Things to Do in Veliko Tarnovo: Travel Guide

There are plenty of things to do in Veliko Tarnovo, including some impressive attractions. Veliko Tarnovo is a historic town to visit in central Bulgaria. The city is on the Yantra River, which snakes through the historical sites.

Veliko Tarnovo was the capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire; thus, it was an important city during the Middle Ages. The city has many historic sights, including the Tsarevets Fortress, the Patriarchal Cathedral, and the St Forty Martyrs’ Church. You can also visit other churches and historic buildings.

Best Things to Do in Veliko Tarnovo

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For first-time visitors, the best things to do in Veliko Tarnovo include exploring Tsarevets Fortress, visiting the Patriarchal Cathedral, seeing St Forty Martyrs’ Church and taking the funicular up to Trapezitsa Fortress. The city is also good for walks beside the Yantra River, visiting Samovodska Charshiya and enjoying local food.

Throughout the town, there are various maps to help you find popular places of interest.

Medieval Attractions

Tsarevets Fortress

One of the most popular places in Veliko Tarnovo is Tsarevets Fortress, a massive site to explore. You get to see the fortification, towers and some buildings of the fortress.

The fortification was the Second Bulgarian Empire’s primary fortress and its strongest bulwark between 1185 and 1393. During those times, it housed the royal and patriarchal palaces. They often compare the original fortress with Rome and Constantinople in their splendour. In 1393, the Ottomans besieged the fortress for 3 months and finally conquered the Bulgarian Empire.

Patriarchal Cathedral

Ascension Cathedral, or the Patriarchal Cathedral of the Holy Ascension, is a cathedral on the top of the hill inside Tsarevets Fortress. There have been churches on the site for centuries, the first dating back to the 5th-6th century. Construction of the current building started in the late 11th century.

When I visited Ascension Cathedral in the fortress, the interior decor pleasantly surprised me. The walls were like nothing I have ever seen before.

St Forty Martyrs’ Church

Down by the river between the city’s two fortresses is St Forty Martyrs’ Church. St Forty Martyrs’ Church is a beautiful building to visit with a decorative interior, interesting history and quiet gardens. This is an Orthodox church they constructed in 1230. The building is an elongated six-columned basilica.

The church is home to some of the Bulgarian Empire’s most significant historical records. You can see these carved into columns inside the church. The church also has frescoes that survived the Ottomans’ conversion of it into a mosque. Also, the site has been used as a burial ground for Bulgarian emperors and nobility, including Kaloyan, the Tsar of Bulgaria.

Trapezitsa Fortress

The 2nd fortress in Veliko Tarnovo, Trapezitsa Fortress, is a 30-minute walk from the centre and sits atop a hilltop. From the visitor centre, a funicular takes you up the hill.

There have been fortified settlements on the hill since 4000 BC. However, the most significant era in the history of Trapezitsa Fortress was the 12th century. They built the main fortifications during the 2nd Bulgarian Empire. On the site, you can visit restored fortifications, church ruins and other buildings.

Shishman’s Bath

If you’re near the footbridge and St Forty Martyrs’ Church, visit Shishman’s Bath. These are the ruins of medieval baths. Archaeologists believed these were from the 2nd Bulgarian Kingdom and named them after the last king before the Ottomans invaded. The site is free to enter and has some tourist information boards about its vague history.

Prison Museum

For something a bit different, I visited the prison museum, which started life in the 19th century. This is a three-storey building, with all three floors historically used for detention.

The museum tells the stories of how people, including freedom fighters, were imprisoned. The museum has artefacts used to restrain prisoners, and the rooms were pretty dark and must have been an unpleasant place to be held.

Church of Saint Demetrius of Salonica

Down by the river, on the wooden footbridge, is the Church of Saint Demetrius of Salonica. It’s a nice church to see from above, from the bridge and up close. Sadly, this was closed during my visit. This is a medieval Orthodox church, and its location has some fascinating history. This includes the church as the site where the anti-Byzantine uprising led by Asen and Peter was proclaimed in 1185. They have replaced the church many times, most recently in 1985.

Views and Walks

Hike in The Local Countryside

Hiking options in the city and nearby countryside include by the river, around the fortresses and in the picturesque Sveta Gora Park.

You can find hiking suggestions on Komoot.com. I enjoyed a few walks, including one in the valley between the two fortresses and another to find the intriguing Yantra Beach.

Yantra Beach

Yantra Beach appealed because it was unique and seemed like a place to relax and enjoy the river views.

It is a 15-minute downhill walk from the prison museum I visited. The beach is pretty basic, with wooden pallets turned into seats and sand. However, the water looked too fast to swim in.

Panorama Point Yantra Bend

If you like views and are walking through Veliko Tarnovo, then look up Panorama Point Yantra Bend. It’s a public walkway that overlooks the river’s horseshoe bend below. You can find it on Ul. Stefan Stambolov.

The view below is scenic, including the river, the Monument to the Assen Dynasty, the bridge and the State Art Gallery Boris Denev. There are also restaurants on this stretch of the road with tables with the same view. However, this is free.

Monument to the Assen Dynasty

Near the State Art Gallery is the large monument to the Assen Dynasty. This is a wonderful monument to see when visiting, and it’s good to see at all times of day, especially at sunset.

They dedicated the monument to the Assen kings: Assen, Peter, Kaloyan and Ivan Asen II. They built the monument in 1985 to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the rebellion. The statue has the 4 kings surrounding a sword, which symbolises the power of Medieval Bulgaria.

Vladishki Bridge

The views from the bridge are lovely, and there’s also a small country pub at the end of the bridge for refreshments.

The Vladishki Bridge is also known as the Bishop’s Bridge and has a history dating back to 1774. The bridge has stone foundations and a wooden walkway. Vladishki Bridge used to have guardhouses at the eastern end, with customs rooms below them.

Panoramic Terrace

On the main street, in the city, is a panoramic terrace. I really enjoyed the views of the river and the river monuments from here. As a bonus, there is historic street art and places to sit here.

Marno Pole Park

Marno Pole Park has flower beds, statues and fountains. There are loads of places to sit in the park, which is also flanked by a choice of cafes.

It was near the pet shop for our visit, and we got dog food from there. The park is often used to host events, including the Christmas bazaar, concerts, the summer theatre and the folklore festival.

Night Walks

The key places of interest are usually nicely lit up at night and look great. The dark alleyways and side streets add an eerie nature to walking after dark. I enjoyed a few most nights; however, the highlight was the viewpoints near the fortresses.

Monument of Mother Bulgaria

The Monument of Mother Bulgaria is in a small park, which was handy for walking Henry. They built this to commemorate those who lost their lives in the Serbo-Bulgarian War in 1885.

Old Town, Churches and Museums

Ethnographic Complex – Samovodska Charshiya

Ethnographic Complex, or Samovodska Charshiya, is a street lined with old buildings housing shops selling crafts from bygone eras. This is an ideal area to pick up a souvenir or handmade goods.

The street is cobbled, and most of the buildings are Renaissance-style from the 19th century. There are also a few options for refreshments here, including a bakery, coffee shops and a hipster bar.

The Nativity of Mary Cathedral

Another impressive sight to visit is the Nativity of Mary Cathedral, which stands out on the city’s skyline. It is free to visit; however, they don’t allow photographs inside. They have lovely grounds, and to the rear of the church is a viewpoint.

It’s a unique Orthodox church they built between 1842 and 1848. The distinctive domes and the archways near the entrance impressed me.

They don’t allow photographs inside the church. However, the artwork at the entrance highlights what to expect inside.

State Art Gallery: Boris Denev

On the horseshoe bend of the river near the Monument to the Assen Dynasty is the State Art Gallery Boris Denev. They built the building to look like a medieval temple; however, it was built in 1931. Inside is an art gallery to visit.

Mini-Bulgaria

Another fun attraction is visiting Mini-Bulgaria, which features models of Bulgaria’s key sites.

Church of Saints Constantine and Helena

On a little side alley from the main road through the town centre, there is the Church of Saints Constantine and Helena. It’s a unique building that looks in need of some love; however, its churchyard is a relaxing place to sit and avoid the sun. They built the church in 1872/1873, and hopefully it gets restored.

St Nikolay Church

St Nikolay Church is a short walk uphill from Samovodska Bazaar and easy to find. The entrance door has carvings and frescoes. The Church dates back to 1836 and features interesting design elements. This includes a circular apse, wooden ceilings, beautiful stones outside, and carved details on the doors and windows.

Wine Tasting Centre

A fun thing to do if you enjoy wines is to visit the Wine Tasting Centre in the old town of Veliko Tarnovo. They have a range of Bulgarian wines to try; the first sample is free. They offer tasting sessions with 3 or 5 wines.

Veliko Tarnovo Travel Guide

Eat Out

You can find a selection of bars and restaurants in Veliko Tarnovo, most of which serve Bulgarian cuisine. As a bonus, the city’s hilly terrain means there are restaurants with a view.

Using Public Transport in Veliko Tarnovo

To reach Veliko Tarnovo, we travelled by train, and the railway station is a 25-minute walk from the town centre. The city is hilly, and if you’re short on time, the local bus service passes near most of the sites on the edges of town.

Buses are simple to use; you hop on, and a conductor comes to collect your payment. To find the best bus to use, I found the Moovit app very reliable. I’m glad I discovered Moovit here, as I think it’s very useful and covers things Google Maps doesn’t show.

Where to Stay in Veliko Tarnovo?

Veliko Tarnovo is a tourist town, so it has plenty of accommodation options, from backpacker hostels to more luxurious hotels and apartments. We found plenty of dog-friendly places to stay on Booking.com, but opted for the cheapest good-looking option, Hotel Premier.

Hotel Premier

We stayed 5 nights in Hotel Premier, which is in central Veliko Tarnovo and within walking distance of the major tourist attractions. The hotel was clean and had everything we needed. They were dog-friendly; however, Hotel Premier charged extra for dog guests.

As well as a comfy room, the price included a breakfast buffet. This had an excellent selection of options, including coffee, juices, cereal, meats and cheeses. They also have a free swimming pool and a health spa offering a variety of additional services.

Some of the rooms at the hotel have views of the town, including the fortress on the hill.

Shopping

Central Cooperative Market

I enjoy visiting local markets, so I popped into Central Cooperative Market just outside the town centre. It has a range of fresh fruit, vegetables and pickled goods to choose from.

Shopping Mall

During my visit, I needed new shorts and thus headed to Mall Veliko Tarnovo. They had options for clothing stores; however, LC Waikiki won my custom. The shopping mall also has cafes and restaurants. This was slightly out of town but easy to get to on the number 5 bus.

Is Veliko Tarnovo Worth Visiting?

Veliko Tarnovo is well worth visiting and offers fantastic attractions. The beautiful town has enough to keep visitors engaged for days with many things to do. The surrounding countryside is also picturesque and suitable for a hike. There is also a selection of places to dine out with delicious Bulgarian cuisine. Overall, it was one of my favourite places to visit in Bulgaria because of its medieval history.