Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria: travel guide
Medieval capital on the Yantra gorge, crowned by Tsarevets Fortress
The medieval capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, dramatically set on the meandering Yantra River gorge around the mighty Tsarevets Fortress and the craft street of Samovodska Charshia.
About Veliko Tarnovo
Veliko Tarnovo clings to the steep sides of the Yantra gorge, its houses stacked in tiers along the river's meanders. In the Middle Ages it was the capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, and that history gives the city its sense of identity.
Tsarevets Fortress, on a hill within a loop of the river, is the main sight, with its walls and a church at the summit. Samovodska Charshia is a cobbled craft street of workshops, and Trapezitsa is another fortress hill across the water. The village of Arbanasi, close by, keeps stone merchant houses such as Konstantsalieva House.
Veliko Tarnovo suits history lovers and road-trippers crossing Bulgaria. Late spring to early autumn is the best time to go.
- Country
- Bulgaria
- Currency
- EUR
- Time zone
- Europe/Sofia
Last updated
Top places to visit in Veliko Tarnovo
Tsarevets Fortress
medieval fortress · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
The colossal hilltop citadel of the Second Bulgarian Empire, crowned by the Patriarchal cathedral and a nightly sound-and-light show.
Trapezitsa Fortress
medieval fortress · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The second fortified hill of medieval Tarnovo, once dense with churches, reached by a restored funicular.
Samovodska Charshia
craft bazaar · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A revived 19th-century craft bazaar where potters, weavers and coppersmiths still work in Revival-era workshops.
Asenevtsi Monument
monument · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A dramatic 1985 monument to the Asen dynasty on a bend of the Yantra, framing the classic city panorama.
Holy Forty Martyrs Church
orthodox church · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A 1230 royal church in the Asenova quarter, where medieval Bulgarian tsars were crowned and buried.
Boris Denev State Art Gallery
art gallery · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The regional art museum set in Asenevtsi Park, with Bulgarian painting and sweeping views of the gorge.
Sarafkina House Museum
revival house · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
An elegant 1861 five-storey merchant house on Gurko Street, now an ethnographic museum.
Arbanasi Village
historic village · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A hilltop museum-village of fortified stone houses and frescoed churches, four kilometres above Veliko Tarnovo.
Nativity of Christ Church, Arbanasi
frescoed church · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A plain-walled 16th-17th century church concealing a breathtaking interior of over 3,500 painted figures.
Konstantsalieva House, Arbanasi
historic house · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A restored 17th-century fortified merchant's house showing the wealthy Arbanasi lifestyle.
Things to do
- Tsarevets Fortress & Old Town Tour Walking Tour · 2.5 h · from EUR 15 per person
- Tsarevets Sound & Light Show Show · 0.7 h · from EUR 10 per person
- Arbanasi Village Half-Day Tour Cultural · 4 h · from EUR 30 per person
- Yantra Gorge Panorama Walk Hiking · 2 h · from EUR 12 per person
Day trips and tours
- Arbanasi & Village Churches Tour 4 h · from EUR 30
Where to stay in Veliko Tarnovo
- Varusha / Old Town about EUR 65 per night
The cobbled Revival district around Samovodska Charshia and Gurko Street — the tourist hub.
- Asenova Quarter about EUR 55 per night
The riverside cluster of medieval churches below the fortresses.
Hotels
- Meridian Hotel Bolyarski 4-star · EUR 70 to EUR 140 per night
- Yantra Grand Hotel 4-star · EUR 55 to EUR 95 per night
- Hostel Mostel Veliko Tarnovo EUR 10 to EUR 40 per night
- Hotel-Mehana Gurko 3-star · EUR 40 to EUR 65 per night
Where to eat
- Shtastliveca Veliko Tarnovo Bulgarian, European · about EUR 16 per person
- Han Hadji Nikoli Bulgarian, Fine dining · about EUR 28 per person
- Ego Pizza & Grill Pizza, Grill, Bulgarian · about EUR 12 per person
- Ivan Asen Bulgarian, Traditional · about EUR 16 per person
- Asenevtsi Restaurant Mediterranean, Seafood, Sushi · about EUR 24 per person
- Pizza Tempo Pizza, Italian · about EUR 9 per person
Getting to Veliko Tarnovo
Nearest airport: Plovdiv (PDV), about 128 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
Getting around
- Bus
- Taxi
- Walking
More in Bulgaria
Frequently asked questions about Veliko Tarnovo
- What are the main places to visit in Veliko Tarnovo?
- Places covered in our Veliko Tarnovo guide include Tsarevets Fortress, Trapezitsa Fortress, Samovodska Charshia, Asenevtsi Monument, Holy Forty Martyrs Church.
- Where should I stay in Veliko Tarnovo?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Veliko Tarnovo: Varusha / Old Town, Asenova Quarter.
- How do I get around Veliko Tarnovo?
- Ways to get around Veliko Tarnovo covered in our guide: City bus, Taxi, Walking.