Rila Monastery Tour: Explore Bulgaria's Largest Monastery

Discover Bulgaria’s Rila Monastery on a half-day tour. Explore rich history, stunning architecture, and breathtaking mountain views. Join us for an unforgettable experience.

Duration: 5 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Rila Monastery - We explore the beautiful Rila Monastery.
What's Included
  • On-board WiFi
  • Driver
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks
  • Gratuities
  • Entrance fees
Additional Information

IMPORTANT: Entrance to the monastery requires covered shoulders and knees. Please ensure you wear suitable clothing.
The Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila, commonly known as the Rila Monastery, is the largest and most renowned Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. Nestled in the Rila Mountains, it is named after its founder, the hermit Ivan of Rila (876…

Location
ul. "Iskar" 31
ulitsa "Iskar"
Iskar 31 street - Big Yellow House
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(41 Ratings)
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Mekenzieh2024
Nov 4, 2026
Great Tour for budget and time constraints - This tour was a great tour from Sophia. We liked the half day option, and since we made a few stops, we got back around 1:30pm. We didn’t have to pay extra, just for candles in the Monastery and any food or coffee. Bring cash, especially .50€ if you’d like to use the restroom while you’re there. Apostolos was a great guide! Very friendly and helpful. Talked a lot about culture and history. I’d recommend this tour to any of my friends!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
782himanshut
Nov 2, 2026
Amazing trip - Apostolos was an amazing guide for our trip to Rila Monastery. He is very knowledgeable and experienced. He was punctual, well versed with the route, was informing us of several spots on the way. He also helped us click pictures at beautiful spots enroute along with buying bulgarian fruit wine. Would definitely recommend this trip to everyone!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
532levid
Nov 1, 2026
Must see - Great experience, Apostolos was a very fine and polite guide!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Zimri-lim
Oct 27, 2026
Great Excursion. - Great experience. Apostolos was great.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
318raniaj
Oct 23, 2026
Rila - It was a great journey to Rila monestery. Apostolos was a great guide and driver. Very knowledgeable and very nice person. Enjoyed very much the trip.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
M_ximor827
Oct 23, 2026
An unforgettable trip - An unforgettable trip! An unmissable spot in Bulgaria just outside Sofia, surrounded by mind-blowing forests and mountains. Apostolos is a phenomenal guide who made the day so lively and enjoyable. Highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gabrielgreco
Oct 23, 2026
Amazing experience - An amazing tour! A must-visit spot in Bulgaria very close to Sofia, passing through breathtaking forests and mountains. Apostolos is a fantastic guide who made the trip super enjoyable. I definitely recommend it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
John_b
Oct 21, 2026
This was an amazing... - This was an amazing half-day tour to Rila Monastery. The absolute best part was getting to the Monastery well before any larger tour buses showed up. At first, it was just our small group (8 people) and about 2 other small groups. The courtyard and church were quiet, with a reverence appropriate for such a place, and we could listen to the priests singing prayers in the church. By the time we left, several large buses arrived, bringing lots of tourists, cameras, and noise. Apostolos was a great driver/host, giving us background and sharing facts, but also giving us plenty of time alone to take in the views. We would recommend it to others.
Review provided by Viator
Auscyclist1
Oct 20, 2026
Great tour with fantastic guide - Great tour and Apostolos was a fantastic guide. He was punctual, friendly and very knowledgeable..
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jo13ma
Oct 12, 2026
Full day trip to Rila and Plovdiv - Apostolos is a great and friendly guide. We took a full day trip to Rila Monastery and Plovdiv. Unfortunately after the tour in Rila, we had to head back to Sofia to continue the trip to Plovdiv which l find a waste of time
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $55
up to 12 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).