Veliko Tarnovo – the medieval capital of the Second Bulgarian State, centrally located in Bulgaria, 220 km from Sofia. After the Liberation, the Constituent Assembly was held in the city, at which the first Bulgarian constitution was adopted. The city has preserved the atmosphere of one of the greatest cities in Bulgaria. In Veliko Tarnovo you can see many sights, attractions and pleasant places: old houses, several museums, old fountains and churches. Tsarevets Fortress is the brightest and most popular landmark. You can also enjoy the wonderful show “Sound and Light”, which includes light effects accompanied by original music and tells about the history of Bulgaria.
Near the city is another historical reserve, the village of Arbanasi, whose houses are famous throughout the country for their remarkable architecture, and The Transfiguration Monastery, which is among the largest Bulgarian monasteries. It is believed to have been founded in the 11th century.
Pick up: tour can start from any address in Sofia.
Tour Duration: 8 to 10 hours. Depends on the number of stops and time spent at attractions.
Price: from €200 for a group for up to 4 people. Will vary depending on your chosen vehicle type, number of passengers. Price you can check in the table below.
Accepted payment methods: cash.
All our tours are individual. It means you are travelling in your company without other people. Thus, you can independently choose the route, how much time to spend in one place or another, where and when to make a stop to refresh and have lunch.
You can check our feedback on GOOGLE and TRIPADVISOR.
Why to book day tour to Veliko Tarnovo – Arbanasi with Iksam:
Private tour
Flexible routePick up/drop off from your addressFixed price
Cash/online paymentNo prepaymentFree cancellation
Prices for day trip to Veliko Tarnovo – Arbanasi
| From: | up to 4: | up to 6: |
|---|---|---|
| from Sofia | 200 € | 250 € |
| from Burgas | 180 € | 230 € |
Price for day tour to Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanasi:
includes:
- Chosen vehicle with a driver
- Baby seats if required
- VAT, fuel, paid parking
- Good mood and a lot of impressions
not include:
- Entry tickets
- Food, drinks
- Personal expenses
- Tips
About Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanasi:
Veliko Tarnovo
“And as I look at this incredible, impossible city, I think that before me stands a vision, a deception for the eyes!”
Ivan Vazov
The city of Veliko Tarnovo is located in Northern Bulgaria. It is located along the river Yantra. During the Middle Ages, it was called Tarnovgrad, gradually becoming known as Tarnovo. On July 27, 1965, “Great” was added in front of it in honor of the city’s former glory. Thanks to its rich cultural and historical heritage, Veliko Tarnovo is an important tourist center. Veliko Tarnovo is located on several hills. Tsarevets, Trapezitsa and Momina fortress hills were the main centers of kings and boyars during the Second Bulgarian State.
If you stay in Veliko Tarnovo until nightfall, you may witness a spectacular light show with bell ringing, fireworks and music. The performance tells about the history of Bulgaria. You can see the upcoming dates and prices here.
Tsarevets Fortress
The Tsarevets fortress is located on an extremely picturesque rocky hill surrounded by the Yantra river winding at its foot. The high rock crown is reinforced with towers and fortress walls with a thickness of 2.5 – 3.5 m. The brightest and most popular landmark in the old capital city. The medieval citadel is a symbol of the power of the Bulgarian state in the period 1185-1393. During this period, the royal palace was built here, it was built with residential and administrative buildings and surrounded by massive fortress walls. The medieval town was rebuilt in 1981 in honor of the 1300th anniversary of the establishment of the Bulgarian state. The rulers of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom lived on the top of Tsarevets. And on the opposite side of the Trapezitsa hill were the houses of the boyars and high clergy. Trapezitsa fortress was second in importance, after Tsarevets. In the northern part of Tsarevets is “Lobna skala”, overhanging a deep chasm. That is where the traitors and enemies came from. It is believed that Baldwin of Flanders – the Latin emperor – also flew from the rock. At the very top of the hill and the fortress is the patriarchate, on the walls of which the Bulgarian medieval history is depicted on the inside. Opening hours and ticket prices can be seen here.
Arbanasi Architectural Reserve
The village of Arbanasi is one of the most picturesque old settlements in the country. It is located on the rocky plateau of the same name, which is 4 kilometers northeast of Veliko Tarnovo. With the unique Revival architecture from the 16th-17th centuries, 144 houses, churches and monasteries with rich architecture and interior decoration, wall painting and carvings have been preserved today as a heritage. These unique monuments of historical importance attract tourists from all over the world.
The fortress houses make an impression with their appearance and high stone fences, which contrast with the pretty courtyards. The ceilings, doors, furniture and windows are richly decorated with wood carvings, the walls are decorated with plaster elements painted with flowers. There are 80 preserved houses in Arbanasi, of which 36 are national cultural monuments. Two of the most interesting are the house-museums – Kostanzalieva and Hadjiilieva.
Preobrazhensky Monastery (Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration of God)
“Preobrazhensky Monastery” or “Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration of God” is active, male. It is located about 7 kilometers from Veliko Tarnovo, and hiking trails lead to it. It is located in a very beautiful panoramic location with high towering cliffs above it.
The Transfiguration Monastery was built in the 11th century as a metoch. In 1360, during the reign of Tsar Ivan Alexander, it received autonomy. It was completely destroyed during the Turkish slavery. It was rebuilt in several stages in the period 1825-1882.
The frescoes in the church were painted in 1849-1851 by Zachary Zograf. On the south wall of the church he depicted the famous “Wheel of Life”. And inside he decorated it with traditional biblical scenes and images of Bulgarian saints. In the women’s ward, Zachary Zograf painted one of his most beautiful self-portraits. Kolyo Ficheto also built a belfry with seven bells, part of the residential buildings and the main entrance. Some of these buildings were destroyed by rock slides.