Arbanasi is one of the most characteristic and picturesque ancient Bulgarian towns, situated on a plateau overlooking the valley where is the ancient Bulgarian capital of Veliko Tarnovo, which is only 4 km. It's now a major tourist destination thanks to its rich history and the great number of historical monuments such as medieval churches, rich in murals, and houses typical of Bulgarian architecture. The town was founded in the thirteenth century, became an important commercial centre and had the period of peak between the sixteenth and the eighteenth century, when were built the houses and churches that today characterize it. 

Arbanasi main attractions: The typical buildings of Arbanesi have appearance of a fortress with high walls of stone, but the external facade contrasts with the pleasing and comfortable interiors, with ceilings, windows, doors finely carved in wood and walls with ornamental grout. Even the churches follow the same architecture, with sturdy walls, small windows and no exterior ornamentation, while the interior is rich in murals and carved wood. Arbanasi is a town museum, declared by the Bulgarian state an historic settlement, with 144 houses renovated, 5 churches with richly decorated interior (Nativity, St. Archangel Michael and Gabriel, St. Demetrios, St. Athanasius, St. George) and 2 monasteries (St. Nicholas and Virgin Mary). 

Arbanasi is easily reachable from Veliko Tarnovo (4 km). The nearest airports are located in Varna (240 km) and Sofia (220 km).

To visit in the area: Veliko Tarnovo (4 km), the ancient capital of Bulgaria, is one of the oldest settlements in the country. The historical part of the city is situated on three hills, has many historical monuments as the ruins of the castles of Tsarevets and Trapezitsa, the Church of St. Demetrius of Thessaloniki, and many houses by the typical Bulgarian architecture. Monastery Preobrajenski (5 km), located under insurmountable rocks at peak of the left bank of the river Yantra. The monastery is famous for its four churches, built by the best Bulgarian masters since the Renaissance. The churches carved into the rock of Ivanovo (70 km), inserted site by UNESCO in the list of world heritage sites, this is a complex of churches, monasteries and chapels of the 12th-14th century with wall frescoes of exceptional beauty. Kazanlak (100 km), another site included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites, it is a tomb of the Hellenistic period (fourth century BC), which is located near Seutopolis, which was the ancient capital of king of Thrace Seutes III. The tomb has a narrow corridor and a round burial chamber, both environments are richly decorated with murals representing Thracian burial ritual. These paintings are the best examples of Hellenistic painting kept in Bulgaria. Sveshtari (130 km), near this village is a Thrace Tomb of the third century BC. also declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the tomb presents figures carved in high relief and murals. Madara (150 km), another site included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage properties. On a rocky wall 100 meters tall is carved in the rock the figure of a knight who triumphs over a lion, along with an inscription that narrates the events occurred between 705 AD and 801 AD. Madara was the most important holy place of the first Bulgarian Empire before converting to Christianity occurred in the ninth century.