Boyana Church and Rila Monastery Day Tour

Visit two of the most important monuments in Sofia – Boyana Church and Rila Monastery. Essential for any trip to the Bulgarian capital!

Tour Details

We'll meet at Vasil Levski Square, in front of the embassy of Slovakia, where we'll catch a bus and head to Boyana in the southern part of the city.

After a 25-minute journey, we'll arrive in Boyana. Our first stop will be the Boyana Church, an Orthodox sanctuary featuring frescoes from the 11th, 13th, and 19th centuries, showcasing Italian Renaissance paintings indicative of the medieval art of Eastern Europe.

We will then proceed to the monastery of Rila, a significant monument representing Slavic cultural identity after the Ottoman occupation. A tour of the grounds will reveal its stunning medieval architecture with colorful arches and domes.

Inside, we will see the golden iconostasis carved into wood, one of the largest in the Balkans, and the tomb of the last monarch of Bulgaria, Boris III. You will have around two hours of free time to explore the area independently.

We will return to Sofia at approximately 5:30 pm.

Transfer to Rila Monastery

If you prefer to explore independently, you can book the option that includes only the transfer directly to Rila Monastery. This option is not guided and does not stop at Boyana Church.

Important Info

The Boyana Church is closed during the Orthodox Easter and on January 1.