100 national tourist objects in bulgaria

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Varna and the 100 national tourist sites

"Discover Bulgaria - 100 national tourist sites" is a Bulgarian national tourist movement, which aims to encourage tourists to get acquainted with some of the most significant tourist sites in Bulgaria.

Five of them are located on the territory of Varna and preserve the unique wealth of the historical memory of Bulgaria:

• Regional History Museum - site number: 9
• Naval Museum - site number: 9
• Vladislav Varnenchik Park-Museum - site number: 9a
• Aladzha Monastery - site number: 9b
• Roman baths - site number: 9b

Visiting the sites is certified by placing an unique stamp of the respective object on a designated place in a tourist booklet, which can be purchased from the Bulgarian Tourist Union (BTS), from BTS Information Center, the tourist companies in the country, as well as from almost all tourist sites, included in the movement. 

There are also awards for the most active tourists. The National Organizing Committee (NOC) at the BTU awards a bronze, silver and gold badge, when the tourists collect 25, 50 and 100 stamps for visiting respectively 25, 50 and 100 sites. All badge holders have the right to participate in an annual raffle with prizes, excursions, trips abroad and other.

"Discover Bulgaria - 100 national tourist sites" is a movement in which can participate not only Bulgarian citizens, but also everyone who is interested in the cultural and natural wealth of Bulgaria.

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"100 Tourist Sites of Bulgaria" is a Bulgarian national movement established in 1966 to promote tourism among Bulgaria's most significant cultural, historic, and natural landmarks.

As part of this program, sites of cultural and historical significance have been selected, ranging from historic places and monuments to archaeological and architectural sanctuaries, museums, monasteries, as well as national parks, mountain peaks and other geological phenomena. Each of the chosen landmarks has its own individual seal, which is stamped onto pages of an official passport-like booklet issued by the Bulgarian Tourist Union (BTU). A booklet can be purchased at any tourist union center or on location at any of the sites and it costs a symbolic 1 lev. The booklet comes with a separate map which includes a list of the sites, their addresses and working hours. The maximum number of collectible stamps per booklet is 100 and, contrary to the movement's title, the exact number of official sites exceeds the number 100.

A reward scheme has been developed to encourage collection of as many stamps as possible. Depending on the number of stamps collected, participants may receive bronze, silver or gold badges. 25 stamps earn bronze, 50 stamps earn silver and 100 stamps (a complete booklet) earn gold. The National Organizational Committee of the BTU holds an annual lottery for the previous year's badge earners every August. Prizes include domestic and overseas excursions, bicycles, tents, sleeping bags, and other travel-related items.

Some landmarks in the original program highlighted Bulgaria's Communist government, which collapsed on November 10, 1989. In 2003 the BTU removed many of these sites from the official list. Both the original and current lists appear below. The list has since seen minor changes in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

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Subcategories

This category has the following 149 subcategories, out of 149 total.

• Former 100 Tourist Sites of Bulgaria ‎ (17 C, 1 F)
• 1300 Years of Bulgaria, Shumen ‎ (4 C, 28 F)
• Abrittus ‎ (1 C, 50 F)
• Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia ‎ (6 C, 396 F)
• Arbanasi ‎ (3 C, 137 F)
• Archeological Museum, Sandanski ‎ (1 C, 31 F)
• Asen's Fortress ‎ (2 C, 157 F)
• Baba Vida Fortress ‎ (7 C, 177 F)
• Bachkovo Monastery ‎ (5 C, 78 F)
• Bacho Kiro cave ‎ (34 F)
• Balchik Palace ‎ (13 C, 143 F)
• Batak History Museum ‎ (43 F)
• Belogradchik History Museum ‎ (1 C, 22 F)
• Belogradchik Rocks ‎ (244 F)
• Benkovski House ‎ (1 C, 14 F)
• Berkovitsa Ethnographic Museum ‎ (13 F)
• Botev ‎ (1 C, 55 F)
• Botevgrad clock tower ‎ (1 C, 48 F)
• Boyana Church ‎ (1 C, 129 F)
• Buynovsko Gorge ‎ (30 F)
• Chapel of Saint George in Pleven ‎ (31 F)
• Cherni Osam Natural History museum ‎ (9 F)
• Cherni Vrah, Vitosha ‎ (2 C, 24 F)
• Chiprovtsi history museum ‎ (1 C, 20 F)
• Chiprovtsi Monastery ‎ (1 C, 21 F)
• Demir Baba Tekkesi ‎ (1 C, 46 F)
• Devetashka cave ‎ (195 F)
• Devnya Museum of Mosaics ‎ (1 C, 1 P, 23 F)
• Dimitrovgrad planetarium ‎ (2 F)
• Dryanovo Monastery ‎ (4 C, 58 F)
• Earth and Man National Museum ‎ (53 F)
• Elhovo Ethnographic museum ‎ (6 F)
• Episcopal Basilica, Sandanski ‎ (1 C, 23 F)
• Etar ‎ (7 C, 1 P, 171 F)
• Etropole Clock tower ‎ (4 F)
• Etropole History Museum ‎ (7 F)
• Etropole Monastery ‎ (1 C, 36 F)
• Folk Crafts and Applied Arts Museum, Troyan ‎ (12 F)
• Golyam Perelik ‎ (3 F)
• Great Basilika, Pliska ‎ (1 C, 62 F)
• Hadzhi Dimitar house-museum ‎ (8 F)
• House of Nikola Vaptsarov, Bansko ‎ (6 F)
• House-museum of Zahari Stoyanov, Rousse ‎ (2 F)
• Kabile ‎ (125 F)
• Kakrina han ‎ (22 F)
• Kaliakra ‎ (10 C, 103 F)
• Karanovo site ‎ (1 C, 9 F)
• Kardzhali History Museum ‎ (1 C, 2 P, 761 F)
• Klisura History museum ‎ (1 C, 15 F)
• Konaka Museum, Vidin ‎ (3 C, 50 F)
• Kordopulov House ‎ (34 F)
• Kotel Natural History museum ‎ (17 F)
• Lake Pomorie ‎ (7 F)
• Ledenika ‎ (118 F)
• Madara Rider ‎ (1 C, 46 F)
• Magura Cave ‎ (1 C, 70 F)
• Malko Tarnovo History museum ‎ (1 C, 59 F)
• Medzhidi Tabia ‎ (97 F)
• Melnik History Museum ‎ (1 F)
• Mezek Fortress ‎ (179 F)
• Military cemetery, Tutrakan ‎ (2 F)
• Mining museum, Pernik ‎ (63 F)
• Momchilovtsi ‎ (6 F)
• Musala ‎ (2 C, 55 F)
• Museum House of Dimitar Peshev ‎ (2 F)
• Museum House of Hristo Botev ‎ (1 C, 12 F)
• Museum House of Neofit Rilski, Bansko ‎ (2 C, 27 F)
• Museum of Danube Fishing and Boat-Making ‎ (4 F)
• Museum of textile industry, Sliven ‎ (5 F)
• Museum of the history of Varna ‎ (7 F)
• Museum Thracian Art in the Eastern Rhodopes ‎ (1 C, 31 F)
• National Anthropological Museum, Bulgaria ‎ (4 F)
• National Archaeological Museum, Bulgaria ‎ (4 C, 67 F)
• National Art Gallery, Bulgaria ‎ (3 C, 14 F)
• National Ethnographic Museum, Bulgaria ‎ (48 F)
• National History Museum, Bulgaria ‎ (4 C, 42 F)
• National Museum of Natural History, Bulgaria ‎ (34 F)
• National Palace of Culture (Bulgaria) ‎ (8 C, 41 F)
• National polytechnic museum - Sofia, Bulgaria ‎ (16 C, 2 P, 41 F)
• National Speleologist House, Karlukovo ‎ (7 F)
• Naval Museum, Varna ‎ (4 C, 149 F)
• Nesebar Archaeological Museum ‎ (46 F)
• Ancient City of Nessebar ‎ (14 C, 17 F)
• Okolchitsa monument ‎ (23 F)
• Oslekov House ‎ (24 F)
• Pantheon of Rakovski and Museum of Revivalists, Kotel ‎ (3 F)
• Pantheon of the National Revival Heroes ‎ (27 F)
• Pazardzhik History Museum ‎ (26 F)
• Perperikon ‎ (1 C, 1 P, 819 F)
• Petrova niva ‎ (3 C, 28 F)
• Peyo Yavorov house-museum, Chirpan ‎ (8 F)
• Pleven History Museum ‎ (26 F)
• Pleven Panorama ‎ (33 F)
• Pliska Fortress ‎ (80 F)
• Poda Protected Area ‎ (10 F)
• Preslav Fortress ‎ (2 C, 54 F)
• Radetzky (ship, 1966) ‎ (1 C, 26 F)
• Rila Monastery ‎ (18 C, 230 F)
• Rock-hewn churches of Ivanovo ‎ (145 F)
• Rozhen Monastery ‎ (3 C, 108 F)
• Ruen ‎ (16 F)
• Rupite protected area ‎ (3 C, 30 F)
• Saeva Dupka ‎ (80 F)
• Saints Cyril and Methodius Church, Burgas ‎ (41 F)
• Salt production in Pomorie ‎ (1 C, 3 F)
• Samokov History Museum ‎ (1 C, 36 F)
• Samokov Nunnery ‎ (11 F)
• Samuil's fortress, Klyuch ‎ (17 F)
• Seven Altars Monastery ‎ (1 C, 92 F)
• Seven Rila Lakes ‎ (7 C, 79 F)
• Shipka Memorial Church ‎ (5 C, 16 F)
• Shipka Monument ‎ (4 C, 88 F)
• Shiroka Laka ‎ (6 C, 14 F)
• Shumen Fortress ‎ (85 F)
• Shumen History museum ‎ (2 F)
• Silistra History museum ‎ (7 F)
• Skravena memorial ossuary ‎ (28 F)
• Smolyan History museum ‎ (115 F)
• Smolyan Planetarium ‎ (15 F)
• Snezhanka Cave ‎ (103 F)
• Snezhanka Peak ‎ (1 C, 4 F)
• Sofia Zoo ‎ (11 C, 8 F)
• Sopot Convent ‎ (20 F)
• Sozopol Archaeological Museum ‎ (5 C, 1 P, 21 F)
• Srebarna Nature Reserve ‎ (2 C, 32 F)
• Stara Zagora History Museum ‎ (1 C, 31 F)
• Stara Zagora Neolithic Dwellings ‎ (3 F)
• Teteven History Museum ‎ (31 F)
• Thracian cult complex near Starosel ‎ (2 C, 1 F)
• Thracian tomb near Mezek ‎ (41 F)
• Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak ‎ (1 C, 34 F)
• Tombul Mosque ‎ (4 C, 26 F)
• Tran Gorge ‎ (121 F)
• Trigrad Gorge ‎ (75 F)
• Troyan Monastery ‎ (1 C, 133 F)
• Uhlovitsa ‎ (8 F)
• Uzana ‎ (15 F)
• Varna Archaeological Museum ‎ (8 C, 1 P, 25 F)
• Vasil Levski Museum, Karlovo ‎ (2 C, 55 F)
• Vasil Levski Museum, Lovech ‎ (13 F)
• Velyan's House ‎ (16 F)
• Vihren ‎ (1 C, 128 F)
• Vladimir Dimitrov Gallery, Kyustendil ‎ (4 F)
• Vratsa History Museum ‎ (93 F)
• Wonderful Bridges ‎ (63 F)
• Yagodinska cave ‎ (4 F)
• Yordan Yovkov Museum, Dobrich ‎ (10 F)
• Zheravna ‎ (3 C, 106 F)
• Zlatna Livada Monastery ‎ (8 F)

Media in category "100 Tourist Sites of Bulgaria"

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12 Top Tourist Attractions in Bulgaria

By Becky Griswold · Last updated on October 3, 2023

Bulgaria is a country of diverse landscapes and a depth of history which results in a nation filled with natural beauty and cultural richness that dates back to ancient times.

With high rocky peaks home to picturesque mountains, huge national parks where endangered animals roam wild, and swathes of sandy beaches that hug the Black Sea, along with relics of the Soviet rule, there is something for everyone to discover in the bold and this beautiful Balkan country . Here’s a look at the top tourist attractions in Bulgaria:

12. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral [SEE MAP]

Situated in the heart of the stunning city of Sofia is the iconic symbol of Bulgaria: the Aleksander Nevsky Cathedral. Paid for by the people of the city and built between the years 1882 and 1912, the cathedral was constructed to honor the lives of the 200,000 Russian soldiers who were killed fighting in the Russo-Turkish war for Bulgaria’s freedom from the rule of the Ottomans.

The cathedral itself is ornately detailed, with a decadent 45-meter high, gold-plated dome. Inside, you can walk among the many intricate mosaics, meaningful murals and depictions of saints and angels; huge chandeliers hang low, dripping in decadent gold, whilst the solid wood of the altar and pews is delicately carved.

11. Krushuna Waterfalls [SEE MAP]

Close to the village of Krushuna, nested in a lush forested landscape among the many karst rock formations, are the Krushuna Falls. The tallest of the falls is 20 meters high, where the turquoise water then splits into smaller falls and cascades over hunks of limestone, forming gentle pools and curious curves in the rock.

It is easy for visitors to reach the waterfalls and explore the surrounding area over bridges and steps. One pathway leads to a hidden cave where the source of the waterfall can be found – the spring is said have health benefits and is still a popular spot for locals from the nearby village.

10. Koprivshtitsa [SEE MAP]

Walk along the old winding road of Koprivshtitsa town, past the tricking streams and the colorful buildings, and be taken back to a Bulgaria of the past. Set in the heart of the Sredna Gora mountain range, historic Koprivshtitsa town was once a center for the fight against Ottoman rule and still today remains a place of Bulgarian pride.

The town is now popular with visitors and is an open air museum; its many mansions and houses are fantastic examples of the Bulgarian National Revival that occurred during the 19th century.

9. Buzludzha Monument [SEE MAP]

An icon of brutalist design and a masterpiece of Soviet proportions is the now abandoned Buzludzha Monument. Built in 1974 by the Bulgarian army, the monstrous monument was designed by various artists and creatives in charge of statues during the era.

The monument stands on the spot of a battle between the Turks and the Bulgarians which took place in 1868 and is where Dimitar Blagoev, along with other socialist leaders, outlined Bulgaria’s revolution into a communist state.

The stoic structure is now covered in political graffiti and has huge depictions of Lenin and Marx as well as lettering across the facade. The huge flying-saucer-shaped shrine to socialism was left to ruin after the fall of the Soviet Union but has become an unusual attraction for those interested in the history and striking design of the era.

8. Vitosha Mountain [SEE MAP]

The classic dome shape of Vitosha Mountain sits close to the urban sprawl of the city of Sophia and is where people go to take a break from the city and enjoy nature. With its own ski resort, pleasant hiking routes and fantastic panoramic views of the city below, the mountain is easily accessible from the city and can be reached by bus, on foot, and ropeways.

Vitosha Mountain’s highest point is 2,290 meters high and attracts visitors all year round who are drawn there to explore the Vitosha Nature Park, which is actually the oldest in the Balkans, and covers most of the mountain, as well as the mineral springs in the foothills.

7. Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari [SEE MAP]

The ancient Thracian tomb of Sveshtari was only discovered in 1982 when archaeologists uncovered the impressive site underneath a mound. The tomb is thought to have been built for a royal couple from the Thracian tribe of the Getae and dates back to the 3rd century BC.

The tomb is wonderfully well preserved; its ornate interior reveals impressive carvings and murals of half-female, half-plant figures which appear to be holding up the ceiling. The tomb is thought to be unique as there has been no other Thracian tomb discovered that has Sveshtari’s combination of astonishing architecture, sculpture and paintings.

6. Tsarevets Fortress [SEE MAP]

A symbol of Bulgaria’s past greatness, Tsarevets Fortress is built on the spot where the palace of the medieval tsars once stood 800 years before when Tarnovo was its capital. Explore the ancient rambling ruins and stumble across the remains of over 400 houses and innumerable churches.

The panoramic views of the surrounding landscape reveal how the location of the fortress was strategically placed, 206m above sea level, to protect the kingdom from invasion for hundreds of years. Visiting the stronghold involves a lot of walking up steep slopes, but because the only access to the fortress is on foot you can wander the grounds and climb the old walls in peace.

5. Sunny Beach [SEE MAP]

Sunny Beach is famous for long stretches of soft, sandy beaches that slope into the Black Sea and also for its numerous tourists who visit the resort town to enjoy its lively nightlife. The golden beaches stretch for eight kilometers along the coast and offer the perfect spot to spend time soaking up the sun and taking a swim.

The beaches in the area are clean and are sheltered from the elements, meaning the sea is perfect for swimming, whilst the plentiful hotels along the coast are also reasonably priced and family-friendly. This is the place to visit if you want to spend a few days relaxing in the sunshine and exploring the surrounding area, such as the ancient town of Nessebar.

4. Plovdiv Roman Theater [SEE MAP]

In the center of Plovdiv Old Town is one of the world’s best preserved ancient theaters. Discovered in the 1960s, the spectacularly striking structure dates back to the 1st century AD and is thought to have been built under the rule of the Roman Emperor Domitian.

The site would have played an important role in the ancient communities: this was where theatrical performances and famously ferocious gladiator fights would take place, as well as local government meetings and big gatherings.

The theater itself is still in use for opera and musical performances and holds an impressive 7,000 people. Amble along the old cobbled streets of the town and up the hill to the ancient theater, sit among the rows of sloping seats and soak in the silence and take in the uninterrupted views of the surrounding landscape.

3. Pirin National Park [SEE MAP]

Home to more than 70 glacial lakes, old forests and soaring 2,915-metre peaks and ridges, the Pirin National Park is a Bulgarian national treasure. The National Park is a safe haven for many different types of rare species that use the Balkan mountain range for shelter. Large animals still roam the slopes, from brown bears and wild boar to gray wolves and jackals; this is a remote and wild area that is under threat from development by ski resorts.

Spend your time visiting the unimaginably beautiful park by hiking the numerous paths, cycling among the alpine meadows or fishing alongside waterfalls. You can even stay overnight in Pirin’s huts, and find the famous Baykuchevata Macedonian pine tree that is said to be approximately 1,350 years old!

2. Old Nessebar [SEE MAP]

Nessebar has been charming visitors for the past 9,000 years and it keeps on enchanting people to this day. Set on a craggy peninsula that is connected to the mainland by a causeway, the charming old Nessebar town is an open-air museum packed full of pretty squares, churches and cobbled streets. The town’s history and monuments span the Roman and Byzantine eras, and remains of the old town walls can still be seen.

This fascinating town is packed full of character: take a look in the traditional timber houses built on sturdy rock foundations, sit and watch the windmill on the bridge between the old and new towns, and step silently in the stunning churches and chapels.

1. Rila Monastery [SEE MAP]

Take a trip to Rila Monastery and soak in the serene surroundings among the Rila mountains. Founded in the 10th century, and held in high esteem as being an important historic and cultural monument, the Eastern Orthodox Rila Monastery is an architectural icon.

Labelled as the Jerusalem of Bulgaria, it is the biggest monastery in the country and is home to compelling religious iconography, including wall paintings, carvings and historical artifacts.

The ancient monastery is still active and is home to around 60 monks who still live and work in the tranquil peace of the monastery inside its ornate buildings. The striking stripes of the exterior and gently curved arches, along with the crowning domes, set the monastery apart from the surrounding tree-covered mountainous landscape.

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The Rose Valley

A centre of life since Thracian times.

The centre of the Rose Valley – the town of Kazanlak – is home not only to one of Bulgaria’s symbols – the rose – but also to numerous creatives - artists, writers and musicians. The valley of roses and Thracian kings – this is how we call the region south of the Balkan Mountains and north of Sarnena Sredna Gora.

A centre of life since Thracian times, today the valley makes us lucky to be able to glimpse into this age at the Kazanlak Thracian Tomb. It keeps secrets from long gone days – it is dated at the end of the fourth and the beginning of the third century before Christ. Murals of exceptional art value have been preserved here. The tomb is included in the 100 National Tourist Sites list and is protected by UNESCO.

The history museum keeps material evidence for the affluent lifestyle in the region, having over 70 000 exhibits. The Tower (Kulata) Ethnographic Complex displays the old crafts of the local people, the most popular among them being rose distilling. Its home are two 19 th -century houses in the oldest district of the town – Kulata.

The most attractive site for anyone who visits Kazanlak is undoubtedly the world’s only Rose Museum. Bulgaria has been “feeding” the world with rose oil for years – 70% of the world’s production is concentrated in this very area. It is exactly in the region of Kazanlak where the production is highest. Naturally, the building of the Museum is also here. It preserves tens of thousands of objects related to rose gathering and rose production from all over Bulgaria. It’s a festival of senses for history lovers to touch a rose oil vessel which was last used more than 50 years ago but still gives out a strong scent. The most important events in Kazanlak are related to the rose. During its blossoming the town attracts thousands of tourists. Every year, the Festival of Roses – one of the country’s most attractive festivals – is held here.

Other sites we’d recommend the curious tourist are the homes, now museums, of artists Dechko Uzunov and Prof. Nenko Balkanski as well as the Chudomir Literature and Art Museum Complex.

Air sports fans associate the Rose Valley with great adventure opportunities while spa tourism enthusiasts cannot possibly stay unimpressed by the healing mineral springs and the all-year-round holiday opportunities. This region will also satisfy the searches of Bulgarian traditions and folklore lovers with its well-preserved authentic environment. 

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The buzz of animated conversations filling the air, the soft clatter of shoes against the cobblestone streets and arched wooden bridges, the constant sight of people bending over to get a drink at the fountains scattered around town, or casting dreamy glances at the neat vivid blue houses…..

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The setting which national hero Vasil Levski inhabited, his belongings, documents, family photographs, his life and heroic deeds are all available for every Bulgarian patriot in the Apostle’s house-museum in Karlovo.

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Home > A Guide To Gabrovo, Bulgaria – The City Of Laughter

A Guide To Gabrovo, Bulgaria – The City Of Laughter

Written by our local expert Nick

Nick is is digital nomad originally from Athens, Greece. You will now find him exploring the Greek islands, Bulgaria and beyond.

Here is all the Gabrovo, Bulgaria travel advice that you need. We’ve got a list of things to do in Gabrovo, top sites, and tips for where to stay in Gabrovo.

The town of Gabrovo is located at the foot of Stara Planina near the Shipka pass. It stretches for about 25 kilometers along the Yantra River. Gabrovo is known among the population of Bulgaria as the city of laughter. It houses the unique House of Humor and Satire, where every visitor returns to childhood and forgets about cares.

No less well-known is the fact that it was in Gabrovo that the first high school, “April High School,” was built, which was founded in 1835. Gabrovo’s primary and important sights are Clock Tower, Assumption Church, Dechkova House, and Etara Craft Complex, among others.

Skip Ahead To My Advice Here!

How To Get To Gabrovo

The city of Gabrovo is connected to larger cities and the surrounding areas by bus transport. There are buses from

Railway Transport

The town of Gabrovo is the last station of the Varbanovo-Gabrovo railway line. The trains pass through Svishtov and Tsareva Livada.

The town of Gabrovo is located about 220 kilometers from Sofia in the Northeast direction, 46 kilometers from Veliko Tarnovo in the Southwest direction, about 30 kilometers from Sevlievo in the Southeast direction, and about 50 kilometers from Kazanlak in the North direction.

Public Transport

The city has an internal city transport of buses that connect all parts of the city.

Things To Do In Gabrovo

The city has several cultural and historical attractions with which you can immerse yourself in its spirit, the most important of which are:

The Home Of Humor And Satire

The Home of Humor and Satire was founded on April 1, 1972. It is the only such home in the world. It collects and reflects the work of over 150 masters of humor across the globe in ten halls.

Ethnographic Exhibition “Urban Way Of Life At The End Of The 19Th Century.”

It is presented in the Dechkova kashta, which was built way back in 1835. Visitors can see a music room with a piano, a ladies’ and a men’s drawing room, a bachelor’s room, and the mayor’s office.

National April High School

The building of the National April High School began in 1851. It has been a cultural monument since 1979. Since 1889, it has been called the Aprilov High School in honor of Vasil Aprilov, after whom the Gabrovo School was named. In front of the high school, there is also a monument to Vasil Aprilov from 1935.

The National Museum Of Education

It is housed in the building of the National April High School. The museum is on the List of 100 National Tourist Sites and is in the 19th place in it. It was created in 1974. It is the only specialized museum in Bulgaria that preserves and reflects how education was conducted years ago.

The Regional History Museum – Gabrovo

In the museum, visitors can see Paleolithic finds such as a cave bear , ancient human bones, tools, etc. They were discovered in the Bacho Kiro cave, which is among the 100 national tourist sites. It is located near the Dryanovsky Monastery in the West direction. The museum has four departments: the “Archaeology” Department, the Department “Of Bulgaria 15th – 19th century”; the Department “Of Ethnography” and the Department “Of New and recent history.”

The Art Gallery “Hristo Tsokev”

The art gallery was opened in 1974. Hristo Tsokev is the first artist from Gabrovo who has a special education. He was born in 1847. His earliest works of art date back to 1867, when he was only 20 years old: “Portrait of an Old Monk” (NHG) and “Archimandrite Arsenius Moskvin” (NHG). Examples of icons are presented in the gallery’s permanent exhibition from the Trevnen School of Painting.

The Architectural-Ethnographic Complex “Etar”

The architectural-ethnographic complex “Etar” was opened in 1964. It is included in the List of 100 National Tourist Sites and is in the 19th place in it. It is the first museum of its kind in the country. It is located about 8-9 kilometers from the city. The only collection of folk water technology, containing ten objects, is stored there.

National Astronomical Observatory And Planetarium – Gabrovo

The star hall of the planetarium has 50 seats for visitors. It shows the Earth’s sky from every point of view on the planet. The astronomical observatory is equipped with the American telescope “Celestron 14”, with scientists observing the Sun, the Moon, other satellites, planets, etc.

Bay Bridge (Bayov Most)

Master Mincho Stoyanov built the bridge in honor of the people of Gabrovo who participated in the April Uprising. It was built in 1855. It is one of the city’s symbols and has been declared a cultural monument.

The zoo in the city of Gabrovo was established in 1973. There are 150 animals and birds of nearly 40 species in it.

The Monument Of Racho Kovacha

The monument of Racho Kovacha is located on a rock in the river Yantra. According to legend, he is the founder of the city of Gabrovo.

Church Of The Holy Virgin

It was built in 1865 by the master Usta Gencho Kanev. It is located in the center of the city of Gabrovo, next to the Baev Bridge.

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Take a day trip from gabrovo.

If you are in Gabrovo, you can diversify your day even more by walking to the two waterfalls near the villages of Ivanili and Solari. The larger one is very scenic, and the hike to the falls is short, easy, and pleasant. In its upper reaches, the same river forms another beautiful waterfall between the villages of Spantsi and Kozi rog – Upper Ivanilovski waterfall.

Read more about Balkan waterfalls here. 

Veliko tarnovo.

Less than an hour’s drive away is Veliko Tarnovo. This is one of Bulgaria’s most exciting cities, drawing in many tourists with its impressive architecture, castles, museums, and historic sites. Especially history lovers will have a field day in this centuries-old city in north-central Bulgaria.

Read all about Veliko Tarnovo here. 

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Where To Stay In Gabrovo, Bulgaria

The town has 18 hotels and over 30 guesthouses, most of which are built in an authentic and rustic style. Tourism in Gabrovo is highly developed and one of the main sectors of the economy.

The appearance and authentic vision of the city attract thousands of tourists who wish to immerse themselves in its history and culture.

Gabrovo also has eight restaurants, some of which offer authentic local cuisine combined with traditional Bulgarian dishes .

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• Where To Stay In Veliko Tarnovo

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9 places you must visit in Nikopol, Bulgaria

• 18 May 2023
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• Breathtaking views ,
• Historical place ,
• in Bulgaria ,
• Monuments ,
• Quick adventure ,
• Adventure with friends ,
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1. Medieval Nikopol fortress

2. The Rock Church "St. Stephen"

3. Boat ride along the river islands and picnic by the shore

4. The beach of Nikopol

5. The historical museum

6. Cheshma "Elia" (Syutliika)

After seventeen hundred years an unknown passenger came to read your poems at the end of the old wall. Your request, Frontone, was not in vain. Elijah's tomb is turned into a fountain. And Bulgarian brides, girls and boys they pour their pitchers from it both spring and autumn. The path to it has become a promenade. Your friend dear she has turned into a nymph, an eater. pretty girl shine instead of flowers on the grave. And your tears, Fronton, are the clear streams of the fountain.

7. Victory monument and panoramic view of the river

8. Church "St. Peter and Paul"

9. Vasil Levski's house ( Smolyanova House )

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About the author.

My name is Mitko and I'm 31. I love nature and motion. Worked as a windsurf instructor before and now programming. In summer you can find me on the beach and by the sea, while in the winter I love to snowboard and do snowy hikes.

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• Trails / Forest
• Breathtaking views
• Historical place
• in Bulgaria
• outside Bulgaria
• Quick adventure
• Adventure with friends
• River / Lake / Reservoir
• 100 national tourist objects

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