Rila Monastery + Cave of Saint John Day Trip

Discover one of the important locations in Bulgaria on this tour of the Rila Monastery from Sofia. You'll also 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 at Vasil Levski Square for your transfer to the Rila mountain range, the highest mountains in the Balkans. During the tour, you'll encounter significant geographical and natural features essential to the country's history.

Upon arrival at the Rila Monastery, you will have two hours to explore this World Heritage Site, including its cloister and museum. This monument plays a role in promoting awareness of Slavic cultural identity following years of occupation.

After visiting the monastery, the tour includes a walk to the Cave of Saint John of Rila, located 4 kilometres away. On the way, you will pass through the forest and encounter a small church before reaching the grotto, where Saint John spent over seven years. You will learn about his story.

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

Itinerary Changes

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

Activity Languages

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

Transport Only

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