3 Best Sights in Bulgaria

This small gallery, inside Assenevtsi Park and next to the Assens' monument, is housed in a fine early 20th-century building. On display are paintings and etchings by 20th century Bulgarian artists, both of Veliko Tarnovo itself and of the region's historical events. The best pieces are paintings of the colorful houses that sit upon the city's hills, which is exactly the view you see from the museum's windows. Tours in French or English are available for 5 leva per adult.

Eight kilometers (5 miles) from Veliko Tarnovo, just outside the village of Samovodene, is this beautiful Eastern Orthodox monastery. From Veliko Tarnovo, you can hike here in about an hour and a half. The monastery was originally built in the 14th century but, like so many churches, was burnt down by invading Ottomans. It was rebuilt in the 1830s, designed by Bulgarian National Revival architect Kolyu Ficheto. The stunning frescoes and icons that cover the monastery's interior are the handiwork of Zahari Zograf, perhaps Bulgaria's most famous National Revival artist. Preobrazhenski Monastery sits on a hill, surrounded by trees and overlooking the Yantra Gorge.

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.