North-Eastern Bulgaria at a Glance - Ivanovo, Shumen & Madara from Bucharest
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 2 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is North-Eastern Bulgaria at a Glance - Ivanovo, Shumen & Madara from Bucharest worth booking?
North-Eastern Bulgaria at a Glance - Ivanovo, Shumen & Madara from Bucharest is a 12-hour experience in Bucharest, Romania, from $135 per person. It scores 62 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 2 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 62 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (2)
- Duration
- 12 hours
- From
- $135 per person
We offer you a well balanced round trip from Bucharest to north-eastern part of Bulgaria, with a little bit of everything incuded: breathtaking scenery, two UNESCO sites, amazing ruins, historical places, monuments, awe
What you get
- Private transportation
- Your own dedicated professional English speaking tour-guide (driving)
- Bottled water
- In-vehicle air conditioning
About this experience
We offer you a well balanced round trip from Bucharest to north-eastern part of Bulgaria, with a little bit of everything incuded: breathtaking scenery, two UNESCO sites, amazing ruins, historical places, monuments, awe inspiring churches and the best look-out points.
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- Your own dedicated professional English speaking tour-guide (driving)
- Bottled water
- In-vehicle air conditioning
Not included
- Photo/video fees at museums/attractions (if any)
- Visa fee
- Personal expenses
- Personal insurance
- Meals
- Gratuities
- Admission fees
What you'll see and do
Rock-hewn Churches of Ivanovo
Early morning pick-up from your accommodation in Bucharest. Head south, toward the Bulgarian border. We cross the Danube river on the Friendship Bridge, not far from the Bulgarian border town of Ruse. Ruse is the gateway to the Rusenski Lom, a twisting canyon where medieval monks turned caves near Ivanovo into a rock-cut complex of monasteries. In the 14th century a large community of monks lived here. At the peak of the monastery complex, the number of churches was about 40, while the other premises were around 300, most of which are not preserved today. During the winter season, when one can't visit Ivanovo rock-hewn church, we visit instead the Rock Monastery of St. Dimitar Basarbovski. Built into a sheer cliff east of Basarbovo, this is the only still functioning rock monastery in Bulgaria. The iconfilled church founded in the 15th century and named after the holy man and healer Dimitar of Basarbovo, is reached by a zig-zagging stone staircase.
90 minutes here · Admission not included
Monument "1300 Years of Bulgaria"
TRANSFORMERS IN STONE !!! Travel to the city of Shumen for a visit to the impressive Monument to "1300 Years of Bulgaria", also known as the "Founders of the Bulgarian State Monument", a large monument built on a plateau above the city of Shumen, Bulgaria. It was built in 1981 to commemorate the 1300th anniversary of the First Bulgarian Empire.
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Tombul Mosque
Next is Mosque Sheriff Khalil Pasha, also known as Tombul Mosque. Located in Shumen, it was built in 1744, and is the largest mosque in Bulgaria and the second largest in the Balkan Peninsula after the mosque Sultan Selim, located in the city of Edirne, the Republic of Turkey..
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Madara Rider
Last attraction of the day - the Madara Rider, representing the figure of a knight triumphing over a lion, is carved into a 100-m-high cliff near the village of Madara. Madara was the principal sacred place of the First Bulgarian Empire before Bulgaria’s conversion to Christianity in the 9th century. The inscriptions beside the sculpture tell of events that occurred between AD 705 and 801. The Madara Rider is a unique relief, an exceptional work of art, created during the first years of the formation of the Bulgarian State, at the beginning of the 8th century. It is the only relief of its kind, having no parallel in Europe. It has survived in its authentic state, with no alternation in the past or the present. The inscriptions around the relief are, in fact, a chronicle of important events concerning the reigns of very famous Khans: Tervel, Kormisos and Omurtag.
120 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 7 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Tours in Romania by Adrian Ene
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- A current, valid passport is required
- Please, make sure you owe all the necessary documents and permissions for crossing the border between Romania and Bulgaria.
Photos
Traveler reviews
2 verified traveler reviews for North-Eastern Bulgaria at a Glance - Ivanovo, Shumen & Madara from Bucharest. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Wonderful week in a weekend in Bulgaria
Just returned from a fantastic two-day tour to Bulgaria from Bucharest with Adrian, with the great advantage of detailed knowledge of more than 2000 years of history of both countries! Adrian is kind, thoughtful, informative and flexible, adding extra places on the personalised itinerary as time allows, and keeping an incredibly well stocked provision of water, fruit and delicious snacks in his car. The two-day itinerary to north Bulgaria is both beautiful and varied, with lovely nature and views, amazing UNESCO and Communist sites, delicious food and excellent artisan shopping, plus some hidden off-the-beaten path gems, and an added highlight a meal made and eaten with a local family. Everything I usually look for in a week from a European holiday packed into a weekend! Let Adrian know your interests and offer suggestions and he will find a fabulous itinerary for you, as well as the ‘big ticket’ sights. Adrian’s first and foremost priority is the client experience and comfort, and the background research effort he puts in to find the most interesting sights and experiences for his clients really sets him apart as a guide. He also goes the extra mile to meet his client needs even if it’s at a personal inconvenience to himself, such as driving all the way back across the city to drop me off at my airport accommodation rather than the centre of Bucharest, and sorting out local currency for my incidental expenditure do I could just deal either Euros and not have to mess with small ATM withdrawals. Just a couple of things which illustrate his thoughtfulness and excellent client focus. I am already planning future trips to Romania with Adrian, I can’t recommend his services highly enough and you won’t regret your choice for trips to the region with him.
via Tripadvisor
Amazing trip and a lot of fun!
Well balanced itinerary, perfect for a full day out. Hand picked attractions, two UNESCO sites and the huge, impressive, Transformers-like "Monument to 1300 years of Bulgaria" in Shumen. The guide, Adrian, was very polite, knowledgeable, and a good driver. The car he used was spotless and comfortable. I can't recommend Adrian highly enough!
Response from the operator: Thanks so much for your rating and review, Mihaela! It makes my day to read that you and your family had such a great time out with me!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 12 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 11+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $135 to $450
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 62
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
North-Eastern Bulgaria at a Glance - Ivanovo, Shumen & Madara from Bucharest: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Bucharest.
How much does North-Eastern Bulgaria at a Glance - Ivanovo, Shumen & Madara from Bucharest cost?
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Prices start at $135 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Bucharest usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does North-Eastern Bulgaria at a Glance - Ivanovo, Shumen & Madara from Bucharest take?
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Plan for about 12 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Bucharest is not rushed.
Is North-Eastern Bulgaria at a Glance - Ivanovo, Shumen & Madara from Bucharest worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 62 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 2 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Bucharest, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule North-Eastern Bulgaria at a Glance - Ivanovo, Shumen & Madara from Bucharest?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is North-Eastern Bulgaria at a Glance - Ivanovo, Shumen & Madara from Bucharest suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 11. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 12-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book North-Eastern Bulgaria at a Glance - Ivanovo, Shumen & Madara from Bucharest?
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Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Bucharest can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Bucharest and add a light layer if any part of the 12-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does North-Eastern Bulgaria at a Glance - Ivanovo, Shumen & Madara from Bucharest start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Bucharest within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Bucharest?
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On Outty we rank every Bucharest experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include The Real tour of Communism, Bucharest Highlights Walking Tour, Top Gear Road, Small-group max 7 pax with Pick-up, Transfăgărăşan. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Bucharest?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Bucharest?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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