S
A memorable visit to Rila Monastery
A wonderful half day trip to the Rila Monastery! The place is really beautiful and Apostolos, our driver and guide, was really cool, knowledgeable, engaging and happy to share the history of this special place.
Rila Monastery Morning Half Day tour
+2 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 4–5 hours
- Price from
- $56 / person
- Location
- Sofia, Bulgaria
- Rating
- 4.7 / 5 · 27 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 12
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Smart Trans Bulgaria
- Meeting point
- Iskar 31 street - Big Yellow House
Description
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!
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 8:00 AM
- Next available
- Fri, Oct 9
- Adult (ages 1+)
- $56
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 8.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Rila Monastery
We explore the beautiful Rila Monastery.
What's included
Included
WiFi on board
Driver
Air-conditioned vehicle
Not included
Food and drinks
Gratuities
Entrance fees
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.7
27 reviews
How it compares in Sofia
- Starting price $56 is 55% below the typical $126 for tours of similar length in Sofia
Excurgo comparison of 609 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Rila Monastery Morning Half Day tour take?
Rila Monastery Morning Half Day tour lasts about 4–5 hours. The itinerary has 1 stop.
How much does Rila Monastery Morning Half Day tour cost?
Prices start at $56 per person for this Sofia experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Rila Monastery Morning Half Day tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 8:00 AM.
Can I cancel Rila Monastery Morning Half Day tour 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 Iskar 31 street - Big Yellow House. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Rila Monastery Morning Half Day tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 12 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchair accessible Transportation options are wheelchair accessible All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Rila Monastery Morning Half Day tour worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.7 out of 5 across 27 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Smart Trans Bulgaria.
Reviews(27)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
G
Amazing Rila monastry trip
Very nice experience and our guide Apostolos was amazing
A
Great half day tour to Rila Monastery
One must visit Rila when in Bulgaria! The tour was well organised with lovely guide and driver who were very informative and friendly. Highly recommended!
D
A short yet rewarding trip
Our tour guide, Apostolos, was very knowledgeable about the history and background of the destination.
J
Very nice way to see the...
Very nice way to see the monastery and Slavyan explained everything to us easily to make sure we understood,was an easy and enjoyable way to visit and well worth it
T
Thank You, Desi!!
The Rila Monastery was a beautiful visit after a long car ride that our guide, Desi. Truly made enjoyable and fun!!
S
Beautiful mix of culture and nature!
We had a wonderful day at Rilla Monastery and Seven Lakes! We were positively surprised that the hike was not too difficult. The start was a bit steep but that only lasted for 10-15 minutes! If you book both destinations you will most likely only see three lakes, as you will run out of time. It’s still worth it! We got lucky with the weather! Bring another layer as the way down gets a bit chillier than the way up!
L
Beautiful and Informative
The monastery is beautiful and the setting incredible. You cannot believe the mosaics. The entire sanctuary is covered with beautiful works of art. And amazing gold work. The stairs to the old tower are no joke! Be ready to climb! I was so fortunate to sit in front with Lyubo, who was a font of information about the history of Bulgaria from it's roots. I have never had a tour guide so well read and interested in everything. Thank you!
S
Distracted Guide
My guide was distracted by flirting with a 19 year old German girl the whole trip. We received very little information during the ride, and a short tour at the Monastery. He was so distracted that it affected his driving. He was veering back and forth as he scrolled through videos to show her and making conversation with her. Also the whole trip took about 6 hours instead of the advertised 4.5.
Y
The taxi driver the best
Essential to go, it is very nice, it is worth it! Besides our driver was very nice and explained many things about Bulgaria and the monastery.
Compare similar tours in Sofia
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- Shortest: Rila Monastery Morning Half Day tour — 4–5 hours
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rila Monastery Morning Half Day tour | 4–5 hours | 4.7 (27) | $56 | |
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 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) | $68 | View |
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 Rila Monastery Afternoon Half Day tour | 4–5 hours | 4.6 (48) | $56 | View |
from$56
4.7(27) Free cancellation