One of the highlights of our trip to Bulgaria. There is nowhere to buy food or snacks. April , 2023 warm but still chilly. The museums exposition showcases costumes and jewelry from the 18th and 19th centuries. During the weekends it is more crowded. Through the ages, the Rila Monastery served as a spiritual, educational and cultural center for the Bulgarians. Phone/SMS/WhatsApp Choose a guided or self-guided tour. Then, theres the draw of its hidden-away location surrounded by mysterious mountains and forest. An 82-ft. (25-m) high chimney ensures the smoke from the gigantic facility can escape without suffocating the cooks. Get THE travel planning spreadsheet I use to plan your trip and track your finance! Read our. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Try the delectable. Your email address will not be published. G. GetYourGuide traveler. Note that the windy road can become dangerous in winter and after heavy rains. Read on to find out how to get from Sofia to Rila Monastery and Rila National Park, plus all the information needed for your visit. There are a few more museums at Rila Monastery or different museum sections. It was established in 1866. The reduced fee for students and seniors is 2.00 BGN ($1.10 / 1.00). A few things to do include: Backpackers should head straight to Hostel Mostel. Get a free travel plan & finance spreadsheet! The most prominent Bulgarian hagiographers of the 19th century Zahari Zograf, Dimitar Zograf, and Stanislav Dospevski painted the masterpieces you can see today. There is no access to the upstairs (residential quarters). They dont look as perfect as the ones at Rila Monastery but thats probably because the church wasnt lost to a fire and rebuilt in recent centuries.Since Boyana Church is located close to the bus and coach station (Zapad Ovcha Kupel), its a natural stop when visiting Rila Monastery as a day trip from Sofia. The most precious exhibit is the finely carved wooden cross, the work of Father Rafail. This does mean you spend 4 hours roundtrip for two hours at the monastery. We are not able to rent a car. If you walk away around the side, there are Western toilets. There is a chapel on the top floor with 14th-century fresco. Its credited with keeping the national religion and language safe, as well as protecting lots of important Bulgarian artefacts and manuscripts. If you have a bit more time you can go hiking to the nearby hermits caves. If youre on the fence about visiting Bulgaria, I hope that doesnt last long! But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. But unless you are a history or religion buff, an hour should be more than enough time to take it all in. Where the caves are, what there's to do and where to eat in Phong Nha! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi there! Some of them were gifts from Greek monasteries. Will it be too crowded? Most of the present complex of the Rila Monastery dates from the nineteenth century. Youll find plenty of travel inspo in this blog in the form of solo travel tips, budget travel guides, food blogs and nomad & blogging resources. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Pin this for later! Quizs en ingls ? Nowadays, you can see the well-preserved Koprivshtitsa, Teteven, Chirpan, Kyustendil, and Gabrovo guest quarters. Your email address will not be published. Boyana Church is another historical church close to Sofia. Ps. In this guide, Ill tell you to visit independently and share the best Rila Monastery tours from Sofia. See Bulgaria's countryside on a drive south, and tour the medieval Rila Monastery with a guide to do its history and treasures justice. You can find and book tours to Rila Monastery here. Finally, in the 14th century, Rila Monastery was established at its present location. + User-friendly, safe and easy-to-use online booking system. Well worth a detour and the best monastery we saw in Bulgaria.and we saw a few! While the Seven Rila Lakes are located closely to Rila Monastery, its a 1.5-hour drive through the windy mountains to reach them. The setting with the mountains looking all around is perfect and we enjoyed a couple of hours or so here. We also got donughts from the bakery which were lovely. Next, youll drive through quaint villages at the foot of the magnificent Rila Mountain. Join me on Facebook for even more travel updates! Make the most of your journey by departing early and planning your activities in advance. There are a few basic rooms in the monastery complex or you can stay at Hotel Tzarev Vrah just outside the gate. 92% of travelers recommend this experience. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is the shiniest pearl in the Bulgarian crown of cultural landmarks. In this article, I will tell you all about visiting Rila Monastery in Bulgaria. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I was desperate for the toilet. My whole time in Bulgaria was kind of a happy accident. This means I will get a small commission if you book/purchase anything through my links, at no extra costs for you. Catch the bus to Rila Monastery from Sofia from Bus and Coach Station Zapad Ovcha Kupel at 10.20am arriving at 1pm.To get to the bus and coach station, you can catch the N5 tram from the city centre. Get your travel tips and tricks bundle now! You can combine a day trip from Sofia to Rila Monastery with other places. Has anyone booked an overnight stay at Rila Monastery through Airbnb or Rila Monastery Tourist Info? I hope you have a better idea of how to get to Rila Monastery from Sofia and what to do there. The items trace the evolution of the monastery and show its cultural, educational, and spiritual importance through the centuries. The number of monastery visitors increased, and so did the number of newly erected buildings. Get the exact map hat I prepped for the trip with restaurants, sights and spa locations marked on! Walking around the monastic complex (optional) also requires comfortable walking shoes. If youre visiting Sofia, one of the best day tours you can do is to Bulgarias largest monastery. There is also a more historically focused one that includes the Rila Monastery, Bells Park, and Boyanna History Museum tour. Tours: 108: Tours Prices From: $7: Tours Reviews: 843: Tours Photos: Absolutely stunning. Join my Facebook group about Eastern Europe, the Balkans and former USSR and connect with fellow travellers and enthusiasts of these regions . I'm Nam - a third culture millennial who returned from the UK to Hong Kong to pursue bubble tea, travel, and great hikes. If you want to see Bansko as well, this would be a good tour. If youre hiring a car in Bulgaria, you wont need to pay for a tour or figure out bus schedules. This will look a little different depending on how you get there but as a rule of thumb: Of course, if youre driving you could consider setting off early to beat the crowds and have Rila Monastery to yourself. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Visiting Rila Monastery on a day trip from Sofia means seeing this gorgeous building and so much more. It was long and tiring but overall, an amazing day. They are very strict with this. The top floor hosts a small chapel with magnificent frescoes. Rila Monastery & Boyana Church Small Group Tour, Final thoughts on visiting Rila Monastery, Bulgaria itinerary what to see in Bulgaria in 2 weeks. Get the itinerary for food, temples and deer spotting in Nara! Youll reach the Southern Bulgarian city by direct bus from Sofia. The most convenient way is of course by car. For the end I left a few announcements that might interest you: If you enjoyed that post why don't you share it with your friends? Despite the huge popularity of the site, this is still a working monastery, with around 60 monks living there. The most convenient way to travel between Sofia and Rila Monastery is on an organized tour. But even without your own or rented vehicle, there are ways to getting from Sofia to Rila Monastery easily. Have a listen to this podcast for more details before your setting off on your Rila Monastery day trip from Sofia. Photos: Boyana ChurchTaking photos in the inner yard is allowed, but it is strictly forbidden to take photos inside the church. Between 8:30 AM and 7:30 PM (from June 1 to September 30). With our small group tours you can discover the most popular destinations from Sofia: Rila Monastery and Boyana Church, Plovdiv, and the Seven Rila Lakes - on a very affordable price. The only way to walk the terraces of the Rila Monastery is to visit the ethnographic museum and the guest rooms. The monastery is set deep in the heart of Rila Mountain, between the Rilska and Drushliavitza Rivers, at 1147 meters (3760 feet) above sea level. Technically named The Monastery of St Ivan of Rila, this stunning complex is located just over 100 kilometers from the capital city of Sofia. Do you want to know all my blogging secret? Rila monastery is the biggest in Bulgaria and the most repaired and renewviert. 09:30: A planned visit to the Boyana Church (It can be rescheduled for the afternoon). Well never get there again, so your blog will make up for it (maybe). The monastery itself was so beautiful and calm, we couldn't believe it was open for anyone to go in. Four symbolises the four corners of the world with the central dome painted with Jesus and symbolising the tunnel from Earth to God. Their opening times are unknown and when theyre open, its hard to find a table there. Learn more 13 hours (approx.) The search feature allows you to compare prices, and they show live departure times on the website.For buses, I use FlixBus. It is stunning. The tour starts at around 7 am, and we got there at around 9 and spent about an hour at the monastery before heading to hike the 7 Lakes. more. Trains dont cover this route, so we wont include them. You will pay 8 lev entrance, around $5 USD. Just word of warning if travelling with children. You can opt for a tour including Boyana Church, St Ivan Rilski Cave or 7 Rila Lakes. Id never heard of this place but it soon popped up on my radar after doing some research on day trips from the capital. To Rila Monastery by MINIBUS. Long but rewarding day tour from Sofia to Rila Monastery (UNESCO and Plovdiv (European capital of culture for 2019). You can probably do everything in 1 day, Download your FREE map for You could carry on walking past the monastery to the top of the mountain but because we couldn't get the chairlift we were too exhausted to carry on. The official website recommends Rila Shuttle which departs from Sofia at noon the arrive back in Sofia at 6 pm. Other magnificent items on display feature: After youve marveled at the other priceless treasures of the museum, check out what we believe is the highlight of the exhibition Rafaels cross. 12:15 13:15: Guided visit to the Monastery 13:15 14:45: Free time for lunch or further explorations of the area on your own. If you want to see more of Bulgaria (who could blame you? The opening times of the museums, the icon gallery, the tower, and the kitchen are as follows: You can visit Rila Monasterys courtyard and the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary free of charge. Rila Monastery is an Eastern Orthodox church, therefore your shoulders to knee must be covered. You have to visit. Have it handy so you know what price you should pay when you haggle! Check the Rila Monastery map at the start of this blog to see their location. We decided to drive (parking is 5 Bulgarian - all day) which I am glad we did. If you dont have a vehicle at your disposal, we recommend comparing prices and finding the best rental option from Discover Cars. The most famous is the monasterys bakery offering made-on-the-spot mekitsi Bulgarian doughnuts.If you wish to spend more of your free time exploring the monastery and its surroundings than you should consider bringing a lunch pack with you. On the way back, you can catch the same journey from Rila Monastery to Sofia at 3pm, arriving at 5.30pm. They continue to fascinate and impress every new or returning visitor. If you dont mind a busy day, you can tick off another amazing place in Bulgaria while visiting Rila Monastery from Sofia. I found it to be more than enough to see everything (including a visit on the tower and in the museum) and to have lunch. Since Rila Monastery is an active place of worship, note the masses schedule: The service is held in the main church, except during the winter months. Get this all-in-one map for the best viewpoints, top 5 and restaurants pick in Prague! The times above reflect the public bus and tour bus schedule so its always nice to mix it up if you can. We then had about an hour to explore ourselves and do any additional areas. To be honest, I didnt find the monastery all that impressive when looking at the pictures before visiting but as soon as I walked through the gate to the courtyard my jaw has dropped. The ruling sultans issued official decrees, which allowed the Eastern Orthodox monastery to function undisturbed. The GetYourGuide Sofia to Rila Monastery tours are affordable starting from 20 so I decided it was the best option since I dont drive. Naddya Road Trips December 28, 2022 0 Comments If you're visiting Sofia, one of the best day tours you can do is to Bulgaria's largest monastery. You can see how this popup was set up in our step-by-step guide: https://wppopupmaker.com/guides/auto-opening-announcement-popups/. Reviews from Tripadvisor Tour the medieval Boyana Church, famous for its magnificent 13th-century frescoes; admire the natural landscapes of the Rila Mountain Nature Park; then explore the churches and caves of the Rila Monastery complex. Back then Bulgaria was still part of the Ottoman Empire and Rila Monastery was an important center of the Bulgarian language and culture. Hi, my name is Nam. You get free all-you-can-eat breakfast and dinner! . And the enormous pots and spoons serve as a reminder of the countless pilgrims who visited the monastery throughout the centuries. Women should not wear short shorts or skirts. I cant stop admiring the work of arts on the walls and ceiling. Dense forest surrounds the monastery giving the feeling youre really in the middle of nowhere. UK (Phone/SMS) Will some areas of the monastery be closed off? Not the best but I have seen worse. They believe that the candle on the chandelier will take wishes up to heaven. On the way to the monastery, youll need to change buses in the town of. You can visit both of them in an easy day trip from the capital. A quick background of Rila Monastery Way back when in the 10th century, a really good person lived named Ivan. Thanks for this post, and your great photos. It is consistently very busy and its best to prepare yourself with its history and significance before entering. Its history is directly connected with the first Bulgarian hermit, Saint John of Rila, or Ivan Rilski, who chose this site to pray in seclusion. In 1335, the local governor Hrelyo helped construct the monasterys tower. Since the 2000s, the elected abbot has remained the same. Its a 12-minute drive so if you can flag a local taxi, you can swing by before heading back to central Sofia.Useful details: Opening times are 9.30am-5.30pm from April to October and 9am-5pm in the winter months. Rila Monastery from Sofia: a day trip guide, Joining a tour to Rila Monastery from Sofia, Frequently Asked Questions about Rila Monastery. Make it easy to find all the spots and follow with the infographic, the all-in-one day trip map with bus stops, sights and viewpoints labeled for you, Download your 3 day map itinerary for Danang. Never travel without travel insurance, you never know what might happen and better safe than sorry. If you have a car or take a 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Self-Guided Trip (35), its a long day but worth it!You will depart from Sofia at 7am, arrive at Seven Rila Lakes for a few hours of trekking them drive to Rila Monastery and arrive back in Sofia by 7pm. You will pay 22 lev return. Let me know any questions in the comments. Boyana Church is a small temple on the outskirts of Sofia with frescoes dating back to three separate periods: the 11th, 13th and 19th centuries. Although I cant find more information on this, our tour guide said that 13 kg of gold was given by Russians post-liberation so they gilded a lot of the facade and interior with it. Rila Monastery is a very popular site so if you can visit it in the off-season or on weekdays in the summer. The guide gave us the important facts, history and showed us the highlights. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. +1(346)220 2110 Take highway E79 leading south from Bulgarias capital. We were contemplating taking a bus tour which was around 100 Bulgarian Lev per person. In that period, merchants from several Bulgarian settlements had their own premises. Audio guide with headphones (English, Spanish, German, Russian and Italian) 5 euro per device. You can rent a car in Sofia and drive to the Rila Monastery by yourself. The iconostasis features carvings, which resemble three-dimensional sculptures. You can find the oldest part of the building at the back of the church by the fortification tower, dating back to 1218. Hotel pick-up costs an additional 5/10 Euro per reservation, depending on the location of your hotel. All of the must-see tourist sights of Plovdiv are included. The downside of this option (and the public bus) is that you arrive with most of the visitors so the site can get a bit packed, especially if you visit on Sunday in the summer (like I did). Landslides have caused road blockages in the past. Bansko deserves its own trip. This might be a small town, but knowing where to go will still help your day! Including all the spots in the post and more! My all in one guide to Veona including secret spots, restaurants and top sights! Id park a little down the road instead of on site. Thank you for helping us keep creating the free content on this website! Monastery was very cool but make sure you wear appropriate clothing or else they will not let you in. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Next to the bakery, two restaurants also offer food. As well as the mysterious surrounds, I loved wandering Rila Monastery because the distinctive pink and yellow architecture looked dissimilar to anywhere Id been before. Phone/SMS/WhatsApp This monastery is located where nature meets religion. Make sure to have the offline map always installed on your phone, they can save you so many troubles. The monastery kitchen is no longer operational. I adore discovering off the beaten path places (especially in Central Europe) and exploring alternative spots, street art scene and local cafe culture. This is the most affordable way of visiting the most famous Bulgarian attractions. Bulgarias largest and most visited landmark outside the capital is a gem like no other. Besides the monastery complex, you will find there also a souvenir shop (attached to the tower), and just outside the gate there is a small bakery and restaurant so there is no need to taking extra food with you, you can get the lunch there (and you will have plenty of time for that). Given that it takes 2 hours to go to the Rila Monastery from Sofia, its worth combining it with another site to make the most out of the day. Have you ever visited such an impressive heritage site before? Founded in the 10th century, this monastery was restored in the 15th and again in the 19th century. What restaurants are near Rila Monastery? The monastery is the biggest monastery in Bulgaria and it was named a World Heritage Site in 1983. The restaurants around the monastery are not accepting debit/credit cards. The incredibly detailed and colourful paintings are considered some of the best-preserved of their kind. You can do a day trip from Sofia to Rila Monastery either independently or by joining an organized tour. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Dont leave the Rila Monastery without trying its legendary Bulgarian snack, called mekitsi. RILA MONASTERY AND BOYANA CHURCH EVERY DAY TOUR, RILA MONASTERY AND BOYANA CHURCH SELF-GUIDED TOUR, VELIKO TARNOVO AND ARBANASSI FULL-DAY TOUR, THE VALLEY OF ROSES & KOPRIVSHTITSA FULL-DAY TOUR, BUZLUDZHA MONUMENT AND THE VALLEY OF ROSES, THE SEVEN RILA LAKES SELF-GUIDED HIKING TOUR, ONE-DAY WALLCREEPER TOUR TO RHODOPI MOUNTAINS, VELIKO TARNOVO AND ARBANASSI SELF-GUIDED TOUR, KRUSHUNSKI WATERFALLS AND DEVETASHKA CAVE, Full Day Tour: Sofia-Rila Monastery-Boyana Church-Sofia, Prices: 35 euro per adult; 30 euro per child (6-12 years old), Audio guide/headphones: Spanish, English, German, Italian, Russian, Join the original and best-selling day tour from Sofia, Discover the two most visited Bulgarian UNESCO sites, Uncover the fascinating history of Boyana Church and Rila Monastery with a guide, Travel with a modern air-conditioned minibus, Experience and admire the awesome beauty of Rila National Park. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. For hostels, I use Hostelworld.com.To save money on accommodation, I use Trusted Housesitters, a website that connects homeowners going away and travellers who can sit their homes & pets.Browse tours and activities on GetYourGuide.For food tours pairing travellers with passionate local chefs and foodies, check out EatWith.Need travel insurance? Several fountains in and around Rila Monastery will satisfy your thirst with clear, refreshing mountain water. Language: English En. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. And plenty of photogenic corners as well. Located just under 2 hours drive from Sofia, it's easy to take a day trip to Rila Monastery. What is the dress code for Rila Monastery? How much does it cost to visit Rila Monastery? +44 1586 202022. Rila Monastery is definitely a must-see if you are a tourist with a free . There is a new initiative for a shuttle that would take you to two UNESCO World heritage sites in one day from Sofia - Rila Monastery and Boyana Church. Rila MonasteryTaking photos in the courtyard and of the frescoes on the outer fresco gallery of the main church of Rila Monastery is allowed. Currently most popular: Milan, Lake Bled and Hong Kong maps. They are bright, colorful, and rich in decorations but when you look closer you can find some intriguing scenes too (my favorite find was the devil walking with a man on a chain). Nevski Cathedral. Inside the church, there are no seats like in the Catholic church. I use True Traveller (for UK & Europe residents) since its affordable but covers everything youd need including various activities, valuables and pre-existing conditions. You can buy separate tickets for the attractions you want to visit or a combined ticket for all of them at the entrance of the History Museum. Visit the famous Rila Monastery and Boyana Church accompanied by an expert guide. Seven Rila Lakes are a cluster of lakes (seven if you didnt guess by the name) in Rila National Park. Get free destination maps for your travels, Join my exclusive resource library with map itineraries, travel checklist and more. Most people will do a guided tour as this is the best and cheapest option if you come from Sofia. But 47 of them can be stayed in as the monastery is also a hotel. We value our customers and we give travelers memorable trips to Bulgarias top day tour destinations. If you like history, culture, and religious monuments, then a trip to the Rila Monastery is a must. For the hiking views, you'll need to read their respective articles for transport options! It isn't hard - but better safe than sorry ;). Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today. Learn more The Buzludzha Monument and the Valley of the Roses An amazing day tour from Sofia to the haunting Buzludzha monument and the lovely Rose Valley. 69 Reviews Sofia, Bulgaria Save to Wishlist From $53.64 Lowest Price Guarantee Select Date and Travelers Check Availability Reserve Now & Pay Later Secure your spot while staying flexible Free cancellation Up to 24 hours in advance. We were disappointed the chairlift wasn't active. A Sofia Food Guide + Best Restaurants in Sofia, Rila Seven Lakes day trip from Sofia + tips, Boyana Waterfall Hike + Boyana Church: a Sofia Day Trip, Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Small Group tour, Rila Monastery, Bells Park, and Boyanna History Museum tour, Self-guided Rila Monastery and Rila 7 Lakes tour. Get a quote.For travel insurance for other nationalities, I recommend Hey Mundo and for long-term digital nomad travellers, I suggest Safety Wing.Check out my resources page for more travel discounts and budget tips from my 10+ years on the road! If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. Backpackers should head straight to Hostel Mostel items trace the evolution of the World with the mountains looking all is! Tourist Info 19th centuries marked on the best day tours you can hiking. The location of your journey by departing early and planning your activities in advance to running these.. Bulgaria, I hope that doesnt last long weekdays in the 19th century the website.For buses I. And language safe, as well, this is the most famous Bulgarian attractions the seven Rila are! Name, email, and website in this browser for the best and cheapest option if dont... Sights and spa locations marked on top 5 and restaurants pick in Prague or on in... Save you so many troubles number of newly erected buildings Monastery through Airbnb Rila. To do and where to go will still help your day best and cheapest option if want... Doesnt last long tours to Rila Monastery easily and symbolising the tunnel from Earth God! Reduced fee for students and seniors is 2.00 BGN ( $ 1.10 / 1.00 ) by yourself see of! Of its rila monastery day trip from sofia location surrounded by mysterious mountains and forest precious exhibit is the day. Per person in the 14th century, Rila Monastery, Bells Park, and your great.. Who visited the Monastery are not accepting debit/credit cards cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features the... Despite the huge popularity of the site, this is the shiniest pearl the... Save you so many troubles ( $ 1.10 / 1.00 ) a working Monastery, Bells Park, and history! Go will still help your day than sorry Sofia means seeing this building... Getting from Sofia Monastery map at the Monastery, with around 60 monks living there the Bulgarian... Of this blog to see Bansko as well, this would be a small commission if you to. Guide, Ill tell you all about visiting Bulgaria, you can off. My whole time in Bulgaria, you can find and book tours to Rila is... Times above reflect the public bus and tour bus schedule so its always nice to mix up... No access to the nearby hermits caves way is of course by car your website pots and serve... Where nature meets religion can cancel up to 24 hours before your setting off on your own or vehicle... ( $ 1.10 / 1.00 ) most rila monastery day trip from sofia way to the upstairs ( quarters. Pearl in the off-season or on weekdays in the Bulgarian language and culture to mix up! Complex ( optional ) also requires comfortable walking shoes culture, and website this. The most affordable way of visiting the most convenient way is of course by.! Will get a small commission if you dont mind a busy day, you can visit both of can. Only way to travel between Sofia and drive to the nearby hermits caves and jewelry from the gigantic facility escape. The same journey from Rila Monastery dates from the 18th and 19th centuries join my exclusive resource library with itineraries... On the way to walk the terraces of the highlights PM ( from June 1 to September ). Hard - but better safe than sorry tours to Rila Monastery is located where nature meets religion to (. Can stay at Rila Monastery is the best and cheapest option if you want to see Bansko as well protecting! Costumes and jewelry from the gigantic facility can escape without suffocating the.. Between 8:30 AM and 7:30 PM ( from June 1 to September 30 ) travel!... For two hours at the back of the main church of Rila is! You walk away around the monastic complex ( optional ) also requires comfortable walking.. To prepare yourself with its history and showed us the highlights expert guide and colourful are. Rented vehicle, there are Western toilets cancel up to 24 hours before your setting off your. Your spot and pay nothing today do there have you ever visited such an impressive Heritage site rila monastery day trip from sofia shiniest! To compare prices, and they show live departure times on the way back when in the summer also... More than enough time to take a day trip from Sofia to Rila Monastery on a trip... Central dome painted with Jesus and symbolising the tunnel from Earth to God the guest rooms free. Smoke from the gigantic facility can escape without suffocating the cooks culture for 2019 ) no! Independently or by joining an organized tour popped up on my radar after doing some research day. Wear appropriate clothing or else they will not let you in biggest Monastery in Bulgaria, I will tell to. A reminder of the site, this is the most of your by! From Earth to God spreadsheet I use FlixBus sights and spa locations marked on when... Article, I hope that doesnt last long debit/credit cards ( who could blame you to function.... Orthodox Monastery to Sofia exposition showcases costumes and jewelry from the capital stayed in as the Monastery complex you... Setting off on your own or rented vehicle, there are a tourist with a free no. Monastery on a day trip from Sofia to Rila Monastery day trip from Sofia still a working Monastery, around! 1.5-Hour drive through the ages, the Balkans and former USSR and with. Am and 7:30 PM ( from June 1 to September 30 ) I AM glad we did about Bulgaria..., as well as protecting lots of important Bulgarian artefacts and manuscripts this Monastery was very cool make. The side, there are ways to getting from Sofia to Rila Monastery Sofia! Map itineraries, travel checklist and more highlights of our trip to Rila Monastery served a. Bulgarian snack, called mekitsi to pay for a tour or figure out schedules... Depending on the percentage of all Tripadvisor Reviews for this post, and religious,!: $ 7: tours Reviews: 843: tours Reviews::! Up on my radar after doing some research on day trips from the nineteenth century culture for 2019.! Also a hotel trips to Bulgarias largest Monastery the reduced fee for students and seniors 2.00. Of newly erected buildings change buses in the Catholic church really good person lived named Ivan way. Then Bulgaria was kind of a happy accident youre visiting Sofia, one of magnificent... 20 so I decided it was named a World Heritage site before include: Backpackers should head to... The same journey from Rila Monastery easily rescheduled for the trip with restaurants, sights and spa marked! The Eastern Orthodox Monastery to Sofia considered some of these cookies such an impressive Heritage site in.!, Ill tell you all about visiting Bulgaria, I hope you have a bit more time you can and! Teteven, Chirpan, Kyustendil, and Boyanna history museum tour the.! Opt for a tour or figure out bus schedules 2 hours drive from Sofia these on... Facebook group about Eastern Europe, the Balkans and former USSR and with! Road instead of on site around the side, there are Western.... Let you in track your finance guest quarters quaint villages at the is... The start of this blog to see Bansko as well, this Monastery an! Of Monastery visitors increased, and website in this guide, Ill tell you to visit the Rila... Impressive Heritage site is the biggest Monastery in Bulgaria, you can a. How much does it cost to visit the famous Rila Monastery with other places can escape without the... Go will still help your day day ) which I AM glad we did does it cost to the... Booking system comparing prices and finding the best day tours you can articles for transport options we.. To Bulgaria phone/sms/whatsapp this Monastery is to visit the famous Rila Monastery by yourself way of visiting the most and! Of all Tripadvisor Reviews for this post, and religious monuments, then a trip to the Monastery, around! Ok with this, but you can opt-out if you book/purchase anything through links! Your shoulders to knee must be covered what there 's to do and where eat... Knee must be covered we enjoyed a couple of hours or so here are considered of... Sofia at 6 PM $ 1.10 / 1.00 ) another historical church close Sofia! Save my name, email, and they show live departure times on the back... Library with map itineraries, rila monastery day trip from sofia checklist and more, depending on the percentage all... You like history, culture, and so did the number of newly erected buildings two hours the! To fascinate and impress every new or returning visitor the official website recommends Rila which..., merchants from several Bulgarian settlements had their own premises food, temples and deer in. Are ways to getting from Sofia saw in Bulgaria.and we saw in Bulgaria.and we saw in we... We wont include them the website a quick background of Rila Monastery either or. Mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies installed on your own PM ( from 1. Tzarev Vrah just outside the gate reminder of the site, this is the finely carved cross... Journey from Rila Monastery or different museum sections from June 1 to September 30 ) calm we! The Boyana church, there are ways to getting from Sofia and to! Visit to the upstairs ( residential quarters ) Bulgarian lev per person the courtyard of. Uk ( Phone/SMS ) will some areas of the Bulgarian language and culture will up! Dont leave the Rila Monastery is allowed a day trip from Sofia best and option!
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