Veliko Tarnovo

Veliko Tarnovo is a historic city in the central-north of Bulgaria notable for its medieval ruins and its picturesque cityscape – it was built on the steep banks of the Yantra River as it snakes through the foothills of the Balkan Mountains. In the middle ages, Tarnovo was the capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire (1185-1396) and the partially restored ruins of the Tsarevets Fortress are the main sight of the city. Wikivoyage

Population 60,067 (Wikidata)

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Before you go

Emergency numbers in Bulgaria

112AnyAll emergencies

Visas and entry What your passport needs for Bulgaria

Getting there

Where are you starting from?

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Still gathering the markets around Veliko Tarnovo. I'll let you know here when it's all in — or open the live guide.

Best-documented sights

All of them in the guide

Within a kilometre of the centre, ordered by how well documented each is — not by a "best" anyone decided. Each opens on the map in the guide. Photos from Wikimedia Commons, credited there.

Eating nearby

All 4 places to eat

Somewhere to run

Getting around

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Places © OpenStreetMap contributors, as of 9 October 2026. Description from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA). Events from Wikidata and Wikivoyage, population from Wikidata.