Things to do & places to visit in Veliko Tarnovo Province, Bulgaria

Veliko Tarnovo Province #6 destination in Bulgaria 2023. The average rating score is 4.40 based on 3.119 traveler reviews, of 50 attractions. Timezone: Europe/Sofia, current date and time: Wednesday, May 08, 2024, 3:28.

Veliko Tarnovo Province Weather Statistics view more »

General weather summary in May

72°F - 51°F

Temperature Highs - Lows

Mildly cool with a gentle breeze

Feels like

31%

Chance of rain

141.0 millimeters

Amount

10.1 mph

Wind speed

65%

Humidity

14.6

Daylight length

5:55 AM

Sunrise

8:32 PM

Sunset

49%

Cloud cover

Sweater

What to wear

Top things to do (27)

Top destinations in Veliko Tarnovo Province 50

See more 38 destinations »

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Museum of illusions Veliko Tarnovo (25 reviews) from $8.24
- Amazing fun in the heart of the city
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums • Science Museums • Children's Museums

The Museum of illusions turns the notions of reality and shakes the confidence in one's own eyes! A memorable meeting of science and entertainment in 500 square meters awaits you at the most amazing museum. We have prepared over 90 illusions, both optical and physical, that will take you to a new world: holograms, 3D paintings, an inverted room, an Ames room.... Come and see how illusions happen! See more..
5.0 Wolf Den Velchevo (16 reviews)
- A great night out!
Wednesday: Spent More than 3 hours Bars & Clubs

We are a public bar. Newly built includes a English pool table shipped over from UK, dart board, and outdoor courtyard with fountain and toilet block, beer garden. serving a variety of Bulgarian and English drinks and crisps. Live music See more..
5.0 Yalovo Winery (7 reviews)
- Amazing Wine Experience!
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Wineries & Vineyards

It was amazing wine experience! Owner has a big knowledge about wines and all wine business. We could try few very good ones (also local ones). Place has amazing design too and I recommend visit here to all wine lovers! Cheers from Poland See more..
5.0 Ponderosa bulgaria pony trekking (2 reviews)
- One hour ride
Horseback Riding Tours

The Ponderosa is nestled away in the friendly & traditional village of Obedinenie on the outskirts of Polski Trambesh town and only a 25 minute drive from the bustling city of Veliko Tarnovo. The Ponderosa offers guided rides on Western & English trained horses to suit you, the rides are tailored so that you can get feel of freedom on horseback across miles of beautiful & tranquil scenery. See more..
5.0 Panoramic Squar (2 reviews)
- The best views in town
Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks • Lookouts

This terrace is one of the best spots for the greatest views in Veliko Tărnovo. It’s very comfy, clean and a fantastic stop over for break, lunch or even glass of wine in the evenings. I really enjoy stopping there when exploring the city and hold my breath every time when watching the beauty around from this place. See more..
5.0 Architectural Complex Daskalolivnitsata (1 review)
- Beautiful place
Wednesday: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings

The best attraction in Elena. It is a beautiful area with traditional houses where the visitor will experience the authentic and typical Bulgaria. Recommend to visit it in autumn. If you are in Elena, do not miss it. See more..
5.0 Zarapovo Honey House (1 review)
- Great Place
Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality & Gift Shops

Here you can buy real row organic bee honey from local farmers. They have several types of honey including from lime tree and acacia. Тhe farmer can show you the bee farms and hives and explain you a lot about them if you know Bulgarian or Russian language. Also very close to one of the bee farms has beautiful scenic walking area named Zarapovo with beautiful waterfalls and pedestrian wooden bridges. See more..
4.5 Tsarevets (1.376 reviews) from $8.56
- Well-Preserved Medieval Fortress!
Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins • Castles • Military Bases & Facilities

Dating to the 12th century, this strategic fortress is one of two highly fortified hills (Trapezitza being the other) that protected Bulgarian rulers living on the site in the tsar’s palace. See more..
4.5 Asen's Monument (281 reviews)
- A reminder of what Bulgarians truly are
Monuments & Statues

This monument makes me feel a proud Bulgarian! A reminder how glorious and great Bulgarians were in the past. The monument itself can be seen from various spots in Veliko Tărnovo. Going to the actual ground could be a bit tricky as you have to walk all around the Main Street and more. We read interesting facts about the idea and the whole process of making it. It could be refreshed due to weather conditions. There were rubbish around on the day we visited, so council needs to take a better care of the area and keep it clean regularly. There is a cafe in the gallery near by, but we didn’t stop as we went early in the morning and wanted to explore more places. It’s free attraction to visit, so you could pop in early in the morning or late in the afternoon. See more..
4.5 Samovodska Charshiya Complex (228 reviews)
- A place full of Bulgarian traditions
Points of Interest & Landmarks

This is one of the jewels that must visit in Veliko Tărnovo. There is so much to see and do. Realistically, it’s just a another street in this beautiful city, but what a street. I tried kadaif from one of the small workshops and it was so so delicious. It’s very colourful place, flowers, goods, beautifully pained buildings and so on. See more..
4.5 Chiesa della Nativita (202 reviews)
- Memorable visit including a stunning acapella choral performance .
Churches & Cathedrals

We visited as part of a group tour with a Danube river cruise. Lovely church to visit with several entrance porches which used to be the point where women would need to halt to view the service from afar! It was a very interesting visit and quite beautiful with such a lot of history. We were able to perch on the miserichord seats around the outside of the nave and enjoyed the performance of accapella chanting from a small and hugely talented group of performers,(angelic voices), it was really quite moving. So pleased they had a CD on offer to buy as a memento. Even without this special performance it would have been worth a visit for the beautiful decoration. See more..
4.5 Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration of God (144 reviews)
- What an enchanted place!
Spent < 1 hour Religious Sites

It’s a short drive out of Veliko Tarnovo and its impressive fresoes have been recently restored, proving endless joy to the eyes and the soul. No admission, but donations are always welcome. The surrounding hills will make your trip even more pleasant. See more..
4.5 St. Peter and Paul Church (67 reviews)
- A hidden gem among Turnovo's churches
Art Galleries • Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites

Historic church withfresco murals from the 14th to 17th centuries See more..
4.5 Ulitsa General Gurko (49 reviews)
- A Monastic Retreat Extrordinaire
Historic Walking Areas

According to Google Maps this is called Ulitsa Sveti Nicola 14. Our guide took us up the winding mountain path to the monastic retreat used by monks in times when it was unsafe to be found by the local invaders. Here they could practice their devotions in safety. See more..
4.5 Church of Saints Archangels Michael and Gabriel (44 reviews)
- Silence
Churches & Cathedrals

Silence and divinity for human soul. Is nice to visit this Bulgarian church and feel the orthodox spirit. See more..
4.5 Emen Waterfall and Canyon (38 reviews)
- Perfect place
Spent 1-2 hours Canyons • Waterfalls

The canyon is not as huge as one could expect, but it has everything one might wish: breathtaking views, a narrow path on the verge of a cliff, a bat-filled cave, and a gorgeous waterfall at its very end. Be prepared that the trail is not in a good state. Also avoid using the bridges, as they need work. The waterfall could be reached without crossing a single bridge, so just avoid them. See more..
4.5 Hadji Nikoli Inn Museum Art Gallery (33 reviews)
- Unique architectural complex of the late Renaissance era
Spent 1-2 hours Art Museums • History Museums

Unique architectural complex of the era of the late Renaissance. Case is found up master builder Kolyu Ficheto. Hadji Nikoli inn was built by order of the rich trader and fighter for independent Bulgarian church Hadji Nikoli Minchev. Today there is a restaurant and rooms with exposures. See more..
4.5 Kaya Bunar (24 reviews)
- Wonderful
Wednesday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent More than 3 hours Waterfalls

This waterfall is probably the most beautiful I have ever seen. Of course best time to see it is in spring when it is full of water. It's easily accessible by car and not far from Veliko Tarnovo, so if you are in town, you should deffinetely combine it with the nearby monastery- Transfiguration monastery, or only the waterfall. Above the waterfall there is an eco trail that is moderately difficult. See more..
4.5 Historical Museum (7 reviews)
- museum of bulgarian history
Speciality Museums

Very good positioned just on the way from the center of Veliko Tranovo to the fortress. Very interested to visit. See more..
4.5 Museum of Prison (5 reviews)
- Bulgarian must visit place
Speciality Museums

I have been to other prisons converted into museums all over the world, but this one made me feel different. This is a reminder of those dark times when Bulgarians gave their lives for our freedom! The hair on my body stood on end! Reading about all those awful things happened to them, made me feel sad and upset, but also I bowed a head to their heroism. This is a place that every Bulgarian must see! Yes, it is not the beautiful museum with the greatest stories, but it is a place of sorrow. See more..
4.5 The Plakovo Monastery St Prophet Elias (3 reviews)
- Уединенное место для души.
Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Religious Sites

Маленький указатель. Никаких туристических объектов поблизости. Навстречу нам вышел настоятель отец Гервасий. Показал отреставрированную церковь, мы поставили там свечки. Сказал, что церковь помогла отреставрировать женщина из Москвы. Показал место, где они (видимо он не один там живет) обедают. Помещение с низким потолком и камином в человеческий рост. Впечатлило. Монастырь реально очень старый, из камня. Очень тихо и далеким отголоском реки. See more..
4.0 Konstantsalieva House (123 reviews)
- Interesting Museum
Speciality Museums

This is a Balkan House that offers excellent insight showing life from a particular period of history in this part of Bulgaria. See more..
4.0 Forty Martyrs Church (88 reviews)
- Rather a museum than a church nowadays
Religious Sites • Churches & Cathedrals

Just a part of the original walls of this old church, which was built in the 13th century by the order of king Ivan Asen II, remain. Nowadays it is rather a museum than a church where the graves of king Kaloyan, king Ivan Asen II and his wife, and St Sava, the patron saint of Serbia, can be seen. Later the relics of St Sava were returned to Serbia. Very important are the 3 columns used as pillars in the nave of the church - one with an inscription from Khan Omurtag, one from Ivan Asen II and a column from the border fortress Rodosto from the times of Khan Krum. In this church, in 1908, the independence of Bulgaria was proclaimed. A free parking is close to the entrance and we paid a fee of 6 leva (3.10 €) for a family of three. See more..
4.0 Nicopolis ad Istrum (71 reviews)
- Ruins of great Romanian city
Ancient Ruins

Nicopolis ad Istrum was a Roman town founded by Emperor Trajan around 106 in memory of his victory over the Dacians. All you can see there is authentic and it's really impressive. The route from big rocks, columns.. And it's easy to go there : from Veliko Tarnovo to Ruse it's about 20km, you turn for village Nikup ("Никюп"). I strongly recommend the destination. If you visit Veliko Tarnovo, you should go there. See more..
4.0 Multimedia Visitor Centre Tsarevgrad Tarnov (35 reviews)
- Realistic scenery of the 2nd Bulgarian Kingdom
Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums • History Museums

Very realistic scenery and figures. You feel like you are back in the medieval era and you can observe the life of the king, the aristocrats and the typical workers. The museum was built in 2013, is very affordable (10 lv for an adult) and provides information in different languages. If you want you can watch also some movies (total 40 mins in Bulgarian language with English subtitles) for different handcrafts (blacksmith, iconographer, pottery and stone construction). The walk through the museum itself will take you approx. 40 mins) See more..
4.0 Ethnographic Museum (23 reviews)
- Also see Konstantsalieva House reviews
Spent < 1 hour Speciality Museums • History Museums

This is the same museum as Konstantsalieva House, so check out reviews there as well. Overall, an interesting visit, as long as you have a tour guide to point out and explain. Definitely a well-to-do merchant since this home had an indoor kitchen, indoor toilet, and ceramic fireplaces. See more..
4.0 Trapezitsa Fortress (19 reviews)
- A place with a beautiful views
Historic Sites

Unfortunately, the difficult road, you have to climb a lot until you reach the church from the top of the hill where the fortress is located. However, once here, you can admire the landscape, and the paintings in the church suggest a different vision of the Orthodox faith. See more..
4.0 Patriarchal Cathedral of the Holy Ascension of God (16 reviews)
- Unique
Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks • Religious Sites

The paintings in this cathedral are unique and apparently quite controversial. They are different from what we're used to seeing in orthodox churches and I've enjoyed them very much, but I was later told - to my absolute surprise - that the style is called "communist realism". Anyway, the church is definitely worth a visit. See more..
4.0 Roman legionary base Novae (14 reviews)
- Good start, but needs more improvements
Spent 1-2 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks

I heard a lot about this place and finally I found time to visit it; I was a bit disappointed...it says free entrance on the website and when we went there I found there was a charge from 5levs; its overpriced for what you can see; it would be more interesting during the demonstrations and festival in summer time, bit not now; it would be great if there are some digital presentations, some bins and water facilities; I found the information centre empty and the only person around was the security who collected the entrance fee; at least the car park is big enough; near by you can visit the Pametnicite area and reach Dunabe river; overall nice place, but needs improvements See more..
4.0 Park Sveta Gora (12 reviews)
- a nice walk to take on a sunny day
Spent More than 3 hours Parks

It makes sense for a nice walk to take on a sunny day and take some marvellous pictures-there is plenty to see and do there! See more..