Boyana Church and Rila Monastery Tour

General information

Destination
Sofia, Bulgaria

Program details

Visit two Unesco World Heritage Sites in one day with this loop shuttle from Sofia to Rila Monastery and Boyana Church. These holy sites hold a special place in the hearts of most Bulgarians and are symbols of national identity.



Rila Monastery is famed for its arcaded balconies, delicate frescoes – the work of one of the most famous Bulgarian revival painters – the gilded iconostasis, the fabulous mountain views… the unique combination of them all makes for an extraordinary and memorable visit to the monastery. You have at least two hours of free time at Rila to explore the complex, enter the main church and take photos of the narthex gallery, admire the exhibits in the museum, try the tasty ¨mekitsi¨ (Bulgarian doughnuts) with delicious buffalo yoghurt (a local speciality) or even have a short walk in the area.



Next, travel to Boyana Church. These frescoes that adorn the walls are considered predecessors of the European Renaissance. The majority of more than 240 figures depicted are full of not just reverence for God but also of the individuality and vitality of mankind.



Tour with audioguide

Audioguide available in English, Spanish, Italian, German and Russian