Bulgaria Highlights: Ivanovo & Veliko Tarnovo from Bucharest

Difficulty

Easy

Duration

12h

Group size

1-15 tourists,
over 16 y.o.

A journey unfolding between cliffs and cobbled hills reveals two countries in a single day, where medieval heritage and living traditions meet beyond the border. This experience connects Romania and Bulgaria through architecture, history, and atmosphere, offering a compact yet richly layered escape.

Starting in Bucharest, the route crosses into Bulgaria to the Ivanovo Rock Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you climb toward chapels and monastic cells carved high into the cliffs and see surviving medieval frescoes. The journey continues to Veliko Tarnovo, the former Bulgarian capital. You walk its narrow streets, admire hillside houses, and enjoy panoramic views. The final stop is Arbanasi village, recognized for its UNESCO-listed heritage value. You explore its fortified stone homes and experience the preserved character of this historic reserve.

With a personal guide, you can tailor the pace and focus of the day to your interests. Turn this cross-border escape into your own story — set off on your journey to Bulgaria.

Tour Price: 1 person - €450, 2 people - €500, 3 people - €550, 4 people - €650, 5 people - €700, 6 people - €750, 7 people - €800.

Nicolae Razvan M. is the provider of this trip

The provider speaks: English

Goethe once said: “Never let a day pass without reading, seeing or hearing something beautiful”, which has made me realize that none of these wonderful things should be enjoyed alone and that you don’t have to think there’s ever a point when you should stop. Never stop searching and admiring the spectacle of life, because after all, life itself is a journey that never ends, because there’s always more to be discovered. My purpose is only to envision and sketch out your traveling experience, which we will enjoy together like a real-live movie you’ve always wanted to see and I’ll make sure it’s one that you’ll never forget. So, what do you say? Want to join me on an adventure?

View Nicolae Razvan`s tours

Tour highlights

Majestic Ivanovo Monastery

Climb to chapels and monastic cells carved into cliffs and admire the surviving medieval frescoes

Historic Veliko Tarnovo

Walk the narrow streets, admire hillside houses, and enjoy panoramic views of the city

Picturesque Arbanasi Village

Explore fortified stone homes and experience the preserved character of this UNESCO-recognized village

Route details

Your journey begins in Bucharest, where you meet your guide and depart for Bulgaria. After crossing the border, the day continues with a scenic drive toward your first destination.

Your first stop is the remarkable Ivanovo Rock Monastery. Here you will explore the stone-carved chapels and monastic cells set high in the cliffs, and see the surviving medieval frescoes that reflect the site’s spiritual and artistic heritage.

After visiting Ivanovo, the tour continues deeper into central Bulgaria toward the historic capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire.

In Veliko Tarnovo, you will walk through the old town streets and admire the traditional houses rising along the hillsides. The city offers a rich cultural atmosphere and impressive views over the Yantra River valley, giving you insight into Bulgaria’s medieval past.

Following your time in Veliko Tarnovo, a short drive takes you to a nearby architectural reserve known for its distinctive character.

The final stop of the day is Arbanasi Village, famous for its fortified stone houses and preserved architectural heritage. Strolling through its quiet streets, you will discover traditional Bulgarian design and enjoy the peaceful ambiance of this historic settlement.

In the late afternoon, the tour concludes with the return drive to Bucharest.

Difficulty

Easy

Minimal physical activity. Suitable for everyone regardless of fitness and age

Conditions

Included

Private car (tourism vehicle or minibus) exclusively for you and your friends/family
Full flexibility to adjust the daily itinerary even after the tour has started (available for private tours only)
Private, licensed English-speaking guide/driver at your service throughout the tour
Guide’s meals and entrance fees
All transportation expenses, including fuel, parking fees, and road tolls
Personalized hotel recommendations based on your budget, plus assistance with reservations
All local taxes

Extras

Photo fees (some sights require the payment of a fee for allowing you to take pictures – they are mostly inexpensive, around 2 or 3 euro/sight)
Accommodation, meals and beverages (but we recommend and book for you)
Entrance fees as per the itinerary

It's important to know

Our tours start in Bucharest (Romania). However, we can also customize the tours to start in a different city if that better suits your flight arrangements. Alternative airports include Varna or Burgas (Bulgaria), as well as Sibiu, Cluj-Napoca, Iași, and Târgu Mureș (Romania).