Rila Monastery + Cave of Saint John Day Trip

Discover one of the most important locations in Bulgaria on this tour of the Rila Monastery from Sofia. Additionally, you'll visit the cave of Saint John of Rila.

Discover the History

Travelling to Bulgaria and not visiting the Rila Monastery would be a mistake. Meet us at Vasil Levski Square for your departure to the Rila mountain range, the highest mountains in the Balkans. During the journey, important geographical and natural features of Bulgaria will be revealed, essential for understanding the country's history.

At the Rila Monastery, you will have two hours to explore this World Heritage Site, which features stunning frescoes. It is also recommended to visit its cloister and museum, significant for raising awareness of Slavic cultural identity post-occupation.

After exploring the monastery, you will be taken to the Cave of Saint John of Rila, located 4 kilometres away. The walk through the forest includes a stop at a small church before arriving at the grotto, where Saint John of Rila spent over seven years. You will learn about his story during this visit.

The tour concludes with a return to Sofia after 8 hours of activities and travel.

Itinerary Changes

In case of adverse weather conditions, the walk to the Cave of Ivan Rilksi will be replaced with a visit to Boyana Church or a longer tour of Rila Monastery.

Activity Languages

When booking, you can choose to do the tour in English or opt for an audio guide in another available language (German, Italian, Russian, French, or Spanish).

Transport Only

During the booking process, you can select a transport-only option, which includes pickup and round-trip transfer, allowing you to enjoy the Rila Monastery and the Cave of Saint John of Rila at your own pace.