One of the oldest towns in Bulgaria, Veliko Tarnovo is an atmospheric town full of history, old houses with red roofs, and charming streets. In this town of 70,000 people, you can also visit the huge Tsarevets fort, the magnificent monument to the Assen Dynasty, and in the evening be sure to go for dinner at one of the tasty restaurants in the center of town.

It’s a perfect place for a weekend getaway if you’re planning a longer stay in the capital of Sofia, or an ideal place to visit during a road trip around Bulgaria.

Learn about the six places you absolutely must visit during your stay in Veliko Tarnovo.

Veliko Tarnovo delighted us with its charming cobblestone streets, houses with red tiled roofs, as well as amazing views. Practically from every place in the center there are amazing views, whether it is the river, a huge monument, or simply the slopes of the surrounding mountains which are dotted with small houses.

#1 General Gurko Street

Start your day with a visit to the oldest street in Veliko Tarnovo – General Gurko Street. This cobbeld stone street, was named after General Gurko, a Russian general from the Russo-Turkish war that led to the liberation of Bulgaria from Turkish rule.

Walking along this street you can be sure of amazing views of the Yantra River, the Asen Monument, and the surrounding greenery. Full of charming buildings built on a steep hill slope overgrown with lush vegetation, Gurko Street is a place straight out of a picture. A walk down this street is definitely an item that should not be missing from your list.

#2 Monument to the Assen Dynasty

A huge monument to the Assen Dynasty saturated Yantra’s meander can be seen from many places in the city. It was erected to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the Second Kingdom of Bulgaria, when Veliko Tarnovo was the capital of the country. The main element is a huge sword, around which there are four horsemen, these are the kings of the Assen Dynasty.

You can walk up to the monument and from there admire not only the beautiful and huge monument, but also the charming little houses that cover the entire slopes of the hills.

#3 Archeological Museum

For the history buffs amongst us, the Archeological Museum will be an ideal place to visit. This small size museum will show how the life of people in this area has changed over the years. In the showcases you can observe pottery, weapons, figurines, as well as objects of everyday use. The main exhibition is dedicated to the time when Veliko Tarnovo was the capital of the country.

Tickets can be bought at the entrance, and their cost is 6 Leva.

#4 Georgi Rakovski Street

Ready for a little shopping? Georgi Rakovski Street got you covered! This charming street is full of small stores with crafts made by local artists. If you’re looking for unique souvenirs for loved ones such as silver jewelry, wooden figurines, or clothes in regional patterns, Gorgi Rakovski Street is the street to go to. And in case after all the shopping you feel thirsty, head to one of the bars or one of the restaurants on the same street.

#5 Panoramic terrace

There are several viewpoints in the city of Veliko Tarnovo, two of which are located in the very center of the city, right on the main street. So it’s hard to miss them. Since the city is located on several hills, these vantage points offer amazing views of the Yantra River and the monument to the Asenov Dynasty. At the vantage points you can also admire one of several amazing murals scattered throughout the city.

The technique used to create these murals is intriguing, which of course adds a certain uniqueness to them, as they were not painted on the sides of the buildings, but somehow carved into the facade.

#6 Tsarevets Fortress

The biggest attraction not only in terms of the number of visitors, but also in terms of its size – Tsarevets Fortress is an amazing fortress on top of the hill of the same name. It served as the Second Bulgarian Empires primary fortress.

The fortress walls reach four meters in height and extend for a thousand meters, and behind them was a palace, churches, taverns and residential houses. Unfortunately, all this was destroyed by the Ottomans in 1393.

Today, in addition to the numerous ruins, at the very top is the Cathedral of the Ascension of the Lord, which from the outside looks like any other cathedral, while inside it is decorated with amazing paintings, which were created in 1985 and were painted in a very modern way.

The walking area is huge, but there is a map at the entrance, so it’s worth checking which places you want to go. Entrance tickets cost 10 Leva per person and can be bought at the entrance.

Try the delicious local delicacies at „Mehana Gurko“ restaurant. From where you can enjoy an amazing view of the Asen Dynasty monument.

For an evening drink with music in the background, head to „Hipster“ to feel the wonderful atmosphere of the city after sunset.

If you’re craving something sweet be sure to try some of the best ice cream in the city at „Virtuoso“.

Veliko Tarnovo is located in north-central Bulgaria, about 240 km from the capital Sofia. The city has no airport, so the only option to get here is by land, but you have several choices.

Car

If you decide to go on a road trip in Bulgaria you will certainly choose this means of transportation, as the roads in Bulgaria are safe and get you everywhere. The car is one of the fastest ways of transportation. However, rental prices during the summer season can be quite high, especially if you book a vehicle at the last minute.

Bus

When deciding on this mode of transportation, keep in mind that depending on where you are traveling from you will sometimes have to reckon with a bus change. If you are traveling from the coast, for example from Balchik, Nessebar or Sozopol you will have to make one change.

Bus service from Sofia is direct, however but tickets, especially during the summer season can sell out very quickly, book them online at least a week in advance. Buses in Bulgaria are well-maintained, fast and comfortable.

Train

The train is the last means of transportation you can use when traveling to Veliko Tarnovo, but here, too, you sometimes have to reckon with a trainchange when traveling from, for example, Sofia.

In addition, the trains in Bulgaria are not the newest, the passages are narrow, the cabins are small and, unfortunately, there is no air conditioning, which can be a bit of a nightmare if you are traveling in summer.

The easiest way to get around the city will be your own feet, the main attractions in the center are located in close proximity, so you can easily get everywhere on your feet, just remember to wear comfortable shoes, because most streets in the city are cobbled.

If you need to get somewhere further, e.g. to the bus or train station, take a local taxi, but make sure that the taxi driver turns on the taximeter. If you have such a possibility ask your host to organise transport, to avoid scams.

The best time to visit Veliko Tarnovo is between May and September. You can be sure of perfect during this period. However, remember that June, July and August are the months when temperatures in Bulgaria are quite high, so visiting the city can be a bit more strenuous and it is best to do it in the morning, or in the afternoon, when temperatures drop a bit.

Like in most tourist towns in Bulgaria, the center of the city is full of hotels and hostels, but as they are located a short distance from the main attractions their prices can be a bit higher, especially in high season. If you are looking for something in the center, aim for the area around Generala Gurko Street.

On the other hand, if you are looking for attractively priced accommodation, choose one of the numerous apartments in the city, such as @Home+. This apartment is located about 20 minutes by foot from the main attractions in the city, as well as about 30 minutes by foot from the Carewec Fortress. The apartment is clean, the price is attractive, and additionally you can support the locals, as this apartments is privately owned.

Veliko Tarnovo is not a large city, so if you are nearby you can visit the city even for a day. However, if your base is Sofia, the drive to Veliko Tarnovo takes several hours, so it’s best to stay there for at least one or two nights.

The prices are per person, except for the accommodation, which we rent for 2 people.

Accommodation: $44 / night

Restaurant: $8 – $12  / meal

Pleasure: $4 – 6 / event

Taxi: $2 – $6 / ride

Activity: $5.50 / event