Rila Monastery Tour: History and Nature Escape

30 Ratings

Sofia

Save

View Gallery (12)

Embark on a captivating journey through Bulgaria’s UNESCO World Heritage sites with a tour of Rila Monastery and St. Ivan Cave from Sofia. Immerse yourself in the rich history and stunning architecture of the monastery, and discover the spiritual significance of the Cave of Saint Ivan Rilski. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore Bulgaria’s cultural treasures.

Duration: 8 hours

Cancellation: 24 hours

learn more

Highlights

bul. “Yanko Sakazov” 9 - Departure is scheduled for 09:00 from the parking area next to the Vasil Levski Monument, located in front of the Slovakian Embassy.
Rila Monastery - Transportation from the meeting point to Rila Monastery. The estimated time of arrival is 12:00.
Rila Monastery - Rila Monastery is a symbol of Bulgaria and a…

What's Included

Tour guide services in English
Access to online, multilingual audioguide (Internet required)
Travel comfortably in an air-conditioned bus
Inclusive of all parking fees
Organized visit to the Cave of St. Ivan Rilski

What's Not Included

Gratuities
Food and Drinks
Admission fees
Admission fees

Additional Information

This day tour seamlessly blends historical, cultural, and natural experiences. Delight in a comfortable journey through the lush green countryside en route to the magnificent Rila Mountains. Explore Bulgaria’s renowned UNESCO site, the Rila Monastery, with either a guided or audio-guided tour. Following this, enjoy a leisurely walk through the forest to…

Location

bul. "Yanko Sakazov" 9

bulevard "Yanko Sakazov"

IMPORTANT: The meeting point next to Vasil Levski Monument, in front of the Embassy of Slovakia| | Please, be there 15 min. in advance!

Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings

4.7

(30 Ratings)

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Troyko5945pf

Jan 13, 2026

Rila Monastery and Cave Tour 10/10! - Liubomir was the guide on the day trip to Rila Monastery. I was the only one in the group that was interested in going to the St. Ivan Cave, and he went above and beyond to make it happen. Such a friendly and knowledgeable guide. In winter conditions, it was a fantastic walk up to the cave. Highly recommend the trip, it’s extremely beautiful. Give Liubomir a pay rise if you can, such an excellent guide to have on your team. Thanks, Troy.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

514adnanea

Dec 14, 2025

Great experience - Incredible experience with our guide Simeon, very talented and taught us a lot, and our driver Jean-Yves who made us travel as if we were on a plane 😁

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Global57147404265

Dec 14, 2025

Amazing. - It was an amazing experience, I loved it, I highly recommend this experience with Simeon and Jean-Yves

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Bernicotj

Dec 14, 2025

We want more Francophone guides - Excellent day with Simeon and Jean Yves, French speaking guide and driver, adorable and very interesting An exceptional opportunity to have made this tour entirely in French

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Cinzia_g

Nov 3, 2025

Beautiful day - With my husband I visited the monastery of Rila and the cave, nothing short of perfect organization and a special thanks to Viator and especially to the guide Zechariah very professional and at the same time nice and pleasant It will remain a beautiful memory of the. Bulgaria, Sofia and the beautiful monastery

Review provided by Viator

Lavinia_e

Oct 25, 2025

Great trip - Detailed directions sent by email, message and whatsapp, with meeting place, time and all possible directions. (Slight confusion with the bus number and timetable, even the Boyana church from the assistance tour operators and the information received seemed included and no, but nothing too problematic). Bus equipped with USB and C sockets for charging and wifi, the latter only initially working. No stop between the departure and the Monastery. The departure time to arrive at the cave is at 13:30 The audio guide is working and quite exhaustive. Monastery not too crowded (late October, Saturday). Possibility to visit some museum and the tower. Outside the complex you get to a number of small souvenir shops and there is a couple of places to eat/drink. There's plenty of time to do everything. The bathrooms accept 1 Lev or 10/20/50 cent coins for the bathroom, which has a couple of doors and that's it (at least for women) so they crowd quickly. There are two points throughout the complex, and fountains to replenish with water Then you head to this small church in about 20 minutes of climb (even less). And you pass inside a cave. I recommend shoes with a bit of grip, the ground is uneven, full of boulders, and is currently Covered with leaves (1/1.5h of activity in all) Then you move on to the monastery to charge the rest of the people and to go to the bathroom. Planned return to 3 different points of the city. The guide exhibited in English to include everyone, she was great! Even the driver! Overall ok!

Review provided by Viator

Victormanuel_l

Oct 8, 2025

Excellent experience in the company of Krisa. - Excellent experience. Krisa, our guide, very good: she explained everything very well, very complete the information she has provided, as well as being at all times pending so that we were well (she has been able to help and reassure us during the journey to Ivan Rilski cave). She is an excellent professional and person.

Review provided by Viator

603peterd

Sep 17, 2025

Good experience - recommend - Well organised. Friendly guide with good english. Good quality coach with USB power. Useful guided tour of monastry - about the right length (30 mins?). Impressive building. Need euro cloins for the toilet. Cave trip was a good experience. The climb to the cave is moderate difficulty - some steep slopes and walking over small & large rocks. Not suitable for anyone with mobility issues. The cave is an experience - small and narrow (not suitable for claustrophobia)

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Ythanman

Oct 19, 2025

Well worth the visit. - Rila Monastery is a fascinating place to visit. I can honestly say I have not visited such a decorated monastery. There is a food stall selling pastries at the rear of the monastery and is worth buying one or two if you do not want lunch. If deciding to visit St. Ivan cave it is advisable to wear good shoes with tread especially on a wet day. Oct 12.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Go515139

Sep 23, 2025

Falsely advertised, significantly altered schedule. Cash Grab or What? - Could have been perfect if not for diversions from advertised plan. I intentionally selected this tour as I wanted to spend more time in Rila (and had already been to sights like Boyana Church). Before I even got on the bus, I was told that we would be stopping in Boyana (as an 'additional surprise'). However, one had to spend extra money for the ticket into the Church - if you did not want to do so, you were told to wait on the bus while the rest of the tour goes in. Having only gone recently, and objecting to what I assumed was an attempt at even more money (which the tour guide collected), I decided not to. Me and maybe five others were left for 50 mins to wait on the bus. This was on top of another 'surprise trip' to Dragalevski Monastery. This was fine to see, but I felt unnecessary, considering we lost an extra 30 mins or so. Because of these extra, non-advertised stops, by the time we got to Rila, we had maybe 30 mins of free time to explore, as we had to leave again to go to the cave. I had to quickly visit the church and had to skip the museums entirely. The advertised two hours at the Monastery is simply untrue. Thankfully, the guide Hristo and the driver Sergei were great, and salvaged the day. If not for Hristo's informative, friendly tour, I would have been very annoyed at this company. We returned to Sofia about an hour after their estimation, which was not too bad. I assume all these diversions were due to the trips to the two sights outside Sofia. I do not know why they decided to do this, when if one had of wanted to see them, they could have got on the corresponding tour bus? I can only assume they wanted more money or to maintain good relations with Boyana by bringing them more custom?

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Check Availability

From $23

up to 15 guests

1 - Adult