air-conditioned minivan with an English-speaking guide who explains the history of each site: Rila's 10th-century founding and 19th-century rebuilding, and Boyana's three churches with their frescoes painted in 1259. An audio-guide in English, French, Spanish, Italian, German or Russian is available for your smartphone if you prefer to explore at your own pace. Dress code applies: knees and shoulders must be covered at both sites. Children from age 1 are welcome, and infant seats are available.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Rila Monastery2h
2. Boyana Church1h

Visit Rila Monastery and Boyana Church

• Travel to Rila Monastery
• Explore Rila Monastery complex
• Return to Sofia outskirts
• Visit Boyana Church buildings
• View medieval frescoes at Boyana Church

The experience

Rila Monastery sits in the Rila mountains south of Sofia, founded in the 10th century by St John of Rila, a hermit whose tomb became a pilgrimage site. The complex was destroyed by fire in the early 1800s and rebuilt between 1834 and 1862 as a symbol of Bulgarian cultural identity during the Ottoman occupation. The frescoes inside represent the Bulgarian Revival painting school of the 19th century, the achievement the description emphasizes, and the monastery remains the largest in the country. Your guide walks you through the site and its spiritual history. The audio-guide option lets you move through at your own speed with commentary in your language.

Boyana Church sits on Sofia's outskirts and consists of three buildings spanning centuries. The oldest part dates to the 10th century. A second church was added in the early 13th century by Sebastocrator Kaloyan, and its frescoes, painted in 1259, rank among the most important medieval paintings in Eastern Europe. A third church was built in the 19th century. The murals show the majesty of medieval Bulgarian art in one of the best-preserved ensembles of its kind. The afternoon visit to Boyana follows the morning at Rila, so you see both sites in a single day without arranging separate transport.

Transport is by air-conditioned minivan throughout the 8.5 hours. The guide is English-speaking and included. If you prefer Spanish, Italian, French or German, that guide costs an additional 100 euros per booking and must be arranged at checkout. The audio-guide in six languages works on your smartphone with your own earphones, so you can listen independently or alongside the live guide. Knees and shoulders must be covered at both sites (no shorts or sleeveless tops), and entry will be refused if you don't comply. Infants travel free with a specialized seat if you request one.

What’s included

• English-speaking guide and air-conditioned minivan transport.
• audio-guide in six languages (English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Russian) for use on your smartphone.
• entrance to both Rila Monastery and Boyana Church.
• specialized infant seat if requested.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

AgesAdult (17 and older) · Child (1 to 16 years)

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, German, Italian and Russian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by V Travel Ltd.

Is this one for you?Choose the guided minivan if you want both sites in one day with a live English speaker explaining the frescoes and history as you move between them. Pick the audio-guide version if you prefer to explore each monastery and church at your own pace in one of six languages.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 16 years).

What is Rila Monastery and why is it important?

Rila Monastery was founded in the 10th century by St John of Rila, a hermit whose ascetic dwelling and tomb became a holy site transformed into a monastic complex. It played a central role in the spiritual and social life of medieval Bulgaria, was destroyed by fire in the early 1800s, and was rebuilt between 1834 and 1862 as a symbol of Bulgarian cultural identity. It remains the largest monastery in Bulgaria.

When were the frescoes at Boyana Church painted and what makes them significant?

The frescoes at Boyana Church were painted in 1259 in the second of its three buildings, ordered by Sebastocrator Kaloyan. They form one of the most important collections of medieval paintings and are part of one of the most complete and perfectly preserved monuments of Eastern European medieval art.

How long is the tour and what's included in the price?

The tour runs 8.5 hours and includes transport by air-conditioned minivan, an English-speaking guide, and access to an audio-guide in English, French, Spanish, Italian, German or Russian that you use on your smartphone. Entrance fees to Boyana Church are included. If you choose a guide in Spanish, Italian, French or German instead of English, that costs an extra 100 euros per booking.

What dress code applies at these sites?

Both Rila Monastery and Boyana Church require that knees and shoulders be covered for all visitors: no shorts or sleeveless tops. Men and women must comply with this rule or entry will be refused.

Can I bring an infant on this tour?

Yes, children are welcome from age 1. Specialized infant seats are available if you request one when you book.

How far are these sites from Sofia?

Rila Monastery is in the Rila mountains south of Sofia. Boyana Church is located on the outskirts of Sofia itself, making it a shorter journey from the city center than Rila.