Top 50 things to do and attractions in Veliko Tarnovo

It is very beautiful to find yourself in such a place full of history, it really makes you feel special being able to walk through it and imagine all the things that have been taking place ever since it was built. The entrance is 15 leva which you can pay by card/cash at the entrance. Beware it is a long distance to walk and mostly uphill. The view is breathtaking so it's worth it. Talking about the interior, it felt kitschy and totally not in harmony with the outside and with the idea of a thousand year old fortress.It was too modern and somehow in my head it didn't add up. But beside that, the surroundings are magnificent.

Very nice place for a walk. Not recommended to visit on torrid days in the summer time. You need at least 2 hours to visit. I didn't find a map and a written guide at ticket store or gift store. Toilet inside is cash only 1 Lev. Everything must be paid with cash in Bulgarian currency leva. You can pay with card just the tickets at the main entrance.

Amazing place with incredible views and so much history. The walk up is a bit steep, but totally worth it once you reach the top. The ruins are well preserved and the light show in the evening is awesome. Definitely a must-see if you visit Veliko Tarnovo!

The fortress is well kept and some parts are renovated very well. It takes you to the time when Bulgarian was under Ottoman occupation and how they lived before that. Really nice for a walk and the church is really nice inside.

Number one tip is to arrive when it opens before the crowds. Number two tip you must wear supportive shoes. Stay hydrated. Commanding views of the city and plenty of history to absorb. Should be included on any trip to the city.

Riveting experience exploring the old Bulgarian fortress monument. The area was not very crowded at around 13:00pm when my crew was there. The grounds are well preserved as well as clean. There is plenty to see with the Church at the summit and the meandering walls around the hill overlooking the city and yantra river. Free parking can be found by the yantra beach/ bridge, and from there a short walk or bus ride up to the site.

You need at least 2 hours to visit. Nice view. I didn't find a map and a written guide at ticket store or gift store. Toilet inside is cash only 1 Lev.

A church with long history and significance, renovated nicely on the outside but looking bland and cold on the inside. A little overpriced for what it offers. Beautiful views from the outside.

Beautiful culturally significant church. The artefacts are fascinating. The preservation is not good but overall they did their best. The disappointing part were historically INACURATE gravestones of royal figures. These stones have symbolic meaning but they are far away from the reality.

Entrance is right after the bridge, and then under it. 2022 it's 6BGN per adult. Very kind people there. The Church is a historical landmark with a lot going on. If you're interested in history, you'll love this place.

Amazing place! This church built 1230 is super important in Bulgarian history. Quiet and hidden treasure of Veliko Tarnovo. You can sit next to the grave of Medieval Bulgarian tzar Kaloyan and reflect on meaning of eternal categories like life, love, time, beauty, faith. Inside this small church there is a solid marble column with a sign dating from 9th century Bulgarian Khan Omurtag saying “A man, even if his life is good, dies and someone else is born, but he leaves behind what he have built...” Surrounded by those gorgeous medieval walls that thought makes you a builder instead of demolisher.

Honestly, I thought the renovations make the place look modern. Also, there is lack of information to make one care. I understand it’s supposed to be a key historical site and where some rulers were buried, but I only found that out by looking it up after visiting because I was so underwhelmed. It would be nice to include some explanatory material in English and other languages.

While the church is full of history, it lacks the spirit of old, since it was completely renovated and rather empty. 6 BGN is a price for almost every ticket in Veliko Tarnovo. For this church is overpriced.

Very beautiful place to explore

The building of the museum is beautiful from the outside, the small courtyard is well arranged with exhibits and flourishing decorative vegetation. The exhibitions presented inside are very interesting and orginised with historical accuracy. What was of particular interest to me were the ancient thracian tomb reconstruction, and ring of tsar Kaloyan. Even though the inside of the building is in desperate need of restoration, the museum still manages to present to the visitor significant interesting pieces of the long Bulgarian history.

My favourite back yard in the city. Amazing building. Fantastic atmosphere with music from the main entrance. Payment by card is possible they have terminal.

Verdict: by a long mile, this is the worst museum we've visited in Bulgaria, with its rude and unhelpful (sometimes outright hostile) staff, poor exhibition planning and museography, lack of any narrative on the exhibits, and poorly maintained facility that's falling apart. There are way more idling staff than visitors, but the staff has not been helpful. Details: on the outside, the yard looks tranquil and beautiful with sculptures, columns, and plants arranged around each other. On the inside, the air is full of dense dust that could choke you, as the carpet has not been vacuumed for years and air not circulated properly for months at least. The exhibition area is small and badly planned even by 1990s standards: 2 rooms on the ground floor, 2 rooms and a tiny cabinet room on the first floor, all lighted with a few fluorescent tube lights on the ceiling and in good weather, some natural light from the windows. Most items are cased behind high-glare glasses with little to no signage or explanation or story around the items. On the rare occasion there's context and narrative around the items, it's 2 short sentences entirely in Bulgarian. There's no sign in English or other languages at all throughout the building. The staff there are also rude, unhelpful, and hostile to visitors. First, you can't just walk through a door and buy a ticket -- you have to ring a bell and wait for someone to come and let you in. Then, nobody there, including the ticket lady, speaks a word of English or any other language. Later, when we returned to an exhibition room we visited earlier, she followed us and tried to talk us into leaving the building because "there's nothing to see". She became visible frustrated when we politely but firmly told her that we wanted to take our time to make sure we don't miss anything, but eventually she left us alone. When we finally went for the door, she bolted from her desk to lock the door after us with a loud thud. And this is not counting other museum staff who did not even try to understand our question about the toilet's location, and just shrugged and disappeared into the "staff only" area never to be seen again. At least the ticket lady pointed out where the toilet is. Protip: - You need to ring a bell and wait for someone to open the door for you. - You can pay for the ticket by card. - The indoor air is very dusty and can choke you badly. Wearing a mask indoors is not a bad idea.

I like history and archeology, but would not recommend this museum. Information in English is very sparse, but even the Bulgarian texts are not very informative. For example: There is a room dedicated to the "Tomb of the Thracian Dynasty" that just has a list of the objects. there is absolutely zero information on what this tomb was or where it was found. 10 leva/5 euros is too expensive for what you get. Nice building and garden though. You can pay by card.

3.6 not great, not terrible. The building itself is worth seeing but the museum is not much and you don't get value for money. Price of entrance is 6 leva which is a lot for a place where you have no narrative and no explanations, only tags in Bulgarian and sometimes in English of the type "arrow-heads" for a bunch of... arrow-heads. The building is rundown and the exhibition seems to have been very little changed if at all since the communist era when it was designed. Staff doesn't speak any international language and you need to insist to enter, they have very few visitors and they don't pay attention that much

Pros: - very reach material well exposed in organized cabinets - very nice building - very nice court yard. Cons: - all the rooms were very dusty. It is very difficult to breath there. It is a urgent need of professional cleaning of the carpets - even though some labels were translated in English, the main posters describing the periods, context, etc, are not. - one of the ladies from the entrance was very polite, but other one has a very strange attitude: as soon as we went outside for a short (breathing) break, she closed and locked the door, even though our 12y son was still inside. After we returned in 5 mins, she asked us to buy tickets (she didn't noticed that we are the same persons and somebody remained inside.

If you’re interested in archaeology, this place is fascinating. They have a great collection of artifacts, mostly with good descriptions in English. Your phone can translate the rest. The dusty condition of the building should not deter you if you like the subject.

An interesting museum that you should visit. You can see in the ground floor among other, the historical persons and moments from the rebellion against the Turks. In the first floor you can see history and development of culture and education and the place where the parliament was, and to the basement an amazing collection of old christian religious picture's.

Located in a huge Ottoman style house it hosts an impressive collection of icons from the 18th and 19th century which alone fully deserves the entry fee of 6 leva. The rest of the exhibits are a bit of a mess, this is one of those Communist style museums that doesn't know what it wants to be: ethnographic, history or art museum. Some of the tags are in English but not that many. The upper floor has a reconstruction of the benches in the first parliament after the country gained independence. A lot of space is not used, the story is not focused and it smells old. House itself is worth seeing, staff stayed out of my way when I visited, overall fully recommended

A good place for a short Bulgarian history. A lot of Orthodox icons and historical artefacts.

Its really beautiful! We came across it by mistake but the visit was worth it!

Within a former Turkish town hall built in 1872, this is where Bulgaria’s first National Assembly was held to write the country’s first constitution in 1879. The ground floor charts administrative and daily life in Veliko Târnovo from the 15th to 19th centuries, using costumes, books and photos, building up to the Bulgarian National Revival. The former assembly hall, upstairs, displays portraits of local personalities, while the basement has old photos and some valuable icons. It is also a very beautiful building built by the famous Koliu Ficheto.

This parliament building is very dissimilar to others, which makes it interesting This building is conveniently located and should be viewed by travelers. Hopefully, as the years of democracy continue onward, this building will take on greater significance.

Very educational for those who loved to travel and learn a bit of history of the place, had a pleasant stay keep it up we enjoyed it ! The place is clean and well Maintain keep it up!

Really nice. You see all Bulgarian vuildings/attractions. But some of the miniatures are old broken, lakes were not filled in with water and dirty. Probably in January is outside season.

Good experience, but several items still is under construction. Mini train is great to see with child. Can’t compare with legoland, but good place to spend 30-60 min.

After visiting Tsarevest Castle, you can come here. They are very close to each other. It is a very quiet and beautiful place among the mountains, a touristic place where you can spend time with your child. It is great to see all the Bulgarian architectural structures here without visiting them. Some architectural structures have not been filled with water yet. It should be taken care of immediately to be interesting. The cafe built for sitting and resting is insufficient. You can find souvenirs, although few. There is a parking lot opposite for the car. The entrance fee is quite reasonable. I think a hall should be built for a promotional film about Bulgarian history, it would be a much more interesting place for tourists.

We had a great time here. Both my kids and I loved seeing all the major landmarks and walking from one end of Bulgaria to the other. The park was hit by a storm earlier in the year that caused a lot of damage but it's still makes for a great experience. We were also given a 20% discount due to this. I hope that they can repair it to it's full glory as soon as possible. We also thought that it would be funny to see a mini, mini- Bulgaria in one of the empty spots.

Worth a visit. A great way to get to know the main attractions around Bulgaria. I withhold a star for the bare landscape - it’ll look a lot better with more green areas in between, currently it looks rather bare. Also, the monuments in the Varna/Nessebar area are visibly smaller, which makes them less attractive compared to the originals.

It was a really fun and interesting place to visit. A great way to get to know Bulgaria within an hour. The only thing I did not like was the illustration of Bansko. I used to live there. It is an amazing place to visit. In this mini park, it looked boring.

Maybe a bit expensive just for miniatures. Some of the miniatures are not maintained. But it's really cool seeing all these miniatures representing different parts of Bulgaria in one place and I recommend visiting, as it's a small walk from the city.

It's truly a wonderful area! When visiting, you feel like you're somewhere in Bavaria or Switzerland. Small, beautiful houses made out of stone, small shops, cafeterias, wineries, restaurants, it's something out of a fairytale. When we visited during the weekend, all the streets were filled with stalls of small producers, selling jeweleries, natural products, home made desserts, cosmetics, candels, souvenirs, clothes, bags, anything you would think of. During weekdays it wasn't open. If you get to Veliko, this place should be a MUST on your list and it's right in the heart of the city. I don't know if the city is as busy in the autumn-winter season as it is in spring/summer, but when we visited, the whole city was very crowded and we were really lucky to find a single parking spot because a taxi was just leaving.The good part is that during weekend the parking is free, so we were able to visit the whole city for hours without worrying cause I, personally, could not manage paying at the parking meters i found there.The ones i came across were old and they only had instructions in bulgarian.

A nice short street, a flavour of Veliko Tarnovo. Plenty of options for souvenirs, arts and crafts items.

Signature place in Veliko Turnovo to walk, chitchat with locals, to see what was the life look like at the middle of the 18th and 19th century in Bulgaria.

Vibrant area with Quality handmade crafts.

Lovely place. Many handcrafts, plenty of wonderful souvenirs, Cafes, pastries etc. A must see place in Veliko.

Beautiful street with craftsmen workshops in the heart of the old city. You can see woodcarvers, copper smiths, sugar sweets makers, jewellers, leather shops etc. Great place for children to learn about crafts and pick authentic souvenirs. There are quiet cafes and restaurants, restricted traffic on the narrow streets.

It's a beautiful place to stay for a while. We were here on our way to the Buzludzha Monument and for about two Euro you can climb the stairs to the top of the tower. Plenty of memorabilia on each floor.

Positive aspects:Affordable accommodations, good food, friendly people and a lot of interesting historical sites to see. Negative aspects: Most of the infrastructure, including most historical buildings, are poorly maintained.

Great to play football, badmington, or just have a walk.

So beautiful, but it isn't any sign to orientation, any inscription, any signalization on the road... so pity!

Great park but one hell of a hike. We counted around 350 steps. There are great views from the sky bridge and a good playground. The effort to get up here means the park is not so crowded. Very peaceful.

The park is really a gem of Veliko Turnovo but it hasn't been maintained well in the past 10 years. Despite that there is a viewpoint with a nice panorama of Tsarevets fortress. Some playgrounds, benches, offroad cycle tracks even skateboard park. At night it has a lot of good views of the city lights. Across the park there are 345 stairs, as it is on a hill. There are some untracked footpaths that connect both ends but there is no lights for those at night. Overall the potential of the park is not well exploited.

It's a landmark for the locals, it's a monument, a great hangout spot and somewhere events are sometimes hosted. There's also a bar and toilets you can use for free.

Such an amazing history here. Even though a lot of it was recreated under Communist rule and by Russian influence, it's incredible to visit this place and realize what the Bulgarian state must have been prior to the Ottoman Empire coming through. As incredible are the pieces of evidence from the Byzantine times in 500-700, and from even earlier around Roman times. All the things this place must have been. Were the Thracians also using this place? Hard to fathom the battle that would have taken place for the Turks to take a hill that was so fortified and so seemingly impenetrable. Wish we had had more time here, and definitely feels like a place we will return to.

Verdict : An art museum does not have to be the Uffizi or the Louvre to be a good museum. This is a good regional museum of art that has plenty of works by local artists (Boris Denev, the gallery's namesake artist, was from Veliko Tarnovo) and about local scenes, updated facility, welcoming and professional staff, and signage in English. Storytelling could be better but it's on the right track. Worth an hour or two to visit and learn more about the city, the region, and Bulgarian art. Details: It's by the Assen dynasty monument on the island and you can't miss it. Two floors in total, each floor has two wings, and each wing has both sculptures and paintings by artists from the region around Veliko Tarnovo or works about VT or episodes in Bulgarian history that happened in the area. Facility has updated temperature control and lighting fixtures, so no annoying glares for the most part. Every work has a bilingual label in English and Bulgarian with the key info, so you know what you are actually looking at. Several rooms are organized around themes, and each theme is explored in more detail on a board that gives an overview of the works and context of the theme. There's no individual narrative (e.g. who's the painter or sculptor, what were their ideas for the work) for any painting or sculpture, but the overall intro is mostly sufficient for the backstory and context. We learned quite a few new things about the town, the region, and Bulgarian art from the time of medieval icons to contemporary works. Protips: - You can pay by card. - There's no cloakroom or bag storage. - Most sculptures are on the ground floor, paintings are on the first floor.

Nice gallery but I don’t understand why I wasn’t allowed in the ground floor left side galleries when other people were in there. Maybe my shirt was clashing with the artworks.

Astonishingly rude Bulgarian ladies 🤔working at this gallery so I didn’t bother paying the entrance fee and moved to other more amazing places to see in Veliko Tarnovo

Lots of paintings devoted to themes from Bulgarian history and the regional landscape. Most are historically interesting because they offer a window onto Bulgaria’s national mythology. A few are also artistically interesting.

Amazing experience for both the permanent exhibition and the temporary. Surely a place worth visiting.

An interesting corner of the town, hosting a variety of paintings made by Bulgarian artists. Fortunately there were English descriptions below the artefacts. However the place was cold and it definitely needs a renovation inside. Academic id card from foreigners is accepted.

Some of the paintings here shake you to the core. Really amazing museum.

Well organised museum, creatively displayed objects and eloquent representations - insights to the local and national history.

One of the absolute best visitor centers and interactive museum displays I have ever seen in the world. The tour guide was fantastic, very knowledgeable, and was very good at translating to English. Her historical knowledge was vast, and she had many helpful vignettes to explain the history of the area as well as the nuances of the historical dramas.

Absolutely phenomenal experience.Takong you back in time to 11th century ancient Bulgaria.. One of the best exhibitions I've ever attended and definitely enjoyed it!

One of the best interactive museums I have been! All the figures are alive-like; the scenes are very natural. If you care to download and install the "added reality" app, some of the scenes offer additional 3-D experience through your phone. Four floors, full of historical scenes and touch of the "real-Bulgaria" history. The staff is very nice and welcoming. Highly recommend it!

Enjoyable visualization of scenes from the region’s history, but of course they are just impressions, maybe not accurate. Staff are a bit rude, and it feels a bit like an overpriced tourist trap.

The multimedia visitors center in Veliko Tarnovo was very well assembled and cozy, which made our visit there very pleasant and informative. A place where foreign tourists can truly grasp the life and atmosphere of Veliko Tarnovo of old, when it was the capitol of Bulgaria and a focal point for traveling merchants and craftsman.

Don’t be tricked by 4.7 stars - its not bad, but its not good. Complete lack of historical information - very surface level. Expensive ticket for a 30-minute museum. Skip.

very nice location, has parking place, close to a beach with no music, water perfect for kids

Very nice location to visit. The museum is nice organized, rich materials well labeled. Everything is very clean.

A place that is an absolute must-visit! Beautiful museum that captured and preserved the sensation of the past.

A beautiful old house on a scenic street. Lots of exhibits of daily life in the region around the year 1900. Worth the modest entry fee if you’re interested in architecture or social history.

Don't bother with your 6 lv. Most stuff is misdated or mislabeled, only 2 floors were open in January. The photographs are the only interesting thing but you have to dodge a lot of furniture to get to them.

Big traditional house but we can visit two storeys out five existing. A few objects inside. Very few explanations. Why not employing people who could guide the visitors.

It is an experience you can not miss. It shows the life of that time.. Amazing photos

Nice museum of a former prison. It would be nice if there are more English inscriptions and a bit more explanation of the exibition.

It is pretty basic, some empty rooms that were like the prison cells. Not much to see overall.

Very small, sparse English texts and gloomy atmosphere. Spent around 10 minutes here and didn't really have a good time.

Really short but interesting. Takes 30 min would say togo through. Unfortunately, nothing is written in english so i had to use google translate

Absolute ripoff. Charge 6lv not worth 1lv. 10 mins top to see all. Nothing in English. Stay away.

Really small place, in 10 minutes max you are done, little to no English descriptions, no available guide or anything to help us understand more about it.

Not worth the price(6lv) you finish it all in 10 minutes. Very little text in english, not too many rooms.

Beautiful building and terrace offers great views of the town. Not well kept and need an investment in my opinion to preserve for longer.

A traditional Orthodox church. Cool and quiet place.

The biggest orthodox church in town, pretty interesting by itself, the panoramic terrace offers stunning views to the Tsarevets and Trapezitsa hills.

A really impressive orthodox cathedral with a spectacular view of the city.

Closed so no access - Wednesday afternoon.

(Translated by Google) The Cathedral of the Nativity of Mary, located in the old town of Veliko Tarnovo, was built between 1842 and 1848. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 1913 and rebuilt in 1934 according to the plans of Master Grozo. The current cathedral is a replica of its 1913 appearance. The cathedral boasts a distinctive green dome, four columns, and oval windows. Built in the hewn sandstone style, the cathedral features a three-nave nave with two rows of capitals, a massive double nave, and distinctive arches. The bell tower on the west side is also constructed of hewn stone. The facade, adorned with four columns and oval windows, exudes a unique charm. The interior is particularly striking with its marble tiled floors and two rows of capitals. Admission is free, but photography is prohibited. (Original) 聖母聖誕大教堂（Nativity of Mary Cathedral）這座教堂位於維利克塔特爾諾沃（veliko tarnovo）舊城區於1842年至1848年間所建造的教堂，在1913年的一次地震中被震毀，並在1934年按照格羅佐大師的計劃重建，現在看到的教堂是依照1913年舊外形所重建的。教堂擁有獨特的綠色圓頂並有四個立柱和橢圓形窗戶，其建築風格為三中殿由鑿好的砂岩建造而成，內有兩排柱頭中殿擁有巨大的雙簷和獨特的拱門，位於教堂西側的鐘樓也是由鑿好的石材建造而成。教堂正面裝飾著四根柱子和橢圓形窗戶散發出獨特的魅力，教堂內部大理石瓷磚地板和兩排柱頭特別引人注目，教堂免費參觀自由進出但教堂內禁止攝影。

(Translated by Google) This church is emblematic of Veliko Tarnovo and is a favorite stop for both locals and tourists because of the panoramic views of the Tsarevets and Trapezitsa hills. The significance of the church is confirmed by the fact that the Bulgarian princes Batemberg and Ferdinand took their oaths here. Unfortunately, the old temple, which was built by Kolyo Ficheto, was destroyed in the earthquake of 1913, but on its ruins a new, beautiful temple grew up, which carries the spirit of the boyar culture. Near the temple there is a preserved old Turnovo town house, a characteristic architectural silhouette of the Boyar neighborhood of the old Bulgarian capital. (Original) Тази църква е емблематична за Велико Търново и е обичана спирка и за местните, и за туристите заради панорамните гледки към хълмовете Царевец и Трапезица. Значимостта на църквата се потвърждава от факта, че тук полагат клетва българските князе Батемберг и Фердинанд. За съжаление, старият храм, който е построен от Кольо Фичето, е разрушен при земетресението през 1913г., но върху руините му израства нов, красив по своему храм, който носи духа на болярската култура. В близост до храма има запазена стара търновска градска къща, характерен архитектурен силует от Болярската махала на старата българска столица.

Very interesting place with great architecture and lots of suvenir shop.

A small street with shops

Lots of artisan shops selling hand crafted items and souvenirs

Unique please, antic atmosphere saved true the ages. Must to visit.

Main attraction point in Veliko. Really nice old town.

(Translated by Google) A cute settlement with preserved historical texture. If you come here you should definitely see it. The stone streets and houses are very beautiful. There are also sales points where you can shop. The tradesmen are very attentive. (Original) Tarihi dokusu korunmuş şirin bir yerleşim yeri. Buraya geldiyseniz mutlaka görmelisiniz. Taş sokaklar evler çok güzel. Alış veriş yapabileceğiniz satış yerleri de mevcut. Esnaf çok ilgili.

Very urban and lovely . Have shops for sweets, caffe, wood made gifts, ....

Amazing view of the city and the monument itself is also very nice!

Cool place. A lot of the Bulgarian history is represented by this monument and it’s giving admiring feeling.

Just Wow..4 statues,along with a tall Obelisque,in the middle of Veliko Trnavo. You can enjoy the beautiful view of the town,and serve a cocktail near it.Great view above the city where you can chill!A must!

One of the most impressive monuments ive ever seen

Went for the Boris Denev gallery but sadly it was closed, however the statues and the surrounding view plus the walk across the bridge is very worth it should you find yourself in a similar situation when the building is closed.

This is a pretty epic monument. I’d have loved more info about the Assen Dynasty, but it’s cool no matter what. Huge in scale, with multiple horsemen statues surrounding the central spire. It’s visited quite a lot considering there’s not a lot around it. We spent 4 nights in our RV just below it. It was a fantastic thing to look out on in the morning.

Very nice statues, and the park is huge.

🏰 Brief History Tsarevets Fortress, located on Tsarevets Hill above the city of Veliko Tarnovo (once capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire), was the main Bulgarian stronghold from 1185 to 1393, housing the royal and patriarchal palaces . Archaeological findings show human activity on the hill dating back to the Late Chalcolithic (~4200 BC) through Thracian, Byzantine, and medieval Bulgarian periods. After the uprising of Asen and Peter in 1185, the fortress became the political and spiritual center of the restored Bulgarian state. It resisted Ottoman siege for three months before falling on 17 July 1393, signalling the end of the Second Empire. The fortress was extensively restored from the 1930s and officially completed in 1981 for the 1300th anniversary of the Bulgarian state . Its key features include thick defensive walls, Baldwin’s Tower, Execution Rock, the royal palace complex, and the reconstructed Patriarchal Cathedral of the Ascension, painted in modernist frescoes in 1985 🎟️ Visiting Hours & Cost Opening Hours April–September (or October): 08:00 – 20:00, with last admission at 19:00 November–March (and October): 09:00 – 16:00 (or until 17:00 in October) Admission Fees Standard ticket (adult): 15 BGN Family ticket (parents + up to 3 children aged 7–18): 20 BGN 📋 Summary Table Season Opening Hours Last Entry April–Sept (Oct) 08:00 – 20:00 19:00 Nov–Mar 09:00 – 16:00 (Oct until 17:00) 15:00 (or 16:00) 💡 Visitor Tips Wear comfortable shoes and bring water and sunscreen, especially in summer, since there is limited shade and some uphill walking . In the evening or on Veliko Tarnovo city holidays, the fortress often hosts a “Sound and Light” multimedia show. It’s free when viewed from the main square, while tickets cost extra for the VIP terrace . There’s a café and toilets near the fortress entrance. A scenic elevator in the Patriarchal Church offers panoramic views for an additional small fee (~2 BGN) 🌍 Why it matters Tsarevets is not only an architectural marvel but a symbol of Bulgaria’s medieval glory — from ancient settlements to its zenith in the Second Empire, ending with its dramatic fall in 1393. Its reconstruction and immersive evening shows help bring that rich history to life.

Loved the fortress itself but even better for the view across the gorge. And free parking at the bottom of the funicular. Only a 20 mins walk into the old town once you finish at the fortress.

The fortress is amazing for a walk around and explore what ancient times seemed like and felt like. It’s a bit pricey for the place itself. The ticket is 10 leva for a walk. The walk is kid friendly and not to hard to make however in order to see some places there are many steeps and uphill which can be a bit difficult. I recommend to go in the morning so there’s no line for the tickets and it has less tourists.

Really nice, just make sure to bting cash if you want to use the cable car.

This place is huge. To see everything you would need all day. The main castle is really pretty inside and if you pay 3 euros to get on top of it - views are astonishing. The surrounding area is also nice, worth visiting and good for a walk. Some information is playing from the speakers but not all of it in English. However, upon entering we were asked if we needed an English guide. The most impressive view of this fortress is of course at night or the evening when the lights are on. It is a really nice site to see.

Very quiet place, and the view is amazing. You can overlook Trasavets Castle and the town behind the hill on the other side. Learning history, wandering the site, and touring around in the boutique museum inside, take your time to enjoy the old church vibe. They also provide the railway service (with 5lev) from downhill to the top. The entrance is not the same as the fortress. You can ask the gas station staff to show you the way.

Just amazing. Before you even get close to walking up to the fortress, you can see its size from a long way out. Once you're in, do climb to the church at the top for the best views of the city. If you're hoping to find some sort of palace, you won't find it. It's already in ruins.

Very good food, and the waiters' attitude was excellent — quick and attentive. I highly recommend it with confidence.

The heart and the start of the city. South bus station and many hotels nearby. Main street, also a bus stop for number 10 that leads to Gorna Oryahovitsa and all the local bus lines. Many restaurants around. A lot of benches. Enough green surroundings to be called a city garden.

I enjoyed learning about this monument from Veliko Tarnovo walking tours. It is good memorial to remember the wars fought in Bulgaria and tastefully done.

A lovely place to be, especially now that the Christmas lights are on. The decorations are very tasteful.

Beautiful statue centrally located in the city. A good place to rest and meeting people.

Interesting monument that tells a story of a proud people.

It is definitely a place where you can never miss in town. Good to stop by for a while and enjoy the view of the city from this spot.

What an amazing place, it's one of my favorite places in Bulgaria. Such a quiet, peaceful location and a wonderful eco trail! I've been here many times and i still revisit with enthusiasm and pleasure! Tickets are not needed for visiting. There is plenty of parking but too bad that all the locations were closed, it was awkward that all the tables were there, with chairs, tablecloths and everything else but nothing was open.

Went there with my girlfriend last week and it was totally worth the trip! I would advise to prepare yourself for some (very) steep terrain at some places and of course beautiful views. The full length of the path is around 25 / 30 minutes. There is a little shop from which you can buy water, coffee and other drinks, and some snacks. Parking is free and fairly unoccupied, it is also right next to the waterfall so you needn't worry about that. Most importantly, there is a cute family of cats roaming the nearby grounds 😁

Hotnitsa Waterfall, also known as Kaya Bunar, is a breathtaking natural gem near Veliko Tarnovo. The 30-meter cascade plunges into a serene emerald pool, surrounded by lush greenery and rugged cliffs. The well-maintained eco-trail, featuring wooden bridges and stone steps, offers an adventurous yet accessible hike with stunning views. It’s an ideal spot for nature lovers, photographers, and those seeking tranquility. A must-visit destination that showcases Bulgaria’s natural beauty at its finest.

Superb location. A million years old landscape formation shaped by the water. Can go around up the cascade, climbing on wooden stairs and pass over the canyon. Difficulty level, medium. Needs proper shoes. Very very nice view.

Beautiful location. Very brisk when swimming. Star knocked off because a) it's a bit like a goldfish bowl, not many people were swimming so everyone was just watching me and b) not a whole lot else to do other than this one pool. But deep enough to not touch the bottom at the far edge, so big win for wild swimming.

A beautiful place being ruined by people's negligence and bad behavior. It smelled like a toilet all around and you could see napkins and trash all over the place. Here are two dogs rummaging the trash. Even the nearby nature trail was similarly covered in trash and the smell of human poop.

The waterfall is very peaceful, the path going on the top is hard. There is not much to see on top, the path is nice!

Awesome ruins me and my dad loved feeding the goats and the church has interesting pantings and is vary different to regular churches it is dark and gloomy I did not want to spoil it so I didn't show eny photos of it.

A place not to be missed if you arrive in the area, something to walk but in a pleasant company is a real pleasure! The view from all sides is wonderful, especially from the tower.

It is mostly a new build and not really honouring the challenges/limitations of the period. So everything is a little too plumb, straight, and level and looks a little out of place. The maps at the gate of the fortress present the amazing complex of castles and fortifications that stood on the site in it prime. Well, worth a little study.

Amazing! Must see!

Great historical landmark at Tsarevets hill

Very old tower.. U see all the city Nice view

Really nice fortress! Loved exploring it!

The bridge is located in a place which is not easy to be found from the town center. However the view from each side of the bridge is diverse. One is the residential area of local people while the other side is the nature of Veliko Tarnovo. People love jogging and strolling around and embrace the beauty of the town.

Would be better if the River below wasn't a swamp and the ghost hotel is renewed, probably. Otherwise a good bridge. Looks longer from a distance but it's a 2 min walkthrough.

The bridge was under renovation. It had some (drain?) holes in the ground, so be careful. The river looks like a swamp and it is pretty dirty. To cross the bridge it takes about a 2 minute walk, even tho it looks larger from a distance.

Finally the hotel is being renovated. Still the river is not cleaned and it really looks like a swamp

Nice bridge with a beautiful view of the city. On the other hand, the Yantra below looks more like a swamp than a river. Be aware that there are small holes at the edge of the path!

Nice bridge! Needs more maintenance.

Best view from here

This church was worth visiting for it's preserved icons. If you are interested in learning the history of frescoes and Orthodox art , that's a beautiful masterpiece. It has pretty rare depiction of saints, done incredibly good. Taking photos usually is not forbidden and you have to pay, but they can lead it slide.

They accept only cash leva. For a turistic location not to have POS is unacceptable. In about 6 months the whole country will switch to Euro, but they cannot accept payment in Euros now…

Absolute must-see if this is your area of interest. Wonderfully preserved frescos in a beautifully preserved church. All of it inside a modern protective exterior.

. It's a nice church but you can see the whole thing in about 1 minute for 6 lev or about $4 not worth it. The building is about 40 square metres inside 30 seconds to see the building and 30 seconds to look at the murals

A very well-preserved orthodox Bulgarian church from the 13th century, stunning to see the original paintings!

Small and simple church from the twelfth century.

Interesting place for the mural paintings.

Is closed on Saturday 😕

(Translated by Google) Recently renovated bathroom. Purely engineering, it is an interesting combination. Underfloor heating called Hypocaust. The word comes from Latin and literally means "burning underground" and was an ancient version of today's underfloor heating and was also more recently central heating, with even the walls being warmed. Wood or coal was used for heating. And the combustion room was located in the center of the building, because it was believed that this way the heat would spread most evenly. There is a convenient parking lot right next to the bathroom. There is no entrance fee or tour guide. We found dead rodents on one catwalk. Apparently not cleaned regularly. (Original) Наскоро реставрирана баня. Чисто инжинерно е интересно съоражение. Подово отопление наречено Хипокауст. Думата идва от латински и буквално означава „горене под земята“ и представлявала антична версия на днешното подово отопление като също така по скоро е било централно отопление, като дори стените са се затопляли. За загряването са се използвали дърва или въглища. А горивното помещение се намирало в центъра на сградата, защото се е смятало, че така топлината ще се разпространява най-равномерно. Има удобен паркинг точно до банята. Няма вход или екскурзовод. Намрихме умрели гризачи на единия подиум. Явно не се почиства редовно.

(Translated by Google) It's worth stopping by to read about its history and take a look. The entrance is currently free, and the bathroom itself has been well restored. (Original) Струва си човек да се отбие, да прочете за историята й и да разгледа. Входът към момента е свободен, а самата баня е добре реставрирана.

(Translated by Google) It has been restored soon. There is no entrance. It would be nice to have a bit more information as the available is pretty scarce. It is noticeable that it is not cleaned regularly. Everything was covered in dust. (Original) Реставрирана е скоро. Няма вход. Би било добре да има малко повече информация, тъй като наличната е доста оскъдна. Прави впечатление, че не се почиства редовно. Всичко беше потънало в прах.

(Translated by Google) Interesting, but a shame that there aren't more explanations because we don't really understand what the different parts mean. (Original) Intéressant, mais dommage qu'il n'y ait pas plus d'explications parce qu'on ne comprends pas trop à quoi correspond les différentes parties.

(Translated by Google) The Shishman Bath in the city of Veliko Tarnovo is located in Asenova Mahala between the Assumption and St. St. Peter and Pavel", 30 m. north of the eastern entrance to the Vladish bridge. It is one of the few preserved similar buildings in Bulgaria. It is called "Shishmanova", as it is considered to have remained from the time of the last Bulgarian ruler before the fall of Veliko Tarnovo under Turkish slavery. Coins from the XV-XVI centuries were found during excavations. The first to mention the bath was Karel Shkorpil (1893).  It marks its location, north of the eastern abutment of the Vladish bridge with the inscription "bathroom". The first publication about the bathroom belongs to the Tarnovo architect Georgi Kozarov. According to him, the bath was unknown until that moment, although it lies on a well-known Turnovo street, leading to the church "St. St. Peter and Paul". The reason for this is that it is considered to be semi-collapsed and its remains have been built over with houses. For a long time it was considered the left abutment of the old Vladishki bridge. The Shishman Bath is the only bath from the Second Bulgarian Kingdom with an original architectural plan, which distinguishes it from famous baths from Antiquity and the First Bulgarian Kingdom, as well as from the later Turkish hammams. As another main activity of the project, it is envisaged to include permanently unemployed persons with continuous registration at the Labor Bureau in the repair works, with a view to achieving the requirement to improve the situation of the Roma. The revitalization of the site is planned to be achieved by organizing a Festival of Roma culture and holding "open" lessons in History.  The implementation of the project will lead not only to the restoration of a cultural heritage object, but also to its subsequent socialization. (Original) Шишмановата баня в град Велико Търново се намира в „Асенова махала” между храмовете „Успение Богородично” и  „Св. Св. Петър и Павел”, на 30 м. северно от източния вход към Владишкия мост. Тя е една от малкото запазени подобни сгради в България. Наречена е „Шишманова”, тъй като се счита, че е останала от времето на последния български владетел преди падането на Велико  Търново под турско робство. При разкопки са намерени монети от XV-XVI век. Първи за банята споменава Карел Шкорпил (1893г.).  Отбелязва мястото й, северно от източния устой на Владишкия мост с надпис „баня“. Първата публикация за банята принадлежи на търновския архитект Георги Козаров. Според него банята била неизвестна до този момент, въпреки че лежи на известна търновска улица, водеща до храм „Св. Св. Петър и Павел”. Като  причина  за това се счита, че е полусрутена и останките й са застроени с къщи. Дълго време е смятана за ляв устой на стария Владишки мост. Шишмановата баня е единствената баня от Второто българско царство с оригинален архитектурен план, който я отличава от известни бани от Античността и Първото българско царство,  както и от по-късните турски хамами. Като друга основна дейност по  проекта  се предвижда включване на трайно безработни лица с непрекъсната регистрация в Бюрото по труда в ремонтните дейности, с оглед постигане на изискването за подобряване на ситуацията на ромите. Ревитализацията на обекта се планира да бъде постигната чрез организиране на Фестивал на ромската култура и провеждане на „открити“ уроци по История.  Реализирането на проекта ще доведе не само до реставриране на обект от културното наследство,  а и до неговото последващо социализиране .

(Translated by Google) It is located in Asenova Mahala and is easily accessible, shortly before the church "St. Peter and Paul" is located. It was restored according to a European project. You will see reinforced and upgraded walls, and the floor has been restored to its original appearance. It had a hypocaust system, used since antiquity, the purpose of which is to heat air or water, and the resulting heat to spread through ventilation holes in the floor and wall. You go up a metal bridge and from above you can see the restored part of the bath, considered one of the most authentic monuments of culture from the late period of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom and one of the few preserved medieval baths in Bulgaria. After exploring the baths, do not miss to continue to the Church of St. Peter and Paul", as well as the remains of the church "St. Ivan Rilski" against her. (Original) В Асенова махала се намира и лесно се стига до нея, малко преди църквата „Св.св. Петър и Павел“ се намира. Възстановена е по европейски проект. Ще видите укрепени и надградени зидове, а подът е възстановен в първоначалния му вид. Била е с хипокаустна система, използвана още в античността, чийто смисъл е нагряване на въздух или вода, а получената топлина да се разпространява чрез вентилационни отвори в пода и стената. Качвате се по монтиран метален мост и отвисоко разглеждате възстановената част от банята, считана от за един от най-автентичните паметници на културата от късния период на Второто българско царство и е една от малкото запазени средновековни бани в България. След като разгледате баняте, не пропускайте да продължите към църквата „Св.св. Петър и Павел“, както и останките от храма „Св. Иван Рилски“ срещу нея.

First of all, 10+ for the employees!!! Young team, who explains the illusions and is ready to assist you in a professional way to take the most successful photos!!! The museum has many exhibitions, some of them interactive, you can use your own phone or take pictures with the cameras installed in the rooms, which you can later download for free from the internet. functional air conditioning inside considering it was 34 degrees outside.

Very welcoming and helpful staff. Good arrangement and nice idea with the build in cameras, although with bad quality. I personally was disappointed. Not sure what was expecting, but definitely something more interesting for the tickets' price. All in all good place to bring the kids without high expectations.

Great experience for kids and grownups. The employees were very nice, they gave us all needed info when we got there. Then they helped us take photos in the right positions, they had patience with our children to put them in the right positions. Highlt recommend!

Great place in the center of Veliko Tarnovo! Suitable for children. 5 levels with different kind of illusions, places for pictures. Including QR code on the ticket from which you can download all pictures took there on the special places. Please be aware that you must find a parking place, there is a paid zone on the streets in the center. The personnel is kind and helps with pictures or instruction. The price is 20 leva per adult, 15 leva students and free for children under 7.

No wait line when we were here. Affordable prices. It’s a great place to bring your kid- mine had a lot of fun. There are 3 floors to explore with many funny experiments.

Great learning and relaxation experience for children (of all ages). A variety of illusions, some science learning (not too much). Very useful and friendly guides on all floors. It is definitely worth a couple of hours to visit.

Interesting and fun in some parts. Pretty expensive overall.

Although the river is not what it was decades, even years ago (nowadays is almost dry), the canyon is a good place to visit. Climb up the eco-path but be careful because there're some dangerous spots. You can also go down to the waterfall (probably is dried out too) but again, exercise extreme caution.

A nice place to walk. Not so hard, quite easy. Beautiful nature with a nice view to the canion from above. You start from the cave (somewhere deep there is a bat colony...you need to have a strong light to see it) then you go on above the canion and at the end of the trail, a beautiful lake with a small waterfall awaits. About 2.5-3.5h to walk (with pictures included).

The Emen Canyon, located near the village of Emen in Bulgaria, is a stunning natural wonder offering beautiful views and tranquility amidst wild nature. The trail through the canyon is well-maintained, suitable for both beginners and experienced hikers, making it perfect for a day trip. In addition to hiking, the canyon provides opportunities for picnicking and photography, especially beautiful during spring and early summer when nature is in full bloom and the waterfalls are most impressive. Overall, Emen Canyon is a peaceful escape into nature, ideal for those seeking to relax or embark on an adventure in one of Bulgaria’s lesser-known natural treasures.

Unbelievable landscape form, Emen Canyon, located into the middle of flat earth.

The view is amazing, the walk isn't a hard one, BUT mos of the road was so close to the clif, without handlier for safty, super dangures and scarry, also no network reception ....waterfall was dry, but the pool was very unique !

Beautiful place, you will reach it easy by car. During a hot day you can take a bath in a stream. There is a nice trail leading at the upper part all along the canyon, ending near the waterfall.

There is very steep path down towards the end of the trek to waterfall. The waterfall is nice approximately 5-6 meters high, but not breathtaking. A lot of mosquitoes! There is no place for swimming which upsets after all the effort. Worth it if one is staying a lot of time in the area and looking for timespending.

Great park in a city center with walking areas, restaurants and kids playground. There are plenty of parking lots around the park.

Park is a nice place in the town's central area. Water cascade and the fountains are a good feature to cool off during the summer. There is some decline in tree and vegetation maintenance in the past years. Hope this will change soon by electing a new mayor. A bit overcrowded, but this is expected - the town does not have enough green spaces or the size of the parks is not enough.

In the middle of the city, with a lot of shadows, and some playgrounds and restaurants

Nice park with a lot of trees and water fountains to calm down and relax in a hot day. Several cafes and small restaurants provide for a drink and a meal.

It's a good park. Quite calm and quiet for it's positioning in the middle of the city. Could use some more benches although not many people seem to be visiting daily. Has a few small tavernas in the outskirts, water area, flower garden. Everything you need to get away from the city for a bit.

A surprisingly nice development amongst the very demanding terrain of old Turnovo. It is a serene place to sit and watch the colors of the trees, the birds, the locals, and listen to the running water of the fountains.

Found this lovely park by accident just strolling through the side streets and what a delight. I loved sitting watching the water fall. It is a lovely family park with a great atmosphere

Nice spot with lots of beautiful views.

Yantra river, when the weather is warm..the river can help you to cool and relax!

Yep you guessed it its got water in it go check it out you' ll be amazed

Many swimmers and fishermen - good place to enjoy rivers.

This place is amazing for taking walks and relaxing I love going there with my friends

Really nice picturesque and serene.

Beautiful views that are worth seeing and experiencing

Nice place to view the light show on Tsarevets fortress. Some nice music, you sitting comfortably in chairs, when raining you sit under a roof. I guess around 80 seats. Entrance 30 leva (ca. 15 euro) per person. Buy tickets upfront. Its not on the fortress, it's a few hundred meters away.

The sight and light show is simply magnificent. I didn't know what to expect but the show is magical. Photos and videos don't do it justice. You are high up across from the fortress and the music that accompanies the light show is perfect. It's an absolute must see when in the area.

World-class and incomparable show. Definitely a must-see. Very professional and hospitable attitude from the hosts. Very reasonable price of the tickets. Can’t wait to see it again!

Nice and best spot in Town to witness the Bulgsrian history in lights. 10 out of 10. They should promote it more. It is a very shynie show.

The light show itself was superb! The voices were too much, especially the ones with females crying as if they are molested. Too long and triggering - and nowhere is it stated about it. And this show is not recommended for people with epilepsy as they have white strong lights that twinkle and blind you. The light show itself is a must-to see. Buying the VIP tickets is good if the weather gonna be bad or someonen of your group can't stand for 20 minutes. Best be there early in order to get the best seats.

Amazing, beautiful lights worth going to see 😁

Show must be renamed "Only light" because sound is missing. We traveling whole day to watch the show and we are very disappointed, because its ridiculous without sound. I regret already that we come to watch this 🤬 Never come back again

One of the most interesting buildings in town from the epoch of the Revival (18-19 century). Very well restored, it offers in the present days interesting museum and gallery with different temporary exhibits. One of the best restaurants in town is located there too, which gives an easy option for one really to dive in the atmosphere of the past.

Delicious food, wonderful place, tasteful wines

Good food, a bit expensive. Food service was Bulgarian standard time-wise, however very friendly. I left my sunglasses and went back the next day and they'd kept them for me, which was very nice.

Very nice place with lovely atmosphere. The museum is well organised. On the ground floor has restaurant but time to get the dishes is too much.

Nice place presenting some Thracian artefacts and art pieces. On the first floor there is a lovely restaurant where you could enjoy traditional Bulgarin dishes and 🍷

Small private museum with interesting exhibitions related to Bulgarian history and bigger gallery with painting of successful modern Bulgarian artists. The building where it is located is also related to the history of Veliko Tarnovo and it is itself amazing. Go to the 3rd floor and see the view to the town.

Unacceptable service! We've been only 2 tables and had to wait more than 40 minutes for the waiter to take the order. Part of the order they forgot to bring. When it finally arrived instead of chicken we got pork. Very disappointed.

Nothing to be seen here. The street sign that shows the way is not clear enough. But the house is 20 m away. When we got there it was closed. Only one "monkey" visible on the entrance wall and thank God for the Internet, because this is how we find out what's the story of this "rouristic attraction".

I couldn't find any info about visiting the inside which is a museum now, no contact either and when we got there it was closed, Sunday noon time

The house was finished in 1849 and was built by Bulgarian master Kolyu Ficheto for one of the noblemen of the day. It is located on narrow, steep terrain and has an imaginative facade, varied and broken-up. The upper floors are jutting out, typical of the revival style. On the facade of the ground floor there is a figurine of a monkey. The house was restored during the 1970s. It is not a museum, you can't go inside, it functions as a base for the Union of Bulgarian Scientists

Very good food and excellent service. The prices were reasonable for the location.

It's located at the historic part of the city. Old buildings with great architecture! Perfect for a walk!

Beautiful house architect koliu Ficheto of Dryanovo.

This is a private residence with a statue on the outside. It is not a museum. You cannot enter the building.

Yup, closed. Still pretty on the outside, so I'll rate it 3 stars but.. no signs, no information, no nothing. At least there is some historical info-table up front.

They've told us we had to ask the guides at the car park to visit the church. They were lazy and insolent, they've told us we could've visited Arbanasi with our tickets and other things more beautiful than the church. They just didn't want to open them for us. They also said there weren't frescos inside which is not true. Good way to promote tourism!

Church of St. Dimitar, closed 1 Nov to 20 Mar. Quite & lonely little church.

Seems to be permanently closed (May 2017). Only brief historic notes at the door. Surrounding park is closed as well

Nice place to visit really close from the fortress

Ordinary but attractive church

Isolated and peaceful from city noise, but close enough to reach it easily.

Nice spot to stop and enjoy the view. Lots of nice restaurants nearby

Nice view!

The amazing view from terrace is one of the iconic views from Veliko Tarnovo. From there you can see the Tantra river swirling below you. In front of you is the Asenevtsi Monument, this 1985 monument celebrates medieval Bulgarian might. The horsemen flanking its central column are Asenevtsi brothers Asen, Petar and Kaloyan and Asen's son Ivan, under whom Bulgaria flourished in the 12th and 13th centuries. The surrounding greenery is a popular place for summer live-music events. You can also the old part of the town with it's small houses which look like they are stacked one on top of the other. The sunsets are amazing there, you can sit on a bench, maybe have some ice cream and take a break from the busy life, just admire this beautiful scenery. This is one of the favourite places where tourist are taking pictures as well. Recently the whole terrace was renovated and now it blends with the surroundings. From here you can continue to explore the Bulgarian history by going towards the famous Tsarevets fortress. It's a place you don't want to miss!

(Translated by Google) A great place to see the old town in all its glory. I have been passing through Veliko Tarnovo for several years now (2019-2024) and I never tire of it. I recommend with confidence. (Original) Un loc minunat pentru a privi orașul vechi în toată splendoarea lui. Trec de câțiva ani buni prin Veliko Târnovo (2019-2024) și nu mă satur niciodată de el. Recomand cu încredere.

(Translated by Google) An amazing view, beautiful paintings on the houses - a beautiful place!!! (Original) Дивовижний краєвид, прекрасні розписи на будинках - гарне місце!!!

(Translated by Google) Magnificent view of the Art Gallery, the monument of Asenevtsi and partly of the Istanbul Bridge. (Original) Великолепна гледка към Художествената галерия, паметника на Асеневци и частично към Стамболовия мост.

(Translated by Google) Beautiful view from the Panorama Terrace of the State of Art Gallery Boris Denev and the Monument of the Assen Dynasty (Original) Wunderschöne Aussicht von der Panorama Terasse auf die State of Art Gallery Boris Denev und das Monument of the Assen Dynasty

The restaurant is very beautiful, old and elegantly furnished. For food you don’t have much variety and we can’t say it was the best. But the situation was saved by salads and desserts. The onion soup was way below expectations. I honestly expected to be served “Au gratin” with bread and cheese in top. Taste was fine. All table ordered fried chicken with potatoes - the potatoes were tasty (both baked and the gratin). I have no feedback about the chicken. All salads very fresh. The drinks got us disappointed because they have in menu big and small lemonade. We wanted big, they didn’t have - but the lemonade comes in glass so I assume they have it already made but no big cup for it? The house cocktails wasn’t tasty. The desserts cleaned all disappointment 😂 all of them were amazing!

The restaurant has a lovely ambiance that merges both vintage and modern interior design. the staff is attentive as well as make good conversation. I ordered the trout as well as crispy chicken and an iced dessert with candied hazelnuts, i thoroughly enjoyed each dish but would recommend you to come hungry as the portion sizes were quite big and I couldn’t finish everything. it’s a great place for a relaxed dinner with family or friends. My only suggestion would be that as sitting outside is too cold this time of the year to make the inside of the restaurant warmer for a more comfortable dining experience. Keep up the good work !

Very nice building of the old times. The food was very mediocre, no taste, very expensive, souless. The service was very polite but stressed and sometimes confused

Super nice place in the old part of the city, service and food are spot on.

In one hour they managed to serve us a leaf salad. The salad was not bad despite the price and the staff were friendly. However, if at 2 pm takes over an hour to make pork schnitzel, I would not go back at pick times especially with hungry kids!

Since not hungry we just ordered 3 dish. The Bulgarian salad is recommended, you can try different types together. But the bread is no good, it was too greasy and taste a bit bitter. The pork neck is too dry but the taste is good, which shows the quality of rough material but also poor of cooking. The mushrooms is recommended, very good combination with cheese. Also I have to highlight the service, the young lady is really nice and polite.

Great food and atmosphere! Beans soup and beef were amazing!!

Friendly and helpful yet I wasted a lot of time getting to Elena and Arabanasi thanks to them. I went all the way out to the West bus station to get the Elena minibus (took me 45 mins walk and bus), and then the Elena minivan drove almost the whole way into VT to pick up people! And then today a similar story with the Arabanasi minivan. I went to where they told me to wait halfway out of town on the boulevard, and again the minivan then drove into the centre of VT and picked up people at a bus stop right next to the tourist office, ironically.

We were told there were brochurres ver there. That's it. Felt like very unwelcome intruders invading their permanent break from work.

It is written on the door of the office that the working hours from 01.04. to 31.10. on Saturdays are from 09:00 to 12:00 and from 13:00 to 17:00. We tried to visit the office on Saturday 08.04.2023. at 15:02 and it was closed.

We were a group of 17 French students and we asked the T.I.C. to organise some activities in the old craftsmen street. We were separated in 3 groups, one in an art workshop, an other in a pottery workshop and the last one in a pastry workshop. Those activities were so great. The painter was really nice and taught us some art technics to create nice drawings ! The pottery craftsmen were really nice, he was with his mother and told us about the technics of the pottery and the bulgarian traditions, and finally Samovodska Charshia, the women of the pastry almost gave us tears, she was so nice ! We had really fun with her, we will remember her for a long time ! So much fun in Veliko Tarnovo ! Thank you ! Maison Familiale Rurale de Pontarlier, France.

It's always good idea to visit the centre, you'll find there most up to date information about all currently going events in town.

Very useless, people at the office are not very kind, rather scoffers and they gave us silly advices. Don't go there, unless you want to be in a bad mood for the rest of the day.

You can get here free plan of city and main monuments worth seeing. Staff can describe you where are these places and which bus station you have to chose to go where you want.

It look like a nice place. But they didn’t let us in because they don’t accept payment with card, it would be ok if they said it in a polite way, however, not paying taxes and blaming clients for not having cash isn’t good anywhere anytime. Good luck.

Very nice museum inside an historic building giving an insight into the importance of local craftsmanship. Ticket only €2.5

Nice, but really small

In fact, not just a museum but an authentic old Bulgarian Tryavna house. Well preserved. Wonderful architecture, including interior

A great place to explore the beauty of Bulgarian woodcarving and be amazed by its scale and detail.

Interesting place full of history.

Tryavna is a lovely place to visit and this museum also stands out. There are amazing wood carvings in there, so make sure to check it out if you are into arts.

Stylish old mansion, nicely restored, with a beautiful terrace (stop and enjoy a coffee) and hundreds of years of interesting history and architectural details (check the info board on the entrance wall - it belonged at some point to Constantin Brancoveanu ruler of Wallachia). I liked it more than the other traditional mansions in Arbanassi, which had a more rustic style, unfortunately (with wooden benches, domestic animals, fake waterfalls). Gave 4* only because the waiters move a little slow, but they are polite. Coffee was nice, can pay only cash. 10 Aug 2019

Nice atmosphere, we were here for wedding, food and service was food. We will keep nice memories and definitely come back some time soon.

Don't expect to be noticed here. Waited for 15 minutes for a waitress and when asked if I can have a menu they said they don't serve guests today.

Visit if you are around the area.

Really beautiful atmosphere and surroundings. Food was excellent as well.

Amazing place!

nice

Enjoyed my visit to the monastery and the river. I visited on a Friday and there were some stands selling local produce and crafts. Don’t know if that’s a regular thing. Looking forward to trying the raspberry aine 😁

Tucked away in a gorgeous forest with magnificent views of the surrounding rocks. Small to medium size on the interior. The area has very good energy. It carries stories and footsteps of the Bulgarian rebels and fighters for the liberation from the Ottomans. Well-connected to the Bacho Kiro cave. Hikers can climb up the steep hill above the cave to enjoy more views of the river and gorge.

What a wonderful experience visiting this historical place. Truly breathtaking with pure air. Light a candle in the monastery. Don't miss out visiting this place and make sure you reserve a table at the restaurant because it's well worth it. Loved everything there.

Dryanovo Monastery, nestled in the scenic Balkan Mountains of Bulgaria, is a place of profound historical and spiritual significance. Founded in the 12th century during the Second Bulgarian Empire, the monastery has stood as a symbol of faith, resilience, and national pride. Surrounded by lush forests and perched along the banks of the picturesque Dryanovo River, the monastery offers a serene and tranquil setting for visitors. Its stone walls have witnessed Bulgaria's struggles for independence, particularly during the April Uprising of 1876, when the monastery became a stronghold for revolutionaries. Within its peaceful courtyard, tourists can explore beautiful frescoes, ancient icons, and learn about the rich history that has shaped this sacred place. With its stunning natural surroundings and deep historical roots, Dryanovo Monastery is not just a religious site, but a testament to Bulgaria’s enduring spirit, making it a must-visit destination for those seeking both beauty and history.

beautiful setting in the gorge by the river ....if you are buying anything go to the stalls further inside the complex as the ones nearer the entrance are more expensive for the same products !! The honey is gorgeous .. I highly recommended it 👌

Beautiful and peaceful place. Absolutely recommend. We were there during a weekday and it wasn't busy as much. I will recommend to arrive there earlier, to avoid difficulties with parking.

Monastery is 3 miles away from the city of Dryanovo. Build in 12th century, twice burned by the turks, and finally restored in 1845. Place of intense fighting with turks in bulgarian April 1876 uprising. Beautiful wood carving, frescoes, and old valuables icons inside the church

Yes, a must see. Especially when there is no one else there. Nice walk on the bridge and amazing views.

Although old, this bridge is way better than the new one. Well, for pedestrians at least. Yantra river doesn't look very clean, but is pretty in her own way. Good for photography enthusiasts.

Picturesque wooden bridge, still in use. Worth visiting. Lovers use it to tie locks.

Amazing views of the Yantra River, Tsaravets and many churches. So much wildlife to see, and the restaurant next door is fantastic!

It is located in the most romantic part of the city with a view of the Tsarevets Fort, Trapezitsa Fort, nearby hills, churches and of course the river.

Nice old bridge. View of the river is great though.

Gorgeous place, a must see.

Yes, a lot of stairs, we went up not knowing what we will find and we almost missed it. But we found it and it was lovely and worth the climb. Nice view of Tsaravets.

To much stairs for excellent point of view, but still didn't worth especially in summer day

It was was probably more scenic in the past trees growth has obstructed the view and was disappointed after walking and climbing all those stairs (over400) for that ?

Interesting walk up with more than 300 stairs, but honestly - view doesn’t really worth it - you can’t see much because of trees.

We ended up here after a walk through Sveta Gora Park, it was a little past 9 PM and we discovered that this is the best place probably to watch the Tsarevets Fortress night light show (besides the great view of the city). Amazing experience. We had visited the Fortress that morning but no one told us about the night show or where to watch it from and we thought this is kinda sad cause it's a unique experience. We recommend you go up here at night and try to catch this light show (maybe ask at the Fortress when it's scheduled) , 100% worth going up all these stairs.

Great view, but I dont recommend it because it is not worth with so many stairs... There are other places in VT, where you can get the same or even better views.

If you are going only for the "sky bridge" is a waiste of time. You can take better photo from other places of the city without climbing hundreds of stairs

The view of the surrounding mountains is truly magnificent. The small chapel is currently undergoing renovation, but the beauty of its mural and icons is evident. Overall, the monastery complex appears quite run down. It's very unfortunate that it hasn't been restored.

Near Veliko Tarnovo! ⛪ 🕯️ A very beautiful and powerfully moving place. The church is like a little jewel, the paints are made of natural materials, painted by Zahari Zograf. 🎨 One of the most moving Bulgarian frescoes is also located here - The Wheel of Life.🙆‍♂️ This is the fourth largest monastery in Bulgaria after the Rila, Bachkovo and Troyan monasteries.🙏 If you have a way to Tarnovo, be sure to visit this holy place.✝️.

A lovely, peaceful place with lots of cats. We reached the monasyery by foot, following the marked hiking trail.

There’s no evidence trust this monastery is currently open for visitors. In the middle of a weekday, there was no way to enter any of the buildings. You can see only the exterior. It’s a beautiful spot, and there are some nice murals on the exterior. But I would not recommend even bothering to drive up the access road. If you’re interested in religious art and architecture, there are far more interesting examples in Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanasi.

Worth a short visit. Beautiful setting and fabulous views. It has a rundown feel about it, but the general atmosphere gives you a picture of the past hardships they endured.

Very interesting Monastery. Half collapsed, but the rest is in very good conditions. You can climb the tower with the huge bells 🔔. The chapel is very well kept inside. Beautiful location with great view.

Speechless, this place dates from 1885 it is absolutely breathtaking. The location, the presentation and everything about is amazing. The hard work to maintain is obvious from the minute you arrive, the incredible attention to detail. On my visit today not 1 person paid the 4lv honesty box fee for entering the church, very disrespectful and sad. Don't be selfish leave a donation or at least pay the fee, it's only £1.77 ❤HIDDEN GEM❤

Amazing experience. It’s a must see if you are around. I was very impressed. The stairs could’ve been much better and secured. There is a lot of climbing but there are nice views along the way so it’s worth it. It’s very quiet, we’ve been alone there the whole time.

What an amazing place, it's one of my favorite places in Bulgaria. Such a quiet, peaceful location and a wonderful eco trail! I've been here many times and i still revisit with enthusiasm and pleasure! Tickets are not needed for visiting. There is plenty of parking but too bad that all the locations were closed, it was awkward that all the tables were there, with chairs, tablecloths and everything else but nothing was open.

Superb location. A million years old landscape formation shaped by the water. Can go around up the cascade, climbing on wooden stairs and pass over the canyon. Difficulty level, medium. Needs proper shoes. Very very nice view.

Beautiful location. Very brisk when swimming. Star knocked off because a) it's a bit like a goldfish bowl, not many people were swimming so everyone was just watching me and b) not a whole lot else to do other than this one pool. But deep enough to not touch the bottom at the far edge, so big win for wild swimming.

A beautiful place being ruined by people's negligence and bad behavior. It smelled like a toilet all around and you could see napkins and trash all over the place. Here are two dogs rummaging the trash. Even the nearby nature trail was similarly covered in trash and the smell of human poop.

Hotnitsa Waterfall, also known as Kaya Bunar, is a breathtaking natural gem near Veliko Tarnovo. The 30-meter cascade plunges into a serene emerald pool, surrounded by lush greenery and rugged cliffs. The well-maintained eco-trail, featuring wooden bridges and stone steps, offers an adventurous yet accessible hike with stunning views. It’s an ideal spot for nature lovers, photographers, and those seeking tranquility. A must-visit destination that showcases Bulgaria’s natural beauty at its finest.

The waterfall is very peaceful, the path going on the top is hard. There is not much to see on top, the path is nice!