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Bulgaria · Central Bulgaria

Veliko Tarnovo & the Balkan Mountains

📷 Veliko_Tarnovo,_2009_July_2.JPG : Ximonic , Simo Räsänen derivative work: Jjtkk · GFDL · Wikimedia Commons

The medieval tsars’ capital on its river loops, revival-era villages and the Valley of Roses.

Veliko Tarnovo, capital of the medieval Bulgarian tsars, climbs the gorge of the Yantra with the walls of Tsarevets on the hill opposite. The villages of the Balkan range behind it — Arbanasi, Tryavna with its woodcarvers — keep their National Revival houses, and south of the pass lies Kazanlak in the Valley of Roses, with Thracian tombs and the rose harvest in late May.

Known for

  • Budget
  • History
  • Small towns & old towns
  • Mountain biking
Travel guide on Wikivoyage ↗

Best time to visit

The best months for Veliko Tarnovo & the Balkan Mountains are May, June, September and October.

Suggested route

6 nights across 3 stops. Jourimo adjusts it to the length of your trip.

  1. 1Veliko Tarnovo · 3 nights
  2. 2Tryavna · 2 nights
  3. 3Kazanlak · 1 night