Experience Rila monastery with a local guide on a private tour. The monastery is the holiest place in Bulgaria and one of our UNESCO sites. It is located in the Rila Mountains, the highest mountain in Bulgaria and in the Balkans. It takes about a 2-hour drive from Sofia to reach it.

We Bulgarians are Orthodox Christians since the 9th century. Many Bulgarians visit the monastery all year long because this is the holiest place in Bulgaria and It has kept the Bulgarian spirit through the ages of foreign domination.
St. Ivan of Rila founded the monastery in the 10th century. He was a hermit who lived in a cave about 5 km away from the monastery.

The monastery church is among the most beautiful churches in Bulgaria. It has wall paintings both outside and inside. Today the grave of the last Bulgarian king Boris III is in the church. Also, the relics of St. Ivan of Rila are here. One of the special icons is the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary. It gives support to people who visit the monastery and pray for health.

We can have lunch in the area.
Optional visit to Boyana church in Sofia on the way back. This is the only UNESCO sight in Sofia currently. It is a museum church with wonderful frescos dating prior European Renaissance.
Drop off to your accommodation in Sofia.