Medieval Bulgaria - Private Tour - Basarbovo, Arbanasi, Veliko

Embark on a private tour of Veliko Tarnovo, the medieval capital of Bulgaria. Discover unique landmarks, immerse in the rich culture, and indulge in local cuisine. Book now!

Duration: 11 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • St. Dimitrii of Basarbovo Monastery - It was established by Hesychast monks during the period of the second Bulgarian Empire (1185-1396).
    The monastery got its name from St. Dimitrii Basarbovski, a hermit that spent his entire life at these rocks. The legend says that after Basarbovski died, his body was brought to Bucharest, and as soon as his remains got there, people stopped dying from the plague.
    He got canonised, and his relics can still be found in the Metropolitan Church in Bucharest today.
  • Arbanasi - It is known for the rich history and large number of historical monuments, such as 17th- and 18th-century churches and examples of Bulgarian National Revival architecture, which have turned it into a popular tourist destination.
  • Konstantsalieva House - The Konstantsalieva house, on one of the main roads through the village, originally built in the 17th century, has been beautifully restored in National Revival style. It reflects not only the wealth of the owners but also the attention to detail and the quality craftsmanship of that time. In a style typical for Arbanassi, the two storey house is set in a large yard surrounded by a high stone wall.
  • Tsarevets - Tsarevets is a medieval stronghold located on a hill with the same name in Veliko Tarnovo in northern Bulgaria. Tsarevets it served as the Second Bulgarian Empire’s primary fortress and strongest bulwark between 1185 and 1393, housing the royal and the patriarchal palaces, and it is also a popular tourist attraction.
  • Veliko Tarnovo - Often referred as the “City of the Tsars”, Veliko Tarnovo is famously known as the historical capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, attracting many tourists with its unique architecture.
    The old part of the town is situated on three hills, Tsarevets, Trapezitsa, and Sveta Gora, rising amidst the meanders of the Yantra.
  • Samovodska Charshiya Complex - Street with souvenirs and handicrafts
What's Included
  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off service
  • Private transportation for your comfort
  • Air-conditioned vehicles
  • Expert English-speaking tour guide
What's Not Included
  • Lunck
  • Entry/Admission - Basarbovo Monastery - 2€ per adult - Cash only
  • Entry/Admission - Tsarevets Fortress 5€ per adult - card
  • Entry/Admission - Konstantsalieva House 5€ per adult - card
Additional Information

This private tour takes you to some of the most unique and beautiful places in Bulgaria. From the majestic Basarbovo Monastery to the imposing Tsarevets Fortress, from the stunning Veliko Tarnovo to the picturesque Arbanasi, this tour offers something truly special. You will experience the unique culture, history, and architecture of each of these locations and get a chance to explore the beautiful Bulgarian countryside. Along the way, you will also get to sample some of the local cuisine and get a chance to interact with the friendly locals. This is an experience unlike any other, and one that you will never forget. So join us and explore the wonders of Bulgaria!

  • Passport is required to cross the border into Bulgaria.
Location
St. Dimitrii of Basarbovo Monastery
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.7
(50 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
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1 star
Terry_c
Aug 10, 2024
Best Bulgarian day trip - Bogdan was our driver and guide for this trip. He arrived on time to pick us up from our hotel and welcomed us with a bottle of water each and a snack. He was very knowledgeable and friendly. He made us very at ease as he chatted to us about Romania and its history as we drove to the Bulgarian border. We quickly got over and then went to our first stop which was the monastry and the caves. This was beautiful and peaceful. Next we went to the historic village and again got a glimpse into Bulgarian life in the past. For our last stop Bogdan took is to a restaurant where we had a delicious lunch and look round the Old Town. Bogdan deserves the highest praise as a driver and guide. He really looked after us and made this as wonderful experience of Bulgaria. It was worth the money paying for the private tour.
Review provided by Viator
Terryc493
Aug 10, 2024
Best Bulgarian day trip - Bogdan was our driver and guide for this trip. He arrived on time to pick us up from our hotel and welcomed us with a bottle of water each and a snack. He was very knowledgeable and friendly. He made us very at ease as he chatted to us about Romania and its history as we drove to the Bulgarian border. We quickly got over and then went to our first stop which was the monastry and the caves. This was beautiful and peaceful. Next we went to the historic village and again got a glimpse into Bulgarian life in the past. For our last stop Bogdan took is to a restaurant where we had a delicious lunch and look round the Old Town. Bogdan deserves the highest praise as a driver and guide. He really looked after us and made this as wonderful experience of Bulgaria. It was worth the money paying for the private tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Carmen_m
Jun 24, 2024
Day Trip to Bulgaria - I recommend this tour. We enjoyed our day trip into Bulgaria. Having a private tour made it very nice. I had read reviews that complained about the distance but I found the ride very interesting. Our guide was knowledgeable and full of information. He was a safe and courteous driver. It’s a great way to get a quick visit in Bulgaria.
Review provided by Viator
Freedom61121366722
May 27, 2024
Excellent Day Trip - Bogdan was a very informtative, kind guide. The areas we visited were beautiful and very historically significant. I recommend this day trip if you’re in Bucharest and want to experience something off the beaten path.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jimtroccoli
May 8, 2024
Great trio - Ali did a fantastic job as tour guide and conversationalist. Stops we well worth it and exceeded our expectations
Review provided by Viator
Hectorhu7447zj
Mar 29, 2024
unique experience in Bulgaria with Bogdan - It was an excellent tour. My tour guide Mr. Bogdan was very friendly and helpful at all time.. and he also explained the history of each place I visited very well. I recommend taking this tour My name is Hector from México
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pilar_g
Mar 26, 2024
Great one day tour to Bulgaria - Very enjoyable day tour. Sebastian was our tour guide and he was excellent. He was very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions regarding Romania and Bulgaria. He’s also a good driver and a fun person to be around. We had a great experience.
Review provided by Viator
Natalia_b
Dec 25, 2023
Dont miss this while in bucurest! - Our experience was amazing! Our tour guide, Radu, is such full of knoledge and history about all over the world! But of course he enphazised the history of Bulgária and Romênia! Such a great experience! The places we visited were a lesson in history, beside being really beautiful. We strongly recommend this trip to anyone!
Review provided by Viator
Frank_m
May 22, 2024
An interesting tour made... - An interesting tour made considerably more enjoyable by the very knowledgeable guide Velarica who is clearly very passionate about his work and provided great insights to the places we visited
Review provided by Viator
Boiwanderer
Mar 13, 2024
Medieval majesty - You cram a lot of great things into one day trip. Alin my guide for the day was excellent. A nice chap with lots of historical and local knowledge. The contrasts between Barsabovo Monastery and Tsarevets was fascinating! Food with a view in Arbanasi was special also, a great trip.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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September 2024
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