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Things to do in Veliko Tarnovo

Our most recommended things to do in Veliko Tarnovo

From Bucharest: Small Group Day Trip to Medieval Bulgaria

1. From Bucharest: Small Group Day Trip to Medieval Bulgaria

Start by meeting your local guide at your hotel, then drive south from Bucharest towards the Romanian and Bulgarian border. After crossing the Danube River and the Friendship Bridge, you will enter Bulgaria. On the way towards Veliko Tarnovo, stop for an exclusive visit of the Rock-Hewn Churches next to the village of Ivanovo. These are Bulgarian Medieval churches, chapels, and monastic cells hewn into the craggy gorge of Roussenski Lom River. Inscriptions, portraits of saints, and other restored items are from the 13th century. Then, discover Veliko Tarnovo, which was the capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire and has a long tradition in the culture of Bulgaria. The city is rich in museums and historical sites, combined with a vivacious nightlife propelled by the students in one of the largest universities in Bulgaria. Take a walk on the Artisans Street where you have the chance to pass by workshops owned by Bulgarian families for generations, preserving the old traditions. Get the chance to see a fully functional coppersmith workshop to see the production of copper plates and cups used for Turkish coffee.  Hike up the Tsarevets Hill with the remains of the castle and church of Bulgarian kings. Visit the Fortress, the Patriarchal Church, the Royal Palace, and Emperor Balduin’s Tower. Next, journey to Arbanassi and step back in time while wandering the streets lined with houses and churches dating back as far as the 16th century. Take a peek into the life of rich merchants from the 17th century while visiting the Konstantsalieva House, showing the lavish but simple lifestyle of the nobility. Next, stop for lunch in one of the many restaurants serving local food and savor the famous Bulgarian cuisine. Following this, begin the journey back to Bucharest.

6 Day Central Balkan Trip in Romania Bulgaria Turkey

2. 6 Day Central Balkan Trip in Romania Bulgaria Turkey

Day 1 – Arriving in Bucharest and begin adventure. Arrival at Bucharest airport. Individual transfer and accommodation at your hotel. Late walking tour of the Old Town. Pick up from your hotel. Cărturești Carusel - In a nutshell, one of the world's most beautiful bookstores... 6 floors and an amazing setting. There's more here (visit inside). Leisure time, with the option of dining at a local restaurant. Transfer to the hotel at a predetermined time. Some free time. Overnight stay. Day 2 – Discover Romanian treasures Breakfast is served at the hotel. Departure by bus to Peles Castle. Departure for Bran Castle (Dracula). Dracula – as he is perceived today – is a fictitious character whose name derives from the appellation given to Vlad Tepes, the ruler of Wallachia from 1456-1462 and 1476. Evening panoramic bus tour of Bucharest, including the Romanian Parliament (Ceausescu Palace), Victory Square, the Romanian Triumphal Arch, and Revolution Square. Return to your hotel room. Spare time. Overnight stay. Day 3 – Explore Veliko Tarnovo – Medieval Bulgarian capital Breakfast is served at the hotel. Departure by bus to Bulgarian border. Pick up from your hotel. Cross Danube river and arrive in Veliko Tarnovo. (Transfer 190 km – approx. 3 hours) Short walking tour. Departure, we head further south, to Plovdiv city. (Transfer 180 km – approx. 3,5 hours) We cross Stara Planina (The Balkan), At the top we have a coffee break. Your tour guide will tell you an interesting story about this place. Arriving in Plovdiv and check in at your hotel. Short evening walking tour in Old Town. Spare time for dinner and relax. Overnight stay. Day 4 – Go to Istanbul.. Breakfast is served at the hotel. Departure by bus to Istanbul. (Transfer 440 km – approx. 6 hours) During the trip, your tour guide will tell you about the most interesting moments of the historical relations between Bulgaria and Turkey, filled with dramatic events. Short stop for lunch and a short rest in Edirne (Turkey). Arrive in Istanbul. Check in in your hotel. Spare time to relax and dinner opportunity. Evening Istanbul is at your disposal! Overnight. Day 5 - The treasures of Istanbul Breakfast is served at the hotel. Morning - Istanbul sightseeing city tour journey by bus and boat – total 3 hours. Pick up from your hotel. Discover Istanbul on this 90-minute bus tour and a 90-minute Bosphorus cruise. Plus, learn its history through its top sites (and hidden ones too): Ciragan Palace, Ortaköy Mosque, Bosphorus Bridge, Rumeli Fortress, Beylerbeyi Palace, Maiden Tower, Galata Tower, and more. Cruise along for 90-minutes over the Asian and European shores. Enjoy the picturesque skyline as you pass historical sites, palaces, fortresses, and the Bosphorus bridges, becoming fully enchanted by the scenery. Transfer back to your hotel. Half day spare time to relax, shopping and discover Istanbul myself. Overnight stay. Day 6 - Coming home Check out and transfer to Istanbul airport for your flight.

From Bucharest: 1-Way Private Transfer to Veliko Tarnovo

3. From Bucharest: 1-Way Private Transfer to Veliko Tarnovo

Your professional private driver will wait for you, showing a name card for you or for your company at Veliko Tarnovo (Bulgaria) - hotel, vacation rentals, points of interest . From there, you will get to your destination comfortable, fast and safe to your location (Hotel) in Bucharest.

Frequently asked questions about Veliko Tarnovo

What top attractions are a must-see in Veliko Tarnovo?

The must-see attractions in Veliko Tarnovo are:

Other Sightseeing Options in Veliko Tarnovo

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What people are saying about Veliko Tarnovo

Overall rating

5.0 / 5

based on 2 reviews

Great if you want a taste of Bulgaria. Adrian is a fantastic guide. There’s a lot of travel involved and time at sights is limited, but perfect for seeing Bulgaria with limited time!

The trip to Veliko Tarnovo was really beautiful. A magical place, highly reccomended. Yulian (our guide) was really informative and Gabriel (our driver) was driving really safely.

A whole lot to see in a day! I had no plans to see Bulgaria, but it was a great opportunity to experience a different culture.

Super guide, very beautiful Bulgarian landscapes & cities.

Cristty is so informative and we really enjoyed the trip.