Bulgaria · RILA MONASTERY TOURS
Rila sits in a gorge two hours south of Sofia and almost everyone goes. What separates these 15 is the rest of the day: Boyana Church on the way home, the hermit cave above the courtyard, or the Seven Lakes on top. Prices, durations and how long you actually get inside the walls.
Review of Sofia’s Rila Monastery and Boyana Church tour, with practical advice on timing, costs, guides, transport, meals, and waiting times.
“On time, on schedule, everything was well planned and informative. The guide was well informed of the area and I enjoyed the drive, no traffic and well managed.”
Review of Sofia’s Rila Monastery and Boyana Church day tour, with practical advice on timing, costs, guides, transport, and what to expect.
“It was an excellent experience with nice guide and driver . Though it was raining but still we enjoyed a lot”
Hike Bulgaria’s Seven Rila Lakes and visit Rila Monastery on a self-guided day trip from Sofia, with shared transport and practical route tips.
“I had such a great experience with the Rila Lakes + Monastery trip! Our driver was great and made the ride smooth and comfortable (you book spots for the day and then you are with a group of other travelers on a bus). Prior to departing, Phillip gave us tips on the best routes to take for the hike, which made all the difference. His advice helped me enjoy the lakes at my own pace while still catching the highlights. The hike itself was self-guided, but having those pointers made it feel stress-free. He also regularly checked in with the group via WhatsApp to keep us on schedule and give…”
Review of Sofia’s Rila Monastery and Seven Rila Lakes tour, with hiking advice, costs, weather warnings, timing, guides, and practical tips.
“This is probably awesome in the summer, but in November it sucked. We didn’t know the lift wasn’t operating until we got there. We spent most of our time trying to hike up the mountain and once we got to the top, we couldn’t see the lakes. Got some pretty views as we climbed but it just wasn’t worth it.”
Review of Sofia’s Seven Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery tour, with hiking advice, costs, timing, transport details, and practical booking tips.
“We love nature and specially mountaine, the election of this tour was wanderfull, it is a misture between exercise, nature and history. We enjoy the landscape, the weather was perfect too. If you need use the chair lift is important question about that is open, in that way is confortable to every one.”
Review of Sofia’s private day trip to Boyana Church and Rila Monastery, with frescoes, mountain scenery, transport, costs, and practical tips.
“Learning about the history of the area and people. The Driver was very personable and was familiar with the people and are.”
See Plovdiv Old Town and Rila Monastery from Sofia in one long day, with round-trip transport, English guidance, and useful planning tips.
“Apostolous was a great guide and very knowledgable. It was a long day but he was very accommodating and paced the trip right for our group. I am so glad we got to venture outside of the city with him!”
Visit Rila Monastery and Boyana Church from Sofia with a guide, minibus transport, UNESCO sites, frescoes, and practical tips.
“When I found that tour operator V Travel offered a trip to the Rila Monastery and Boyana Church at only 30 euros a person, I was a bit sceptical. I still went ahead and booked, and I haven't regretted that decision for a minute. Our driver/guide, whose name I unfortunately have forgotten, had taken cultural studies in higher education. Both this English and his commentary were excellent. He knew what to say and what not to. I very much appreciated the links he established between the iconography in the two places. We stopped at a restaurant close to the monastery for coffee and returned there after our visit for lunch.…”
Review of the Sofia to Rila Monastery and Plovdiv day trip, with practical advice on timing, transport, costs, guides, and what to expect.
“Excellent day to see Rila Monastery and Bulgaria’s second largest city - Plovdiv. Phillip, our host was clear with his communication and the two locations we visited were really interesting. I would highly recommend.”
Visit Boyana Church and Rila Monastery from Sofia on an affordable self-guided day trip with transport, audio commentary, and free time.
“So worth taking this tour to see the Boyana Church with its fabulous frescoes, and then on to the amazing Rila Monastery. Although the tour was self-guided, our driver Lubo was happy to answer questions and pass on interesting information. A good day out, and I thoroughly recommend.”
Visit UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery, enjoy mountain scenery, then relax in Bulgaria’s mineral pools on this practical Sofia day trip.
“All very interesting, competent and kind guide. The fascinating monastery. Relaxing and quiet spa. .Auto-translated”
Visit Bulgaria’s Rila Monastery and St. Ivan Cave from Sofia on an affordable guided day trip with transport, audio guide, and mountain views.
“Excellent experience. Krisa, our guide, very good: she explained everything very well, very complete the information she has provided, as well as being at all times pending so that we were well (she has been able to help and reassure us during the journey to Ivan Rilski cave). She is an excellent professional and person.Auto-translated”
Review the Sofia to Rila Monastery afternoon tour, with practical advice on timing, guides, transport, value, and what to expect on site.
“Dommage que la visite à été réduite de moitié mais viator nous a remboursé 30% du montant de la visite car nous étions decus.”
Review of Sofia's private Rila Monastery and Boyana Church tour, with practical advice on price, timing, guides, tickets, transport, and value.
“The flexible starting time, the adjustment of per person cost based on group size, vehicle was very clean and comfortable. Vlad our driver was very friendly informative English speaking guide. The Boyana church and monastery were amazing. You do need local currency at tje monastery.”
Review of Sofia’s Rila Monastery and Boyana Church tour, with UNESCO sites, mountain scenery, transport, guide quality, timing, and value.
“Set high up in the mountains the Rila Monastery has a fascinating history and offers much to explore. The Boyana church, while ancient and very small in size and permits entry to only 8 persons at a time, is built in 3 distinct phases, which make for very interesting viewing, both from within and externally. Overall, visiting the Monastery and the Church, was a great experience.”
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