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Day Trip from Plovdiv to
Veliko Tarnovo & Etar Complex

Travel back in time into Bulgarian history

  • A tour suitable for all season
  • Private and comfortable transportation
  • Pick-up/Drop off from your hotel in Plovdiv

Price: 290 EUR (1-3 people) | 410 EUR (4-7 people)

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This day trip from Plovdiv will bring you back in time through the history of the Bulgarian state. First we will drive through the beautiful mountain pass where the biggest battle during the liberation war was held, on the Shipka peak. From there we will visit the Etar Architectural-Ethnographic Complex, which presents the Bulgarian customs, culture and craftsmanship. Our last stop will be the old Bulgarian capital during the Second Bulgarian Kingdom and one of the most amazing cities in the Balkans, gathered the atmosphere of an entire era – Veliko Tarnovo.

Tour Details

Total Distance: 400 km.
Tour Duration: Full Day
Best period: All year
Price: 290 EUR (1-3 people) | 410 EUR (4-7 people)
Transportation: Private Transfer
Tour Type: Historical, Cultural

Highlights

Visit the Shipka Pass – the place where it happened the largest and most important battle during the Russo-Turkish War (During the winter the pass might be closed due to snowfall)
Pass through the impressive Russian church, located in the mountains
Know more about Bulgarian arts and crafts by visiting the Etar Architectural-Ethnographic Complex
Visiting the old Bulgarian capital – Veliko Tarnovo and the medieval Tsarevets fortress

Aerial view of Tsarevets Fortress in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria, showing the stone cathedral with a blue dome and bell tower, surrounded by greenery and ruins.
Private tours in Bulgaira
Private Guide Bulgaria
Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
Aerial view of Tsarevets Fortress in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria, showing the stone cathedral with a blue dome and bell tower, surrounded by greenery and ruins.
Private tours in Bulgaira
Private Guide Bulgaria
Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

Includes

Licensed tour guide/driver
Private Transportation
All transportation costs along the route, fuel, VAT, and parking fees
Pickup and drop off from your hotel in Plovdiv

Excludes

Food and Drinks: Meals and beverages are not included in the tour price.
Tips and Gratuities: While optional, tipping is greatly appreciated. Offering a gratuity is a thoughtful way to thank your guide for their expertise and hospitality.
Entrance Fees: Admission to Etar complex and Tsarevets fortress depends on group size and can be paid on arrival.
Personal Expenses: Any additional personal costs, such as souvenirs or extra snacks, are not covered.

Benefits

Pick-up/ Drop off from your hotel in Plovdiv
Friendly English-speaking tour guide/driver who is knowledgeable about the local culture, history, and attractions.
Private transportation
Personalized attention, ensuring that all your questions are answered and your needs are met throughout the tour.
Opportunity for spontaneous stops, whether it’s for photos, local snacks, or additional sights, giving you a unique and memorable experience.
Opportunity to stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Traditional Bulgarian cuisine is served in both Veliko Tarnovo and the Etar Complex area.

Good to Know

Duration of the Tour: The day tour to Veliko Tarnovo from Plovdiv usually takes longer because the total driving time is around 6-7 hours. You will be back in Plovdiv in the late afternoon.
Comfortable Footwear: This trip includes walking tours around historical sites such as the Tsarevets Fortress and the Etar Complex, so we recommend wearing comfortable shoes. Expect cobblestone paths and uneven terrain.
Weather Considerations: The tour operates year-round. During the summer months, be sure to bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses as it can get warm, while winter visits may require warmer clothes. The Shipka Pass may be closed in winter due to snowfall, in which case the driver will take an alternate route.
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.

Detailed program for the day trip

Pick up from any location in Plovdiv in the morning (8:00-9:00)
Transfer to Etar Ethnographic complex vis Shipka pass (3 hours)
Free time to explore the landmark and the Bulgarian craft shops
Stop for lunch in a traditional restaurant (optional)
Transfer to Veliko Tarnovo (40 min)
Visit the Tsarevets fortress and the craft street in Veliko Tarnovo
Transfer back to Plovdiv (3 hours)
Drop off at your hotel in Plovdiv

More About Veliko Tarnovo

Veliko Turnovo has gathered centuries of history. Despite its small size, with a population of just about 69,000 people, it attracts thousands of enthusiastic tourists because of its numerous and precious sights. There are many churches, among which the Saints Forty Martyrs, a renovated church by the Yantra River. On the way to it, visitors can go into the Tsarevets fortress, marvel at the complex built to revive past periods and show the grandeur of old times. You will also see the remains of the Baldwin Tower where, according to legend, the captured Latin emperor Baldwin died.

The town’s guardian is Saint Patriarch Euthymius, a Bulgarian patriarch whose statue can be seen rising near the building of the University, on the Sveta Gora hill. The university, named after the Saints Cyril and Methodius, is the second-largest Bulgarian university.

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