Veliko Tarnovo Travel Guide

1. Go hiking

The area around Veliko Tarnovo is covered in hiking paths, with the climb to Sveta Gora Park being one of the most accessible routes from town (You can start from wherever you’re staying and end with incredible views overlooking the city). The hike is mostly uphill and takes a few hours to complete. For something more challenging, hike the Lyaskovets monastery trail. It’s moderate to challenging and makes a great full-day adventure. The Kartala waterfalls trail is another awesome option, and you can start from the city or from a path near the monastery for a shorter option. You’ll be surrounded by lush greenery, and there are plenty of places to stop and relax en route. The tourist center provides maps and trail conditions if you want to learn more.

2. Visit Arbanasi

Although now it’s home to just 500 people, at one point Arbanasi was a bustling town full of gold, copper, and silk producers. The tiny village, which dates back to the Middle Ages, is located on a plateau just outside of Veliko Tarnovo. Here you can view historic churches from the 17th and 18th centuries and houses built in the Bulgarian National Revival Style. Visit the Convent of the Dormition of The Virgin for more local history and some impressive religious icons, such as a silver sculpture of The Virgin with the Three Hands. The Sveti Nikolai Monastery and Church actually allow visitors to spend the night too. Be sure to check out the frescoes at the churches, watch the craftspeople at work, and simply wander the narrow streets taking in the local pace of life.

3. Stroll down Samovodska Charshia

This is one of the most famous streets in Veliko. It’s been a popular place for shopping since the 19th century when it was a bustling marketplace that attracted farmers and craftspeople from the surrounding villages. In the 1980s, the entire neighborhood underwent an extensive restoration, and the lively market was recreated. Now the area serves as an epicenter for local artisans to share their goods and teach their craft. There are a ton of antique shops to check out, as well as bakeries, pastry shops, and craft workshops. Stroll down the street and watch as the locals work on their pottery, copper-working, weaving, painting, and textiles.

4. Tour Tsarevets Fortress

This medieval castle served as the Second Bulgarian Empire’s primary fortress from 1185-1393. The Ottoman forces finally took the fortress in 1393 after a three-month battle which marked the fall of the Bulgarian Empire. Restoration on the impressive complex began in the 1930s and was completed in the 1980s. It’s now the main tourist attraction in Veliko. Having once been the site of both the royal and patriarchal palaces, you’ll find the remains of 400 houses, nearly 20 churches, an execution area, and a palace. Underneath the modern ruins, archeologists have uncovered even older signs of civilization dating back almost 4,000 years. You can also walk the castle walls for views over the surrounding valley. Admission is 6 BGN.

5. Wander Gurko Street

On the way to the fortress, you’ll pass through the town’s oldest district. Gurko Street is named after the 19th-century Russian General Gurko in honor of his contribution during the Turkish invasion. The area is incredibly picturesque with many historical homes and buildings built during the Revival Period. The crumbling homes here seem ancient as they cling to the hillside practically on top of one another, but they retain all the charm of the old city with flowers on every windowsill, ivy-covered stone walls, and cobblestone streets. There are some great views of the Asen’s monument across the Yantra River too. It’s a beautiful area.