Rila Monastery

Enjoy a day in the mountains by exploring 2 UNESCO sites – the Rila Monastery and the Boyana church. The 8-hour day tour will be with a group and a professional guide in English. In the monastery, you will have a 40-minute guided tour and 2,5 hours free time to make photos, check the museums and the shops, and have lunch. The visit of the Boyana church, although short, is definitely worth since you will see its amazing 800-years old frescoes and learn their history from your guide! *Women should have their knees and shoulders covered in the monastery! *If your tour is on a weekend day during the summer, the restaurants could be crowded so you can bring your own food from Sofia in order to have more free time and the monastery. *The Boyana church is closed on the 1st of January, on the Sunday of the Orthodox Easter, on the 24th of December, 25th of December – and on such days the tour is done only to the Rila Monastery.

This self-guided, shared shuttle tour will take you to both the 7 Rila Lakes area in the morning and then in the afternoon to the UNESCO Rila Monastery in the Rila National park – Bulgaria's most famous natural and cultural sites. In the morning the shuttle bus tour bus will take you to the start of the hiking routes ar the Rila Lakes area and base station of the chair lift from where you can take the chair-lift up in the mountain. You have more than 5 hours for your self-guided tour of the Rila Lakes area. After that in the afternoon the shared shuttle will take you to the Rila Monastery – Bulgaria's most visited cultural and historical site. You have more than 1 hour to explore the monastery site on your own.

IMPORTANT: Entrance in the monastery is only allowed with covered shoulders and covered knees. So please make sure you have appropriate clothes. Often called the 8th wonder of the world, the Seven Rila lakes are legendary for their beauty and awesomeness. They are one of the most visited natural sites of Bulgaria. We combine them with a visit to the Rila Monastery. The Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila, better known as the Rila Monastery is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. The tour starts at 08:00 and finishes around 19:00. The driver will pick you up, will take you to the Monastery and will show you around. After that he will take you to the lift to the 7 Rila Lakes, you will be able to go up to the lakes, the driver will stay down and wait for you there. When you come back, he will pick you from the lift and bring you back to Sofia.

A whole-day guided trek to the Rila Mountains with its top best locations – the Rila Monastery (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the 7 Rila Lakes. Experience the two most visited tourist sights in Bulgaria in just one day. Combine great hiking with a full of history visit to the biggest and most important cloister in the country.

See the best of Bulgaria in 1 day. This self-guided, shared shuttle tour will take you to both the UNESCO Rila Monastery in the Rila National park in the morning and then in the afternoon to the city of Plovdiv – the cultural capital of Bulgaria. In the morning the shuttle bus will take you to the Rila Monastery where you have more than 1 hour to explore the site at your own pace. The complex is compact in size so the time allows to see the most important parts of it. After that in the afternoon the shared shuttle will take you on a 3.5 hours journey through the scenic mountains of Bulgaria to the city of Plovdiv – one of Bulgaria's most visited cultural and historical sites. You have more than 4.5 hours to explore the historical city center on your own. Driver will provide you with a tourist map and tips for what to see.

IMPORTANT: Entrance in the monastery is only allowed with covered shoulders and covered knees. So please make sure you have appropriate clothes. The Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila, better known as the Rila Monastery is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. It is situated in the Rila Mountains. The monastery is named after its founder, the hermit Ivan of Rila (876 – 946 AD). Founded in the 10th century, the Rila Monastery is regarded as one of Bulgaria’s most important cultural, historical and architectural monuments and is a key tourist attraction for both Bulgaria and Southern Europe. If you want to be among the lucky ones who have visited this amazing site, join our tours and let’s have a great time together!

– Get more of your holiday by booking an intensive small group guided tour to the highlights of southwest Bulgaria; – Tour the smallest Bulgarian town, famous for its architecture, stunning surroundings, and wine production. – The Melnik Pyramids are a fantastic phenomenon. Use wisely the recommended photo stops! 🙂 – In Melnik discover the impressive Rivaval Period style house of Kordopoulo’s family and peek into its tunnel-like wine cellar. – Enjoy the sights of the tranquil Bulgarian countryside and its sleepy villages, while your guide introduces you to Bulgarian everyday countryside life; – Visit the overwhelming Rila Monastery and let the guide relive its history and enlight you on its present-day status; – Admire the priceless frescoe masterpieces of the most notable 19th-century Bulgarian painters – Enrich your experience by tasting local delicacies and in this way involve all your senses;

Situated deep in the dense pine forests of Rila Mountain, Rila Monastery is the biggest and most important Orthodox cloister in Bulgaria.It is an outstanding example of the Bulgarian cultural and historical heritage, in which architecture and painting merge harmoniously. The site is part of the UNESCO World Heritage list. Rila Monastery was founded in the 10th century by St Ivan Rilski, a hermit canonized by the Orthodox Church. His ascetic dwelling and tomb became a holy place and later on, a monastic complex was formed. It played an important role in the spiritual and social life of medieval Bulgaria. After the guided visit to the Monastery complex and lunch, we will head back to Sofia. On the way, we will stop at the second UNESCO site for the day Boyana church. Small but unique with the most preserved frescoes from 1259 in this part of Europe. The tour will end with drop-off at your hotel/accommodation.

You have the chance to visit two UNESCO world heritage sites in one day- Boyana church and Rila Monastery.

Enjoy a day out at the Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila, better known as the Rila Monastery is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. This product gives you an unique conversational audio guide and an electronic guide with full guides notes. Total flexibility and at your own pace. The Rila Monastery is located in 1147 meters altitude in the middle of the fragrant coniferous forests of Rila Mountain. The monastery is a complex of cultural, dwelling and farming buildings which take about 8800 square meters. The Rila Monastery has an unique architecture. Outside, the monastery looks like a fortress. It has 24-meter stone walls which forms irregular pentagon. That’s why when some tourist enters the monastery’s yard from some of the two iron gates he is surprised by its architecture: arches and colonnades, covered wooden stairs and carved verandas and the 300-400 monastic cells.

This tour is an excellent option for you to experience a wonderful adventure and see the most-visited UNESCO site in Bulgaria – Rila Monastery. We are offering day trip to Struma river gorge, where you will have 12 kilometers of rafting and fun and a sel-guided visit of RIla Monastery with audio-guide in Spanish, Italian, German, Russian, English.

Rila monastery shuttle will take you to Bulgaria's most important and visited historical site and even more – two UNESCO places, amongst with Boyana church. Enjoy the wonderful frescoes from 19th century, representing the achievement of the Bulgarian Revival painting school, feel the amazing spirit of the largest monastery in the country, surrounded by the indescribable beauty of Rila mountain. V travel team will represent to you all the secrets of this place. In the afternoon we will visit Boyana church, where murals from 13th century will show you the majesty of the Bulgarian medieval country.

Unveiling the Rila Monastery: A Personalized Journey Experience the awe-inspiring Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on a truly unique experience. Your Personal Guide: Navigate effortlessly with an engaging audio guide and a comprehensive electronic guide filled with insightful notes, expert tips, and exclusive information. Flexibility at Your Fingertips: Explore at your own pace, linger at captivating spots, and delve deeper into the aspects that intrigue you most. Immersive Storytelling: Uncover the monastery's rich history and profound spirituality through captivating narratives that bring its past to life. This isn't just a visit; it's a personalized pilgrimage. Book your tour today and embark on an unforgettable journey of discovery.

Discover one of the Bulgaria’s UNESCO World Heritage gems on this day trip from Sofia. Traveling by minibus, admire rural Bulgaria on route to the Rila Monastery in the pine-carpeted Rila Mountains. Take a guided tour of the medieval treasure with its fresco-coated church, and visit its fascinating museum. Then, spend some time to explore independently. Entrance fees not included. The tour offers 3 different options: 1. The guided tour option is with an English-speaking live guide. 2. Tour with an an audio guide in Spanish, Italian, German, Russian or English. 3. Transport only (that option might not be bookable for some dates).

With this day trip, you will be able to visit the Rila Monastery – UNESCO World Heritage sites. Learn its old history and legends as your guide's commentary takes you back into time. This shuttle-group tour departs at 9.00 in the morning from Alexander Nevsky square, behind the Cathedral. The traveling time to the Rila Monastery is 2 hours. There, you will witness the unique architecture and paintings, while learning all about the stories behind them. The duration of the guided tour at the Monastery is about 40 minutes. After this, you will have about 3.0 hours of free time. You'll be able to visit the local museum, take photos, eat at the bakeries around the Monastery, or enjoy a quiet walk by yourself. At about 15:00 you will depart back to Sofia, with the duration of the traveling time on the way back being 2 hours again.

Discover two of Bulgaria’s UNESCO World Heritage gems on this day trip from Sofia in Italian. Visit Boyana Church, near Sofia, to marvel at its spectacular pre-Renaissance frescoes. Admire rural Bulgaria en route to the Rila Monastery in the pine-carpeted Rila Mountains. Take a guided tour of the medieval treasure with its fresco-coated church and then time to explore independently. Please kindly note that on some dates the free time at the Rila Monastery may be shorter due to traffic, group size, or other unforeseen circumstances.

Step into your personal time machine with our audio guide of the Rila Monastery, where the stones speak and the walls whisper the saga of Bulgaria. This journey will transport you through the epochs, from the mysterious origins of the Bulgarians to the spiritual dawn of Christianity within these lands. Traverse the glory and the trials of the Middle Ages, witness the rise of the Third Bulgarian Kingdom, and delve into the complexities of the Communist era. Each step through the Rila Monastery is a step through time, a narrative woven with the threads of faith, resilience, and the unyielding spirit of a nation. Let history unfold around you, and be inspired by the enduring legacy of Bulgaria, all within the embrace of the majestic Rila Mountains. Welcome to a journey through centuries, where every moment is a story waiting to be discovered.

It's probably the best combination you can do for a tour outside of Sofia, where you will be able to see both Rila Monastery and after that enjoy the magical healing power of our hot Mineral baths high up in the mountain in the same day. Our driver will first take you to Rila Monastery and you will have about an hour to explore it. Then he will take you to the mineral bath spa complex where you will have time to relax with the majestic views of the Rila Mountain in front of your eyes, while you are in the hot mineral water. Don't forget your swimsuits, towels, flip-flops.

Step into your personal time machine with our audio guide of the Rila Monastery, where the stones speak and the walls whisper the saga of Bulgaria. This journey will transport you through the epochs, from the mysterious origins of the Bulgarians to the spiritual dawn of Christianity within these lands. Traverse the glory and the trials of the Middle Ages, witness the rise of the Third Bulgarian Kingdom, and delve into the complexities of the Communist era. Each step through the Rila Monastery is a step through time, a narrative woven with the threads of faith, resilience, and the unyielding spirit of a nation. Let history unfold around you, and be inspired by the enduring legacy of Bulgaria, all within the embrace of the majestic Rila Mountains. Welcome to a journey through centuries, where every moment is a story waiting to be discovered. When booking this product you will receive instructions on how to download and use the App. If you have any questions just let us know.

IMPORTANT: Entrance in the monastery is only allowed with covered shoulders and covered knees. So please make sure you have appropriate clothes. The Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila, better known as the Rila Monastery is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. It is situated in the Rila Mountains. The monastery is named after its founder, the hermit Ivan of Rila (876 – 946 AD). Founded in the 10th century, the Rila Monastery is regarded as one of Bulgaria’s most important cultural, historical and architectural monuments and is a key tourist attraction for both Bulgaria and Southern Europe. If you want to be among the lucky ones who have visited this amazing site, join our tours and let’s have a great time together!