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

781 Reviews 4.69 out of 5 stars Based on 781 reviews collected by City Sky Diving and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 94% of reviewers |
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards.
Sofia, Bulgaria
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 25 (0) days in advance.

9 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
and 5 more
French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian
Instant confirmation

Overview

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

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

Meeting point

Sofia Center
bul. "Yanko Sakazov" 9, 1527 Sofia, Bulgaria

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free

Vasil Levski Monument

09:00 departure from the starting point. Be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes before departure.
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15 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Boyana Church

Boyana Church is a small temple at the outskirts of Sofia with frescoes dating back to three separate periods: 11th, 13th and 19th century. The most important and fascinating are the frescoes dating from 1259. They are Renaissance frescoes that predate the Italian Renaissance (triggered by the works of Giotto) and brake the strict Christian canon law to present pure human emotions, royal figures and folklore elements.
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45 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Rila Monastery

Rila Monastery is one of Bulgaria’s symbols and a popular tourist destination. The monastery is set deep in the heart of Rila Mountain, between the Rilska and Drushliavitza Rivers, at 1147 metres (3760 feet) above sea level. It is situated 120 kilometres south of Sofia.
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2 hours Admission Ticket Free

Vasil Levski Monument (pass by)

Return to the starting point at approximately 17:00
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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities
  • 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

Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the From Sofia Rila Monastery with Boyana Church or St. Ivan’s Cave?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EET). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

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Activity code: C-6992RILA

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.69
781 reviews

Average 4.69 out of 5 stars based on 781 traveler reviews collected by City Sky Diving and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
612
4 stars
125
3 stars
26
2 stars
7
1 star
11
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 25 (0) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

  • 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
  • Professional Tour Guide OR Cloud Audio Guide App (depending on the selected option you have booked)
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Rila Monastery Museum (Optional; entrance to the main courtyard/church is free)
  • Boyana Church

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • 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
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 40 travelers

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