Rila Monastery and St. Ivan Cave History & Nature Trip from Sofia
607 activities · Bulgaria
Sofia, Bulgaria, has 607 activities, tours and experiences to book. Don't miss: Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, SS. Cyril and Methodius National Library, Saint Sophia Church. Also worth exploring nearby: Borovets.
01Things to do
Must-see places
Bulgarian Orthodox Church
National Church
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
Cathedral
SS. Cyril and Methodius National Library
Library
Saint Sophia Church
Church building
National Archaeological Museum, Bulgaria
Archaeological museum
Saint Nedelya Church
Eastern Orthodox cathedral
02Activities to book
The best experiences in Sofia
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Rila Monastery and St. Ivan Cave History & Nature Trip from Sofia
Duration
8 h
Language
allemand, russe, anglais, italien, polonais, français, espagnol
Guidance
Audio guide, Guide
Group
Up to 30 pers.
Booking
Instant confirmation
Lead time
Bookable until departure
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Tickets
One per booking
Cancellation
Free cancellation available
Overview
This day tour perfectly combines history, culture, and nature experiences. Enjoy a comfortable ride through the beautiful green countryside as you head toward the majestic Rila Mountains. Discover Bulgaria’s most famous UNESCO site, the Rila Monastery, with a guided or audio-guided tour. Afterward, take a relaxing walk through the woods to reach the Cave of Saint Ivan. You will also have free time to explore the monastery on your own before we drive back to Sofia.
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
Not included
- ✕Gratuities
- ✕Food and Drinks
- ✕Rila Monastery Museum (Optional; entrance to the main courtyard/church is free)
- ✕Hotel pickup and drop-off
Available options
Choose your option when you book.
App: Rila & Cave (NO Boyana)
from 20 €★ Self-Guided Audio Tour: to Rila Monastery & Cave via phone app. ℹ 1h Sofia logistics stop + Cave walk limits Monastery time. Bring phone & headphones ⚠ Skip Cave for More Rila Time: The steep forest walk to the Cave is strictly OPTIONAL. If you skip the cave, you enjoy much more free time at the Monastery. ❌ Big Bus / NO Live Guide: This is an AUDIO app tour on a big shared coach with ES/IT live commentary. Bring headphones! Host gives basic EN logistics.
ITA Guide: Rila & Opt. Cave
from 20 €✔ Live Italian Guided Tour: Enjoy a fully guided experience with a dedicated Italian-speaking expert guide on the bus and on-site at Rila Monastery. ℹ 1-Hour Sofia Logistics Stop: The bus usually makes a 1-hour logistics stop in Sofia (no entry anywhere). Please be patient during this transport pause. ⚠ Optional Forest Cave Walk: The pleasant forest walk to St. Ivan's Cave is strictly OPTIONAL. Skip it to enjoy significantly more free time at Monastery. Vehicle & Group Size: : Transport is provided by large 45 to 65-seater tourist coaches (not small minibuses).
ENG Guide: Rila & Opt. Cave
from 20 €⚠ Optional Forest Cave Walk: The pleasant forest walk to St. Ivan's Cave is optional. Choosing to do it will reduce your free time at Rila Monastery. ✔ Live English Guided Tour: with a dedicated English-speaking guide for the large bus transfer and on-site guided tour at the historic Rila Monastery. NO Boyana Church Entry: is included (brief exterior park stop only). You visit Rila Monastery & optional Cave with a dedicated English guide. Vehicle & Group Size: : Transport is provided by large 45 to 65-seater tourist coaches (not small minibuses).
Itinerary
Departure at 09:00 from the car parknext to Vasil Levski Monument, in front of the Embassy of Slovakia
· 30 minMonastère de Rila
Transportation from the Meeting point to the Rila Monastery. Estimated time of arrival - 12:00.
· 2 hMonastère de Rila
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.
· 2 h· Admission not includedVisit 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.
· 1 hReturn to the starting point at approximately 17:00
· 2 h
How to use your ticket
Meeting point
IMPORTANT: The meeting point next to Vasil Levski Monument, in front of the Embassy of Slovakia| | Please, be there 15 min. in advance!
The return is at the same place.
What to know before you go
- 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.
Travelers
1 traveler(s) minimum · 30 maximum per booking.
At least one adult required per booking.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- From 1 days before : 100% refunded
- From 0 days before : 0% refunded
Reviews
Product code: 6992P62
Activity offered by Traventuria via Viator.