Boyana Church is a historic Orthodox Christian church located outside of Sofia, the capital city of Bulgaria.
The church consists of three parts constructed in different historical periods.
The eastern church, built in the late 10th or early 11th century during the First Bulgarian Empire, is adorned with an intricate and vibrant fresco cycle showcasing biblical scenes, saints, and various religious motifs.
The central church, added in the 13th century, and the western church in the 19th century complete the architectural ensemble, making the Boyana Church extraordinary.
UNESCO acknowledged the church’s artistic importance and historical significance in 1979 and added it to the list of World Heritage sites.
Visiting Boyana Church provides a unique opportunity to witness the skill and artistry of its medieval artisans and dive into Bulgaria’s rich cultural heritage and spirituality.
This article covers everything you must know before booking tickets for the Boyana Church.
Table of contents
- What to expect
- Where to book tickets
- How do online tickets work
- Boyana Church ticket price
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Boyana Church tickets
- Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Day Trip Tickets from Sofia
- Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Shuttle Day Tour tickets
- Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Shuttle Tour tickets
- Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Self-Guided Day Trip from Sofia
- Private Day Trip Tickets to the Rila Monastery and Boyana Church
- How to reach
- Timings
- Best time to visit
- How long does the tour take
- FAQs about Boyana Church
What to expect
When visiting Boyana Church, you can expect a unique and enriching experience that combines history, art, and spirituality.
Boyana Church features a charming architectural design that reflects different historical periods.
The three-part structure includes the original 10th-11th-century eastern church, the 13th-century central church, and the 19th-century western church.
The combination of these sections provides a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of Bulgarian architecture over the centuries.
The highlight of Boyana Church is its breathtaking frescoes. The eastern church houses an impressive fresco cycle with over 240 images covering the walls and ceilings.
The frescoes, painted in multiple layers, exhibit a remarkable transition from traditional Byzantine-style iconography to more naturalistic and dynamic representations.
Boyana Church provides valuable insights into the country’s medieval past, religious practices, and cultural heritage. The church’s longevity and survival through various eras testify to Bulgaria’s rich history.
Boyana Church is an active place of worship, and visitors can experience the tranquility and reverence that come with such sacred spaces.
The serene surroundings, the faint scent of candle wax, and the soft murmur of prayers create a calming and reflective atmosphere.
A visit to Boyana Church promises a memorable and enlightening experience, blending art, history, and spirituality into one captivating destination.
Where to book tickets
Boyana Church Trip tickets can be purchased online or at the attraction.
Online tickets are significantly cheaper than the ones you buy at the attraction’s ticket counter. To save time and money, we suggest buying your tickets online.
Booking online is much simpler compared to purchases made at the attraction.
You can avoid long queues at the attraction by making a booking online.
Additionally, booking online prevents delays and last-minute disappointment.
How do online tickets work
Visit the Boyana Church ticket booking page, select your preferred date, time slot, and number of tickets, and buy the tickets right away.
After the purchase, you will receive the tickets in your email.
There is no requirement to bring a printout.
You can enter the attraction by showing the ticket on your smartphone.
Boyana Church ticket price
Tickets for Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Day Trip from Sofia are priced at €36 for visitors above five years. Prices differ based on the tour option you select on the booking page.
Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Shuttle Day Tour tickets cost €35 for visitors aged three and above.
For infants of age two and younger, the tickets cost €20.
Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Shuttle Tour tickets cost €36 for visitors aged 17 and above.
For visitors of age 16 and younger, the tickets cost €26.
Tickets for Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Self-Guided Day Trip from Sofia cost €31 for visitors aged 12 and above.
For visitors of age 11 and younger, the tickets cost €26.
Tickets for Private Day Trip to the Rila Monastery and Boyana Church cost €216 for visitors aged 18 and above.
For visitors of age 17 and younger, the tickets cost €62.
Boyana Church tickets
You can choose from the following options as you plan a trip to Boyana Church.
Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Day Trip Tickets from Sofia
Explore Bulgaria’s most important UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Rila Monastery and Boyana Church, in one convenient day trip from central Sofia with a guide.
Begin by admiring the frescoes in the Boyana Church before heading to the Rila Monastery for a short guided tour and some free time to explore independently.
Look around the monastery courtyard, church, and its magnificent iconostasis and frescoes. Take advantage of your free time to explore the monastery museum.
Lastly, visit the UNESCO-listed Boyana Church to see its stunning medieval frescoes. Take a chance to experience these incredible landmarks in the idyllic Rila Mountains.
Ticket Price: €36
Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Shuttle Day Tour tickets
Explore the captivating Boyana church, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Engage yourself in the well-preserved frescoes and artwork from the 11th to 14th centuries.
Please note that the inside visit is limited to 10 minutes per group due to its small size. Spend time in the churchyard to take photos and learn fascinating historical facts.
The Rila Monastery, established in the 10th century, is the largest in Bulgaria. The current buildings, built in the mid-19th century, contain a defensive tower from the 14th century.
The monastery complex boasts impressive architecture and frescoes. Take a 40-minute guided tour and enjoy 2.5 hours of free time to explore the museum and shops, take photographs, and grab lunch.
Ticket Prices
Adult Ticket (3+ years): €36
Infant Ticket (up to 2 years): €21
Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Shuttle Tour tickets
Join a small group on a full-day tour to explore two of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Bulgaria – Rila Monastery and Boyana Church.
A knowledgeable guide will point out the stunning 19th-century paintings that depict the Bulgarian Renaissance at the country’s largest monastery, beautifully set against the backdrop of the Rila mountains.
On this unforgettable tour, take your chance to admire the beauty of Bulgarian Renaissance paintings and 13th-century frescoes. You’ll also visit Boyana Church in the afternoon.
You’ll travel comfortably by air-conditioned minivan, departing and returning to Sofia’s Alexander Nevski Square.
This small-group tour ensures a personalized experience, and you’ll benefit from insightful commentary from your professional guide.
Ticket Prices
Adult Ticket (17+ years): €36
Child Ticket (1 to 16 years): €26
Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Self-Guided Day Trip from Sofia
The Rila Monastery is nestled deep within Rila Mountain, a popular tourist destination and a symbol of Bulgaria. It is situated between the Rilska and Drushliavitza Rivers at 1147 meters (3760 feet) above sea level and 120 kilometers (75 miles) south of Sofia.
The Boyana Church is a small temple that features frescoes dating back to the 11th, 13th, and 19th centuries, located on the outskirts of Sofia.
The most intriguing frescoes are those from 1259, which are Renaissance frescoes that defy the Christian canon law by showcasing human emotions, royal figures, and folklore elements.
Ticket Prices
Adult Ticket (12+ years): €31
Child Ticket (5 to 11 years): €26
Private Day Trip Tickets to the Rila Monastery and Boyana Church
Experience the wonder of Boyana Church’s remarkably preserved medieval frescoes and delve into the history of the 11th-century church with a knowledgeable guide.
Afterward, visit Bulgaria’s largest monastery, Rila Monastery, which dates back to the 10th century.
Admire the impressive architecture and frescoes of the mid-19th-century buildings and the surviving 14th-century defensive tower.
Take a guided tour of the inner yard and monastery museum to discover the complex’s most precious artifacts and stories, including an authentic monk’s room.
Before returning to Sofia, enjoy a delicious lunch at a local restaurant during your free time.
Travel comfortably with a private driver/guide in a climate-controlled vehicle with free Wi-Fi.
Ticket Prices
Adult Ticket (18+ years): €216
Youth Ticket (10 to 17 years): €62
Child Ticket (2 to 9 years): €62
Buy tickets for the Sofia Full-Day Sightseeing Tour and experience Sofia, one of the oldest cities in Europe. Explore the UNESCO-listed landmarks, relics from the communist era, and other cultural treasures that exhibit the city’s rich artistic heritage. Discover the highlights of Sofia’s historical center and suburbs, including the charming onion domes of churches, monuments of communism, and the picturesque Lake Pancharevo.
How to reach
The Boyana Church is an ancient Bulgarian Orthodox church located outside of Sofia, the capital city of Bulgaria.
Address: ul. “Boyansko ezero” 3, 1616 Bojana, Sofia, Bulgaria. Get Directions.
By Bus
The Boyanka Church is only a minute from Boyanska Tsarkva. (Bus: 107)
The Boyanka Church is only a minute from Boyansko Hanche. (Bus: 64)
By Car
If you’re traveling by car, turn on Google Maps and begin your journey.
Click here to learn more about the parking garages near the Boyana Church.
Timings
The operating hours for Boyana Church are from 9 am to 6 pm.
The church is open every day except for Monday.
Best time to visit
Consider visiting the Boyana Church at 9 am on weekdays, usually when it opens, allowing you to explore more and have a more peaceful experience.
If you prefer milder weather, you may enjoy visiting in the spring (March to May) or fall (September to November) when the temperatures are more comfortable.
These months offer pleasant weather and milder temperatures, making it more comfortable for sightseeing and exploring the surrounding area.
How long does the tour take
It takes 1 to 2 hours to explore the interior of the Boyana Church, where the main frescoes and artwork are located.
Also, note that access to the frescoed part of the church is usually restricted to small groups at a time, so you might need to wait a bit before entering.
FAQs about Boyana Church
Here are some frequently asked questions about Boyana Church in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Boyana Church is a medieval Orthodox Christian church located on the outskirts of Sofia, Bulgaria. It is renowned for its exceptional frescoes, which showcase a unique evolution of Bulgarian medieval art.
Boyana Church is famous for its well-preserved frescoes that date back to different periods, displaying a transition from traditional Byzantine-style iconography to more realistic and dynamic representations.
Boyana Church has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, recognizing its outstanding cultural significance and the need for its preservation.
Photography is not allowed inside the main frescoed part of the eastern church to protect the delicate artwork. However, you can take photos in the courtyard and other designated areas.
Boyana Church is an active Eastern Orthodox Church where religious services and ceremonies are still held.
Guided tours are often available in multiple languages, including English. Many tour operators and the church offer guided tours in various languages for international visitors.
Lighting candles inside Boyana Church is a common practice. Visitors are welcome to light candles as an act of devotion and prayer.
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