Rila Monastery is a must-see if you are in Bulgaria! However it is quite difficult to reach by public transport so I definitely recommend this tour. The monastery itself is very impressive - it's a UNESCO site after all. Do not miss the Monastery museum which houses a unique masterpiece - the Rafail's Cross carved out of a single piece of wood, displaying more than 100 religious scenes and 600+ miniature figurines!!! The scenery surrounding the monastery is simply breathtaking - it is set in the magnificent Rila Mountain and one can see why the founding monk chose this place as close to God. Visit during the week though, we were told it gets very crowded in the weekend. I should give credit to our guide Martin who was great! He gave us plenty of information about the place itself and the country in general and took care to have a very pleasant experience.
Day Tour to Rila Monastery from Sofia
At a glance
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Price from
- $34 / person
- Location
- Sofia, Bulgaria
- Rating
- 5.0 / 5 · 2 reviews
- Languages
- EN, ES
- Group
- Small group, up to 44
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Discover Balkans
- Meeting point
- In front of Bohemia/ Gray Line Bulgaria`s office (address: 7 Knyaz Aleksandar Dondukov Blvd., Sofia)
Description
You will visit the UNESCO world heritage site of Rila Monastery in the heart of the highest mountain on the Balkans.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Wed and Sun
- Start times
- 9:00 AM
- Next available
- Sun, Oct 11
- Adult (ages 18–60)
- $34
- Senior (ages 61+)
- $34
- Youth (ages 15–17)
- $34
- Child (ages 5–14)
- $34
- Infant (ages 0–4)
- Free
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 7.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Rila Monastery is the most exquisite example of monastery art and architecture of Bulgaria located in the picturesque heart of the mountain. The Church of the Nativity of Virgin Mary keeps the miraculous icon, splendid gilded iconostasis and the chest with relics of St Ivan Rilski. In the court are located the medieval battlements of Hrelyu tower and the monastery kitchen. During your free time you will be able to visit the church museum with the wood-carved cross of monk Rafael or taste the famous local mekitsi (kind of a doughnut) and the Bulgarian yogurt.
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
How it compares in Sofia
- Starting price $34 is 74% below the typical $132 for tours of similar length in Sofia
Excurgo comparison of 607 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Day Tour to Rila Monastery from Sofia take?
Day Tour to Rila Monastery from Sofia lasts about 7 hours. The itinerary has 1 stop.
How much does Day Tour to Rila Monastery from Sofia cost?
Prices start at $34 per person for this Sofia experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 2 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Day Tour to Rila Monastery from Sofia run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs on Wednesdays and Sundays, starting at 9:00 AM.
How much does Day Tour to Rila Monastery from Sofia cost for children?
Children aged 5–14 pay from $34, adults from $34. Infants go free.
Can I cancel Day Tour to Rila Monastery from Sofia for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is In front of Bohemia/ Gray Line Bulgaria`s office (address: 7 Knyaz Aleksandar Dondukov Blvd., Sofia). Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Day Tour to Rila Monastery from Sofia offered in?
The experience is available in EN, ES.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 44 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Specialized infant seats are available
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Day Tour to Rila Monastery from Sofia worth it?
Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 2 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Discover Balkans.
Reviews(2)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
Everything was just great!!! The car was clean and comfortable and the guide showed me the beautiful monastery complex and its surroundings. We managed to have lunch nearby and everything was just perfect. Next time when i come back to Bulgaria i will definitely book another trip with this company!
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| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day Tour to Rila Monastery from Sofia | 7 hours | 5.0 (2) | $34 | |
 Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Tour | 8 hours | 4.6 (1,174) | $23 | View |
 From Sofia Rila Monastery with Boyana Church or St. Ivan’s Cave | 8 hours | 4.6 (1,021) | $23 | View |
 Rila Monastery and 7 Rila Lakes Self-Guided Shared Trip from Sofia | 13 hours | 4.8 (336) | $54 | View |
 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour | 10–11 hours | 4.5 (207) | $67 | View |
 Private Day Trip to Boyana Church and Rila Monastery | 8 hours | 4.8 (121) | $229 | View |
 Rila Monastery Afternoon Half Day tour | 4–5 hours | 4.6 (48) | $56 | View |