Veliko Tarnovo
Eastern Europe and the Balkans · Bulgaria
Did you know?
- Boliarka beer takes its name from a medieval noble title.
- The Old Town wraps around a major bend in the Yantra River.
- Tsarevets Fortress contains royal and patriarchal palace remains.
See also
Overview
Veliko Tarnovo's Old Town climbs steep hillsides around a bend in the Yantra River. Traditional houses spread across the hills of Tsarevets, Trapezitsa and Sveta Gora.
Languages: Bulgarian
Why go?
Veliko Tarnovo was the capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire (1185-1396), and the partially restored Tsarevets Fortress with its royal and patriarchal palaces remains the city's main sight. The Old Town is built on steep hillsides around a major bend in the Yantra River, with traditional renaissance houses scattered across three hills: Tsarevets, Trapezitsa, and Sveta Gora. As a university town of about 66,000 residents, it combines historical depth with a lively nightlife propelled by students from one of Bulgaria's largest universities.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Getting there
The train station is awkwardly located in the outskirts due to mountainous terrain; taxis are needed to reach the center (most Bulgarian taxis do not accept credit cards). The Railway Ticket Bureau at 19 Stefan Stambolov Str in the Old Town sells international train tickets (cash only, open M-F 08:00-12:00, 13:00-16:45), and advance domestic reservations are also available there. Nearby Arbanassi is reachable by taxi for about 3-4 лв.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Getting around
The city divides into Old Town (hills around the Yantra, where most museums and tourist attractions concentrate) and the New Town (flatter western area, mostly residential). The old town feels more cramped due to the natural choke point created by the river. Local buses 10, 12, 14, 70, and 110 connect the Prevotzi Zapad (West) Bus Station to the center.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
When to go
Veliko Tarnovo is a year-round destination. Summer brings open-air concerts at the Beaux Arts Museum and the Melon Live Music Club. Cycling conditions are generally good around the city, though roads can be hilly.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Where to stay
Accommodation ranges from budget hostels to 4-star hotels. Hostel Mostel offers dorms from 20 лв per person with free breakfast and evening local beer; Hiker's Hostel charges 20 лв per person with free pickup and fortress views. Mid-range options include Guesthouse Diel at 60 лв for two persons including breakfast, or the Rooster Hostel at €10 with artist-decorated rooms overlooking the valley.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Food and drink
Local cuisine shines at Malkia Inter (Ivan Vazov 22 sr), run by a friendly family with musical instrument decor. Shtastliveca (79 Stefan Stambolov St) serves Bulgarian dishes with Yantra River views. The Hadji Nikoli Inn (19 G.S. Rakovski St, Samovodska Charshia) occupies a beautifully renovated old inn with homemade wine. Boliarka beer, produced by the local Boliarka Company, is the regional brew named after the medieval Bulgarian noble title.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Things to do
Tsarevets Fortress, the medieval stronghold of the Second Bulgarian Empire (1185-1393), offers spectacular town and river views from its walls and the climbable Baldwin Tower. Free walking tours depart daily at 11:00 from the Tourist Information Center (ul. Hristo Botev 5). Cycling day trips to Preobruzhenie Monastery (5 km northwest) or Arbanassi are popular. Bulgarian language lessons with qualified PhD tutors are available at the school near the outdoor market.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Stay safe
With common sense and respect for locals, Veliko Tarnovo is a safe destination. The friendly student town has welcoming people and low violent crime rates.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Budget tips
Backpackers can manage on 40-60 лв per day: dorm beds from 20 лв, simple meals from 3-5 лв, local beer from 2-3 лв. Most hostels include free breakfast, and Hostel Mostel adds a free evening meal and beer. Cash is essential for train tickets and most local purchases.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Day trips
Arbanassi village sits 4 km away on a hilltop (taxi about 3-4 лв) with traditional houses and churches. Preobruzhenie Monastery is 5 km northwest and reachable by cycling. Gabrovo to the southwest offers the Museum of Humor, historic sites, and shopping. Devetashka Cave near Pleven costs a few leva to enter but requires navigating poor country roads. Plovdiv buses pass the abandoned Buzludzha monument.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Go next
From Veliko Tarnovo, buses to Ruse (border with Romania, 11 лв, 8 daily from Prevotzi Zapad Bus Station) continue to Bucharest. Trains connect via Gorna Oryahovitsa junction on BDZ Line 4 (Ruse-Kardzhali). The Hemus Motorway (A2) runs east-west through the area, and roads lead to Tryavna, Gabrovo, and Stara Zagora.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Field guide adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0. Text has been adapted and organized for this guide. About our sources.
Places to know
A few starting points from the guide. Check current hours and prices before you go.
- sleep
Camping Veliko Tarnovo
A great campsite with free Wifi, newly fitted showerblock, fully equipped laundry, tents for rent, sports and leisure facilities, cafe/bar/shop on site. The owners, Nick & Nicky will try to help you with anything you need. You can even get your hair cut on site. Collection service available from Veliko Turnovo.
Recorded price: Pitches from €8
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Guesthouse Diel
Mid range prices by Bulgarian standards, but still cheap. Stay a great small guesthouse (a family business) with very good rooms and have a great breakfast in the garden in the morning. In the same building is an English school for children located, so you might see them or hear the lovely sounds of children who are having a good time. In a few steps you are from the main street. Excellent quality at very affordable prices. The hosts speak Bulgarian, English and Russian. Call for bookings or search the well-known hotel booking sites.
Recorded price: 60 лв for 2 persons in a room with bathroom incl. breakfast
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Hiker's Hostel
Beds from 20 лв per person. Good quiet but central location and lovely view of the fortress. Free pickup service and very helpful English speaking staff. Free internet, Wi-Fi, breakfast.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Hostel Mostel
20 лв per person per night for a dorm, 30 лв per person per night for a double en-suite room. Free Internet access and Wi-Fi, free breakfast, and a free light meal and a local beer at night. Very friendly staff, who will do anything for you. Good value day trips available. Can organise tours to various attractions around VT including the infamous Buzludzha monument.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Hostel Pashov
About 30 лв for twin room (3 rooms available). Friendly owner with free transport to and from the station.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Hotel Gurko
A very traditional style hotel with a popular restaurant and good quality rooms. Can be a little bit noisy and rooms over the reception and restaurant should be avoided by light sleepers.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Rooster Hostel
A lovely hostel which has been decorated by a well known Bulgarian interior designer: full of art works and with beautifully decorated rooms. There is a common room and a reasonably well equipped kitchen. Four shared bathrooms. It is immaculately clean and the family running it are really helpful with information and directions. Budget prices even for single/double rooms. The front rooms downstairs look over the town and valley, and upstairs the rooms are attic rooms but very spacious.
Recorded price: €10
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Studio
Just a bit more expensive than some other hotels but there is a difference. Excellent roof bar provides a good view of the light show (when it happens). Good breakfast and there is a restaurant. Decor is a bit dark and quirky and may not be to everyone's taste. Boutique fare all the way.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
Before you go
Accommodation
Hostel dorms from 20 лв per person with free breakfast at Hostel Mostel and Hiker's Hostel. Mid-range guesthouses like Diel at 60 лв for two persons including breakfast.
Culture
Pronunciation: TURN-ovo (hard R), not Tahr-novo. Nickname: 'City of the Tsars'. 'Veliko' (Great) added in 1965 to distinguish from Malko Tarnovo.
Food
Local Bulgarian cuisine at Hadji Nikoli Inn and Shtastliveca. Boliarka beer is the regional brew from the local Boliarka Company.
Money
Cash only for international train tickets at the Railway Ticket Bureau. Most Bulgarian taxis do not accept credit cards. Local currency is Bulgarian lev (лв).
Nightlife
Melon Live Music Club hosts concerts around 11pm (3 лв); summer open-air concerts at the Beaux Arts Museum.
Transport
Prevotzi Zapad (West) Bus Station is 1 km west of center; local buses 10, 12, 14, 70, 110 connect to center. Eight buses daily to Ruse starting at 07:00.