Rila Monastery and Melnik full-day guided tour from Sofia
Attractions & guided tours

Rila Monastery and Melnik full-day guided tour from Sofia

from
£35.00
Free cancellation
Language: English
Mobile voucher accepted
Duration: 11 hours
Why you’ll love this…
  • You'll discover the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and spiritual landmark
  • There's time to admire the monastery's main church and its vivid frescoes on a guided tour
  • You'll explore Melnik, Bulgaria's smallest town, nestled among distinctive limestone pyramids
  • There's a visit to Kordopoulo's house with its Venetian stained-glass windows and murals
What to expect

Embark on a tour that combines a visit to Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with Melnik, Bulgaria's smallest town, famous for its wine and located amidst limestone pyramids.

The Rila Monastery complex is impressive due to its size and decorations. Notable historical and artistic monuments within the complex include the 14th-century Hrelyo Tower, the five-domed Birth of the Blessed Virgin Church, and the original 19th-century monastery kitchen. A guided tour of the monastery — the largest in Bulgaria — and its museum collection will unveil its history.

Following the exploration of the monastery, you'll head to Melnik. Once a tobacco and wine-producing centre during the 17th – 18th centuries, today Melnik is known for its charming white houses, cobbled streets, mild climate, and internationally recognised red wines. Here, you'll visit Kordopoulo’s house, the town's largest building. It features Venetian stained-glass windows, spacious rooms and salons, murals, a large wine cellar, and an iron door from where caravans once departed with Melnik wine destined for Athens, Vienna, and Rome.

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What's included
  • check Guided tour
  • check Transportation in air-conditioned vehicle
  • check Multilingual audio commentary
What's not included
  • x_not_included Food and drinks
  • x_not_included Entrance ticket
Where

Rila Monastery Bus From Sofia (Bus stop), Sofia, Bulgaria

Meeting point:
The trip starts from the car park behind Alexander Nevski Cathedral. Please arrive at the meeting point at least 15 minutes before the tour starts.
What to remember

Accessibility:

  • The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with back problems

Not allowed:

  • Shorts, short skirts, and see-through clothing are not permitted
  • Smoking and consuming food and drinks are not allowed on the coach

Extra fees to be paid on-site:

  • Entry fee to Kordopulova House of approximately BGN 6 to be paid in cash
  • Entry to Rila Monastery Museum of €4 per person (optional)

Know in advance:

  • Minimum age to join this tour is 13
  • An English-speaking tour guide will accompany you throughout the day. Audio guides are available for the Rila Monastery in English, Spanish, Italian, French, German, and Russian. Internet connection is required to download and use the audio guide
  • Entry to Rila Monastery is free of charge

Remember to bring:

  • Comfortable shoes as there is a moderate amount of walking
  • A hat and sunscreen as some parts of the tour are exposed to the sun
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Provider
Traventuria Ltd.
Booking fee
Good news! No extra fees are applied to this booking.
Cancellation policy
Receive a 100% refund if you cancel up to 24 hours before the experience begins.

What people say about this experience

At the moment there are no reviews for this experience.

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