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Vidin Tourist Places to Visit in Vidin, Bulgarian, Europe

Vidin is a port town as well as the seat of Vidin Province in the northwestern Bulgaria covering an area of 63.218 sq. km. It is placed near the borders of Romania, connected with Calafat in Romania through the New Europe Bridge and is about 195 km north-northwest of the national capital, Sofia. Vidin is basically an agricultural and trade centre famous for its wine.

 

Geography of Vidin:

Vidin is geographically positioned between latitude 43°59′ in the north and longitude 22°52′ in the east at an elevation of 34 meters above sea level.

 

History of Vidin:

Vidin originated at Dunonia which was the site of an old Celtic settlement. The current name Vidin which comes from the Slavs who once settled Vidin and the literal meaning of Vidin is ‘fortified hill’.

 

How to reach Vidin?

Sofia Airport is the closest airport to Vidin located about 230 km from Sofia with scheduled flights to most of the major European cities including Moscow, London, Frankfurt, Berlin, Amsterdam, Milan, Madrid and Paris.

The train station and bus station of Vidin situated in the southern part of the town. There are daily buses available in Sofia, departing from Sofia Central Bus Station from morning to evening.

Taxis are accessible for both short and long distances, generally costing 2.50 lv within the town and 4 lv to ferry terminal.

The major taxi companies in Vidin include:

• Euro Taxi
• OK Taxi
• Tiko Taxi

 

Culture, Food and Shopping in Vidin:

The major festivals celebrated in Vidin include the Vidin Festival, Dimitrovden, the Bridge Festival, the Milka Festival and Dance along the Danube.

The prime shopping options in Vidin include:

• Central Market
• Lidl
• Kaufland
• Mall Vidin

Tourists can reach following food corners to have tasty traditional and international delicacies:

• Bonomia
• Classic
• Serbian Grill
• Mystique
• Kan Yuen

 

What to do in Vidin?

• Visiting Historical sites
• Visiting Museums
• Visiting Libraries
• Day tours
• Hiking

 

Tourist Attractions in Vidin:

Baba Vida Castle:

Baba Vida Castle is a prime tourist attraction as well as landmark in Vida constructed from 10th to 14th century. This medieval fortress features 2 fundamental walls and 4 towers and fortress-museum inside with complete history itself.

 

Konaka Museum:

Located in the heart of Vidin, Konaka Museum describes the history of Vidin from the prehistoric to the middle ages with different objects. It is placed in the 18th century building and is open for tourists from 9:00-18:00 from Monday to Friday. The entrance fee is 2-5 lv, depending on the age.

 

Nikola Petrov Gallery:

Nikola Petrov Gallery is situated in Danube Park which was founded in 1961. Tourists can see many renowned Bulgarian painters and sculptors incredible artworks in the museum.

 

List of other places of interest in Vidin includes:

• Krastata Kazarma
• Dimitar Church
• Osman Pazvantoglu Mosque
• Synagogue in Vidin
• Danube River
• Belogradchik Fortress
• Magura Cave
• Castra Martis
• Danube River Park
• Stadium Georgi Benkovski
• Cinema Nikra
• Drama Theatre Vladimir Trandafilov
• Belogradchik Rocks
• Danube Bridge II

 

Best time to visit Vidin:

The best time to visit Vidin would be during the months of the summer season from July to September.

 

Accommodation options in Vidin:

Price for hotel rooms is cheaper in Vidin compared to other regions of Bulgaria, middle range hotels charge around 40 lv for single per night and luxury hotels charge 50 lv/single/night. The prominent hotels in and around Vidin are as follows:

• Anna-Kristina
• Dunav Hotel
• Rovno Hotel
• Vidin Hotel
• Old Town Hotel
• Hotel TangRa
• Hotel Neptun
• Bononia Hotel
• Hotel Avramov
• Hotel Yoanna
• Hotel Skalite
• Guesthouse Geto
• Madona Inn Falkovets
• Artes Guest House
• Family Hotel The Rocks

Beautiful Tourist Places to Visit in Velingrad, Bulgarian, Europe

Velingrad is a town belonging to the Pazardzhik Province in Bulgaria located 777 meters above the sea level. It is a one of the very famous balneological resorts in Bulgaria as well as the seat of the Velingrad Municipality.

 

Geography of Velingrad:

Velingrad lies towards the extreme west of Chepino Valley in the southern part of the country, around 45 km southwest of the provincial capital, Pazardzhik and 135 km southeast of the national capital, Sofia. Velingrad covers a total area of 124.955 sq. km.

 

History of Velingrad:

It is believed that, Slavs were the first settlers of Velingrad, followed by Dragovichi tribe and Thracians. Velingrad is named in the honor of Vela Peeva who was a Bulgarian pacifist.

 

Connectivity to Velingrad:

Velingrad is served by Plovdiv Airport which is the 2^nd largest airport of Bulgaria catered by Air Contractors, Aviatrans Kiev, Ryanair, S7 Airlines, Jet2.com and Aeroflot with seasonal flights to Rostov, Dublin, Kiev, Belfast, Moscow and Hahn and year round flights to London.

Plovdiv Airport is located about 95 km away from Velingrad and there are taxis and buses available at the airport to Velingrad.

Other than regular buses, there are many tourist vehicles departing towards Sofia and Plovdiv to Velingrad during high season. Visitors can use taxi or bus or car for local travel in Velingrad.

 

Culture, Food and Shopping in Velingrad:

Velingrad is home to around 8 schools, 3 libraries and many entertainment centers.

Due to the regular visit of tourists, there are numerous branded products showrooms established in recent years in Velingrad and the town also houses many traditional handicraft shops.

The major food corners in and around Velingrad include:

• Tom & Nezi
• Cinarite
• Restaurant Konaka

 

Things to do in Velingrad:

• Visit mineral water springs
• Hiking
• Shopping
• Visiting Libraries

 

Places to see in Velingrad:

 

Mineral water springs in Velingrad:

Velingrad houses around 90 mineral water springs with useful medicinal properties that draw a large number of tourists as well as patients from the different regions of the world.

 

Kleptuza:

Kleptuza is the largest Karst spring in the country of Bulgaria which releases an average of 1200 liters of ice-cold water/second. This is a must see natural phenomenon.

 

Equestrian Center Sivek:

Equestrian Center Sivek is an upgraded horse riding complex giving an unforgettable horse riding experience. Tourists can visit with prior permission.

 

List of other places of interest in and around Velingrad includes:

• Bessa Valley Winery
• Monastery of St. Nicholas
• Lepenitsa Cave
• Plovdiv Roman Theatre
• Plovdiv Old Town
• Djumaya Mosque
• Ethnographic Museum
• Assenova krepost
• Bachkovo Monastery
• Cultural Center-Museum TrakArt
• Chiesa SS. Constantin e Elena
• Archeological Museum in Plovdiv
• Plovdiv Regional Historical Museum
• Dzhia Beach Swimming Pool
• Alyosha Soviet Army Memorial
• Sourp Kevork Armenian Apostolic Church

 

Ideal time to visit Velingrad:

The months between May and October will be ideal time to visit Velingrad.

 

Where to stay in Velingrad?

There are around 100 reputed accommodation centers in Velingrad categorized as hotels, motels, guest houses, BB and inns and holiday rentals with tourist favor facilities and services. Grand Hotel Velingrad is one of the five star hotels in Velingrad. The prominent hotels in Velingrad are listed here below:

• Balneo Complex & Spa Aquatonik
• Bor Spa-Club
• Maxi Park Hotel & Spa
• Spa Hotel Dvoretsa
• Balneo Complex Saint Spas
• Hotel Velina
• Grand Hotel Velingrad
• Elbrus Spa Hotel
• Park Hotel Olymp
• Spa Hotel Unikat
• Hotel Astra
• Spa Hotel Light
• Spa Hotel Rich
• Hotel Kamena
• Hotel Vitosha
• Spa Complex Rim

Places to Visit in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgarian, Europe

Veliko Tarnovo is the capital city of the Veliko Tarnovo Province in north central Bulgaria placed geographically at 43°05′N 25°39′ E, about 220 km northeast of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. It was earlier called by the different names such as Tarnovgrad and Tarnovo and was officially named as Tarnovo in 1965 and Veliko (Great) was added to Tarnovo to memorialize its rich history.

 

Geography of Veliko Tarnovo:

Veliko Tarnovo is situated on the Yantra River spread over an area of 30.379 sq. km. at an altitude of 220 meters.

 

History of Veliko Tarnovo:

Veliko Tarnovo earlier served as the capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire. The historical landmarks in Veliko Tarnovo include Patriarchal Cathedral, St Forty Martyrs Church, Veliko Tarnovo Castle and Kolyu Ficheto’s Cathedral.

 

How to reach Veliko Tarnovo?

There is an airport in Veliko Tarnovo but not served by any airlines presently, so it is advised for international tourists to reach Sofia Airport (about 220 km) or Varna Airport (around 220 km) first and then take train or bus from there to Veliko Tarnovo.

Veliko Tarnovo has a railway station located few kilometers away from the city centre receiving trains from the neighboring cities.

Buses are regular between Veliko Tarnovo, Sofia and Varna, generally costing about 20-22 leva from Sofia to Veliko Tarnovo.

Taxis and cars are always ready to serve tourists in Veliko Tarnovo.

 

Culture, Food and Shopping in Veliko Tarnovo:

Bulgarians form the higher majority of Veliko Tarnovo population, followed by Turks and Gypsies. Soccer, basketball and volleyball are the popular sports in Veliko Tarnovo.

The old market Samovodskata charshiya is ideal site to purchase traditional handicrafts and the prime food corners in Veliko Tarnovo include:

• Pizza Tempo
• Shtastliveca
• Hadji Nikoli Inn

 

Things to do in Veliko Tarnovo:

• Free Veliko Tarnovo Walking Tour
• Yoga Dharma – Day Class
• Visiting Historical sites
• Visiting Museums

 

What to see in Veliko Tarnovo?

Tsarevets:

Nestled on the Tsarevets hill in Veliko Tarnovo, Tsarevets is a medieval stronghold which was used by the Second Bulgarian Empire when Veliko Tarnovo was the capital of the empire. It is now being a top tourist destination hosting many majestic palaces and ruins.

 

Patriarchal Cathedral of the Holy Ascension of God:

The Patriarchal Cathedral of the Holy Ascension of God is a former Eastern Orthodox cathedral known for its typical construction. Placed on the crest of the Tsarevets Hill, the cathedral was initially built in the 11th–12th century and was renovated in 1970s.

 

Kolyu Ficheto’s Cathedral of the Birth of the Theotokos:

Built in the year 1844, Kolyu Ficheto’s Cathedral of the Birth of the Theotokos is one of the prime cathedrals in Veliko Tarnovo which was restored in 1913 with different specialties.

 

List of other places of interest in Veliko Tarnovo includes:

• Yantra River
• Veliko Tarnovo Old Town
• Samovodska Charshiya Street
• Veliko Tarnovo’s Castle
• Arbanassi
• Historical museums in Veliko Tarnovo
• An art museum in Veliko Tarnovo
• Peter and Paul Church
• Samovodska Charshiya Complex
• Asen’s Monument
• The Book Cave
• Forty Martyrs Church
• Boris Denev State Art Gallery

 

When to visit Veliko Tarnovo?

Veliko Tarnovo can be visited throughout the year except ending months of the year while heavy rainfall occurs.

 

Where to stay in Veliko Tarnovo?

Veliko Tarnovo is a historical city famous for its fortress, churches, museums and monuments as well as top class hotels. The major hotels with different tourist favor facilities in Veliko Tarnovo are as follows:

• Meridian Hotel Bolyarski
• Yantra Grand Hotel
• Hotel Panorama
• Guesthouse Veliko Tarnovo
• Sveta Gora Motel
• Arbanashka House
• Veliko Tarnovo Hotel Premier
• Hotel Beiskata Kashta
• Interhotel Veliko Turnovo
• The Loft Hostel
• Family Hotel Silvestar
• Hotel Bela Neda
• Hotel Complex Bryasta
• Arena Tarnovo Hotel
• Guest Rooms Harmony

Best Tourist Places to Visit in Varna, Bulgarian, Europe

Varna is the Bulgaria’s 3^rd largest city as well as the largest city on the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast covering an area of 154,236 sq. km. It falls under the Varna province and Varna municipality as an administrative centre and is a tourism centre in the eastern side of the country, holding a popular Golden Sands beach, a seaport, 5 universities headquarters and dozens of museums and galleries.

 

Geography of Varna:

Varna coordinates with 43°13′ N latitude and 27°55′ E longitude measuring an altitude of 80 meters. It experiences a humid subtropical climate with the summer season from May to October and winter season runs in the remaining months of the year with snowfall partially.

 

History of Varna:

There are several theories about the origin of the name Varna, one theory claims that, Varna derives its name from Proto-Slavic root ‘Varn’ which means ‘black’ and according to another theory, the name of Varna comes from the Iranian word ‘Var’ meaning ‘fortress’. The history of Varna dates back to the 6th century BC when it was initially established and Varna Necropolis in Varna witnessed the discovery of the oldest golden treasure in the globe.

 

Connectivity to Varna:

Varna is located around 130 km north-northeast of the Burgas city and east-northeast of the national capital, Sofia.

Varna is accessible with airport, located 8 km away from the downtown Varna. Tourists can take benefit of the regular shuttle bus services (free) between the airport and city centre.

Varna Airport operates air services to Frankfurt, Vienna, Amsterdam, Berlin, Dublin, London and Moscow (most of which are seasonal).

Varna also has a developed railway network, connected with Sofia, Plovdiv, and Rousse by daily trains. Car, bus, bike and taxis are the ideal options to get around.

 

Culture, Food and Shopping in Varna:

Varna boasts plenty of museums, churches and theatres. The International Ballet Competition in Varna is the oldest ballet competition in the world.

The shopping centers in Varna are listed below:

• Pfohe Mall
• Central Plaza
• Grand Mall

List of the major food corners in Varna include:

• BM
• Happy Bar and Grill
• Rodna Striaha

 

What to do in Varna?

• Visit the beaches of Varna
• Varna Green Tour
• Free Varna Tour

 

Tourist Attractions in Varna:

Dormition of the Mother of God Cathedral:

Dormition of the Mother of God Cathedral is the Bulgaria’s 2^nd largest cathedral after the Alexander Nevski cathedral in Sofia. It is one of the identities of Varna which was opened in 1886.

 

Varna Archaeological Museum:

Varna Archaeological Museum displays around 100000 objects including typical Gold of Varna. The large Roman baths and the medieval grotto of Aladzha Monastery are other specials in the museum.

 

Varna Aquarium:

Varna Aquarium is home to around 140 fish species of Black Sea and other freshwater fish. It was inaugurated in 1932.

 

List of other places of interest in Varna includes:

• Stoyan Bachvarov Theatre
• Memorial of the Battle of Varna
• The Sea Garden
• Port of Varna
• The Palace of Culture and Sports
• Statue of Tsar Kaloyan
• Euxinograd palace
• Saint Nicholas seamen’s church
• Athanasius church
• Art Nouveau Mansion
• Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy
• The Dolphinarium
• Georgi Velchev Gallery

 

Best time to visit Varna:

Summer months from May to October will be best time to trip to Varna.

 

Accommodation options in Varna:

Varna is rich in all the sectors including hospitality industry with around 200 world class hotels ranging from star to 5 stars. Hostels are ideal for those looking for budget option. The prominent hotels in Varna are listed here below:

• Grand Hotel London
• Hi Hotel
• Graffit Gallery Hotel
• Dolphin Hotel
• Splendid Boutique
• Imperial Hotel
• Grifid Hotel Metropol
• BEST WESTERN Park Hotel
• Capitol Hotel
• Grand Hotel Dimyat
• Oceanic Hotel
• Dallas Business Club
• Alekta Hotel
• Hotel Acropolis
• Panorama Hotel