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This Rila Monastery day trip from Sofia takes care of the whole day. An air-conditioned minibus leaves Alexander Nevsky Cathedral square at 09:00, drives 120 km into the Rila Mountains and brings you back around 17:00. At the monastery, founded in the 10th century and on the UNESCO list since 1983, you explore with a live English-speaking guide or an audioguide in six languages, then have free time for lunch and the museum. €30 per adult, €25 per child aged 6 to 12. You pick a date and book online in a couple of minutes, and real people on WhatsApp are there if you have a question.
A question? Ask us on WhatsApp"The day trip was well organized and extremely educational. Our guide Svet was able to provide great info that we really enjoyed. Would definitely recommend."
"Well worth visiting, its a good day out, monastery is very big and pretty. Hristo and Peter were a great guide and driver"
"Liubomir was a friendly and helpful guide with very solid information. I had a good time"
"Great day trip! Everything was well organised and ran on time and the guide was very helpful and knowledgeable."
"Great explanations, and the timings and stops worked well"
All four options travel on the same minibus at the same time; the difference is how you hear the story at the monastery. A conductor may travel with the audioguide groups, but there is no guided tour. The booking calendar shows which options run on your date.
The main church of the Nativity of the Virgin, painted inside and out with saints, angels and scenes from the Bible. Hrelyo's Tower, built in 1334 to 1335 and the oldest building in the complex. In the museum, Rafail's Cross: a wooden cross carved by a monk with 36 Bible scenes and more than 600 tiny figures, finished in 1802 after the work had cost him his sight. The museum has its own ticket, and you can add a guided museum visit at checkout.
Rila is a working monastery, so shoulders and knees stay covered: no shorts, short skirts, sleeveless tops, flip-flops or sandals. If you forget, a scarf can be added at checkout for €2. Comfortable shoes help on the cobbled courtyard.
Included: the return minibus with air conditioning and WiFi, your live guide or audioguide, fuel and parking. Not included: entry tickets, food and drinks, hotel pick-up and tips.
The minibus leaves from Alexander Nevsky Cathedral square in the centre of Sofia at 09:00, so please be there by 08:45. Hotel pick-up is not included. If you take a taxi, use Yellow or Volt; Bolt does not operate in Bulgaria. On 1 January the departure is at 11:00. Open in Google Maps →
€30 per adult, €25 per child aged 6 to 12. Every day at 09:00 from Alexander Nevsky Cathedral square, back around 17:00.
