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15 TOP THINGS to do in Veliko Tarnovo

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    Bulgaria is a fantastic country to visit offering its visitors a great holiday. As a long list of best places in Veliko Tarnovo to see awaits you, the city will undoubtedly entice and enchant you.

    And in this Veliko Tarnovo blog I’ll share with you some of my top things to do in Veliko Tarnovo.

    In my opinion, 4 days in Veliko Tarnovo is good time to see the best that city has to offer. But if you can spare couple of days more that’s even better, you can take the sights more slowly. Here are the best things to see in Veliko Tarnovo along with a list of the most interesting things to do in Veliko Tarnovo:

    1. Tsarevets

    Tsarevets

    Offering fantastic views of the area, Tsarevets are the remains of an old fort perched atop a cliff.

    You can follow the hiking trail which leads to this old fort. Not much to see actually only the foundation stones lying bare in this historic fort ruin.

    Quick Facts:

    • The fort ruins was built somewhere around 12th-century.

    Address: Tsar Asen Square, 5000 Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

    2. Holy Forty Martyrs Church

    Holy Forty Martyrs Church

    A beautiful addition to city’s architecture, Holy Forty Martyrs Church is a house of christian worship located in Veliko Tarnovo.

    As this is a sacred location, anyone who want to enter are advised to cover their knees and shoulders. The Oratory has a plethora of sculptures as well as a variety of exquisite frescoes.

    Quick Facts:

    • The church was built somewhere around 664.
    • Some of the notable people who are buried here include Saint Sava, Kaloyan of Bulgaria, Omurtag of Bulgaria.
    • The church belongs to the Orthodox faith, but is visited by others too.

    A natural crowd puller, Holy Forty Martyrs Church is right up there in the list of best things to do in Veliko Tarnovo.

    Address: Tsar Asen Square, 5000 Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

    3. Transfiguration Monastery

    Transfiguration Monastery

    You can see monks walking around in their traditional dress. Chants not only vibrate through the chambers of the monastery but through your body.

    Quick Facts:

    • Easy to get to Transfiguration Monastery is located in the Yantra River and housed in the Dervent gorge.
    • The monastery stretches for about seven kilometres in length.
    • The monastery belongs to the Orthodox faith, but is visited by others too.

    Address: 5031 Преображенски манастир, Bulgaria

    4. Sarafkinata Kashta Museum

    Sarafkinata Kashta Museum

    Sarafkinata Kashta Museum is an interesting museum located in the Veliko Tarnovo city.
    Without a doubt this wonderful museum is one amongst the top things to do in Veliko Tarnovo.

    Address: Tsar Asen Square, 5000 Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria Independence Day might affect these hours

    5. Baldwin’s Tower

    Baldwin’s Tower

    Baldwin’s Tower is a tall tower soaring high on the skyline of Veliko Tarnovo city.
    Quick Facts:

    • The tower was built somewhere around 1930.0.

    Address: Tsar Asen Square, 5000 Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

    6. Monument of Mother Bulgaria

    Monument of Mother Bulgaria

    Monument of Mother Bulgaria is a heart-felt monument located in Veliko Tarnovo.
    With so much to offer, no wonder Monument of Mother Bulgaria is one of the top things to do in Veliko Tarnovo.

    Address: Tsar Asen Square, 5000 Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

    7. Museum ‘Konstantsaliev house’

    Museum ‘Konstantsaliev house’

    Museum ‘Konstantsaliev house’ is a house turned museum established in the honor of Bulgaria’s one of the top cultural icons.

    This house museum is an excellent place to learn more about the person and his works. And even if are clueless about the person, you can still appreciate the magnificent house and its garden.

    Address: Tsar Asen Square, 5000 Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

    8. Church of St Demetrius of Thessaloniki

    Church of St Demetrius of Thessaloniki

    Church of St Demetrius of Thessaloniki, the centuries old landmark, is considered to be one of Veliko Tarnovo’s most gorgeous churches.

    There is so much beauty in this church, from the front facade to the interior that it’s hard to choose a favorite. The church’s walls and ceilings are covered with intricate frescoes, and it features works by some of the well-known painters of the time.

    Quick Facts:

    • The church was opened on 1185.
    • The church belongs to the Orthodox faith, but is visited by others too.

    Address: ul. ‘Tsar Ivan Shishman’, 5000 g.k. Asenov, Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

    9. Samovodska Charshia market

    Samovodska Charshia market

    Located in the central Veliko Tarnovo, the Samovodska Charshia market is one of the most popular marketplace in the city.

    Be careful in the crowds, there is a risk of pickpockets here. It makes for a great spot for taking pictures.

    Add it to your Veliko Tarnovo trip if you have time.

    Address: Tsar Asen Square, 5000 Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

    10. Church of Saints Peter and Paul

    Church of Saints Peter and Paul

    Don’t forget to pay a visit to Church of Saints Peter and Paul, which is regarded to be one of Veliko Tarnovo’s most beautiful churches.

    There is a cemetry on the church grounds, quite peaceful to walk around. A donation at the entrance is optional but encouraged, since it will go towards the preservation of this piece of history.

    Quick Facts:

    • The church was built somewhere around 13th-century.
    • The church is located at the Tsarevets hill’s northern slopes.
    • The church belongs to the Orthodox faith, but is visited by others too.

    Address: ул. Митрополска, 5000 g.k. Asenov, Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

    11. State Art Gallery ‘Boris Denev’

    State Art Gallery ‘Boris Denev’

    State Art Gallery ‘Boris Denev’ is an art gallery with an impressive set of collection.
    If you have time, it makes for a nice addition to your Veliko Tarnovo trip.

    Address: Tsar Asen Square, 5000 Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

    12. Patriarchal Monastery of the Holy Trinity

    Patriarchal Monastery of the Holy Trinity

    Patriarchal Monastery of the Holy Trinity is a religious complex founded centuries ago.

    If possible attend one of the monastic choir concerts, which will have a lasting impression on you. Beautiful frescoes and simplistic decorations adorn the sanctuary’s walls, depicting biblical and other Christian scenes in vivid detail.

    Quick Facts:

    • The christian monastery was built somewhere around mid-20th century.
    • The christian monastery belongs to the Orthodox faith, but is visited by others too.

    Address: Saint Trinity Monastery, 5040, Bulgaria

    13. Regional History Museum

    Regional History Museum

    Regional History Museum is a museum in Veliko Tarnovo documenting in details the region’s cultural history.

    .

    If you have time, it makes for a nice addition to your Veliko Tarnovo trip.

    Address: Veliko Tarnovo, N.Pikolo St 6, Bulgaria

    14. Devicheski Manastir SV.Nikola

    Devicheski Manastir SV.Nikola

    Devicheski Manastir SV.Nikola, one of city’s medieval church, is one of the city’s many architectural gems.

    The cemetry has got quite a few notable person buried. A special feature of the basilica is its high altar and ceiling, which are both decorated with beautiful artwork.

    Address: ul. ‘Sveti Nikola’ 11, 5029 Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

    15. Waterval van Hotnitsa

    Waterval van Hotnitsa

    Located amidst nature, Waterval van Hotnitsa is a small but beautiful waterfall.

    The sound of gushing water, the chirps of the birds has quite an soothing effect on you. With so much greenery around, being at Waterval van Hotnitsa means being one with nature.

    If you have time, it makes for a nice addition to your Veliko Tarnovo trip.

    But beyond the famous attractions in Veliko Tarnovo, there is something that pulls you back again and again, perhaps it’s the city’s charm. In this Veliko Tarnovo travel blog post, I have listed not just what to see in Veliko Tarnovo but also what to do.

    And it’s not difficult to create an itinerary that includes some of the best tourist attractions in Veliko Tarnovo. So what are Veliko Tarnovo sights to see or you have already been here? Let me know in the comments along with your tips and experiences.

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