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From Sofia: Rila Monastery, St. Ivan Cave & Alpine Picnic Tour

3 Reviews 5.00 out of 5 stars Based on 3 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor |
Recommended by 100% of reviewers
100% of reviewers gave this experience a rating of 4 or higher.
| Sofia, Bulgaria
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from $109.06 per person

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From Sofia: Rila Monastery, St. Ivan Cave & Alpine Picnic Tour Image 1
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Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 19 (0) days in advance.
9 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Instant confirmation

Overview

Most people see Rila Monastery from a bus - one rushed hour, a fridge magnet, and back to Sofia. Beautiful, yes. Memorable, rarely.
This tour gives Rila the full day it deserves - and goes further than any bus ever will.
After a proper guided visit to Bulgaria's most sacred UNESCO site, you hike through ancient spruce forest to the cave where St. Ivan Rilski lived as a hermit. The cave ends in a narrow tunnel. The legend: only those with a clean soul pass through easily. The tradition: enter with a wish in your heart. A holy spring beside the cave is said never to freeze and to bring good health to those who drink from it.
Then the moment no other Sofia tour offers. Ten minutes by car, the forest opens into Kirilova Polyana - an alpine meadow at 1,450 metres ringed by Rila peaks. Your guide unpacks a traditional Bulgarian picnic prepared that morning. Seasonal, local, included.
Maximum 8 guests. Guaranteed from 1 booking. 95 EUR per person, fixed.

What's Included

  • Traditional seasonal Bulgarian picnic at Kirilova Polyana alpine meadow
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Pick up from central Sofia
  • Gratuities
  • Audio guides in Spanish, Italian, French and German
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

Sofia Center
bul. "Knyaginya Maria Luiza" 18, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria

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Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Rila Monastery

Stop 1 - Rila Monastery Location: Rila Monastery Nature Park, Kyustendil Province - approx. 120 km south of Sofia Time at stop: approx. 1 hour 30 minutes Bulgaria's largest and most important Orthodox monastery, founded in the 10th century by the hermit Ivan Rilski and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Set deep in a pine-forested valley at 1,147 metres, surrounded by the highest peaks in the Balkans. Your guide leads a full tour of the complex - the striped arcaded balconies, the vivid frescoes by Zahari Zograf and other masters of the Bulgarian National Revival, the ornate gold iconostasis inside the main church, and the 14th-century Hrelyo Tower, the oldest surviving structure on the site. Free entry to the monastery church and courtyard. Optional museum entrance approximately 5 EUR, paid on the day.
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2 hours Admission Ticket Free

Cave of St.Ivan Rilski

Stop 2 - The Cave of St. Ivan Rilski Location: Rila Monastery Nature Park forest - approx. 3-4 km from the monastery Time at stop: approx. 1 hour 30 minutes (including 30-minute forest hike each way) The cave where the founder of Rila Monastery spent years alone as a hermit before his disciples found him and built the first chapel nearby. One of the most sacred sites in Bulgaria - and one of the most unusual experiences on any day trip from Sofia. The cave ends in a narrow rock tunnel. The legend is old and simple: only those with a clean soul can pass through. For centuries, pilgrims and visitors have entered the tunnel with a wish in their heart. The holy spring beside the cave flows year-round and is said never to freeze, even in the coldest Bulgarian winter. The forest hike is easy to moderate, 30 minutes each way on a marked trail through ancient spruce forest. Guests who prefer not to hike are welcome to wait comfortably at the trailhead - the cave section is not compulsory.
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1 hour Admission Ticket Free

Kirilova Polyana Meadow

Stop 3 - Kirilova Polyana: Traditional Bulgarian Picnic Location: Kirilova Polyana alpine meadow, Rila Monastery Nature Park - 10 minutes by car from the monastery Time at stop: approx. 1 hour The moment no other tour from Sofia offers, and the one guests talk about most. A short drive takes you deeper into the nature park to 1,450 metres, where the forest opens into Kirilova Polyana - a vast alpine meadow ringed by the peaks of Dvuglav, Zliya Zab, and Kupenite. Tranquil, uncrowded, and completely unlike the bustle at the monastery. Your guide unpacks a traditional Bulgarian picnic prepared fresh that morning. Seasonal, local, always a surprise - warm banitsa, Bulgarian yogurt, and honest food that connects you to this place in a way no restaurant manages. Fully included in your tour price. No other day tour from Sofia does this. Return to Sofia Scenic drive back through the Rila Mountains and Sofia countryside. Estimated arrival in Sofia: 17:30.
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1 hour Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers

Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the From Sofia: Rila Monastery, St. Ivan Cave & Alpine Picnic Tour?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EET). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

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Activity code: C-170567P5

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Reviews

5.00
3 reviews

Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 3 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
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1 star
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Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 19 (0) days in advance.
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Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Activity name

The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.

Filter by:

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the From Sofia: Rila Monastery, St. Ivan Cave & Alpine Picnic Tour?
A:
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EET).
Apr 2025
Q: What's included in the price?
A:
The following is included:
  • Traditional seasonal Bulgarian picnic at Kirilova Polyana alpine meadow.
  • Air-conditioned vehicle.
  • Pick up from central Sofia.
  • Professional English speaking Guide.
  • Guided visit of Rila Monastery & the Cave of Ivan Rilski.
The following is NOT included:
  • Gratuities.
  • Audio guides in Spanish, Italian, French and German.
Apr 2025
Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:

The minimum age to participate is 3. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..

Apr 2025
Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:

If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

Apr 2025
Q: Is this an accessible tour?
A:

Accessibility information for the From Sofia: Rila Monastery, St. Ivan Cave & Alpine Picnic Tour is as follows:

  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Apr 2025
Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for From Sofia: Rila Monastery, St. Ivan Cave & Alpine Picnic Tour will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

 

 

Mar 2024
Q: How long does a refund take to reach my card, and can I get it faster?
A:

Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.

Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.

If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.

Oct 2026

What's Included

Activity name

  • Traditional seasonal Bulgarian picnic at Kirilova Polyana alpine meadow
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Pick up from central Sofia
  • Professional English speaking Guide
  • Guided visit of Rila Monastery & the Cave of Ivan Rilski
  • Gratuities
  • Audio guides in Spanish, Italian, French and German

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers

Report Product Issue

Activity name