Day Trip: Sofia – Veliko Tarnovo and Etar Complex

Visit the old Bulgarian capital Veliko Tarnovo on a day tour from Sofia and the most interesting Open air ethnographic museum in the country

Good to Know

Duration of the Tour: The Day tour to Veliko Tarnovo from Sofia is usually very long because the total driving time is around 6-7 hours. You will be in Sofia at the late afternoon.
Comfortable Footwear: This tour includes walking tours around historical sites such as the Tsarevets Fortress and the Etar Complex, so comfortable shoes are recommended. Expect cobblestone paths and uneven terrain.
Weather Considerations: The tour operates year-round. During summer months, be sure to bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses as it can get warm, while winter visits may require warmer clothes.
Local Crafts and Souvenirs: The Etar Complex offers a unique opportunity to buy handmade crafts directly from artisans, so consider bringing cash for souvenirs as card payments might not be available at all shops.
Meals and Refreshments: There will be opportunities to stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Traditional Bulgarian cuisine is served in both Veliko Tarnovo and the Etar Complex area. Snacks and water are recommended, especially during summer.

Details about Veliko Tarnovo

Veliko Turnovo, huddled in the initial folds of the Balkan mountains, lures with its scenery and charm of old houses and streets. The Yantra river winds by, and can be seen from the town’s most picturesque Gurko Street which leads visitors past olden time houses with unique architecture, with plenty of pots of scented flowers by the windows, and restaurants which offer delicious meals together with a view of the monument and the art gallery.

Veliko Turnovo is a university town. The Saints Cyril and Methodius University and the Vassil Levski Military University attract students from the whole country. But there is also a whole bouquet of sights. They literally dot the whole area of the old town. The Nativity Cathedral, the Tsarevets castle and Trapezitsa fortress, a number of old buildings built by eminent masters and turned into museums await everyone who appreciates learning about ancient history in picturesque settings.

Details about Arbanasi

The village of Arbanasi, 5 kilometers away from Veliko Turnovo, lies on a high plateau dividing the city from the town of Gorna Oryahovitsa which is an important railway station. The whole village is an architectural and museum reserve and ranks among the 100 most important Bulgarian sites which should be visited. According to legend, refugees from Albania settled there and gave it the name it bears now.

The Arbanasi site has existed since the epoch of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom. Then, Turnovo was the capital, and the tsars minted coins in Arbanasi. Cattle and silk worms breeding formed the livelihood of the residents. Trading was among the livelihood ways, too, as well as diverse crafts. Thus in the 17^th century Arbanasi rose in importance as a trading site. The merchants’ houses dating from then resemble small fortresses. However, inside they are opulent and colorful, with woodcarving, plaster decorations, etc.