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Northern Bulgaria from Bucharest-Veliko Tarnovo, Shumen OR Lovech

3 Reviews 5.00 out of 5 stars Based on 3 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor |
Recommended by 100% of reviewers
100% of reviewers gave this experience a rating of 4 or higher.
| Bucharest, Romania
Book online or call us

from $154.98 per person

Lowest Price Guarantee
Northern Bulgaria from Bucharest-Veliko Tarnovo, Shumen OR Lovech Image 1
Northern Bulgaria from Bucharest-Veliko Tarnovo, Shumen OR Lovech Image 2
Northern Bulgaria from Bucharest-Veliko Tarnovo, Shumen OR Lovech Image 3
Northern Bulgaria from Bucharest-Veliko Tarnovo, Shumen OR Lovech Image 4
Northern Bulgaria from Bucharest-Veliko Tarnovo, Shumen OR Lovech Image 5
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 27 (0) days in advance.
10 to 14 hours (approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Overview

Cross the Danube River from Bucharest and discover the rich history, medieval fortresses, and breathtaking landscapes of Northern Bulgaria. Choose from 3 distinct, fully customized day-trip routes tailored to your travel style:
1. Veliko Tarnovo & Arbanasi: Explore the medieval capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, walk cobblestone artisan streets, and visit UNESCO-recognized stone villages and cave churches.
2. Shumen, Madara & Ivanovo: Marvel at the UNESCO Madara Rider rock relief, explore the Shumen monument, and discover ancient rock-hewn churches carved into river cliffs.
3. Lovech, Devetashka Cave & Krushuna Waterfalls: Step through Lovech’s famous covered bridge, venture into the gigantic natural domes of Devetashka Cave, and walk the turquoise cascading pools of Krushuna.
Enjoy private round-trip transport from Bucharest, border crossing assistance, scenic drives through rural Wallachia and Bulgaria, and an expert local guide detailing thousands of years of Balkan history.

What's Included

  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Your own dedicated professional tour-guide (driving)
  • Photo/video fees at museums/attractions (if any)
  • Meals
  • Personal insurance
See 3 moreSee 6 more

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free

Rock-hewn Churches of Ivanovo

Morning pick-up from your accommodation in Bucharest. Head south, toward the Bulgarian border. We cross the Danube river on the Friendship Bridge, not far from the Bulgarian town of Ruse. Ruse is the gateway to the Rusenski Lom, a twisting canyon where medieval monks turned caves near Ivanovo into a rock-cut complex of monasteries. In the 14th century a large community of monks lived here. At the peak of the monastery complex, the number of churches was about 40, while the other premises were around 300, most of which are not preserved today. Only the Tsurkvata cave has been kept as a museum and is filled with vivid New Testament frescoes. If Ivanovo rock-hewn church is closed, we visit instead the Rock Monastery of St. Dimitar Basarbovski. Built into a sheer cliff, this is the only still functioning rock monastery in Bulgaria. The iconfilled church founded in the 15th century and named after the holy man and healer Dimitar of Basarbovo, is reached by a zig-zagging stone staircase.
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1 hour 30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Tsarevets

Reach Veliko Tarnovo. Visit Tsarevets fortress, Veliko Tarnovo's highlight attraction. With only pedestrian access one can peacefully wander around the ancient ruins, walk along the fortress walls, with views onto the surrounding hills of Sveta Gora, Momina Krepost and the overgrown Trapezitsa, at the foot of which is the picturesque old artisan’s quarter of Assenova Mahala. The main sites of the fortress are clearly identified and the visitor can follow a gentle path around. One can see the Execution Rock at the northern end of the fortress, Baldwin’s tower, the ruins of the tsar palace and on top of the hill, where once the Patriarch’s complex stood, the restored patriarchal church of the Ascension, with its stark modern interior and the dramatic murals painted by Teofan Sokerov in 1985. The murals depict the history of Bulgaria from the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (1185) onward and on the floor is a symbolic tombstone with the names of the Bulgarian Kings.
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2 hours Admission Ticket Free

Samovodska Charshiya Complex

The ethnographic complex "Samovodska charshia" in Veliko Tarnovo is one of the main attractions of the city and consists of restored Renaissance-style buildings with high stone walls, houses with balconies overhanging over the street and small workshops. The quarter was developed during the second half of the 19th century, when the town began to grow. The two narrow cobblestone streets become the economic centre of the city with many commercial shops. One of the streets starts from the small square, known nowadays as the Samovodski pazar (market). In the past the villagers from the surrounding villages use to gather here and to offer their agricultural products. Gradually, around the newly formed market, the local merchants started to open stores, workshops and inns.
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1 hour Admission Ticket Free

Konstantsalieva House

After lunch, we visit the village of Arbanasi, a perfect example of the Bulgarian Revival architectural style. The house-museum "Konstantsalieva kashta" was built at the end of 17th century and was reconstructed several times. It is an example of the unique Arbanasi architectural style - solid house-fortress surrounded by high stone walls. Nowadays the house is turned into an ethnographic museum where they show on display an exhibition about the lifestyle of people from Arbanassi in the 19th century.
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1 hour Admission Ticket Free

Chiesa della Nativita

This is the earliest and the most richly decorated church in the village of Arbanasi. It was built in different stages. The oldest layer of wall-paintings is from the end of XVI century.The entire interior of the church is covered with paintings of icons, this being carried out in stages – in the years 1597, 1632, 1638, 1643, 1649, 1681. In these almost nine decades arises the unique mural assembly, which has no equal in the Bulgarian lands as coverage and thematic encyclopedia. The church consists of a naos, a narthex, a gallery and a chapel dedicated to St. John the Baptist.
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1 hour Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Please, make sure you owe all the necessary documents and permissions for crossing the border between Romania and Bulgaria.
  • A current, valid passport is required

Frequently Asked Questions (8)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Northern Bulgaria from Bucharest-Veliko Tarnovo, Shumen OR Lovech?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EET). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

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Activity code: C-110977P16

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.00
3 reviews

Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 3 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
3
4 stars
0
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 27 (0) days in advance.
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Frequently Asked Questions (8)

Activity name

The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.

Filter by:

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Northern Bulgaria from Bucharest-Veliko Tarnovo, Shumen OR Lovech?
A:
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EET).
Apr 2025
Q: What's included in the price?
A:
The following is included:
  • Air-conditioned vehicle.
  • Your own dedicated professional tour-guide (driving).
The following is NOT included:
  • Photo/video fees at museums/attractions (if any).
  • Meals.
  • Personal insurance.
  • Personal expenses.
  • Gratuities.
  • Admission fees to museums/attractions.
Apr 2025
Q: What is the weather cancellation policy?
A:

This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Apr 2025
Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:

The minimum age to participate is 11..

Apr 2025
Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:

If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

Apr 2025
Q: Is this an accessible tour?
A:

Accessibility information for the Northern Bulgaria from Bucharest-Veliko Tarnovo, Shumen OR Lovech is as follows:

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Apr 2025
Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Northern Bulgaria from Bucharest-Veliko Tarnovo, Shumen OR Lovech will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

 

 

Mar 2024
Q: How long does a refund take to reach my card, and can I get it faster?
A:

Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.

Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.

If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.

Oct 2026

What's Included

Activity name

  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Your own dedicated professional tour-guide (driving)
  • Photo/video fees at museums/attractions (if any)
  • Meals
  • Personal insurance
  • Personal expenses
  • Gratuities
  • Admission fees to museums/attractions.

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Please, make sure you owe all the necessary documents and permissions for crossing the border between Romania and Bulgaria.
  • A current, valid passport is required

Report Product Issue

Activity name