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.
Inclusions & Exclusions
✔ A trip to to Boyana Chuch and Rila Monastery
✔ Transportation by a comfortable minibus
✔ Parking fees
✔ English speaking guide OR driver, depending on the booked option
✖ 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
Departure & Return
Departure:
,
The meeting point for the tour is BEHIND Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, near to cafe La Cathedrale. Ask for travel agency City Tour. Please be there at 8:45am.
The van/bus departs at 9am and will not wait for you if you are late.
Return: End right where it started.
Itinerary
1
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!
Duration: 30 minutes
2
Rila Monastery
The Rila Monastery is the biggest monastery in Bulgaria. It was established back in the 10th century. The current buildings are from the mid 19th century, with a defensive tower that survived from the 14th century.
In the monastery complex you will admire the impressive architecture and frescoes. You will have 40-mintue guided tour and 2.5 hours free time to check the museum, the shops, take photos and have lunch break.
Duration: 3 hours
3
Boyana Church
Your other stop is at the great UNESCO historical place – Boyana church, dating back to the 11th century, which has unique and very well preserved frescoes and pictures from the period of 11 to 14 century. You will have the chance to explore the church and learn its amazing history from your guide. Please have in mind that the inside visit of the church is limit to 10 minites per group because of its small size. Additionally, you will also spend some time in the yard of the church where you can take photos and also learn some of the interesting historical facts.
Duration: 30 minutes
4
St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral
At the end of the tour, the van/bus returns to the same starting point, Behind Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.
Duration: 5 minutes
Additional info
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• 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.
