3 Best Sights in Bulgaria

On the banks of the Danube is this well-preserved medieval fortress, which dates back to the 10th century and was a defensive stronghold though the Middle Ages. It was captured by the Ottomans and used as storage space for food and munitions and, after liberation in 1878, was used by the Bulgarian army. It opened as a museum in the mid 1950s and is today a popular spot for filming. From the tops of the towers and the walls, take in panoramic views of the Danube River and surrounding cityscape. This is a good place to pick up a few postcards.

Parts of this well-preserved stronghold on the north slope of the Balkan date all the way back to when this area was part of the Roman Empire. The fortress was expanded first in the mid 14th century, when it served more for surveillance than defense, and then in the late 14th century when it was captured by the Ottomans. Its walls stand 39 feet (12 m) and, at the foundation, are more than 6 feet thick (2 m). The fortress lies at the foot of the Belogradchik Rocks, which served as further protection. Kids can run around here to their hearts' content, playing Battle of the Empires, Ottoman vs. Bulgarian.

A stupendous structure, Tsarvets was the Second Bulgarian Empire's fortress from 1185 to 1393. The royal palaces were housed here, along with hundreds of quarters for the members of the court, guards, and servants, churches, and workshops. Tsarevets as you see today is not the original–it's been sacked and destroyed many times–but a faithful restoration that was undertaken between 1930 and 1981. The views from the top of the fortress are magnificent. If you don't want to climb, there's an elevator (2 leva per person) to the top of the bell tower. Tours in English can be arranged at the Tourist Information Centre (5 ul. Hristo Botev, +359–62–622–148) for 10 leva per person.