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Shumen, Bulgaria, is the proper metropolis to expertise genuine Bulgarian tradition, away from the vacationer bubble and traps. Take a look at my information to the town and begin planning your journey!

One summer time, I stayed within the Shumen space for months. Throughout that point, I took half in archeological excavations in Veliki Preslav, the capital of the First Bulgarian Emp.

Then I went on to go to a number of cities in Bulgaria and neighboring locations: Veliki Preslav and Shumen, after all, but additionally Madara, Sofia, Veliko Tarnovo, Pliska, Varna, Sunny Seaside & Nessebar, Athens, and Bucharest.

Shumen is a metropolis situated in northeastern Bulgaria, an hour away from Varna. It won’t be the primary metropolis to pop up on a typical vacationer itinerary, however that’s exactly why it’s so particular. It’s a hidden gem ready to be found.

In my opinion, it’s the excellent metropolis to expertise genuine Bulgarian tradition, away from the vacationer bubble and traps. Should you’re on the lookout for a base for a couple of weeks, it’s the proper spot: it’s inexpensive, you possibly can dwell like an area, and the cherry on high – on your following locations, you’ll discover simple bus journeys to Romania, Greece, and Turkey.

Moreover, if you wish to study in regards to the early days of the First Bulgarian Empire, the Shumen province is the place for that.

All in all, Shumen is a good place to go to in Bulgaria.

Greatest Time To Visit Shumen

Shumen is gorgeous year-round, however one of the best time to go to is throughout the spring and summer time, as it can permit you to benefit from the stunning nature across the metropolis.

High Sights In Shumen

You’ll discover on this information my strategies for one of the best locations to see and vacationer sights in Shumen:

Issues To Do In Shumen

1. 1300 Years Of Bulgaria Monument

Let’s begin with essentially the most visited monument in Shumen and with essentially the most well-known monuments within the nation.

The 1300 Years of Bulgaria monument, as you in all probability guessed, commemorates the 1300th anniversary of the Bulgarian state. Born out of the brutalist motion, the monument retells the historical past of Bulgari in cubist and modernist designs, representing completely different intervals over the previous few centuries. The sheer measurement of the monument alone makes it an awe-inspiring sight, so well worth the detour.

It’s situated on the excessive Shumen Plateau, so be able to climb to get to the monument.

The Plateau can also be an exquisite park with many climbing trails, and it’s the start line for paragliding expeditions. Should you ask me, it’s the proper out of doors exercise!

2. Madara Nationwide Historic & Archaeological Park

Just a few kilometers east of Shumen, only a brief drive away, is the Madara Nationwide Historic and Archaeological Park, during which you’ll discover the Madara Fortress and Madara Rider (or Madara Horseman), depicting a knight triumphing over a lion immediately carved on the Madara plateau, right into a 100-m-high cliff.

This carving entered the UNESCO World Heritage record, as it’s the solely medieval rock artwork of its sort with no different parallel in Europe. The inscriptions across the rock aid retell essential occasions of the First Empire and its ki,ngs Tervel, Kormi,sos, and Omurtag.

The park can also be dwelling to numerous landscapes, from forests and meadows to caves and waterfalls. There are infinite alternatives to hike the Plateau, bike, and even bird-watch alongside the paths!

3. Shumen Fortress

Perched on high of a hill overlooking the town, the Fortress is a crucial monument as effectively. It dates again to the early Center Ages, across the eighth century,y and because it has been witness to many battles and sieges, its ruins are a website of curiosity and 100% price a go to.

This stunning place presents an intriguing peak into Bulgaria’s previous and a wide ranging view of the town and the encompassing countryside.

4. Tombul Mosque

Inbuilt 1744, the Tombul Mosque is likely one of the largest and most stunning Ottoman mosques in Bulgaria and a masterpiece of Islamic structure.

The gorgeous inside and peaceable courtyard are excellent for a couple of hours of solace if you want them.

5. Biserna Cave

You would suppose visiting a cave is a somber affair. Properly, not the Biserna Cave.

Because of the lights put in and the sparkly stalactite formations, the entire place is glowing. It’s actually an fascinating sight, with the stalactites dripping water, the underground river, and the echo that each noise makes.

6. Regional Historic Museum

This museum shows the wealthy historical past of Shumen and its province. It provides good perception into the ability of the First Empire, with artifacts and gadgets of curiosity from surrounding cities resembling Veliki Preslav, Pliska, Madara, and many others.

The entrance price to the museum is round 2 to three euros.

7. Tasting The Native Delicacies

Shumen is the best metropolis to style genuine, native meals Bulgarian meals, as the town, for essentially the most half, doesn’t obtain and doesn’t cater to vacationers. Having visited a number of cities in Bulgaria, I discovered that eating places in Shumen are the closest you will get to my Bulgarian associates’ do-it-yourself meals.

If you’re there, don’t overlook to strive the Banitsa, a filo pastry you could eat for breakfast.

My private favourite, Kavarma, is a meat stew slowly cooked to deliver out the flavors. Completely implausible; I extremely advocate it.

Should you’re courageous, give Shkembe Chorba a strive: it’s a soup constituted of tripe and flavored with garlic, vinegar, and chili – two years later, I’m nonetheless cut up on whether or not I remorse consuming it or not!

And through sizzling summer time days, you’ll want to eat Tarator, a chilly soup constituted of yogurt and cucumbers – form of like Tzatziki however as a soup. One small observe: be certain to ask for much less salt as individuals there could make it fairly salty, in my expertise.

Lastly, you MUST strive Rakia, the Bulgarian alcohol that may make your head flip. No journey to Bulgaria can be full with out testing it. Should you can someway get ahold of do-it-yourself Rakia – and also you may, for those who make associates in Shumen – even higher!

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Day Journeys And  Locations To Visit Close by

The beauty of Shumen is that it’s a hub for buses and really effectively linked by prepare as effectively, so you have got entry to different nice cities simply.

From there, I managed to achieve different nice locations resembling Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Sunny Seaside, Athens, and Bucharest.

Pliska

Half an hour away from Shumen is Pliska, the primary capital of the First Empire, the place you’ll find the stays of the Grand Basilica, one of many largest early Christian church buildings in Europe.

Veliki Preslav

Veliki Preslav, the second capital of that very same Empire, can also be a mere 30 min away.

Enjoyable truth! Veliki Preslav is the place the Cyrillic alphabet was invented throughout the reign of Simeon The Nice (one of the distinguished, if not THE most distinguished, determine in Bulgaria’s historical past).

Nevertheless, in my view, essentially the most enjoyable factor to go to in Veliki Preslav is the Kostadinov rock monastery, an historic sanctuary immediately carved into the cliffs.

Varna

A preferred coastal city, Varna is simply an hour’s drive away.

Throughout my journey, I discovered the Balchik Palace and Botanical Gardens to be ns essentially the most fascinating locations to go to. The archeological museum of Varna additionally hosts the oldest gold treasure ever discovered.

Sunny Seaside And Nessebar

Whereas I preferred Varna, when you have restricted time, I’d recommend skipping it to go straight to Sunny Seaside and Nessebar. They’re a bit additional away (2 hours), in order that they act higher as a weekend vacation spot, however there you’ll discover stunning seashores, historic websites and implausible nightlife.

Nesseba,r specifically,r is an under-appreciated treasure.

Veliko Tarnovo

Veliko Tarnovo, which is situated 2 hours away by prepare, is a gem, and so, so price visiting.

It is likely one of the finest locations to see in Bulgaria. It’s a historic city with an exquisite medieval middle overlooking the river. Additionally it is dwelling to the Tsarevets Fortress and the Ascension Cathedral, one of the fascinating church buildings I’ve had the possibility to go to.

The place To Keep In Shumen

Shumen presents a spread of lodging choices for each price range and choice.

I extremely advocate Visitor Home Bulgarka, it’s a bit additional away from the town middle, however that additionally means it’s within the countryside. Additionally it is very stunning and atypical, and that’s why I like to recommend it.

For one thing extra centrally situated, Avenue is a good possibility.

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Navigating Round Shumen

Getting round Shumen is straightforward, due to the town’s compact measurement and environment friendly public transport system.

I recommend renting a motorcycle to get round and discover the encompassing space and take a couple of hours to benefit from the peaceable ambiance, observing the native wildlife, and having fun with the Bulgarian countryside.

Shumen FAQs & Vacationers Ideas

• Know Some Bulgarian: in my expertise, few individuals in Shumen converse English, so I’d positively be certain to study a couple of sentences in Bulgarian, or at the least have a very good connection and a translating app on me always!
• Lev Is The Foreign money: Bulgarians don’t use euros; they use Lev. Change your cash earlier than the journey or use a global card like Clever.
• Use The Vacationer Info Heart: you possibly can at all times get up-to-date information within the vacationer info middle
• Obtain A Bulgarian Taxi App: Uber isn’t obtainable in Bulgaria, so you need to obtain a Bulgarian taxi app. TaxiMe is the one I used most frequently throughout Bulgaria, and I discovered it environment friendly and handy
• Get A SIM Card: for those who run out of web knowledge, you possibly can simply get a SIM card with a certain quantity of knowledge; no ID or proof of residence is required

Why Shumen Deserves A Spot On Your Journey Record

There are a lot of issues to do in Shumen, however above all; the town presents the chance to expertise genuine Bulgarian tradition in a manner you gained’t discover in different vacationer locations.

Additionally it is the proper place to remain to arrange day and weekend journeys to those different fashionable spots that you just positively wish to go to as effectively. We now have to do each, in any case!

All in all, Shumen is a good place to spend a couple of weeks wandering round, consuming, exercising, utilizing, and experiencing Bulgarian tradition and historical past.