Veliko Tarnovo is a city that has absorbed the beauty and grandeur of medieval Bulgaria. Until 1393, it was the capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, which experienced a flourishing of culture and art in the mid-14th century. Today, reminders of this glorious time can be seen in the ancient churches, the majestic fortress, and numerous museum exhibits. Here’s what to see in Veliko Tarnovo and how to comfortably get around the city and its surroundings.
The need for renting a car depends on how much time a tourist plans to spend in Veliko Tarnovo. If there’s only one day for sightseeing, a car will only get in the way. Parking in the center is expensive, and driving along the narrow streets is unlikely to be enjoyable for the driver. Taking a taxi is cheaper and easier.
However, if you plan to stay for two days, renting a car is definitely worth it. A car will make it easier to reach the ancient Roman city of Nicopolis ad Istrum and visit the picturesque village of Arbanasi. These places are close to each other, so you can rent a car for just one day.
Average rental prices in Veliko Tarnovo by car class
Car classes |
Price per day |
Deposit amount |
|---|---|---|
compact cars |
from 6 EUR (12 BGN) |
from 150 euros |
small cars |
from 18 EUR (36 BGN) |
from 150 euros |
standard |
from 20 EUR (40 BGN) |
from 200 euros |
minivan |
from 26 EUR (52 BGN) |
from 300 euros |
SUVs |
from 35 EUR (70 BGN) |
from 800 euros |
luxury |
from 60 EUR (120 BGN) |
from 1500 euros |
*Prices are valid for November 2024. Check the available cars in the city and review the offers from rental offices.
Veliko Tarnovo is a popular tourist destination, so in summer, hotel prices rise by about one and a half times. The same goes for car rentals: while in April a compact car in Veliko Tarnovo might cost only 10–15 euros, in July it will be around 30 euros per day.
What is needed for rental?
For car rental in Bulgaria, you’ll need a valid European driver’s license with an active expiration date (an international driver’s permit is not required), a passport, and a Visa or MasterCard for the deposit.
The minimum age is 23, with at least 3 years of driving experience. Drivers under 23 face additional costs of 6 euros per day and a double deposit.
Book your rental in Veliko Tarnovo at least 7 days in advance to get good discounts from the rental company.
How to choose a rental car?
Decide where you’ll be driving: around Veliko Tarnovo, to another city on the highway, or off-road in the mountains and along the coast. Consider who you’ll be traveling with, meaning how many passengers will be in the car.
Travelers |
Car body |
Transmission |
|---|---|---|
Two people |
coupe, compact sedan or hatchback |
Manual |
A loner |
coupe, sedan, hatchback |
Automatic, Manual |
Company of 2-4 people |
full-size sedan, station wagon or hatchback |
Automatic |
Company of 5-7 people |
minivan |
Automatic |
Family 3-4 people |
full-size sedan, station wagon or hatchback |
Manual |
Goals and routes |
Transmission |
Engine capacity |
Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
Short trips around the city |
автомат |
1.1-1.6 liters |
In the city there will be enough coupe, sedan or hatchback with an automatic transmission with a small engine capacity. |
To sights off-road |
automatic, manual |
1.6-2 liters |
To overcome ups and downs, it is preferable to choose a car with high ground clearance and not the smallest engine. |
To other cities along the highway |
machine |
2-3 liters |
To save on gas stations and comfort when overtaking, it is better to take a diesel car with a powerful engine. |
Rental agencies
Top Rent-a-Car – National rental company of Bulgaria. The best prices and new cars with minimal mileage, usually up to 50,000 km. Still remains a leader in quality and comfort of services.
Discover Cars – World Travel Awards winning car rental comparison site. Customers can find, compare and rent a car in Bulgaria. Competitive prices at over 10,000 locations worldwide.
EconomyBookings – International booking service for economical car rental. Large selection of cars, more than 20,000 rental points, 150 countries. 24/7 reservation and support service.
Rentalcars – World leader in online car booking. Rentalcars is part of the American company Priceline, which also includes Booking.com.
Localrent – Car rental broker in local rental companies. Low prices, low deposits: from 0 to 300 euros. Manual confirmation of the selected vehicle option.
BikesBooking – Online booking service for motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and bicycles around the world.
GetrentaCar – Marketplace for renting vehicles from local owners at the best prices. Competitive prices in Bulgaria, best price guarantee, tender system. 24/7 support in 20 languages. Prepayment is only 15%.
Cities near Veliko Tarnovo
Useful Information
Info |
Data |
|---|---|
Population |
71 755 (2021) |
Square |
30.38 km² |
IATA code (airport) |
Plovdiv PDV |
Nearest airport |
144.23 km |
Airport information desk |
+359 32 601 127 |
Language |
Bulgarian |
Currency |
BGN – lv. (Bulgarian Lev) |
Country code |
+359 |
Police/ambulance phone number |
112 (free) |
Direction of movement |
right-handed |
Speed limit outside the city |
90 km/h (56 mph) |
Speed limit within the city |
50 km/h (31 mph) |
Permissible blood alcohol level |
0.05‰ ppm |
Access to the sea |
No |
Weather throughout the year
April and September are the most comfortable months to visit Veliko Tarnovo. The summer heat can be challenging, especially with the significant elevation changes, which is particularly important to consider when traveling with children. The period from May to June is marked by rainy weather that can disrupt plans.
Average monthly temperatures:
Jan. |
Feb. |
March |
Apr. |
May |
June |
July |
Aug. |
Sep. |
Oct. |
Nov. |
Dec. |
-1 |
+1 |
+5 |
+11 |
+16 |
+20 |
+22 |
+21 |
+17 |
+11 |
+7 |
+1 |
It’s worth noting that traveling in April not only offers more comfort but also saves money.
Parking zones in the city
There are almost no free parking spaces in the historical part of Veliko Tarnovo. The fee for a parking spot near the Tsarevets Fortress and other tourist sites is 1 lev per hour. Parking attendants in reflective vests only accept cash.
You can park for free near the bridge by the river, but after that, you’ll have to walk up a steep incline. The challenging terrain is typical for most city streets, so tourists often rely on taxis, which ends up being cheaper than renting a car and paying for parking.
Attractions in Veliko Tarnovo
The old town, surrounded on three sides by the Yantra River, features narrow streets and beautiful cathedrals from the late 19th century. While exploring the surroundings of Veliko Tarnovo, be sure to visit the archaeological museum. It showcases the oldest gold ingot from the Neolithic era, numerous Stone Age artifacts, and ancient Roman relics.
Tsarevets Fortress
Tsarevets Fortress is one of the most significant historical sites in Veliko Tarnovo. It served as the main fortress of the Second Bulgarian Empire and is situated on a hill that offers stunning views of the surrounding area. The fortress features well-preserved walls, towers, and a palace complex, showcasing the architectural grandeur of the medieval period. Visitors can explore its many paths and enjoy the scenic vistas, making it a must-see for anyone traveling to the city. The site also hosts a sound and light show that beautifully highlights its historical significance in the evenings.
Trapezitsa Fortress
On the opposite bank of the Yantra River stands another ancient fortress—Trapezitsa. Fragments of the ancient wall look picturesque from the square of Tsar Asen I, but there’s not much point in climbing the hill: only a few foundations of ancient buildings remain inside.
Church of Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki
Nearby Tsarevets Fortress are the oldest city structures of Veliko Tarnovo—the Churches of the Forty Martyrs and Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki, as well as the Church of Saints Peter and Paul. All of these were built in the late 12th to early 13th century, but they have been repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt over time. The oldest frescoes in these churches date back to the 13th century, although most architectural elements belong to later periods.
Konstantzalieva House
You can drive to the village of Arbanasi, located 5 km north of Veliko Tarnovo, in a rented car. In addition to the old churches, you can visit the Konstantzalieva House Museum, which tells the story of the life of Bulgarians during the Ottoman rule.
Nicopolis ad Istrum
If you have a car, be sure to visit the ancient Roman city of Nicopolis ad Istrum. Here, you can find the ruins of ancient structures, fragments of aqueducts, and even an ancient winter heating system. This unique site can be reached by car via the E85 highway, and the travel time is about 30 minutes.
