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!

Description

We'll meet at the car park in Alexander Nevski Square, where we'll catch a bus and head to Boyana, a neighbourhood located to the city's south.

After a 25-minute journey, we'll arrive in Boyana. Our first stop will be the Boyana Church, known for frescos from the 11th, 13th, and 19th centuries. The notable Italian Renaissance paintings are examples of Eastern European medieval art.

Next, we'll visit the monastery of Rila, an iconic monument symbolizing Slavic cultural identity following the Ottoman occupation. We'll tour the grounds featuring colourful arches and domes before entering to view the golden iconostasis carved into wood and the tomb of Boris III, the last monarch of Bulgaria. You will then have around two hours of free time to explore the area.

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

Transfer to Rila Monastery

If you prefer to explore on your own, you can book the option that includes only the transfer directly to Rila Monastery. Please note that this option is not guided and does not stop at the Boyana Church.

Important

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