Private Tour
Bulgaria -Private Tour- Basarbovo, Arbanasi, Veliko Tarnovo
Overview
Available languages
11 hours
Mobile ticket
Enjoy a comfortable private tour to Bulgaria in our air-conditioned vehicles, with interesting commentary from your expert host/guide.
The firts visit is to St. Dimitrii of Basarbovo Monastery, the only active rock-hewn monastery in Bulgaria.
Next, we head to the picturesque architectural reserve of Arbanasi, perched above Veliko Tarnovo.
Enjoy a traditional Bulgarian lunch in a charming local tavern, surrounded by centuries-old stone houses.
Afterward, take a short walk through the cobbled streets to admire the village’s unique architecture.
After lunch, explore the Bulgaria’s medieval past at Tsarevets Fortress. Once the royal seat of the Second Bulgarian Empire, the hilltop citadel offers panoramic views, the ruins of royal palaces, Baldwin’s Tower, and the reconstructed Patriarchal Cathedral.
We conclude the tour with a leisurely stroll through the charming streets of Veliko Tarnovo, the “City of the Tsars.”
Discover local artisan shops, visit the Samovodska Charshiya.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Private transportation
Air-conditioned vehicle
Professional tour guide in English
Hotel Pick-up and Drop-off
Tsarevets Fortress
St. Dimitrii of Basarbovo Monastery
Konstantsalieva House
Lunch
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
St. Dimitrii of Basarbovo Monastery
St. Dimitrii of Basarbovo Monastery is a unique Bulgarian Orthodox rock-hewn monastery located near the village of Basarbovo, approximately 10 km south of Ruse, along the Rusenski Lom River. It is renowned as Bulgaria's only active rock monastery. Historical Background The monastery's origins trace back to the Second Bulgarian Empire (12th–14th centuries), with its first documented mention appearing in an Ottoman tax register from 1431. Its most celebrated inhabitant was St. Dimitrii of Basarbovo, born in 1685 in the nearby village. He led an ascetic life within the monastery's caves and passed away in 1685. Initially interred in the village church, his relics were later transferred to Bucharest during the Russo-Turkish War (1768–1774) and are currently enshrined in the Church of Sts. Constantine and Helena, where he is venerated as the patron saint of the Romanian capital.
Arbanasi
Arbanasi is a picturesque village in central northern Bulgaria, situated approximately 4 km from Veliko Tarnovo, the historic capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire. Perched on a high plateau between the Tsarevets and Trapezitsa hills, Arbanasi is renowned for its rich history, unique architecture, and well-preserved cultural heritage. --- ️ Historical Significance The village's origins date back to the 13th century, with some sources suggesting it was founded by Bulgarian boyars (nobles) who settled there after the Battle of Klokotnitsa in 1230. The name "Arbanasi" is believed to derive from the medieval Bulgarian word "Arbanas," meaning "Albanian," reflecting the settlement's early inhabitants. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Arbanasi flourished as a prosperous trading center. Wealthy merchants built distinctive two-story houses resembling fortresses, characterized by high stone walls, narrow windows, and heavy wooden gates, designed to protect against frequent raids.
Options
Private tour in English
Only your group will participa
Pickup included
Private tour in English
Only your group will participa
Pickup included
Reviews
68 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great tour!!
Sumi F,
Nov 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great tour, our guide Bogdan was very knowledgeable about the sights on our tour. He was jovial and positive despite being such a long day (11 hours). He even customized our tour to include a winery visit in Vellika Tsarnovo. Highly recommended!
Awesome tour with exceptional service
Allicia M,
Oct 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This tour is an awesome introduction to Bulgaria and its history. If one is passionate about history, architecture, and/or religion, it is a great tour option. That being said, I must mention that it would not have been as good without my guide, Valerică. He was a wealth of knowledge, extremely helpful, and a perfect guide throughout.
Awesome tour to Bulgaria!
Lisa H,
Oct 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Had an incredible time on our tour from Bucharest to Bulgaria! Roxanne, our guide, was amazing! She was an excellent driver and very knowledgeable! She had a great sense of humor was a true delight! Highly, highly recommend!
Unquie experience for...
Yousuf S,
Oct 14, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Unquie experience for those who want to see what northern bulgaria has to offer. The guide, Andrei, is very knowledgeable, flexible, and funny. I learned more in a day than would take in a month from this trip.
An amazing day out
Channing B,
Sep 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Roxana was an amazing guide, very informative, made us feel at ease and made us feel like we known her forever. Showed us some amazing sites, 10/10 would book a guide with Roxana again.
Great tour to see highlights of Bulgaria
lauxk1,
Sep 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great tour with our guide Bogdan, who was very knowledgeable about the sites we visited throughout Bulgaria. This was a nice tour to see some of the sights of northern Bulgaria with our limited time in Romania. We particularly enjoyed the rock monastery. Currently (September 2025), the bridge between Romania and Bulgaria is down to one lane due to construction, so we waited about 25 minutes to cross, but otherwise the tour was smooth. Thanks Bodgan for a memorable trip!
Great Tour
Mark S,
Sep 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a great time seeing the highlights of northern Bulgaria on this day tour. Bogdan was our guide and was very knowledgeable about the sites we visited and even had some great recommendations for the rest of our time in Bucharest. Currently (September 2025), the bridge between Romania and Bulgaria is under construction so it is down to one lane, which leads to a bit of a wait, so be mindful of that. We waited about 20-25 minutes. Otherwise, the tour went smoothly and we had a wonderful time!
A Unique Trip Into Bulgaria
FellowTraveler77266,
Aug 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The visit to Bulgaria was an enlightening experience. The country has its challenges but it has beautiful sites to visit. The monasteries were transcendent. Our guide Bogdan provided a lot of knowledge and perspective for the history of the monasteries and fortress. And the violent history between the Ottomans and the Bulgarian people over the centuries. The trip was excellent except Bogdan almost lost his head! LOL!
An incredible day in Bulgaria
X3065NXshawnw,
Aug 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Catalin was an amazing guide! His knowledge and additional information at each sight gave us such an understanding of what we were seeing. We learned so much about Bulgaria, Romania and their histories. Catalin was kind, knowledgeable and engaging, and his concierge background makes him the perfect host! My wife and I highly recommend Catalin’s tours! Five stars!
Full day excursion to Bulgaria
ursulad7,
Jun 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We loved the places we visited, especially the Monastery. We enjoyed the lunch. I think this tour is very complete. Very glad we took this private tour to visit Bulgaria, while visiting Romania.
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