Ruse is the biggest Bulgarian river port on the Danube River, serving an important part of the international trade of the country. Danube Bridge, also known as the Ruse-Giurgiu Friendship Bridge, which until 14 June 2013 the only one in the shared Bulgarian-Romanian section of the Danube, crosses the river here.

The city is known for its 19th- and 20th-century Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo architecture, which attracts many tourists, and for which it is often called the “Little Vienna”. There are over 260 buildings, monuments of culture and dozens of sites with the “European Cultural Heritage” sign, which were built as a result of the enterprising and European spirit of the people of Ruse, who at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century attracted prominent European architects and builders for the construction of an urban architectural environment that is one-of-a-kind in Bulgaria.

Ruse occupies a significant place in the Bulgarian national history and has a rich cultural-historical heritage — a potential needed for the development of cultural tourism. As a settlement, Ruse has a very rich, millennial history.

Ruse is home to many museums, telling about the legacy of the long historical existence of the city and the region: Regional History Museum – Ruse with open-air expositions – Sexaginta Prista and the Medieval City of Cherven, Pantheon of the National Revival Heroes, Museum of Urban Life, House-Museum “Baba Tonka” and House-Museum “Zahari Stoyanov”, Ecomuseum with aquarium, etc.

There are a variety of attractive recreation areas on the territory of Ruse Municipality. Forest Park “Lipnik” near the village of Nikolovo is a popular place for rest and recreation on weekends among the locals. There is a lake and facilities for fishing, boating, outdoor sports and picnicking. 20 km from Ruse is situated “Rusenski Lom” Nature Park.

Along the Danube runs one of the 15 bicycle corridors that connect bicycle tourism enthusiasts in Europe – EuroVelo 6.

The Nature around the city of Ruse

** Natural Park “Rusenski Lom” — The Rusenski Lom River Valley, along with its tributaries Beli (White), Malki (Little) and Cherni (Black) Lom represents a unique world in itself in which the amazing nature is entwined into out remote past history. Part of the valley was proclaimed a Natural Park. The park is located at about 20 km to the south-west from Ruse. It was created in 1970 with the purpose of preserving the canyons of the three rivers, their flora, fauna and historical landmarks. The rivers have created incredibly beautiful gorges into the limestone rock foundation. It is genuine joy for the eyes and real paradise for rock climbers.

** Natural landmark “Orlova Chuka” Cave – located on the left shore of the Cherni Lom river. It’s the 2nd longest cave in Bulgaria (13 438 m in length), representing a complex labyrinth of interweaving galleries, tunnels, abysses, big and small halls.

** Lipnik Forest Park: the park is a big site for recreation, sports, tourism, sunbathing and all other kinds of entertainment, situated at the distance of 12 km east of Ruse. There are country houses, restaurants, artificial lakes, a hotel, a zoo corner, a sports base and a camping site. Its serenity and fresh air attract citizens & foreigners. This is a wonderful place for fishing, water sports, walking and just enjoying the day.

The villages in the region are capturing the tourists with the picturesque nature, the rock landscape and the breath-taking views and the plenty of opportunities for hiking, riding and biking experiences. The surrounding area offers different ways to spend your free time and to enjoy the beauty of the region.

The closest ski resort to Ruse is in “Uzana”, the geographic center of Bulgaria, located at about 28 miles from Veliko Tarnovo. There are several hotels in the resort which provide tourism opportunities and good conditions for relaxation among the quiet and calm atmosphere of the mountain throughout the year. The surrounding sites of Uzana are suitable for spaleology and rock climbing. There are possibilities for cultural tourism in the region. In the nearby open-air “Ethnographic Museum Etara” people can learn more about Bulgarian crafts. The “Sokolski Monastery” is situated a few miles away from Uzana.