Embark on an Enchanting Journey Along the Danube in Ruse, Bulgaria.
Roussé, Bulgarie
Before we begin: the official spelling of the city's name in Cyrillic is РУСЕ. In Latin, it can be written as RUSE, but in French, the most accurate spelling is ROUSSÉ.
There is no place like home. Or for my French-speaking friends, rien ne vaut son chez-soi. Whether you believe in that or not, you will probably agree with me that we reserve a special place in our hearts for where we grew up. Even though it's been half my life since I left my hometown, Roussé, Bulgaria it still remains one of my favorite places in the world. I'll try to convey my love for this place to you, but I should warn you that I won’t always be objective. To be perfectly honest, Roussé is not the most beautiful city in Bulgaria. But if you're nearby, do visit it—especially if you're a fan of history, the Danube, and friendly people.
Table of Contents
How to get to Ruse
Let's start at the beginning. Before you visit the city, you need to find it. It is located on the banks of the Danube, at the border with RomaniaIn my article dedicated to northern Bulgaria,I suggested visiting Roussé as part of a multi-day tour in this region. The nearest Bulgarian airports are in Varna (200 km), the one in Sofia (300 km), andin Burgas (450km).
However, you can also consider adding Ruse to your travel itinerary if your main destination is Romania. The city is located only 90 km from Bucharest Airport, accessible by crossing the "Ruse-Giurgiu Friendship Bridge."If you have your own car, the journey won’t be difficult. If not, there are regular shuttles between the Romanian capital and Ruse. You can also try travelling by train, but I wouldn't recommend it.
A bit of history
Founded duringRoman times,Ruse was originally called Sexaginta Pristawhich means "Port of Sixty Ships." Over the centuries, it became an important trading center thanks to its strategic position on the Danube.During the Ottoman period, Ruse thrived and developed, attracting merchants and artisans from across Europe. In the 19th century, the city experienced rapid growth with the construction of many European-style buildings, influenced by Vienna and Budapest. This is why locals call the city "Little Vienna."
Today, the city is known for its neoclassical architecture, museums, and unique atmosphere—a blend of Bulgarian and European influences. It is also known for its mosquitoes in the summer and the cold in the winter, but that’s another story.
In 1988, an important event took place in Ruse—the author of this article was born in the local hospital. She spent the first 18 years of her life here, earned her high school diploma, and then left Bulgaria to move to France in September 2006.
What to do and see in Ruse Bulgaria
Growing up in use, I always thought there was absolutely nothing to do. I was so used to seeing the same places every day while going to school that I stopped noticing them. It wasn’t until I left the city and returned years later as a tourist that I rediscovered its beauty.
Liberty Square
At the heart of Ruse is Liberty Square,a large public space surrounded by historic buildings. One notable landmark is Dohodno zdanieroughly translated as the "Income Building."Construction of this Ruse symbol was completed in 1902. Unfortunately, this was just the beginning of a series of renovations. Many repairs were carried out during the 20th century, with the last phase starting in 1970 and finishing in November 2006. If you've been paying attention, you'll have noticed that during my entire life in Ruse, I never saw the building completed.
The name "Dohodno zdanie" comes from the building’s original purpose: to rent out its rooms and generate income. The initial plan included a theatre, library, casino, and store. Today, the Sava Ognianov Theatre occupies an important place in the building.
Le monument de la liberté
Liberty Square gets its name from the Monument of Liberty,a curious sculpture symbolizing Bulgaria struggle for independence. At the top of the statue stands a woman with her arm outstretched toward the East, where Russialies. Below her are two lions (the symbols of Bulgaria)—one lion is chained, while the other has broken free.
Around Liberty Square, there are many cafés, restaurants, and shops. Don't be surprised if a local invites you to meet at the café “the Poop”(Lainoto in Bulgarian).This café, located near the Post Office, earned its nickname due to its location under trees adored by pigeons and other birds. Despite its unflattering name, the café remains a favourite spot for many locals.
Sveta Troitsa Cathedral
My favourite building in Ruse is probably Sveta Troitsa Cathedral. You don’t need to be religious to appreciate its architecture and atmosphere. It was founded in 1632, during the Ottoman occupation. The cathedral is an excellent example of Bulgarian architecture and ingenuity of that time. Early in the Ottoman occupation, Bulgarians were not allowed to build churches. Existing churches were either converted into mosques or destroyed. However, through years of struggle and persistence, Bulgarians earned the right to have their places of worship, but with one condition: the churches could not be taller than the mosques. This is where Bulgarian logic and spirit come into play. They found a way to bypass this rule. Instead of building churches upward, they built them downward!
When you enter Sveta Troitsa’s main door, you descend about twenty steps before discovering its interior. More than half of the cathedral’s height is below street level! Like most Orthodox Christian churches, Sveta Troitsa also has an impressive wooden iconostasis, as well as murals and relics. But be mindful—it's an active place of worship, so be respectful.
The parks of Ruse, Bulgaria
One of the reasons I love my hometown is its greenery. If you want to escape the concrete and noise of the city center, head to the parks! Near Liberty Square are two parks: Revolutionaries' Park and Youth Park.These large green spaces offer walking paths, playgrounds, fountains, and flower gardens. The parks also host various cultural events and festivals throughout the year.
The Revolutionaries' Park was created in the 1970s, replacing an old cemetery. In 1975, the Pantheon of Revolutionaries was built. If you’re interested in Bulgarian history, I encourage you to visit the Pantheon, where you’ll learn a lot about the country’s struggle for independence.
The city’s main street, « Alexandrovskaya » ends in the Youth Park,home to the Alyosha monument,a symbolof the Soviet Army. The park’s emblem is the "Vase" —a metal structure filled with soil in the shape of a vase, from which flowers grow. One of the main paths leads to the English high school (where I studied). Another path takes you to stairs leading to the country’s first railway station, built in 1866. The first railway line in the Balkans connected Ruse to Varna.
The Danube
You can’t talk about Ruse without mentioning the Danube. The river plays a central role in the city’s life, providing Bulgaria with a vital connection to the rest of Europe. Parks, promenades, and quays line the riverbanks, offering plenty of outdoor activities. But beware—if you're walking around in summer, don’t forget mosquito repellent! I can't count the number of times I’ve been attacked by mosquitoes there.
Gastronomy and local cuisine in Ruse, Bulgaria
The cuisine of Ruse is a delightful blend of Bulgarian traditionsand European influences. Among thespecialties,you can taste the famous "Danube cheese," a local version of feta. Fish from the Danube,such as catfish and carp, are also prized dishes.
The area around Ruse is also known for its wines.Vineyards in the Danube Valley produce high-quality wines, including varieties like Gamza, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. Wine-tasting and vineyard tours are popular activities, though you’ll need to venture a bit outside the city to enjoy them.
When to visit Ruse Bulgaria
I’ve probably mentioned in my stories that I love the four well-defined seasons, and that’s even more true for Ruse. It can get very cold in winter (temperatures can drop to -20°C) and very hot in summer (+42°C is not uncommon). If you can’t handle these extremes, I recommend visiting between April and June or between September and October.But rest assured—the hotels and restaurants are air-conditioned and heated, so you can visit at any time of the year.
Where to stay in Ruse Bulgaria
Since I left Bulgaria, I no longer have a place to stay in Ruse. But that doesn't stop me from wanting to return—it just makes the logistics a bit more complicated. Fortunately, there are several well-located hotels ready to welcome me. Here are my top three:
Riga : A stylish hotel with a beautiful terrace overlooking the river with an amazing breakfast
Dunav perfectly located at the city centre, 1 minute from the Statue of Liberty
« Bistra & Galina » a smaller luxury hotel, near the city center
What to see near Ruse
If you come to Ruse by car,you can explore other attractive places in the area.
The Rousenski Lom Nature Reserve is an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Located a short distance from Roussé, this reserve offers hiking trails, cycling paths, and climbing spots.
Also in the same area is Basarbovo. It's a charming village located about 10 km from Roussé. Nestled by the Rusenski Lom River, this village is best known for its impressive Basarbovo Rock Monastery. It is the only active rock monastery in Bulgaria. Just 2 hours from Ruse is the town of Veliko TarnovoThis former Bulgarian capital is well worth a visit. The town will be the subject of an upcoming article, so don't worry
Est-ce que ça vaut le coup de visiter Roussé?
I'm not going to lie to you, Ruse is neither the most important nor the most beautiful city in Bulgaria. However, it has a certain charm and a rich history that deserve to be discovered. Ruse offers surprisingly varied architecture, including neo-baroque buildings, as well as a unique atmosphere that reflects its glorious past as a commercial and cultural center. It’s a city that knows how to captivate its visitors with its authenticity, fascinating stories, and mosquitoes (I really do insist on the mosquitoes).
And of course, if you need help planning your trip, who better to advise you than someone who comes from there? Feel free to take advantage of my my services of travel planning expert to discover Ruse, Bulgaria, and the rest of the world..
A huge thank you to Boriana B and Denitza D for the images used in this article
For more useful information
To find your plane ticket :
I can recommend you use ExpediaI trust them with my own travels and when I am working with clients
For your hotel reservation
I invite you to look into Hotels.fr they have a large choice of bookings and your client services are always available
Pour trouver des activités sur place :
I use either viator or GetYourGuideThe two plateforms offer a large choice of activities at reasonable prices
To rent a car
I recommend discovercarsTheir prices are competitive and they have a great customer service
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