Allow half a day for Tsarevets, Samovodska Charshiya and Gurko Street; check the evening sound-and-light calendar.
Stays 
Mark Ahsmann · Public domainPlaces · Veliko Tarnovo
Tsarevets & old Tarnovo
Царевец и старо Търново
The fortress of Bulgaria's medieval capital rises above a city folded dramatically around the Yantra River.
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Visiting advice
Photos & short video
Bulgarian food
Local food →Local food
Elena ham · Gorna Oryahovitsa sudzhuk · stewed beans · local wine
Мартин Трухчев · Трухчевата къща · Written permission · logo and label visibleElena hamGorna Oryahovitsa sudzhukstewed beanslocal wineМартин Трухчев · Трухчевата къщаAir-dried pork · regional
Elenski but
Salted pork leg cured in the mountain air around Elena, sliced almost translucent.
What's in it Pork leg and salt, transformed by long curing and the local climate.
Wikimedia Commons contributorsDry-cured sausage
Lukanka
A flattened, air-dried sausage with a dense texture and warm spice, sliced thin as a meze.
What's in it Pork and beef, salt, black pepper, cumin and curing cultures in a natural casing.%202016%20(1).jpg)
EvelinaRibarova / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0Sweet bread · festive
Kozunak
A rich, braided Easter bread with a stringy crumb, citrus aroma and sugar crust.
What's in it Flour, eggs, milk, butter, sugar, yeast, lemon zest and optional raisins or nuts.
Viktorija N. Ivanov / Wikimedia CommonsSalad · vegetarian
Shopska salad
The classic first order: tomatoes, cucumber and peppers under a generous snowy layer of white brined cheese.
What's in it Tomatoes, cucumber, roasted or fresh pepper, onion, parsley and sirene cheese.
Biso / Wikimedia CommonsBreakfast · pastry
Banitsa
Crisp filo layers wrapped around eggs, yogurt and white cheese—a warm Bulgarian breakfast staple.
What's in it Filo pastry, eggs, yogurt, sirene cheese and butter or oil.
Sumit Surai / Wikimedia CommonsCold soup · vegetarian
Tarator
A cooling yogurt and cucumber soup served cold—simple, fresh and especially popular in summer.
What's in it Yogurt, cucumber, garlic, dill, walnuts, water and a little oil.NEARBY
Public transport
Велико Търново
© OpenStreetMap contributors · Open Database License · availability depends on local mapping
Map
Directions
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Directions
Buses and trains
Direct coaches reach Veliko Tarnovo; rail passengers change at Gorna Oryahovitsa for bus or taxi.
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Nearby places
Plamen Petkov · CC BY 2.5Arbanasi villageArbanasi
Арбанаси
Fortified merchant houses and richly painted churches sit on a plateau above Veliko Tarnovo.
Read the guide
Izvora · CC BY-SA 3.0Hotnitsa villageHotnitsa waterfall
Хотнишки водопад
A bright turquoise waterfall and short eco-trail tucked into a low limestone gorge.
Read the guide
www.vacacionesbulgaria.com · CC BY-SA 4.0ElenaElena
Елена
A small Revival town of timber houses, churches and mountain food beneath the Elena Balkan.
Read the guide