Veliko Tarnovo
Bulgaria's old royal capital, with a hilltop fortress above a river gorge.
127 km
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211 kmThings to do
2 days in Veliko Tarnovo
Day 1
- MorningWalk the walls of the Tsarevets fortress and up to the Patriarchal church at the top.
- AfternoonBrowse the crafts workshops of Samovodska Charshia, from potters to knife-makers.
- EveningSee the Sound and Light show over the fortress, held on selected evenings.
Day 2
Visit the village of Arbanasi and its painted churches, or the Preobrazhenski monastery.
What to eat
Kachamak, cornmeal with cheese, and a glass of Bulgarian Mavrud red wine.
Local tips
Make the most of Veliko Tarnovo
Beat the crowds
Calm most of the year, lively during summer events and evenings.
Best photo spot
The Tsarevets fortress lit up at night, and the houses above the Yantra river.
Getting there
Buses run from Sofia (about 3 hours). Trains are slower.
Don't miss nearby
Arbanasi, a village of old merchant houses just above the town.
Good to know
On some evenings there's a sound and light show on Tsarevets. The Samovodska street has craft shops.
Plan your visit
Getting to Veliko Tarnovo
At a glance
Questions
Veliko Tarnovo: good to know
Is Veliko Tarnovo worth visiting?
Yes, especially if you like historic old towns. Bulgaria's old royal capital, with a hilltop fortress above a river gorge.
How many days do you need in Veliko Tarnovo?
Plan 1 night. Our free 2-day plan above shows how to spend your time.
When is the best time to visit Veliko Tarnovo?
You can visit all year. Calm most of the year, lively during summer events and evenings.
How do you get to Veliko Tarnovo?
The nearest airport is Plovdiv Airport (PDV), about 130 km away. Buses run from Sofia (about 3 hours). Trains are slower.
What is there to see near Veliko Tarnovo?
Nearby hidden places include Plovdiv (127 km), Bucharest (155 km) and Nesebar (179 km).