Private tour in Sofia Kiril P

From Sofia To Boyana Church and Rila Monastery

5.0

(4) reviews

-
Hours icon 9 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-4 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 9 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-4 people
Your party size

1

View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later

Kiril P.

5.0

Guide rating

13

Reviews

Tours delivered

2 hrs

Avg. response time

Hello dear travelers. My name is Kiril. I am Bulgarian and I live in Sofia, licensed by the Ministry of Tourism of Bulgaria as a tour guide. I worked in the corporate world for more than 20 years, living in different countries and visiting many countries, as a tourist, thus I have a good idea what is needed from a tour guide. I have combined all my 20+ years of personal experience to provide the best service you may get. Bulgaria is not only one of the oldest countries in Europe, but also one of the cradles of the humankind. A land with mysteries starting 6000 years B. C. with discovered villages from the Neolithic times, inhabited by the Thracians for almost 3000 years, famous with their love to the wine, loved by the Slavs and the Greeks, conquered by the Romans, who left behind a lot of knowledge how to build buildings and roads , but also how to use the numerous hot mineral water springs for the famous Roman baths. A land which accommodated the proto- Bulgarians and their mighty kingdom, neighboring one of the greatest empires in the world for a thousand years - Byzantium. A land which was occupied by the Ottoman empire for 500 hundred years and a nation which resurrected again to survive through the communism to nowadays. And all these different tribes and empires , they came with their own religion and culture, so that we have the pleasure today to enjoy this extremely diverse heritage. I don't know how many countries or cities in Europe may count so many different invasions. If you are looking for a tailored tour based on your interests, come and let's explore this amazing country together. We shall walk and talk, not only about what we see, but also about what happened in the past and how this impacted the life today. I can offer city tours with a deep dive in history, religion, traditions or across country with hiking and feeling the energy of the ancient shrines. There are monasteries to be seen, caves to get in, peaks to climb , lakes to contemplate, stories to be told. I can pick you up from wherever you like - hotel, airport…. . and start the journey . We can do one day trips or multiple days. We can design together what we want to see and what to learn. But you also have to be prepared to solve the riddles at the end of the tour, which will go with small rewards for this who listened carefully. Last, but not least I may share with you my love with cooking, so I can cook for you in a small family restaurant where you will also learn how to cook traditional Bulgarian dish which we shall eat at the end. Looking forward to meet you! Tour guide license E-01338 issued by the Ministry of Tourism of Bulgaria Driving license since 1989 For walking city tours I can service groups of up to 10 people, while other tours requiring transportation I can service up to 4 people.

Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Kiril P.

Overview of your Sofia tour

There are 869 items of cultural monuments in the List of UNESCO for the World Heritage. 7 of them are in Bulgaria and 2 of them are in a day trip from Sofia. So, it is a good point to start. By visiting the Boyana Church you will have the opportunity to judge with your own eyes where the Renaissance has started in Italy at the beginning of the 15th century or here, in Sofia, 150 years earlier. Some of the tourists, shared their impressions after visiting Boyana Church, that they felt as if they were in the Michelangelo Chapel in Vatican. Visiting the Rila Monastery is a natural spiritual continuation of the trip after the Boyana Church. Needless to say that everybody can feel the holy spirit and the energy of this place. However apart from that, there are many things to be seen like the famous Rafaelo Cross, unique object from the 19th century, the monks kitchen and definitely to touch the holy relics of St John of Rila, the Patron of the Bulgarian people.

Recent Reviews

Jamie D.United States
April 2026

What a delightful day! Kiril met us at our hotel and from the first moment he was thoughtful, knowledgeable, and kind. Throughout our day together, he happily shared his extensive knowledge with us. He provided options at each of our stops; we of course took all his suggestions—other than trying the trout (which didn’t fit our diets)— but he obviously works hard to customize the time together to best meet guests’ interests and needs. We learned a lot about Bulgaria and Bulgarians as well as the sights we visited. All in all, a most enjoyable day. Highly recommend!

Peter R.China
April 2025

Kiril was a very knowledgeable guide and we had a very enjoyable time with him. He communicated beforehand with us to confirm all arrangements. He was very punctual and outlined our walk before we left the hotel. We walked slowly through many of the older parts of Sofia and he provided interesting background to many of the areas we viewed. We were particularly impressed with the Roman ruins that were discovered during the construction of the train line. As many of the museums were closed for Easter Monday, Kiril took us to visit the Children's Peace Park with the bells from various countries. We would definitely recommend Kiril to future visitors to Sofia!

Nilsa P.United States
April 2025

Beautiful trip, very accommodating guide. Had lunch next to the monastery in a wonderful setting.

Andrew G.United Kingdom
February 2024

This was an outstanding trip, and Kiril was a fantastic guide! The murals in the Boyana Church, with human expression captured so vividly 200 years before the Renaissance, were truly remarkable. The drive to Rila through the mountains is stunning and the Monastery itself is so special, you can feel that this is the spiritual home of the nation. Kiril was engaging throughout, full of information and history that put everything into context in a way that really enhanced my experience. Huge thanks to Kiril!

Your Sofia tour itinerary

We shall start at your convenience , but preferably we must leave your hotel between 9 and 10 am. - I shall pick you up with my car, brand new, clean and air-conditioned sedan and we will drive towards Boyana Church, approx 10 km from the city center of Sofia. We shall spend there one hour. - First, we shall learn the history of the church, when it was built and how it was saved by the Bulgarian Queen Eleonora at the beginning of the 20th century. Then we shall enter the church where we can stay only 10 minutes. - We shall shortly talk inside about the amazing murals and the unique technique used for painting. - After that we shall leave towards the Rila Monastery - approximately 120 km drive for 2 hours. - At the monastery, we shall spend around 4 hours including free time, the opportunity for lunch at your choice and back to Sofia around 6 pm. - Apart from the main church at the monastery , we can optionally visit the monks' kitchen from the 19th century and the small museum with some unique treasuries.

Want to customize this tour?

Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.

Transport details
Type: Private Transportation / Category: Suv

SUV BMW X3. It is a car for 4 passengers + driver. The car is perfect for 3 passengers , but for a short distance of 100 km it is also ok for 4 passengers.

What's included
Other: a bottle of water per person
Private Guide
Private Transportation
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses. Admission fees History museum: BGN 8 per person, the special item is the wooden Rafail cross - the Hrelyo defense tower: BGN 5 per person - The old monastery kitchen and farming equipment museum: BGN 5 per person -Boyana church in Sofia, BGN 10 per person
Food Drinks Snacks
Tickets: 12-30 BGN per person
Meeting location

Sofia, Sofia City Province, Bulgaria

Airport: ,Cruise: ,ByGuide:

  • You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
Religious Sites
Layover
History
Tour reference number
759322
Languages
English
Bulgarian
Russian
Activity level
Minimal

Traveller reviews

5.0

FAQs

Who is this private tour in Sofia best suited for?

This private tour is perfect for travellers interested in exploring UNESCO World Heritage sites and experiencing the rich cultural history of Bulgaria. It's ideal for those who want to visit the Boyana Church and Rila Monastery, and connect with a local guide like Kiril P. for deeper insights.

What should I bring or wear?

Can this private tour in Sofia be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?

How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?

Where does the tour start and end?

Is transportation included?

What happens if a site is closed, crowded, or the weather changes?

What languages is this tour offered in?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

-
Hours icon 9 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-4 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 9 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-4 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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