Bulgaria · MONASTERY TOURS

The 15 Best Monastery Tours from Sofia

49 tours  ·  from $11

Bulgarian monasteries are working buildings with bakeries at the gate and frescoes over every surface. The 15 below cover Rila, Bachkovo, Rozhen and the cave churches, sorted by drive time, price and how long you actually get inside the walls.

Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Tour - The morning departure from central Sofia
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Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Tour

1.Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Full-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 918 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $24Our pick

Travel from central Sofia to Rila Monastery and UNESCO-listed Boyana Church in about eight hours. Expect an English-speaking guide or driver-guide, a 40-minute monastery tour, free time for lunch and museums, and only 10 minutes inside Boyana Church. Bring cash, food, and clothing that covers shoulders and knees.

“Excellent guide Maria Well organised Rila Monastery is an amazing place unlike anything I’ve seen before Try something from the bakery Would recommend a visit”

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From Sofia: Rila Monastery & Boyana Church Day Tour - Boyana Church and its early Renaissance-style frescoes
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From Sofia: Rila Monastery & Boyana Church Day Tour

2.From Sofia: Rila Monastery & Boyana Church Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 866 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $24

Travel by air-conditioned minibus from central Sofia to Boyana Church and Rila Monastery. You’ll see medieval frescoes, carved icons, mountain scenery, and have free time to explore. Guides such as Lubo and Liubomir are often praised for clear historical commentary. Boyana Church and the monastery museum cost extra.

“We had a good time travelling with Maksim who was a professional and knowledgeable tourguide. We learned a lot from him”

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Rila Monastery and 7 Rila Lakes Self-Guided Shared Trip from Sofia - Reaching the Seven Rila Lakes by chairlift
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Rila Monastery and 7 Rila Lakes Self-Guided Shared Trip from Sofia

3.Rila Monastery and 7 Rila Lakes Self-Guided Shared Trip from Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 280 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $54Top rated

Join Philip and a shared minivan from central Sofia for a long but rewarding day in the Rila Mountains. You’ll ride the chairlift, hike the Seven Rila Lakes at your own pace, then visit Rila Monastery. The walk is unguided, but maps, route advice, timing help, and WhatsApp support keep the day on track.

“The entire day is incredible! The guide was informative, friendly, spoke great English and had a good sense of humour! The seven lakes was beautiful, not to challenging at all and finished within a few hours! But you need to do this hike, it’s stunning! The monastery was so rich in history as well, very stunning and a special place to visit”

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7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour - The Seven Rila Lakes: beautiful, physical, and weather dependent
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7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour

4.7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 165 reviews · 10 to 11 hours (approx.) · from $71

Spend a full day from Sofia visiting the peaceful Rila Monastery and hiking toward the Seven Rila Lakes. Guides such as Alexander, Apostolos, and Stoyan have driven this route, but the mountain section is largely self-guided. The lift costs €15 extra, and snow, mud, storms, or poor visibility can change the plan.

“An overall great experience..!! A day away from the city and close to nature. A beautiful monastery in a green landscape. As for the 7 lakes, it's a stunning scenery with breathtaking views. It is recommended for everyone to visit it, either take the short route with fewer lakes or the long one with all 7 lakes.”

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Small group tour to Plovdiv, Asen's Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery - Plovdiv Old Town: Roman ruins and Revival houses
Bachkovo Monastery Tours, Castles and Fortresses, Castles and Fortresses in Sofia, Monastery Tours, Sofia Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Small group tour to Plovdiv, Asen’s Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery

5.Small group tour to Plovdiv, Asen’s Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 164 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $90

Travel from Sofia to three of Bulgaria’s finest cultural sights with a professional English-speaking guide. Walk Plovdiv’s Roman ruins and Old Town, see Asen’s Fortress above the Rodopi Mountains, and visit Bachkovo Monastery. Hotel pickup, transport, entrance fees, and drop-off are included. Guides such as Daniel, Teodor, Krisi, and Stanimira have earned especially strong praise.

“Daniel the tour guide was very good, very knowledgeable and informative. We like the small group ( total of 3). Thank you soo much!!!”

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The Seven Rila Lakes & Rila Monastery - The 7:00 departure from central Sofia
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The Seven Rila Lakes & Rila Monastery

6.The Seven Rila Lakes & Rila Monastery

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 109 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $54

Spend about 12 hours pairing a mountain hike with Bulgaria’s grandest monastery. Ride the chairlift to the Seven Rila Lakes, hike as far as your fitness and weather allow, then tour Rila Monastery with an English-speaking guide such as Maya, Todor, Peter, or Megi. Bring cash, food, waterproof shoes, and a warm layer.

“Well worth it , we were lucky with pleasant weather perfect for the hike.... A very well organised trip, started bang on time. Make sure you have enough cash(no cards accepted) , packed lunch and drinks. We visited the Rila monastery first and then headed to the Rila lakes which was ideal for us as being the last Monday of the Month the cable chair lift was on maintenance. The jeep journey to replace the cable chair lift was rather an adventurous one, especially for our teen daughter who enjoyed it the most. We were a small group and literally had the mountain for ourselves. Could only do the 5…”

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Private Day Trip to Boyana Church and Rila Monastery - The drive from Sofia to the monastery
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Private Day Trip to Boyana Church and Rila Monastery

7.Private Day Trip to Boyana Church and Rila Monastery

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 108 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $193

Travel from Sofia to Rila Monastery and Boyana Church in a private, air-conditioned car with an English-speaking driver-guide. Explore medieval frescoes, a monk’s room, monastery treasures, and a UNESCO site. Guides such as Alexander, Maria, Julian, Nikola, and Iwan have led this trip, though assignments vary.

“Julian was our guide for the day. He was very informative and brought his own story to the places we visited. Beautiful day. Highly recommend.”

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Plovdiv and Rila Monastery tour in one day - Plovdiv Old Town in about three hours
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Plovdiv and Rila Monastery tour in one day

8.Plovdiv and Rila Monastery tour in one day

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 87 reviews · 10 to 11 hours (approx.) · from $119

This 10 to 11-hour trip pairs Plovdiv’s Old Town with Rila Monastery from Sofia. You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with WiFi, usually in a group capped at six, though the Plovdiv walk may join a much larger free tour. Guides such as Apostolos, Alexander, and Tony have led recent departures.

“We enjoyed Plovdiv and the Rila Monastry. Both are must sees when you are in Bulgaria. In retrospect we don't find the combination of these two tours in one day convenient because there is too little time to look around, no time for lunch, and you are in a van for a total of 8 hours. Tip not to join the hike in Plovdiv because you will not see everythingAuto-translated”

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Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Shuttle Tour - Boyana Church and its short, precious viewing time
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Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Shuttle Tour

9.Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Shuttle Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 69 reviews · 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $42

Travel from central Sofia by air-conditioned minivan to Rila Monastery and Boyana Church. An English-speaking guide, such as Adrian, Hristo, or Lubo, explains the art, faith, and Bulgarian history behind both sites. Plan for a long day, a separate Boyana entrance fee, and modest clothing for these places of worship.

“Rita monastery is excellent. But traffic is a headache, especially during this hot season.”

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From Sofia: Rila Monastery and Plovdiv Day Trip - Rila Monastery and the Rila Mountains
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From Sofia: Rila Monastery and Plovdiv Day Trip

10.From Sofia: Rila Monastery and Plovdiv Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 52 reviews · 12 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $71

Leave central Sofia for UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery and historic Plovdiv on a 12.5-hour shared minibus trip. Host Philip handles timing, directions, maps, and useful tips while you explore independently. Expect about 6 to 7 hours on the road, early departure, free time at both stops, and a maximum group of 15.

“Tutti momenti molto belli. Organizzazione perfetta. Il monastero è magico e la cittadina di Plovdiv molto suggestiva”

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Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Self-Guided Day Trip from Sofia - The mountain road to Rila Monastery
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Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Self-Guided Day Trip from Sofia

11.Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Self-Guided Day Trip from Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 41 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $36

Leave central Sofia at 9:00 for Boyana Church’s remarkable 13th-century frescoes, then continue to Rila Monastery in the mountains. You get air-conditioned minivan transport, parking, and an online audio guide, while the driver handles the road. Allow extra money for Boyana Church and the Monastery Museum.

“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.”

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Rila Monastery & Thermae Full-Day Tour from Sofia - The road from Sofia to the Rila Mountains
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Rila Monastery & Thermae Full-Day Tour from Sofia

12.Rila Monastery & Thermae Full-Day Tour from Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 34 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $43

Travel from Sofia to Rila Monastery with an English-speaking guide such as Georgi or Ivan, hear the story behind Bulgaria’s great Orthodox sanctuary, then relax at Aqua Club Kotvata’s indoor and outdoor mineral pools. The $43.25 price covers transport and guiding, but lunch, spa entry, towels, and lockers cost extra.

“Very nice experience to Rila Monastery from Sofia and a relaxing spa experience afterwards. This is a full day trip starting at 9am ending at 530pm.”

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Wonderful Bridges-Bachkovo Monastery-Assen's Fortress - day tour from Plovdiv - Asen’s Fortress and its wide mountain view
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Wonderful Bridges-Bachkovo Monastery-Assen’s Fortress – day tour from Plovdiv

13.Wonderful Bridges-Bachkovo Monastery-Assen’s Fortress – day tour from Plovdiv

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $134

Leave Plovdiv at 9 a.m. for a private, English-language trip through the Rhodope Mountains. Your guide takes you to Asen’s Fortress, Bachkovo Monastery, and the Wonderful Bridges, with hotel pickup, commentary, and return transport included. Guides such as Kamen, Christian, Dimitar, Christina, and Stoyan are praised for making the history easy to follow.

“All the points of interest were very unique and exciting to visit. Our guide, Dimitar, was extremely personable and delighted us with his experience and knowledge. An amazing day, thanks Dimitar!”

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Bachkovo Monastery & Asen's Fortress - day tour from Plovdiv - The climb and views at Asen’s Fortress
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Bachkovo Monastery & Asen’s Fortress – day tour from Plovdiv

14.Bachkovo Monastery & Asen’s Fortress – day tour from Plovdiv

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 28 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $98

Travel from Plovdiv to Asen’s Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery with a professional English-speaking guide. See a 13th-century church, Rhodope Mountain views, a miraculous icon, and frescoes dating back centuries. Pickup and drop-off are included, with a maximum of eight people and an optional waterfall walk.

“Kamen is an exceptional guide. We booked this tour at 11 pm and the following day at 9 am he was under our hotel. It is a perfect trip for half a day if you are in Plovdiv without car. Kamen is eager to share information not only on the fortress and the Monastery, but also on Bulgaria and Bulgaria culture in general. Recommended!”

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Rila Monastery and St. Ivan Cave History & Nature Trip from Sofia - Two hours inside Bulgaria’s best-known monastery
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Rila Monastery and St. Ivan Cave History & Nature Trip from Sofia

15.Rila Monastery and St. Ivan Cave History & Nature Trip from Sofia

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 25 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $24

Spend about eight hours traveling from Sofia to Rila Monastery, one of Bulgaria’s most important religious sites, then walk through the forest to St. Ivan of Rila’s cave and holy spring. An English-speaking guide, air-conditioned transport, parking, and a cloud-based audio guide are included. Wear shoes with good grip.

“Wonderful tour from the organization to the tour guide, would recommend and hope to have the opportunity to book another trip again. Anthony was a great guide, friendly, kind, gave a very good description of the important points to see, good sense of humor. The driver was amazing driving very safely too.”

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