- St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral - The meeting point for the tour is Behild Alexander Nevsky Cathedral at 8:45. The departure is at 9am. Please be on time!
- Visit Boyana Church and Rila Monastery
- Travel in comfort with a minibus
- Parking fees included
- Choose an English-speaking guide or driver
- Boyana church entrance ticket - approx. 5 euro per person (10 lev)
- Rila Monastery museum + monk room entrance ticket - approx. 4 euro per person (8 lev)
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
- Hotel pick up and drop off
Experience a day amidst the mountains touring 2 UNESCO heritage sites - Rila Monastery and Boyana Church. This full-day tour of 8 hours, conducted in English, is organized for a group led by a professional guide. Your time at the monastery will include a 40-minute guided tour and you will be given 2.5 hours of free time for photography, visiting museums and shops, and for your lunch. Despite the brief visit to Boyana Church, it is undeniably worthwhile as you get to see centuries-old (800 years old) wall-paintings and understand their historical significance from your guide.
For women, it’s mandatory to have their knees and shoulders covered within the monastery!
On summer weekends, the restaurants might be bustling, so bringing your own meal from Sofia is suggested for additional free time at the monastery.
*The Boyana Church remains closed on January 1st, Orthodox Easter Sunday, and December 24th and 25th, hence on these days, the tour is restricted only to Rila Monastery.
- Women should have their knees and showders covered in the monastery.
- There are not many dining options around the monastery, so in the period April – October we recommend you to bring your own food. In the period November – March we organize a stop at a nearby restaurant, since the weather is colder and it is not comfortable to eat outside.
- Bring cash with you (preferably local currency) – the shops and the restaurants in the area of the monastery accept mostly cash payments so it is important to have some money with you.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.