Rila Monastery Tours and Tickets

Immerse yourself in the charming beauty of two of Bulgaria’s most spectacular sights on a full-day trip from Sofia. Admire the natural splendor of rural Bulgaria as you travel to the Rila Monastery, where you delve into the history of the medieval landmark and browse the intriguing exhibitions of the on-site museum. Continue to Boyana Church to gaze at the fascinating pre-Renaissance frescoes that decorate the walls within. Choose from a transport-only, audio guide, or English live-guided tour to suit your group.

The mountains are one of Bulgaria’s great joys—especially for hikers—but can be hard to reach independently. Tailor-made for lovers of both walking and history, this action-packed day features a hike around the beautiful Seven Rila Lakes and a tour of the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Chairlift tickets are not included in the price.

Reaching the Seven Rila Lakes by public transport typically involves two buses, a shuttle and most of your day. Take the pain out of transportation—while maintaining total independence—with this cost-effective shared transfer. Visit both these beautiful glacial lakes and the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with ample time for hiking.

See two of Bulgaria's top attractions in one day on this self-guided tour that allows you to combine the convenience of a tour with flexibility of independent travel. By taking a shared shuttle, you can visit the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery, in Rila National Park, in the morning and then in the afternoon explore the charming and historic city of Plovdiv, which is considered the cultural capital of Bulgaria.

Travel with a small group to Rila Monastery and Boyana Church, two UNESCO World Heritage sites. An informative guide points out 19th-century paintings depicting the Bulgarian Renaissance at the country’s largest monastery, set against the beauty of the Rila mountains. In the afternoon, visit Boyana Church to view its medieval frescoes. You’ll travel round-trip by air-conditioned minivan from Sofia’s Alexander Nevski Square.

Save time but preserve the benefits of independence on this private tour that checks off not one but two UNESCO World Heritage sites in just one day. Traveling with your private driver/guide, see the 10th-century Boyana Church with its medieval frescoes, followed by the Rila Monastery with its 14th-century tower. Tour includes door-to-door transport but excludes entrance fees.

Discover two of Bulgaria's UNESCO World Heritage Sites on a private day tour from Sofia. With round-trip transportation and a local guide included, you're sure to get a seamless and immersive sightseeing experience. Begin with a leisurely visit to the active Rila Monastery, featuring relics, Tsar Boris III's coffin, and a museum. Next, head to Boyana Church, renowned for its beautiful frescoes. Weather permitting, you can also visit the Cave of John of Rila.

Discover the historic marvels and natural wonders of Bulgaria on this full-day hiking tour from Sofia. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rila Monastery, enjoy a scenic 2-hour hike to the St Ivan Rilski Cave, and admire the unique rock formations of Stob’s Pyramids.

Discover two of Bulgaria’s UNESCO World Heritage gems on this day self-guided day tour from Sofia. Traveling by minivan, admire rural Bulgaria en route to the Rila Monastery in the pine-carpeted Rila Mountains. Take a self-guided tour of the medieval treasure with its fresco-coated church, and visit its fascinating museum. Then, after time to explore independently, continue to Boyana Church, near Sofia, to marvel at its spectacular pre-Renaissance frescoes. This tour is with an English-speaking driver only.

Visit two of Bulgaria's must-see UNESCO World Heritage Sites in just one day with this full-day tour from Sofia. After you're whisked from the city, you get to explore Rila Monastery—the biggest cloister in Bulgaria—and Boyana Church, which is celebrated for its preserved frescoes, dating to the 11th century. After paying the entry fees and exploring with your guide, you end your day with easy travel back to Sofia, where you're dropped off at your hotel.

This tour will show you one of the best Bulgarian monasteries and UNESCO sight - the Rila Monastery. Private tour only for you with the comfort of your own local guide. Fully customizable and rich in information, off-the-beaten path sights and stops. Choose between a privately-guided or a self-guided option for your convenience.

The healing powers of Bulgaria's mineral springs, close to the only Gaiser on the Balkans within a day from Sofia and water heated by the Earth's core, popping out to 103 above ground. Rila Monastery is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria.

You will have the unique opportunity to visit and take wonderful photos of the two most interesting and popular destinations in Bulgaria in one day. The excursion combines active recreation - hiking and cultural immersion in ancient times. You will be captivated by the beautiful scenery during the trip!

Pre-book tickets to Rila Monastery to explore a UNESCO World Heritage Site with more than 1,000 years of history, plus Hrelio Tower, the ethnographic museum, guestrooms, and the monastery farm. Booking Rila Monastery tickets online combines the convenience of advance planning with the flexibility to arrive at any time of day, without being limited to a fixed tour schedule.

If you want to experience more of Bulgaria in just one day, don't miss this busy sightseeing tour with stops at two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a wine tasting, and hassle-free travel all included. Meet-up at a convenient downtown location before you're whisked to top landmarks to learn about Buglarian culture, see medieval art, and sample local varietals at a Medi Valley winery. Though entry fees and food are at your own expense, the tour's easy transportation and English-speaking guide make for a convenient, full-day adventure.

Two UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1 day only. Rila Monastery is the largest, the most beautiful and the most important Bulgarian monastery, Boyana Church is famous for its proto-Renaissance wall paintings from the 13th century. Enjoy all this either in a self-guided or privately-guided tour.

Discover one of Bulgaria’s UNESCO World Heritage gems on this day trip from Sofia. Admire rural Bulgaria en route to the Rila Monastery in the pine-carpeted Rila Mountains. Take a guided tour of this medieval treasure with its fresco-coated church. After time to explore independently, visit the Cave of St. Ivan - one of the most sacred places in Bulgaria. Please kindly note that on some dates the free time at the Rila Monastery may be shorter due to traffic, group size, or complementary stop at Boyana church. Below you can find detailed itinerary of the tour: 09:00 - Alexander Nevsky Cathedral 12:00-12:15 - Estimated time of arrival at Rila Monastery 12:15-13:00 - Guided visit to the Monastery 13:00-14:00 - Free time for lunch or further explorations of the area on your own 14:00-15:00 - Visit the St. Ivan Cave 15:00 - Depart from Rila Monastery back to Sofia 17:00 - Estimated time of arrival at Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

Discover a side of Bulgaria that’s hard to reach independently as you explore the dramatic rock pinnacles known as Stob’s Pyramids with a private hiking guide. Then journey into Bulgarian culture as you tour the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and taste home-made “banitsa” pastries. Tour includes private door-to-door transport and guiding but excludes entrance fees and lunch.

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.

Plenty of tours cover Rila Monastery—Bulgaria’s most famous UNESCO World Heritage Site—but how many include a rafting excursion? Combine history and adventure during this unique full-day combo tour. First, navigate the fast-flowing Struma River gorge alongside a private instructor during a rafting trip, with boat rental and gear included. Then, enjoy a self-paced audio tour of Bulgaria’s iconic mountainside monastery. Transportation from Sofia is included.

Spin along open roads and explore Bulgaria by bike on this 9-hour Rila Monastery trip from Sofia. Hop onto your bike and follow a guide along rolling asphalt roads through the Bulgarian countryside. Along the way, gain insight into the country’s culture and history, and admire sweeping views over the peaks and vineyards. Visit the 10th-century Rila Monastery — widely considered one of Bulgaria’s most important pilgrimage sites. Explore the cave of St Joan of Rila, then zoom down the valley back to base.

Leave Sofia’s tourist crowds behind for the day on a captivating full-day tour to Rila. This private adventure is perfect for active travelers who want to dive deep into Bulgaria’s natural and historical wonders. After a hassle-free transfer from the city, take a scenic hike around the spectacular Seven Rila Lakes. Then, visit the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery, and learn about its cultural significance and architectural splendor.

This is truly a spectacular, luxury day tour, visiting some of the "must see" UNESCO Heritage sites in Bulgaria - Boyana Church and Rila Monastery! Ultra-fast 1Gbps Wi-Fi Included 1. St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia 2. Boyana Church in Vitosha mountain 3. Rila Monastery in Rila mountain 4. Thermal outdoor hot spring mineral swimming pools in Sapareva Banya