Rila Monastery and the Cave of St. John: Day Trip From Sofia
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Rila Monastery is a must-visit for many travelers to Sofia. Pair it with one of the country’s most sacred sites, the Cave of St. John of Rila, who founded the monastery, on this fascinating day trip. The entry level package includes an online, app-based guide: Upgrade for a physical audio guide or a live guide in your chosen language. All options exclude entrance fees.
Highlights
- ✓Capture mesmerizing photos of the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery
- ✓Drink from the sacred spring in the Cave of St. John of Rila
- ✓Save around four hours’ travel time compared to public transportation
- ✓Beat the heat and travel comfortably on an air-conditioned bus
What you'll see & do
- ✓Departure at 09:00 from the car parknext to Vasil Levski Monument, in front of the Embassy of Slovakia
- ✓Transportation from the Meeting point to the Rila Monastery. Estimated time of arrival - 12:00.
- ✓Rila Monastery is one of Bulgaria’s symbols and a popular tourist destination. The monastery is set deep in the heart of Rila Mountain, between the Rilska and Drushliavitza Rivers, at 1147 metres (3760 feet) above sea level. It is situated 120 kilometres south of Sofia.
- ✓Visit the Cave of Saint Ivan Rilski - one of the most sacred places in Bulgaria. Pass through the tunnel of St. Ivan Rilski. The belief is that only people with clean souls can pass through and that magical powers keep the sinners away. While you’re there, do not forget to drink some water from the holy spring. It is believed that this water never stops, nor freezes even when it is extremely cold.
- ✓Return to the starting point at approximately 17:30-18:00
What's included
- ✓Visit to Rila Monastery
- ✓Professional Tour Guide OR Cloud Audio Guide App (depending entirely on the option you have booked)
- ✓Visit to St. Ivan Cave, OR The Bells Monument (depending entirely on the option you have booked)
- ✓Parking fees
- ✓Round-trip transport by air-conditioned minibus or coach
What's not included
- ✓Gratuities
- ✓Food and Drinks
- ✓Rila Monastery Museum (Optional; entrance to the main courtyard/church is free)
- ✓Hotel pickup and drop-off
Good to know
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities
Comfortable walking shoes recommended
Minimum traveler age is 6 years old
Tour with ONLINE (cloud-based) Audio-guide in different languages. INTERNET required to download and use.
Cancellation policy
- •A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
- •No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.
Rila Monastery and the Cave of St. John: Day Trip From Sofia
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Rila Monastery is a must-visit for many travelers to Sofia. Pair it with one of the country’s most sacred sites, the Cave of St. John of Rila, who founded the monastery, on this fascinating day trip. The entry level package includes an online, app-based guide: Upgrade for a physical audio guide or a live guide in your chosen language. All options exclude entrance fees.
Highlights
- ✓Capture mesmerizing photos of the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery
- ✓Drink from the sacred spring in the Cave of St. John of Rila
- ✓Save around four hours’ travel time compared to public transportation
- ✓Beat the heat and travel comfortably on an air-conditioned bus
What you'll see & do
- ✓Departure at 09:00 from the car parknext to Vasil Levski Monument, in front of the Embassy of Slovakia
- ✓Transportation from the Meeting point to the Rila Monastery. Estimated time of arrival - 12:00.
- ✓Rila Monastery is one of Bulgaria’s symbols and a popular tourist destination. The monastery is set deep in the heart of Rila Mountain, between the Rilska and Drushliavitza Rivers, at 1147 metres (3760 feet) above sea level. It is situated 120 kilometres south of Sofia.
- ✓Visit the Cave of Saint Ivan Rilski - one of the most sacred places in Bulgaria. Pass through the tunnel of St. Ivan Rilski. The belief is that only people with clean souls can pass through and that magical powers keep the sinners away. While you’re there, do not forget to drink some water from the holy spring. It is believed that this water never stops, nor freezes even when it is extremely cold.
- ✓Return to the starting point at approximately 17:30-18:00
What's included
- ✓Visit to Rila Monastery
- ✓Professional Tour Guide OR Cloud Audio Guide App (depending entirely on the option you have booked)
- ✓Visit to St. Ivan Cave, OR The Bells Monument (depending entirely on the option you have booked)
- ✓Parking fees
- ✓Round-trip transport by air-conditioned minibus or coach
What's not included
- ✓Gratuities
- ✓Food and Drinks
- ✓Rila Monastery Museum (Optional; entrance to the main courtyard/church is free)
- ✓Hotel pickup and drop-off
Good to know
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Due to uneven surfaces, this tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities
Comfortable walking shoes recommended
Minimum traveler age is 6 years old
Tour with ONLINE (cloud-based) Audio-guide in different languages. INTERNET required to download and use.
Cancellation policy
- •A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
- •No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.