• BY NINA NIKOLOVA ON JUNE 20, 2025

Nestled at the foot of Vitosha Mountain in Sofia’s quiet Boyana district, Boyana Church draws visitors from around the world with its quiet charm and rich history.

Though unassuming in appearance, this medieval church – constructed in stages between the 10th and 13th centuries – is home to the oldest preserved pre-Renaissance frescoes in Europe. Their exceptional historical and artistic value has earned its inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

A visit here is like stepping into a time capsule of art, faith, and history that few travelers get to experience. 

Although Boyana Church is located in Sofia, visiting it requires some careful planning. 

In short:

• Using public transportation is possible and cheap but the journey is long and includes transfers; hiring a taxi might be costly depending on traffic (to learn more refer to ‘’How to get there’’ section below)
• Working hours on Google maps are not always up to date, there are specific time slots during which you can visit, entry is allowed for 10 minutes only, hiring a guide is highly recommended (to learn more refer to ‘’Visitor information’’ section below)

In this blog, we’ll guide you through everything you need to consider and share useful tips to make your visit smooth and enjoyable.

How to get to Boyana church?

Public transportation

Reaching Boyana Church by public transport is absolutely possible, though it involves a transfer and is not always reliable. From the city center, the journey itself is approximately 50 minutes, excluding the wait time. 

The only bus that goes to the church is Bus 64, which runs approximately every 15–20 minutes starting from 08:00 am until 17:30 o’clock (schedules may vary, we strongly recommend using Google Maps for up-to-date routes and timing). 

To catch bus 64, you’ll first need to reach one of its connecting stops. You may take trolleybus 2 or 8 from Sofia University St. Climent Ohridski or bus 204 from Pl. Orlov most. 

Booking a day trip with Traventuria (includes visit to Rila monastery – 2 UNESCO sites in 1 day!)

Why book with us? 

• Comfortable travel, and expert support so you can simply enjoy the experience
• Skip the line
• No need to arrange transport or pay extra for a local guide
• Multilingual audio guides

Join Traventuria for an unforgettable day trip that takes you to both Boyana Church and Rila Monastery – two of Bulgaria’s most iconic UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The tour starts at 09:00 am from Vasil Levski Monument (Embassy of Slovakia)
every day of the year (booking in advance required). For up-to-date prices and availability, click here. 

Taxi

From Sofia’s city center, the ride usually takes around 25 minutes and costs approximately 25–30 BGN, depending on traffic. To be on the safe side, we recommend downloading the Yellow Taxi app — one of the most reliable companies in the city.

Visitor Information – entry fees & important tips

(Valid as of 13.06.2025 – visit the official website of Boyana church for up-to-date information)

 Is there a time limit inside the church?

Yes. Due to the delicate nature of the frescoes and to preserve the site, only 9 people are allowed inside at a time, and each group may stay inside for a maximum of 10 minutes.

 Can I enter at any time during working hours? 

No. There are specific time slots dedicated to individual visitors and the rest – for organized groups (from tour agencies, schools etc.) To check what these slots are, please go to the official website of Boyana church. 

 What are the working hours? 

Boyana Church is open daily, with different working hours depending on the season:

Summer: 09:30 – 18:00 (last admission at 17:50)

Winter: 09:00 – 17:30 (last admission at 17:20)

 How much are the entry fees? Are there any discounts?

Individual visitors:

Adults: 12 BGN

Students and children over 7 years old: 3 BGN

Group visits (10+ people):

Adults: 8 BGN per person

Students (10+): 2 BGN per person

Guided tours (optional, paid on-site):

In English: 12 BGN

 Is it possible to book in advance?

Technically, yes — but practically speaking, not quite. Unfortunately, as of now Boyana church does not have an online reservation system visualizing available time slots. The only possible method would be to make a bank transfer to Boyana church, but you would need to be careful when filling in the details for the reservation and that is usually possible only for organized groups. 

 Can you enter for free?

Yes, free admission is granted to:

• Children under 7
• People with disabilities and their companions
• All visitors during the following times:

            – Every last Monday of the month after 3:00 PM

            – May 18 – International Museum Day

            – September 17 – Day of Sofia

            – November 1 – National Awakening Day

Note: On these dates and time slots, no reservations are accepted.