4 days: Monasteries in Bulgaria
In Bulgaria there are more than 120 monasteries! The interest in them we can explain with their role in the historical and cultural evolution of the Bulgarian nation. They survived the cruelty times of the middle ages and the Ottoman period, the vandalism, the natural disasters. They were the source of light in the dark ages of the people, making literally schools for education, science and religion.
Some of them are like open-air museums, still keeping their secrets. Join us to solve some of their mysteries, to see the biggest ones like Rila, Bachkovo, Troyan. Feel the spirit of the orthodox temples and look over the monks and the nuns. See the incredible frescos and icons, made by the different painting schools. Come to understand why these things are little pieces of heaven.
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Boyana Church, 3 Boyansko Ezero Str., Sofia 1616 Bulgaria
Welcome to Sofia. Today we’ll see two UNESCO sites – Boyana church and Rila monastery. Transfer to Boyana – 30 minutes. The church is famous with its layers of paintings dated from 11th, 13th. and 19th. century.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Rila Monastery, Rila 2643 Bulgaria
Transfer to Rila monastery – 2 hours. Rila Monastery is the biggest monastery in Bulgaria. A guided tour of 1 hour and free time for lunch.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Plovdiv Province
Transfer to Plovdiv – 2 hours and 30 minutes. Plovdiv is the second largest city and the cultural capital of Europe for 2019. Accommodation in a boutique hotel in the center of Plovdiv. Guided tour in the old part of Plovdiv.
Duration: 12 hours
Stop At: Bachkovo Monastery, 10km south of Asenovgrad on the main road between Assenovgrad and Smolyan, Bachkovo 4251 Bulgaria
9.00. Hotel check-out. Transfer to
Bachkovo monastery – 40 minutes. Bachkovo monastery is the second largest monastery in Bulgaria and it is a candidate for the list of UNESCO heritage. Guided tour and free time.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Arapovo Monastery, East of Asenovgrad 10km, Asenovgrad 4230 Bulgaria
Transfer to Arapovski monastery – 30 minutes.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Shipka, Shipka, Stara Zagora Province
Transfer to Shipka monastery – 2 hours.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Sokolski Monastery, Kvartal Voditsi 60, Gabrovo 5300 Bulgaria
Transfer to Sokolski monastery – 1 hour. A guided tour.
Duration: 50 minutes
Stop At: Veliko Tarnovo, Veliko Tarnovo, Veliko Tarnovo Province
Transfer to Veliko Turnovo – 1 hour. Veliko Turnovo was the capital of the Bulgarian kingdom from 12th to 14th. century.
Accommodation in a boutique hotel with a panoramic view to the King’s hill, where is the fortress.
Duration: 12 hours
Stop At: Tsarevets, Tsar Asen Square, Veliko Tarnovo 5000 Bulgaria
9.00. After breakfast, a guided tour in Veliko Turnovo. Visit the fortress and feel the history of the place.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Arbanasi, Arbanasi, Veliko Tarnovo Province
Transfer to Patriarch’s monastery – 30 minutes. Transfer to Arbanasi to see the church “The Nativity of Jesus” – 30 minutes.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Къмпинг „Къпиновски манастир“, Къпиновски Манастир, 5032 Veselina, Bulgaria
Transfer to Kupinovski monastery – 40 minutes.
Duration: 40 minutes
Stop At: Preobrazhenski manastir, Bulgaria
Transfer to Preobrajenski monastery – 1 hour.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Veliko Tarnovo, Veliko Tarnovo, Veliko Tarnovo Province
Transfer to Veliko Turnovo – 15 minutes. Night in Veliko Turnovo.
Duration: 12 hours
Stop At: Troyan Monastery, Troyan Bulgaria
9.00. Hotel check-out. Transfer to Troyan monastery – 1 hour and 30 minutes. Troyan monastery is famous as the biggest monastery in North Bulgaria and with its miracle icon, which saved a lot of pilgrims. It was a hideout of Vasil Levski, the national Bulgarian hero, who made a big conspiracy inside the Ottoman empire.
Duration: 4 hours
Stop At: 7040 Glodzhevo, Bulgaria
Transfer to Glodjene monastery – 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Sofia, Sofia, Sofia Region
Transfer to Sofia– 2 hours. End of the program.
Duration: 2 hours
Informacion Adicional
"Not wheelchair accessible"
"Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately"
"Stroller accessible"
"Near public transportation"
"Most travelers can participate"
"This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate"
"Confirmation will be received at time of booking"
Start Time:
10:00 AM
Duration: 4 Days 4 Hours
Start location: Traveler pickup is offered
All hotels in Sofia and Sofia airport
Cancellations and refunds:
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.