Small Group Tour: Rila Monastery and Melnik

Likely To Sell Out

From $42.47 per person Lowest Price Guarantee

Select Date and Travelers

You can select up to 15 travelers in total.

Adult (12-99) Minimum: 1, Maximum: 15

Book online or call: +1 437 970 2890

Free Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

English-guided Tour

2 Adults x $42.47

$84.94

Approx Total

$84.94

Inclusions / Exclusions

Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Professional guide
Transport by air-conditioned minivan

Food and drinks
Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop-off

Overview

- Get more of your holiday by booking an intensive small group guided tour to the highlights of southwest Bulgaria; - Tour the smallest Bulgarian town, famous for its architecture, stunning surroundings, and wine production. - The Melnik Pyramids are a fantastic phenomenon. Use wisely the recommended photo stops! :) - In Melnik discover the impressive Rivaval Period style house of Kordopoulo’s family and peek into its tunnel-like wine cellar. - Enjoy the sights of the tranquil Bulgarian countryside and its sleepy villages, while your guide introduces you to Bulgarian everyday countryside life; - Visit the overwhelming Rila Monastery and let the guide relive its history and enlight you on its present-day status; - Admire the priceless frescoe masterpieces of the most notable 19th-century Bulgarian painters - Enrich your experience by tasting local delicacies and in this way involve all your senses;

Itinerary

St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral (Pass By)

Depart early morning at 07:00 from the parking behind Alexander Nevski Cathedral, just in front of LaCattedrale restaurant
Melnik

The smallest town in Bulgarian with only 208 inhabitants, Melnik still preserves part of its glory from 14th till19th-century, when it had been a flourishing tobacco and wine-producing center, whose fame was spread by local merchants to many European countries. Today, the city is famous for its lovely white houses and cobbled streets, mild climate, internationally recognized brands of red wine. You will have a guided walking tour through the city and enter the biggest Bulgarian Revival Period style house and its tunnel-like wine cellar.

2 hours
Rila Monastery

Rila Monastery (UNESCO site) and its architecture and the frescoes present the apogee of the Bulgarian Renaissance art. With an about 1-hour guided tour of the most treasured monuments in the inner yard and the Monastery museum, you will learn the most fascinating facts and stories about the biggest Bulgarian monastery complex. You will also have free time to buy souvenirs, make more photos or to continue to explore it by yourself.

2 hours
St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral (Pass By)

Arrival back at the starting point of the tour at approximately 19:00

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Women should not be with short skirts and "naked" shoulders. Traventuria recommends: Comfortable clothes and walking shoes

Free Cancellation

June 11100% refund

June 12No refund

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

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.7

10 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

5 stars

8
4 stars

1
3 stars

1
2 stars

0
1 star

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We perform checks on reviews

We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-4 of 8 reviews with 5 stars

Architectural Wonder!

Published on Oct, 2024

This is my third Viator excursion and it was excellent as were the others. My small group driver Radi with Traventuria spoke excellent English, good personality, lots of interesting information. Rila Monastery and the autumn colors along the highway were outstanding! Must see.

Beautoful trip around the Bulgarian countryside

Published on Oct, 2021

Beautiful trip in Melnik town and Rila monastery. The guide was very well prepared and ready to make suggestion that helped us improving our trip. it was a wordeful day!

Magnificent monastery and marvelous Melnik

Published on May, 2018

My guide, Martin, met me promptly at the Alexnder Nevski cathedral, setting the tone for the day. We left Sofia and the valley floor and started for the hills and mountains. After a brief coffee break we reached the small city of Melnik nestled in the hills and canyons. It was interesting to glimpse everyday life, at least for the wealthy, during the tour of a merchant's home complete with secret tunnels and huge wine cellar. Martin shares the fascinating history well so I left with a good understanding of the significance. Before departing for the Rila Monastery, we wondered around the small shops. After about another hour, we dined on fresh fish next to a rushing river before arriving at the monastery. At first glance, the monastery walls look like many others. And, then, you step inside. It's incredible - the structures, the frescoes and museum. Martin effectively explains the history making the stories come to life. Once we were through with the tour we drove safely back to Sofia. It's an excellent trip and Martin is very good guide.

Rila Monastery & Melnik Tour

Published on Apr, 2018

Even before arriving in Bulgaria, the Traventuria staff was amazing. Thanks to them we found the perfect tour for our needs, always answering my questions and doubts. About the tour: Our guide Lubo (sorry if I don’t remember it correctly!), was the best. Engaging, informative and flexible. Apart from the cold weather, the experience was excellent both in Melnik (which is a beautiful little town) and the Monastery (which is an extraordinarily place). As I said, the only downside was the weather but I will definitely come back to Bulgaria in the spring months and book my tours with Traventuria.

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