Place to visit
Shumen Fortress, Bulgaria: what it is and when to go
Shumen Fortress is an archaeological site overlooking the city of Shumen in Bulgaria (Шуменска крепост). Interests: History. The best time to visit is May to October. In June there are 15 h 11 of daylight, and in December, 8 h 48. It has articles in 12 Wikipedias, so it is not one of the busiest places in Bulgaria: one to enjoy at a calmer pace. Here is what it is, where it lies, when to come, how to get there and what else is nearby to turn it into a trip.
In a nutshell
- What it is
- Archaeological site overlooking the city of Shumen in Bulgaria · History
- Local name
- Шуменска крепост
- Where
- Bulgaria
- Best time
- May to October.
- Nearest airport
- VAR Varna, 76 km as the crow flies
- Website
- museum-shumen.eu
- Coordinates
- 43.26253, 26.89461
What it is and where
Shumen Fortress is an archaeological site overlooking the city of Shumen in Bulgaria (Шуменска крепост). It has articles in 12 Wikipedias, so it is not one of the busiest places in Bulgaria: one to enjoy at a calmer pace.
It is in Shumen, where this site lists 11 more places to see, 2.9 km from the centre.
Its coordinates are 43.26253, 26.89461; the nearest main airport is Varna Airport (VAR, Varna), 76 km as the crow flies. How to get around Bulgaria (train, car, bus) is covered in its country guide.
Where it is (opens in a new tab)Directions (opens in a new tab)
It is one of the History places in Bulgaria. In Kokai it is already on your trip map next to the places you save yourself, and it goes into a day's plan with one tap.
When to go
The best time to visit Shumen Fortress is May to October.
- JanPossible9:08
- FebPossible10:17
- MarPossible11:39
- AprPossible13:12
- MayBest time14:29
- JunBest time15:11
- JulBest time14:54
- AugBest time13:47
- SepBest time12:17
- OctBest time10:47
- NovPossible9:27
- DecPossible8:48
Best timePossibleBetter notHours of daylight
In June there are 15 h 11 of daylight, and in December, 8 h 48. Daylight hours are calculated from the site's latitude for the 15th of each month; when planning a full day on foot they matter as much as the weather.
When to go to Bulgaria in general, with its festivals and peak seasons, is in its country guide.
Before you go to Bulgaria
To enter Bulgaria there are 6 things to sort out before you leave, starting with “Valid Spanish ID card (DNI) or passport”: they are all, with their deadlines, in the Bulgaria checklist. Currency: Euro (EUR) since 1 January 2026; plugs: Type C and F · 230 V · 50 Hz (the same plug as in Spain); emergencies: 112.
In Kokai you tick off the checklist inside your trip, and each item reminds you when it is time to do it.
What is nearby
- Tombul MosqueThe largest mosque in Bulgaria1.5 km
- BukakaNature reserve in Bulgaria1.9 km
- Monument to 1300 Years of Bulgaria, ShumenArchitectural complex-monument near Shumen, Bulgaria2.3 km
- Lajos Kossuth House MuseumMuseum in Bulgaria2.6 km
- Palace of OmurtagArcheological site in Bulgaria8.6 km
Distances are as the crow flies. Everything else is in the Bulgaria guide.
More in Bulgaria: History
- Rila Monastery: Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria
- Boyana Church: church in Sofia, Bulgaria
- Madara Rider: early medieval rock relief
- Srebarna Nature Reserve: nature reserve and biosphere reserve in Bulgaria
- Rock-hewn Churches of Ivanovo: UNESCO World Heritage Site in Ruse Province, Bulgaria
- Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari: tomb in Bulgaria
Every Bulgaria place under History, each with its season, is on its page.
Frequently asked questions
What is Shumen Fortress?
It is an archaeological site overlooking the city of Shumen in Bulgaria (Шуменска крепост in the local language). It has articles in 12 Wikipedias, so it is not one of the busiest places in Bulgaria: one to enjoy at a calmer pace.
When is the best time to visit Shumen Fortress?
May to October. In June there are 15 h 11 of daylight, and in December, 8 h 48.
How do you get to Shumen Fortress?
The nearest main airport is Varna Airport (VAR), 76 km as the crow flies. From there, directions opens the route on the map, and how to get around Bulgaria is explained in its country guide.
How do I add it to my trip?
With one tap. In Kokai it is already on the Bulgaria map, next to the places you save yourself: add it to a day's plan, give it a time and, if you like, get a reminder when you pass nearby.
What else is around here?
Nearby you have Tombul Mosque, Bukaka, Monument to 1300 Years of Bulgaria, Shumen. The rest is in the Bulgaria guide.
Keep reading
- Shumen11 places to see in and around Shumen, Bulgaria: Madara Rider, Tombul Mosque, Round Church, Preslav. Best time: May to October.
- History111 places for history in Bulgaria, from Rila Monastery to spots hardly anyone knows. Best time: May to October. Each with its own season by altitude and daylight.
- BulgariaBefore travelling to Bulgaria: 6 things worth sorting out, each with its deadline. For Spanish citizens, a Spanish ID card (DNI) is enough to get in, and since 1 January…
- Where to travelPick what you fancy (mountains, beaches, museums…) and the months you have free, and Kokai tells you which countries to go to and what to see there.
Data from OpenStreetMap, licensed under the ODbL, and from Wikidata, CC0. More about Shumen Fortress on Wikipedia. Daylight hours are calculated from the latitude. More in credits.