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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 season, 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, in fact, but additionally Madara, Sofia, Veliko Tarnovo, Pliska, Varna, Sunny Seashore & 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.
For my part, it’s the excellent metropolis to expertise genuine Bulgarian tradition, away from the vacationer bubble and traps. In case you’re on the lookout for a base for a number of weeks, it’s the proper spot: it’s reasonably priced, you possibly can stay like an area, and the cherry on prime – to your following locations, you’ll discover straightforward bus journeys to Romania, Greece, and Turkey.
Moreover, if you wish to be taught concerning the early days of the First Bulgarian Empire, the Shumen province is the place for that.
All in all, Shumen is a superb place to go to in Bulgaria.
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Finest Time To Go to Shumen
Shumen is gorgeous year-round, however one of the best time to go to is through the spring and summer season, as it should permit you to benefit from the stunning nature across the metropolis.
High Sights In Shumen
You’ll discover on this information my ideas for one of the best locations to see and vacationer points of interest in Shumen:
QUICK LIST OF TOP THINGS TO DO IN SHUMEN
- The 1300 Years of Bulgaria Monument
- The Madara Rider
- The Shumen Fortress
- The Rock Monasteries
- The Tombul Mosque
- The Bisena Cave
Issues To Do In Shumen
1. 1300 Years Of Bulgaria Monument
Let’s begin with probably the most visited monument in Shumen and with probably 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 durations over the previous couple of centuries. The sheer dimension of the monument alone makes it an awe-inspiring sight, so definitely worth the detour.
It’s situated on the excessive Shumen Plateau, so be able to climb to get to the monument.
The Plateau can be an exquisite park with many climbing trails, and it’s the start line for paragliding expeditions. In case you ask me, it’s the proper out of doors exercise!
2. Madara Nationwide Historic & Archaeological Park
A couple of kilometers east of Shumen, only a quick drive away, is the Madara Nationwide Historic and Archaeological Park, by 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 listing, as it’s the solely medieval rock artwork of its variety with no different parallel in Europe. The inscriptions across the rock aid retell necessary occasions of the First Empire and its ki,ngs Tervel, Kormi,sos, and Omurtag.
The park can be dwelling to numerous landscapes, from forests and meadows to caves and waterfalls. There are limitless alternatives to hike the Plateau, bike, and even bird-watch alongside the paths!
3. Shumen Fortress
Perched on prime of a hill overlooking the town, the Fortress is a crucial monument as properly. 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 affords an intriguing peak into Bulgaria’s previous and a wide ranging view of the town and the encircling 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 number of hours of solace once you want them.
5. Biserna Cave
You’ll assume visiting a cave is a somber affair. Properly, not the Biserna Cave.
Due to the lights put in and the sparkly stalactite formations, the entire place is glowing. It’s definitely an attention-grabbing 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 facility of the First Empire, with artifacts and objects of curiosity from surrounding cities equivalent to Veliki Preslav, Pliska, Madara, and so forth.
The doorway charge 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 probably 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 mates’ do-it-yourself meals.
If you’re there, don’t overlook to strive the Banitsa, a filo pastry that you could eat for breakfast.
My private favourite, Kavarma, is a meat stew slowly cooked to carry out the flavors. Completely implausible; I extremely advocate it.
In case you’re courageous, give Shkembe Chorba a strive: it’s a soup produced from 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 season days, it would be best to eat Tarator, a chilly soup produced from yogurt and cucumbers – type of like Tzatziki however as a soup. One small notice: be certain that 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 can make your head flip. No journey to Bulgaria could be full with out testing it. In case you can someway get ahold of do-it-yourself Rakia – and also you may, for those who make mates in Shumen – even higher!
Day Journeys And Locations To Go to Close by
The wonderful thing about Shumen is that it’s a hub for buses and really properly related by practice as properly, so you’ve gotten entry to different nice cities simply.
From there, I managed to achieve different nice locations equivalent to Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Sunny Seashore, Athens, and Bucharest.
Pliska
Half an hour away from Shumen is Pliska, the primary capital of the First Empire, the place you could 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 be a mere 30 min away.
Enjoyable reality! Veliki Preslav is the place the Cyrillic alphabet was invented through the reign of Simeon The Nice (one of the crucial outstanding, if not THE most outstanding, determine in Bulgaria’s historical past).
Nevertheless, for my part, probably 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 well-liked coastal city, Varna is simply an hour’s drive away.
Throughout my journey, I discovered the Balchik Palace and Botanical Gardens to be ns probably the most attention-grabbing locations to go to. The archeological museum of Varna additionally hosts the oldest gold treasure ever discovered.
Sunny Seashore And Nessebar
Whereas I favored Varna, when you’ve got restricted time, I’d recommend skipping it to go straight to Sunny Seashore 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 particularly,r is an under-appreciated treasure.
Veliko Tarnovo
Veliko Tarnovo, which is situated 2 hours away by practice, is a gem, and so, so price visiting.
It is likely one of the greatest locations to see in Bulgaria. It’s a historic city with an exquisite medieval heart overlooking the river. It is usually dwelling to the Tsarevets Fortress and the Ascension Cathedral, one of the crucial attention-grabbing church buildings I’ve had the possibility to go to.
The place To Keep In Shumen
Shumen affords a variety of lodging choices for each finances and choice.
I extremely advocate Visitor Home Bulgarka, it’s a bit additional away from the town heart, however that additionally means it’s within the countryside. It is usually very stunning and atypical, and that’s why I like to recommend it.
For one thing extra centrally situated, Avenue is a superb choice.
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Navigating Round Shumen
Getting round Shumen is straightforward, due to the town’s compact dimension and environment friendly public transport system.
I recommend renting a motorcycle to get round and discover the encircling space and take a number 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 communicate English, so I’d positively be certain that to be taught a number of sentences in Bulgarian, or no less than have a great 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 Middle: you possibly can at all times get up-to-date information within the vacationer info heart
- Obtain A Bulgarian Taxi App: Uber shouldn’t be accessible in Bulgaria, so it’s important 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 information, you possibly can simply get a SIM card with a specific amount of knowledge; no ID or proof of residence is required
SHUMEN BULGARIA FAQS
What’s the greatest time of yr to go to Shumen?
The most effective time to go to Shumen is through the spring and summer season to get pleasure from nature.
Can I get by with English in Shumen?
No, most individuals don’t communicate English in Shumen. Have your telephone and web on you always to translate, simply in case.
What are the highest points of interest in Shumen?
The highest Shumen points of interest embody the Shumen Fortress, the Monument to 1300 Years of Bulgaria, the Tombul Mosque, and the Madara Rider.
Are there good lodging choices in Shumen?
Sure, Shumen affords a number of nice lodging choices, from budget-friendly hostels and guesthouses to extra luxurious resorts.
How do I get to Shumen from Sofia?
Shumen is definitely accessible from Sofia by street and rail. The journey by automotive takes about 4 hours, whereas trains and buses additionally supply common companies between the 2 cities.
Why Shumen Deserves A Spot On Your Journey Checklist
There are various issues to do in Shumen, however above all; the town affords the chance to expertise genuine Bulgarian tradition in a means you gained’t discover in different vacationer locations.
It is usually the proper place to remain to prepare day and weekend journeys to those different common spots that you just positively need to go to as properly. We now have to do each, in spite of everything!
All in all, Shumen is a superb place to spend a number of weeks wandering round, consuming, exercising, utilizing, and experiencing Bulgarian tradition and historical past.
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