Varna Guide 

Sights and attractions – What should you visit in Varna? Roman baths, dolphinarium or the nearby resort of Golden Sands.

Accommodation – Where to stay in Varna? Tips for a designer and classic hotel, boutique guesthouse or cheap hostel.

Typical food and drink – What should you try in Varna? Grilled fish, Shopa salad, mineral water or local wine.

Practical tips – Learn more about local transport, beaches, safety, currency or ATMs here.

Weather – What temperatures and precipitation can you expect in the four seasons in Varna?

Celebrities – What famous people are associated with Varna?

Varna, the third largest city in Bulgaria and the main port on the Black Sea coast, is an important center of culture, trade and tourism. It is located in the northeastern part of Bulgaria and has a population of approximately 350,000. Due to its strategic location, Varna has been an important trading center since ancient times. Today, it is famous for its beaches, historical monuments and cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Founded as a Greek colony of Odessos in the 6th century BC, Varna gradually became an important port city on the route between Europe and Asia. In Roman times, the city prospered, as evidenced by the extensive Roman baths - one of the largest in Europe. In the Byzantine and Ottoman periods, the city remained an important commercial and military center. After the liberation of Bulgaria in the 19th century, Varna became an important part of modern Bulgarian history.

The main monuments and attractions include the Assumption Cathedral, the Roman Baths, the Varna Garden and the Dolphinarium.

Varna is surrounded by beautiful nature. Near the city you will find popular resorts such as Golden Sands or Albena, as well as natural attractions such as the Stone Forest (Pobiti Kamani), unique rock formations not far from the city.

Varna is an important economic center, focused on port activities, tourism, construction and technology. The city is home to several universities, including the Varna Technical University and the Varna University of Economics, making it a major educational center.

Varna hosts many festivals, such as the Varna Summer International Music Festival or the "Love Is Folly" film festival. The city also offers a lively nightlife with many bars, clubs and restaurants along the beach.

Typical dishes include fresh fish, mussels and Bulgarian specialties such as banitsa (filled puff pastry), shopan salad or kavarma. There is also a refreshing drink ayran or local wines.

Varna has a pleasant Mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm summers. Temperatures in summer range around 28-30°C, while in winter they rarely drop below zero.

Sights and attractions

Assumption Cathedral - One of the most famous landmarks of the city. The cathedral, built at the end of the 19th century, impresses with its impressive frescoes, icons and beautiful interior. The foundation stone of this cathedral was laid in 1880 by the then Bulgarian prince Alexander I. Battenberg. After the consecration of the church, the prince granted pardon to all prisoners in the Varna prison who had three months left to serve their sentences. The cathedral was modeled after the church in Peterhof near St. Petersburg and its construction took 6 years, from 1880 to 1886. The construction was financed mainly by donors and a lottery - 150,000 tickets for 2 leva were sold.
Address: Cyril and Methodius Square, Varna

Roman Baths (Thermae) - The fourth largest Roman baths in Europe are a remarkable archaeological complex. They were built at the end of the 2nd century AD and cover an impressive area of ​​7000 square meters. The baths operated for about a hundred years, from the end of the 2nd century to the end of the 3rd century AD. The complex contained rooms with different temperatures so that the body could gradually adapt to the heat inside when coming from the cold outside.
Address: Corner of San Stefano and Khan Krum Streets, Varna.

Varna Archaeological Museum - The museum maintains an extensive collection of gold objects from the Varna Eneolithic necropolis, which was discovered in 1972. This collection contains more than 3,000 gold objects with a total weight of over 6 kilograms. This is the famous Varna Gold Hoard, considered the oldest gold hoard in the world (dated to the 4th millennium BC). The museum also houses the largest Mesolithic collection of flint tools in Southeastern Europe and the largest collection of ancient terracotta, tomb reliefs, lamps and glass vessels in Bulgaria.
Address: 41 Maria Luisa Boulevard, Varna.

Maritime Museum - The museum documents the rich maritime history of Bulgaria. Visitors can see ship models, naval weapons, uniforms, and historic warships anchored in the harbor. The museum is located in the picturesque Sea Garden and its exposition is divided into 11 halls. Visitors can admire original ancient anchors and shipwrecks found on the bottom of the Black Sea, as well as models of ships from different historical periods. The most famous attraction of the museum is the Drazki ship, exhibited outside in front of the museum building.
Address: 2 Primorski Bulvár, Varna.

Varna Dolphinarium - One of the most visited attractions in the city since 1984. It offers a dolphin show, popular especially with families with children. The dolphinarium can accommodate up to 1200 spectators and has a horseshoe-shaped pool. Water flows into the pool directly from the Black Sea through a pipe. In 2009, 6 dolphins were bred here - three females, two males and one cub. Three of them were brought from the Caribbean or the shores of Central America, while the other three were born directly in the dolphinarium.
Address: Primorski Park, Saltanat district, Varna.

Primorski Park (Sea Garden) - Primorski Park, also known as the Sea Garden, is the largest, oldest and most famous public park in Varna. It is the largest landscape park in the Balkans. The park features the "Cosmonauts' Alley", where the first tree (a silver fir) was planted by Yuri Gagarin in May 1961. The park also includes various attractions and institutions, such as a marine aquarium, a dolphinarium, a maritime museum, a zoo, a planetarium and a natural theatre.
Address: Primorski Park, Varna.

Stone Forest (Pobiti Kamani) - A natural phenomenon about 20 km from Varna. It is a group of large stone columns that create the impression of a petrified forest. Its age is estimated at a respectable 50 million years. On some of the columns you can still see fossils of prehistoric plants and small prehistoric animals.

Beaches in Varna – Varna Central Beach is located in the city center and can be easily reached on foot or by bus. It offers clean, fine sand and a gradual entry into the crystal clear water. On the beach you will find a small water park and a children's playground. Along the promenade there are many bars, cafes and restaurants. The beach is equipped with toilets and showers. You can rent sun loungers and parasols here.

Golden Sands (Zlatni Pjasaci) - A famous resort 17 km north of Varna, known for its beaches, thermal springs and lively nightlife. It offers a large strip of fine golden sand. Tourists can enjoy a large number of bars, restaurants and casinos near the beach. The clear water attracts swimmers and non-swimmers. In the high season, the beach can be very busy, but it offers all the comforts for tourists, including the possibility of renting sun loungers. In the immediate vicinity of the resort is the Golden Sands Nature Park. This park covers an area of ​​13.2 km², of which approximately 90% is trees and shrubs. Visitors can walk along marked paths and enjoy the dense, lush greenery that provides an escape from the hustle and bustle of a large resort.

Aladža Monastery - An ancient 13th century cave monastery carved into the rock. It is located in the Golden Sands nature reserve.
The monastery was carved into a 40-meter-high limestone rock on two floors. There are 6 monastic cells, a refectory with a kitchen, a small chapel and a crypt. Currently, the monastery grounds include a museum, where visitors can see a model of the original monastery and learn more about life in it.

Accommodation

Varna offers its visitors a large and varied choice of accommodation. The widest offer is accommodation in apartments. These are followed by hotels, guesthouses, holiday houses and hostels (especially suitable for low-cost clients or students). You can choose accommodation by the sea or with a swimming pool.

Beautiful accommodation near the city center and the beach is offered by the designer mOdus Hotel. The hotel is located by the park, a short walk from the main pedestrian street with restaurants and shops, 200 meters from the beach, 500 meters from the Roman Baths, so it is an ideal location. Guests can use the fitness center with sauna, free bicycle rental or airport transfer.

3* Three Dolphins Hotel with Rooftop terracе is located in the city center, 500 meters from the southern beach. You can stay here in a double or family room or in a studio with its own kitchenette. You can enjoy breakfast in the hotel cafe, relax on the beautifully furnished roof terrace with a bar. There is also a concierge service and luggage storage.

The pleasant City Boutique Inn offers rooms or apartments with kitchenettes. It is located in the city center, 600 meters from the beach. The guesthouse has a fitness center with a sauna, a garden, a shared lounge and a business center for guests. The reception will arrange airport transfers, luggage storage or advise on tourist activities in the city and the surrounding area.

Cheap accommodation in the center of Varna can be found, for example, at Nomado Hostel. You can stay here in shared or double rooms. The hostel offers its guests a sun terrace, a garden, a shared kitchen, luggage storage and lockers.

For a complete offer of accommodation in Varna, we recommend using A-HOTEL.com or Booking.com. 

Typical food and drink

Shopsky salad - A traditional Bulgarian salad consisting of fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions and grated sirene cheese (similar to feta). It is dressed with olive oil and vinegar.

Tarator - A refreshing cold soup made from yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, dill and nuts. Ideal in the summer months.

Grilled fish and seafood - Due to its location on the Black Sea, Varna is known for its fresh fish, such as mackerel, sardines or sturgeon. Calamari, shrimp and mussels are also popular, often grilled with herbs and lemon.

Mekitsi - Fried flatbreads similar to langos, served with sirene (salty cheese), honey or marmalade. Especially popular for breakfast.

Kavarma - Slow-braised meat (pork, chicken or beef) with vegetables, onions, tomatoes and spices. Prepared in a ceramic pot.

Moussaka - The Bulgarian version of the famous Balkan moussaka. It consists of layers of minced meat, potatoes and vegetables, baked with a yogurt topping.

Bulgarian wine - The Black Sea region produces excellent, light and delicate wines, especially varieties such as Mavrud (red wine) or Dimjat (white wine).

Boza - A sweet fermented cereal drink with a low alcohol content. It has a thick consistency and a specific taste.

Ayran - A refreshing drink made from yogurt, water and salt. Ideal with spicy dishes.

Mineral waters - Varna and its surroundings have various mineral waters that are often consumed as a healthy refreshing drink.

Practical travel tips

Varna has an international airport, well connected to European cities. From the airport to the city center you can take buses (line no. 409) or taxi. The journey takes about 20 minutes. If you are traveling by car, the A2 highway connects Varna with the interior.
The well-functioning public transport includes buses and trolleybuses. Single tickets cost approximately 1.60 BGN and can be purchased directly from the driver.
Taxis are relatively cheap, but agree on a price in advance or check that the taximeter is working properly.
If you are traveling by car, parking in the center can be difficult. Look for parking areas or use the parking garages.

From May to September, Varna is inviting to visit, with warm weather and pleasant sea temperatures. The city is quieter in the off-season, but some tourist attractions may have limited opening hours.

Which beach should you choose in and around Varna? The city beach in Varna is easily accessible, but quite crowded in summer. The beaches in Golden Sands or Albena offer clean sandy surroundings and a quieter atmosphere.

Try the traditional Bulgarian restaurants (so-called "mehana") or seafood stalls on the coast. Local restaurants often offer good value lunch menus.

Varna is a safe city, but be careful with your valuables, especially in crowded places such as markets or public transport.

Bulgaria uses the BGN (leva). Most restaurants and shops accept credit cards, but it pays to have cash in markets and smaller places. ATMs are easy to find, but it is better to withdraw money from a bank than from a tourist spot due to fees.

Weather

Varna has a humid subtropical climate with mild winters and hot summers. Due to its location on the Black Sea coast, Varna also has a maritime climate, which means that temperatures are more even year-round than in the interior of Bulgaria.
Daytime summer temperatures average 26–30°C. The sea warms up to a pleasant 23–26°C. At night, temperatures drop to 18–22°C.
During the mild winter, the thermometer usually reads 1–6°C. It rarely snows.
Spring and autumn attract with pleasant temperatures between 10–20°C and frequent sunny days.
The most rain falls in spring and autumn, averaging around 400–500 mm per year.
The wind from the Black Sea brings pleasant cooling in summer and increased humidity. In winter, an unpleasant feeling of coldness.

Famous people associated with Varna

Dimitar Berbatov (1981) - World-class footballer, known for his time at clubs such as Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Bayer Leverkusen. Although Berbatov grew up in Blagoevgrad, part of his family comes from Varna, where he also spent time.

Boris Georgiev (1888–1962) - Painter and artist who brought Bulgarian art to an international level. Georgiev's style was influenced by symbolism and Renaissance aesthetics. Varna has a museum named after him - the Boris Georgiev Gallery.

Ekaterina Dafovska (1975) - Olympic biathlon champion who won the first gold medal in the history of Bulgarian winter sports in 1998. Although Dafovska is not directly from Varna, the city has accepted her as an honorary citizen due to her importance for Bulgarian sport.