Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi Day Trip: Explore Bulgarian History and Architecture
4.5
10 Ratings
Sofia

Set off on this all-day small group excursion to Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi, led by an expert guide. You’ll have the opportunity to explore the lifestyle of Bulgarian traders and artisans, along with enjoying picturesque architectural reserves. This tour is suitable for individuals aged 6 years and above.

Duration: 11 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral - Departure at 07:00 from the parking behind the main entrance of Alexander Nevski Cathedral, in front of LaCattedrale restaurant.
  • Veliko Tarnovo - Veliko Tyrnovo is a trap, which will teleport you back in time, to make you a spectator of the rise and fall of the mighty capital of the Second Bulgarian kingdom (12-14 century). By walking on the winding cobble streets, you will learn and feel how its proud population lived under the Turkish oppression, developing fabulous architectural masterpieces and established cohesive and powerful craftsmen’s guild. The legends and stories, the interesting history and picturesque location of Arbanassi and Veliko Tyrnovo had gained them numerous fanatical admirers in Bulgaria and abroad, making the region a top tourist attraction on the Balkans.
    The tour includes the most important sights: Tsarevets architectural and museum reserve (medieval stronghold), Samovodskata charshia (lively craftmen’s street), Assens’ monument.
  • Arbanasi - The museum village of Arbanassi - famous for its 17th and 18th architecture and the unique Church of the Nativity of Christ, with well-preserved murals depicting over 2000 Old and New Testament scenes.
  • St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral - Arrival back at the starting point of the tour at approximately 19:30
What's Included
  • Professional guide
  • Transport by air-conditioned minivan
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Information
  • Wear comfortable shoes for walking on cobbled streets
  • It is recommended that you bring sun lotion, sun glasses and a hat
  • Minimum age is 6 years
Location
Aleksandar Nevski Square
From the car park in front of La Cattedrale restaurant, at the south-east corner of Alexander Nevski Square
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.5
(10 Ratings)
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1 star
Nilintentum_reliquit
May 13, 2024
3 perfect day tours with this professional company. - Excellent schedule, communications, and comfort. Special shout out to engaging Martin (Plovdiv), passionate Hristo (Rila), super helpful Petar, and my favourite, the informative and super lovely Maria (Veliko). Thank you
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mariamj9814og
Sep 8, 2023
PRIVATE TOUR FOR MIHAILOV FAMILY WITH RADI - We had a very pleasant 5 day tour with Radi. He was very pleasant, helpful, knowledgeable and polite. He told us many interesting stories along the journey. We would recomend Radi and Traventuria without hesitation to anyone who wants a professional and fun tour of Bulgaria! Thank You Radi!!!!! From Mihailov Family
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Agam_p
May 4, 2023
Great price and worth a visit - Amazing experience, interesting history and culture. Fortresses beautiful and alot of great walking throughout the tour.
Review provided by Viator
Alfonsina888
Sep 30, 2020
Veliko Ternovo - We had the opportunity to travel with a great guide, Lubo, who has the sensibility, wisdom and amability to take us through the beauties of Bulgaria. We had a great moment and we would definitely recommend it, overall now during the pandemic, cause it is almost empty and you can find yourself alone watching the fresques of Arbanasi's church. We highly recommend them. Thank you Lubo !
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jo
Sep 8, 2019
Interesting - This was a very interesting and enjoyable tour that I absolutely recommend. There are many steps to climb the castle in Velike Tornovo, so it is advisable to jave good shoes. Driving time to Velike Tornovo is roughly 2h 45 minutes. Most interesting to me was the church in Arbanassi with its beautiful freskos.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
James_h
Apr 21, 2019
Great day out - All good but felt at times we were expected to stop at shops and do shopping. I don't go on holiday to go souvenir hunting and would rather spend the time sightseeing
Review provided by Viator
Tserilin23
Jun 6, 2018
Veliko Tarnovo is my favorite! - It was surprising that Traventuria didn't cancel this tour despite having only me as its guest on 19-May. I am sure they didn't make a profit on this tour, but kept their commitment. Veliko Tarnovo is an awesome place of culture and history. Todor - the guide - came on time at the meeting place, was courteous, humble, knowledgeable, and thoughtful. The restaurant where he brought me for lunch served superb food. He added a side trip to Saeva Dupka cave at the end of the tour. It was amazing. Two thumbs' up!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Barbara
May 8, 2018
Good way to visit Bulgaria - We booked two tours, one for Monastery of Rila and the other one for Veliko Tarnovo,stunning places. Rila is breathtaking:the mountain,the river and the orthodox church are gorgeus.The Veliko Tarnovo tour was a very surprise. The landscape is spectacular and the little centre is lovely you fan see crafts doing their masterpieces. Remarkable is the Nativity Church at Arbanasi:one of the most beautiful church I've ever seen.About Tranventuria we appreciated their punctuality and kindness.They are very friendly and thanks to them we were able to see different places not so easy to get to by public transport..Special thanks to Lyubo for his patience and his fondness and Pavel, the driver:very nice person.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Stay56602566728
Aug 10, 2023
Very awkward experience - We booked 3 tours. Two of them (Rila monastery & Boyana church and Plovdiv with Koprivshtitsa) were absolutely amazing. Thanks to the great drivers Peter and Marin and our great guide Maria Maneva. She made us love Bulgaria and we learnt a lot about its history and traditions. She knows so much, she even sang a song for us and taught us to dance. We had two great days with Maria as our guide. We really hope her enthusiasm is rewarded. The third tour was on Monday the 7th of August to Veliko Tarnovo. The city is very nice and the fortress is impressive. Unfortunately we had a man (with long dark hair) with a name Svet as our guide. It seemed that he didn't like his job. When we met him at the cathedral, he didn't even introduce himself. There were only 4 people in our group so we drove in a small car. While driving Svet didn't say a word. NOT A WORD in 3 hours! It was the most awkward experience we have ever had during the tours. He didn't tell a lot about Veliko Tarnovo. In fact, he couldnt answer simple questions (like: what is this statue we stopped to look at?) with more than reading the available signs. He was really more a driver than a guide. On the way back he finally started to talk, but not about Bulgaria. He talked about his personal ideas and conspiracy theories about Covid, ruining the Chinese economy, etc. It was brought up during the day that the freemasons and illuminati control the world. Awkward, uncomfortable, irritating. Not what we paid for when we wanted to learn about Bulgaria. It was our first tour in Bulgaria with Traventuria and we were so disappointed that we were going to cancel the other two tours. Luckily we didn't do it. Because the next day Maria saved the image and reputation of Traventuria.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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