Day trip

From Sofia: Rila Monastery, Boyana, Bells, & History Museum

4.6 / 5

241 reviews

Activity provider: URCA Travel
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    Day trip

    From Sofia: Rila Monastery, Boyana, Bells, & History Museum

    Activity provider: URCA Travel

    4.6

    241 reviews

    Save up to 30%

    From US$ 53.21 US$ 37.25 per person

    Embark on a day trip from Sofia and enjoy a thorough transfer service with the assistance of a host. Visit the Bells Monument, Boyana Church, the National Museum of History, and Rila Monastery.

    About this ticket

    Free cancellation
    Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
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    Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
    Covid-19 precautions
    Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
    Duration 10 hours
    Check availability to see starting times.
    Host or greeter
    English

    Experience

    Highlights
    • Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Rila Monastery at your own pace
    • Enjoy a roundtrip transfer from Sofia to incredible historic landmarks
    • Visit the Communist era Bells Park Monument and the National Museum of History
    • Learn about the rich history of Bulgaria at the National Museum of History
    • Seize the opportunity to taste traditional food around the Rila monastery
    Full description

    Enjoy the sights of Bulgaria with the convenience of a day-long transfer service to popular attractions, taking you to some of the country's most significant highlights. Discover the Bells Monument, Boyana Church, the National Museum of History, and the Rila Monastery. Meet your driver at a centrally located meeting point in Sofia and head to The Bells Monument. This is one of the hidden sights of the city that very few visitors see due to its remote location. Learn about the country's intriguing communist past. After that, continue with a short transfer to the UNESCO-listed Boyana church. See the medieval pre-Renaissance frescoes inside the church. Then, continue with a short transfer to the National Museum of History, where you will have ample time for a tour of your own. Learn about the intriguing history of Bulgarian lands, and then meet your driver again for an onward journey toward the Rila Monastery. Pass through beautiful countryside on the way to the Rila mountains. Go higher up the mountains through the scenic route, and reach the Rila Monastery. Visit at your own pace, then, in the afternoon, be driven back to Sofia city.

    Includes
    • Roundtrip transfer from Sofia city center
    • Transportation during the activity
    • Host/driver
    • Rila Monastery trip notes
    • Hotel pickup and drop-off
    • Food and drinks
    • National Museum of History and Boyana Church entry ticket (15 BGN)
    • Rila Monastery Museum entry ticket (optional visit for 8 BGN)
    Not suitable for
    • People with back problems
    • People with mobility impairments
    • Wheelchair users

    Select participants and date

    Participants

    Date

    Meeting point

    Your bus will be waiting at the car parking in front of The Palace - National Art Gallery. Look for the minibus with a sign of Rila Shuttle in the front window.

    Open in Google Maps ⟶
    Important information

    What to bring

    • Comfortable shoes
    • Warm clothing
    • Weather-appropriate clothing

    Not allowed

    • Pets
    • Smoking in the vehicle

    Know before you go

    • This tour will take place rain or shine
    • It may be cold at the monestary
    Customer reviews

    Overall rating

    4.6 /5

    based on 241 reviews

    Review summary

    • Guide
      4.7/5
    • Transportation
      4.7/5
    • Value for money
      4.5/5
    • Safety
      4.5/5

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    This is a great way to see the the Rila Monastery! I liked that it included the History Museum - several locals told me it was the best history museum in Sofia, but as it's a bit out of town, this was a really effortless way to get there. My only negative is that they don't really build in time for lunch. Plan to bring snacks!

    February 19, 2023

    G
    GetYourGuide traveler – Italy Verified booking

    Helpful?

    Very recommended tour. we traveled aboard a very comfortable van that provides USB ports for recharging your devices. The driver was not alone but in the company of a very nice colleague who also gave us various information about what we saw outside the windows and what we would see at the monastery.

    January 14, 2023

    D
    Daniele – Italy Verified booking

    Helpful?

    I went to the monastery and the church with my friend. We were lucky enough to join this tour as the other one has left us behind. The Tour guides were passionate and very informative about the Monastry and the Church. We had free time for ourselves too to look around the 5 museums the Monastry had to offer. I highly recommend booking a tour with City tours. They are helpful, knowable and passionate.

    Read more

    August 27, 2022

    G
    GetYourGuide traveler – United Kingdom Verified booking

    Helpful?

    Product ID: 126893

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