Boyana Church and Rila Monastery Day Tour

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Guided tours and free tours Guided tours Museums and monuments

Guía en: Inglés

Descripción

Discover two of Sofia's most significant landmarks – the Boyana Church and Rila Monastery. A must-visit during your stay in Bulgaria's capital!

Tour Overview

Our journey begins at Vasil Levski Square, right in front of the Slovakian embassy, where we will board a bus to Boyana, situated to the south of the city.

Following a 25-minute ride that allows you to take in the surrounding landscape, we will reach Boyana. Here, our first destination is the Boyana Church, a quaint Orthodox church renowned for its frescoes spanning three distinct epochs: the 11th, 13th, and 19th centuries. You will be captivated by the Italian Renaissance artworks, showcasing the medieval artistic heritage of Eastern Europe.

We then proceed to the Rila Monastery, a landmark of profound significance that illustrates Slavic cultural heritage post-Ottoman rule. As we explore the grounds of this stunning medieval site adorned with vibrant arches and domes, you'll be left in awe.

Upon entering the monastery, you will witness the magnificent golden iconostasis carved from wood, one of the Balkans' largest, alongside the burial site of Bulgaria's last king, Boris III. Following this, you'll have approximately two hours of free time to further enjoy and discover the area at your own pace.

After concluding our visit, we will return to Sofia around 5:30 PM.

Journey to Rila Monastery

If you prefer a more independent experience, you can opt for the package that provides only the direct transfer to Rila Monastery. Please note that this choice does not include a guided tour and skips the Boyana Church.

Key Information

Be aware that the Boyana Church is not accessible during Orthodox Easter and on January 1.

Qué incluye

Transport by bus
Admission to Rila Monastery
English–speaking guide (depending on selection)
Audio guide in English (depending on selection)

Qué no incluye

Food and drinks
Hotel pickup
Admission to Boyana Church: 5EUR per person

Política de cancelación

Cancellazione gratuita fino a 24 ore prima (hora local)

Accesibilidad

Not wheelchair accessible.

Información importante

The guide will be waiting for you at the Vasil Levski Square, in front of the Embassy of Slovakia, located at: Sofia Center, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 9, 1527 Sofia, Bulgaria.

Important Info

Please note that card payments are not accepted in the Boyana Church or at the restaurants in the area. You must bring cash in the local currency.
The Boyana Church will be closed during the Orthodox Easter.
The audio guide can be accessed online. We recommend downloading the audio guide in advance when you're on WiFi. You'll receive the audio guide the day before the tour in the afternoon.
There is a dress code to enter the Rila Monastery. You must wear long pants (or a long skirt for women), as well as a scarf, cardigan, or jacket to cover the shoulders when wearing a tank top.