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City in Bulgaria
Photo: bg:User:Ultra green, CC BY-SA 1.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Vratsa (Bulgarian: Враца) is a city of in North Bulgaria. Built at the foot of a branch of the Balkan Mountains, it has one of the most scenic skylines in Bulgaria, and it's also the starting point for numerous natural features, most notably the Ledenika Cave, the Skaklya Waterfall and the Vrattsata Pass.
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This museum is worth visiting, especially the Rogozen Treasure. Also has art and geological and other sections. Wonderful ethnographic museum.
Kurtpashova kula
One of the pair of post-medieval towers in the very centre of Vratsa. It was built under Ottoman rule, in the 17th century as the fortified residence of a local feudal (pasha), and reaches a height of 11 m.
The other Ottoman tower in Vratsa. Also built in the 17th century, the stone walls reach a height of 13.4 m, with a wooden superstructure on top. In the 19th century, it was turned into a clock tower. The most recent clock is from 2006.
At the sport complex of the city.
Besides pizza and pasta you can enjoy some traditional delicious Bulgarian food.
located outside Vratza, along the Leva river, direction mountains
Rather pricy, great kitchen, fantastic ambiente. After dinner, go up to the small terrace just above the restaurant: a pleasant view of the mountains.
Free Wi-Fi.
opposite Hotel 'Hemus'
Free Wi-Fi.
Free Wi-Fi.
One of the oldest cafés of the city, renovated, free Wi-Fi.
Beware the shower in the luxury rooms—although there's a shower tray, the shower curtain lets the water flood the bathroom in some of the rooms. There's a fridge in the room but the room attendant puts the electricity card in the "off" position so the fridge doesn't work while you're out unless you put the card in the "on" position before you go out. Bottom sheets not fitted and not big enough. Good wireless Internet in rooms. There are grocery stores and a tourism information office within walkable distance from the hotel.
Kaufland supermarket in Vratsa - walkable without groceries, for returning to Chaika Motel take yellow cab from Kaufland car park - 1.63 лв on meter.
By train
The main railway station connects the city with the capital of Bulgaria, Sofia, and also with the cities of Vidin, Lom, and Mezdra. The train frequency is acceptable.
By bus
The omnibus station is near the railway station. Buses connect Vratza directly with Sofia, Vidin, Kozloduy, Lom, Oriahovo, and many other cities. Nearby villages are also connected via bus links.
By car
Vratsa is on the international E-79 route, and thus easily accessed from Vidin (2 hours), Sofia (1.5-2 hours), etc. Road signs are mostly written in the Cyrillic and Latin alphabets.
By bike
Some remote places can also be reached by bike (like Hizhata), see it like a nice work-out. Cycling on the road can be dangerous, since not all car drivers keep distance and tolerate bikers.
By taxi
The yellow cabs can be spotted very often and are rather cheap. The prices are shown on the windshield of the vehicle.
By trolleybus or bus
This kind of transportation connects the remote parts of the city and the centre. Although rather slow it is a good and cheap alternative to the taxis.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Sofia · International · SOF
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