If you are only familiar with the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria, then believe me, you have not seen everything! We offer a route in Bulgaria for three days. What to expect from such a trip? Yes, everything that the soul of a person tired of the urban race, confusion and haste can only wish for: breathtaking mountains, villages lost in time and space, wine that will plug the best brands from France or Italy into the belt, delicious cheese melting in your mouth, majestic rocky monasteries, where it seems that time has stopped.
Route selection
For the trip, we suggest a direction to the east of Sofia: Veliko Tarnovo - Gabrovo - Kazanlak - Sofia. In three days you will see both the modern capital of the country and the ancient one, visit the city of humor Gabrovo, have time to visit several museums and even conquer Shipka. In order not to depend on the public transport schedule, it is better to rent a car. In addition, there will be sections on the route that cannot be reached by bus.
How to get there
Bulgaria lies at a crossroads, so you can get here by any means of transport. Considering that we have only three days in stock, we choose the most comfortable and fastest way to travel - by plane. The cheapest flights to Sofia are from Aeroflot. Regular flights of S7 airline also fly from Moscow and St. Petersburg. In the summer season (from May to October), several charters are added, which start both from Moscow and from the northern capital, Yekaterinburg, Samara, Perm, Surgut, Ufa and Novosibirsk.
How to get from the airport to the city
Sofia Airport is located quite far from the city. Bus number 84 runs between the airport and the city center and takes passengers to Gurko Street. If there is a lot of luggage, it is better to take a taxi. You should not follow the lead of the local taxi drivers. The fact is that there are two taxi ranks near Sofia airport: the one near the central entrance and one near the side one. At the latter, by the way, taxi drivers "hang out" who will not "raise" prices. In any case, every car (on the windshield and on the side) must have a price tag.
There are three more important things ahead: accommodation in a hotel, rent a car and exchange currency.
Where to stay
There are many hotels - for every taste and budget. A large selection of hostels and budget hotels with three stars "on shoulder straps". Most are located near the most famous landmarks. For those who crave five-star comfort, it makes sense to book hotels in the Vitosha area.
Rent a Car
A car can be rented by anyone who is already 21 years old and has international rights. Car rental for three days will cost 70-100 euros, but this will immediately resolve the issue of moving around the country. Rental offices are located throughout the capital: at the airport, many in the city center, there are rental offices tied to large hotels. In any case, you can discuss all the details in advance by contacting a company representative on the official websites.
Day 1. Sofia - the heart of Bulgaria
When all organizational issues are resolved, the suitcases are safely left in the hotel room, the car is waiting at the door, and finally, a certain amount of levs is on hand, it's time to get acquainted. Let me introduce you, Sofia is the capital city of Bulgaria, one of the oldest cities in Europe. People settled here in the Neolithic era. Much attracted: the Sophia Basin is located in the most comfortable neighborhood with high mountains. Fauna and flora are the richest, the climate is mild, there are hot mineral springs nearby. A sort of European paradise. The city is beautiful, and all the sights can be walked around in three hours.
Temple of Alexander Nevsky
It is best to start the sightseeing tour from the central square named after Alexander Nevsky. It is here that the temple of Alexander Nevsky is located - the pride and symbol of Sofia. The memorial temple is simply huge, the occupied area is over 3 thousand square meters. m. 5 thousand people can bow at the same time!
The entrance to the temple is paid - the price is 50 leva. For an excursion, it is better to take a guide who will tell you a lot of interesting things about the history of the cathedral. Right there, on the square, there is another cult object - the Church of St. Sophia. By the way, the capital was named in her honor.
The temple, like many others in Bulgaria, served as a mosque for a long time. Therefore, the ancient icons and wall paintings have not survived. But the age of the building is impressive - more than 14 centuries!
Unkown soldiers grave
On the square, you can still take a picture near the tomb of the Unknown Soldier, near the grave of the Bulgarian poet Ivan Vazov.
Synodal Chamber
On the other side of the square, the unusual architecture of the Synodal Chamber attracts attention: a kind of mix of Byzantine and Ottoman styles. Nearby - a monument to the Bulgarian militia.
Tourist bus
It is better to travel further from the square by tourist bus. The trip costs BGN 6, for children - BGN 3. In an hour and a half, he will have time to see all the most interesting: the Jami Mosque, the Rotunda of St. George (by the way, the oldest building in the city), the National Art Gallery, located in the former Royal Palace, the Boyana Church with its amazing frescoes, the Archaeological Museum, the Church of St. Petka, the Monument The Soviet Army and a number of sights and museums. Buses run every hour from 10:00 to 16:00.
Vitosha Boulevard
An evening in Sofia can be spent on Vitosha Boulevard - the largest pedestrian street, somewhat reminiscent of the Moscow Arbat. There are practically no cars here, but what is in abundance is cafes, bars, restaurants and boutiques. A real paradise for shopaholics, because the prices are ridiculous.
1 day route on the map
Day 2. Veliko Tarnovo - the ancient Bulgarian capital
How to get there
From Sofia we go along the E79 highway. We start from the boulevard "Botevgradsko shosse", past the airport we go to the highway "Hemus". Veliko Tarnovo is 221 km away, which will take about three hours.
Veliko Tarnovo is an unusual, unique city, a city of kings and a city of poets, small enough to be cozy and spacious enough to become a tourist Mecca. In terms of the cultural component and the abundance of interesting sights, the city, perhaps, even surpasses Sofia.
People come to Veliko Tarnovo for its historical monuments and nightclubs. This is a city that never sleeps, but at the same time retains a truly patriarchal way of life and a kind of medieval charm.
Where to stay
Arriving in Veliko Tarnovo, we go to the hotel, where we will spend the night. Experienced tourists advise the Laki (or Lucky) hotel. It stands on the bank of a cliff, from where a wonderful panorama of the main attraction of the city - Tsarevets fortress opens. But its most important advantage is that you can watch the show "Light and Sound" from the room. Prices are not high, service is decent, rooms with shower, refrigerator, free Wi-Fi. Most importantly, there is free parking. If you don't want to risk it, rooms can be booked in advance on the hotel's website.
Light lunch at the hotel - and onward, get to know the ancient capital of Bulgaria.
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Fortress Tsarevets
The pride and symbol of Veliko Tarnovo. Located on the hill of the same name. Entrance fee is 6 leva. The fortress is open to the public from 8.00 to 19.00 hours.
Church of Saints Peter and Paul
Then we go down to the bottom of the hill. There are two churches here - one more beautiful than the other: the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, in which the ancient decoration has been preserved, and the Church of the Forty Martyrs, built in the 13th century.
Nearby there is a new tourist facility, the Multimedia Center "Tsarevgrad Tarnov".To visit the center, the Church of Peter and Paul and the Church of Ivan Rilski, it is more profitable to purchase a combined ticket, which will cost 12 leva per adult. Children under 7 years old - free.
House-Museum of the Sarafins
From here we go to General Gurko Street. There is a house-museum of the Sarafins, a charming ethnographic museum, where you can learn a lot of interesting things about the life of the Bulgarians of the last century. Entrance fee is 6 leva.
Hotel "Mehana Gurko"
Here, on the street Gurko, there is a hotel "Mehana Gurko", where you can dine. First, the dishes are delicious and the prices are quite affordable. Secondly, a stunning view of the gorge, the monument and houses on the other side opens up.
Archaeological Museum
From Gurko Street it is convenient to move to Ivanka Botev Street and visit the Archaeological Museum. The museum itself is located in a picturesque building, and among the exhibits there are many art objects and archaeological finds dating back to the Neolithic era. The entrance fee is 6 leva. Guide services and photography permission are charged separately.
Bazaar of Samovodska
The excursion can be completed at the Samovodskoy bazaar. This is a kind of street with cobbled paths, snow-white houses and a bunch of souvenir shops.
Inn of Khoja Nicoli
Another street that attracts attention is Rakovski, a real craft center of the old town. Surrounded by numerous workshops, there is the Khoja Nicoli inn, which gives an idea of the decoration of the eastern caravanserais. The famous “house with a monkey” is also located nearby, which was nicknamed by the locals for the funny figure on the facade.
Show on Tsarevets Hill
Satisfied with impressions, we return to the hotel. It is better to plan a visit to Veliko Tarnovo by the weekend, as these days a grandiose laser show is held on Tsarevets Hill. If you stay at the Lucky Hotel, you can see everything right from your room, or you can buy tickets and watch the play of light, color and sound up close.
Route 2 days on the map
Day 3. Capital of humor, Shipka and Rose Valley
We leave Veliko Tarnovo along the E85 highway. There are several objects along the way: Dryanovo Monastery, Bacho Kiro Cave, Gabrovo, the city of craftsmen Etyr, Shipka and Kazanlak with its famous Rose Museum. To the final point of the path, Kazanlak - 91 km. Considering that part of the way will pass along a winding mountain serpentine, we count on the travel time with a margin.
Stop 1. Dryanovo Monastery
The monastery was built in 1187. Throughout its history, it was rebuilt several times, but much has survived from time immemorial. Attention is drawn to the octagonal bell tower, a charming garden and a park around the main buildings. After passing the park, through the gate we go to the river and the Bacho Kiro cave - one of the main attractions of the place.
There are two options here: an independent walk through the cave (a short way in 20 minutes) or a long-term guided tour with all the bonuses. The second option is 50-60 minutes.
The cave is peculiar. Even on a short route, underground halls with bizarre stalactites and stalagmites, stone streaks, echoes, passages leading somewhere into darkness are impressive. The names of the halls are interesting: Concert Hall, Purgatory.
Stop 2. Yetyr - open-air artisans museum
It was created especially for tourists. On a huge territory there are about 50 objects: these are reconstructed houses, to the smallest detail recreate the way of artisans, water mills, unique craft workshops. Here you can buy unique silver items. The architectural complex is open daily from 9.00 to 18.00 (in winter - until 16.00). Entrance - 4 levs. For families with children, you can purchase a common family ticket for 8 leva.
Stop 3. Gabrovo - the capital of Bulgarian humor
You should definitely visit the House of Humor and Satire (as many as six floors of delight and laughter), take pictures near the sculptures of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza and buy a book with anecdotes. From April to October, the museum is open seven days a week. Entrance - 3 levs.
Stop 4. Shipka
The defense of the Shipka Pass is the most important event in the Russian-Turkish war. In memory of the heroic feat of the soldiers of the Russian army, who helped the Bulgarians in the struggle against the Turks, a whole park-museum is now open on Shipka. In the center is the Freedom Monument, with a huge stone lion near the entrance.
The memorial itself resembles a truncated pyramid. On the upper floors, there are numerous expositions of the museum, and from the upper platform a stunning panorama of the surroundings opens up. Admission fee: for adults - 2 BGN. There are excursions in Russian. Interesting historical objects are located nearby: restored dugouts, fortifications, batteries and positions of soldiers-liberators.
You can also look into the Church of the Nativity of Christ, built in the spirit of Russian architecture of the 17th century. The walls of the temple are decorated with marble slabs, on which the names of the heroes who defended the Shipka Pass are carved. After enjoying the beauty of the surroundings, you can go down to the track and dine at a local cafe. The food is delicious, the portions are huge, the prices are reasonable.
Stop 5. Kazanlak - the city of roses and kings
From Shipka to the city of Kazanlak - about 14 km. If we talk about this Bulgarian city, it is enough to mention two names: the Valley of Roses and the Valley of the Thracian Kings. The first one is attractive in late May, early June, when the surrounding area is literally drowning in the delightful aroma of blossoming rose buds. At the same time, the Rose Festival is also held - one of the most incredible beauty and spectacle events in Europe.
If you arrive at another time, do not rush to despair. You can visit the Rose Museum, where they will tell you in detail about the production of rose oil and will tell you amazing details about the “queen of flowers”. Finally, they will give rose petals and buds.
The museum is open to visitors from April 20 to October 31. Accessible from November to March by appointment. Entrance - 3 leva, excursion 15 leva. If you have time, be sure to check out Tulbeto Park in the northeastern part of the city. The famous Thracian tomb is located here - the only monument of painting of the early Hellenic era in the country. The tomb is included in the UNESCO list as a monument of world importance.
From Kazanlak to Sofia, if you go along the E-871 highway through Karlovo and Sopot, only 194 km. The road is almost straight. In 3 hours you will be back in the capital of Bulgaria.
Route 3 days on the map
I also recommend reading interesting information and an overview - Ski resorts in Bulgaria, Holidays in Bulgaria with children.
