Is Veliko Tarnovo safe?
Safe and quiet. The main risks are slippery cobbles, steep hills and occasional taxi overcharging.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 1: Exercise normal precautions, updated 2025-10-08.
- Homicide rate in Bulgaria: 1.1 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Bulgaria: 9.2 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 166 · Ambulance 150 · Fire 160 · All emergencies 112.
Safety in Veliko Tarnovo at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Low crime; occasional petty theft from cars and overcharging by unlicensed taxis. |
| At night | Quiet after 10 pm in the old town; the center and student areas stay lively. Carry a phone light. |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women; locals are friendly and helpful. |
| Other risks | Slippery cobbles; Steep hills in summer heat; Icy streets in winter |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Taxis charging above metered fares, especially to the station
Take care
- Cobbled slopes in rain or ice
- Quiet lanes late at night
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Face coverings such as the niqab or burqa are banned in public
- Driving on highways without an e-vignette brings fines
- Loud drunken behaviour or public urination can lead to arrest or fines
How Veliko Tarnovo compares in Bulgaria
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Sofia | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Plovdiv | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bansko | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Varna | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Nessebar | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Golden Sands | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Veliko Tarnovo | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Sozopol | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Burgas | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Borovets | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Sunny Beach | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Veliko Tarnovo safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women; locals are friendly and helpful.
Is Veliko Tarnovo safe at night?
Quiet after 10 pm in the old town; the center and student areas stay lively. Carry a phone light.
What is the crime rate in Veliko Tarnovo?
Low crime; occasional petty theft from cars and overcharging by unlicensed taxis. Nationally, Bulgaria records 1.1 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Veliko Tarnovo?
Police 166 · Ambulance 150 · Fire 160 · All emergencies 112.
More about Veliko Tarnovo
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- BDZ (Bulgarian State Railways)
- Sofia Airport
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.