2 Best Shopping in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

The British owner of this shop, Karen, is a keen bibliophile. The Book Cave sells second-hand English-language books starting from four leva and has nearly 4,000 in stock. Visitors can buy, sell, and trade books here as well as chat with Karen about her life in Bulgaria and get travel tips from a local-expat. With enough advance notice, Karen can try and track down hard-to-find books. You can't miss the shop; look for the white and kelly green facade and a red sign that says "BOOKS."

What was once the big city market is now a series of quaint cobblestone streets lined in beautifully restored pre- and post-Liberation houses-turned-workshops, bakeries, souvenir stands, and cafés. The artisans here specialize in wood carving, icon painting, weaving, pottery, and copper- and silversmithing. Alongside magnets and postcards, visitors will find handcrafted souvenirs like copper plates, wooden spoons, and ceramic cups.