Varna, Bulgaria: travel guide
Bulgaria's Black Sea city: the Sea Garden, Roman thermae and summer beaches
Bulgaria's maritime capital on the Black Sea — home to the world's oldest gold treasure, the vast Sea Garden park, Roman thermae and lively summer beaches.
About Varna
Varna ranks third among Bulgarian cities by size. It is the largest resort and city along that coast. It sits in the Gulf of Varna, within Northern Bulgaria, and for almost three millennia has been an important hub of economic, social and cultural life.
Once called Odessos, it grew out of a Thracian seaside settlement to become a major Black Sea seaport, and the city now serves business, transport, education, tourism, entertainment and health care. Called Bulgaria's maritime capital, it hosts the Bulgarian Navy and merchant marine commands.
The Varna Necropolis is notable too: the world's earliest gold treasure, from the Varna culture, turned up there and was dated between 4600 BC and 4200 BC. Since its 1974 discovery, excavators have opened 294 graves, holding over 3000 golden items.
- Country
- Bulgaria
- Currency
- EUR
- Time zone
- Europe/Sofia
- Nearest airport
- VAR
Last updated
Top places to visit in Varna
Aladzha Monastery
cave monastery · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A medieval Orthodox cave monastery carved into a sheer limestone cliff in the forest north of Varna.
Dolphinarium Varna
dolphinarium · 4.3 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A popular dolphin-show venue set within the Sea Garden, one of few in continental Europe.
Dormition of the Mother of God Cathedral
orthodox cathedral · 4.7 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Varna's landmark 1886 Orthodox cathedral, the third-largest in Bulgaria, with fine murals and stained glass.
Roman Thermae of Odessos
roman baths · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
The largest Roman baths in the Balkans, an atmospheric late-2nd-century ruin in the old Greek quarter.
Varna Archaeological Museum
archaeology museum · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Home to the Varna Gold — the oldest processed gold treasure in the world, dating to 4600-4200 BCE.
Sea Garden (Primorski Park)
seaside park · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The largest and oldest seaside park in the Balkans, threading gardens, museums and beaches along the coast.
Varna Central Beach
city beach · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
The city's main sand beach below the Sea Garden, lined with cafes, bars and sea-bath clubs in summer.
Naval Museum & Drazki Torpedo Boat
naval museum · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Bulgarian naval history displayed alongside the Drazki, the torpedo boat that sank an Ottoman cruiser in 1912.
Retro Museum Varna
retro museum · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A nostalgic hall of 50+ restored socialist-era cars and wax figures inside the Grand Mall.
Euxinograd Palace & Park
royal palace · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A 19th-century royal summer palace with French-style gardens and a working winery north of the city.
Pobiti Kamani (Stone Forest)
rock formation · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A surreal natural "forest" of hollow limestone rock pillars on the sands west of Varna.
Varna Aquarium
aquarium · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A charming 1932 seafront aquarium showcasing Black Sea and freshwater species.
Things to do
- Varna City & Sea Garden Walking Tour Walking Tour · 2 h · from EUR 12 per person
- Aladzha Monastery & Stone Forest Day Trip Day Trip · 5 h · from EUR 40 per person
- Black Sea Boat Trip Boat · 2 h · from EUR 20 per person
- Varna Gold Archaeology Tour Cultural · 2 h · from EUR 18 per person
- Beach & Water Sports Session Water Sports · 1.5 h · from EUR 30 per person
Day trips and tours
- Aladzha Monastery & Stone Forest Tour 5 h · from EUR 40
Where to stay in Varna
- City Centre about EUR 80 per night
Around Knyaz Boris I and Slivnitsa — pedestrian streets, cathedral and nightlife.
- Sea Garden / Chayka about EUR 95 per night
Beside the great seaside park, beach and summer attractions.
- Greek Quarter about EUR 75 per night
Atmospheric old streets of bars and seafood near the sea and port.
Hotels
- Aqua Hotel Varna 4-star · EUR 55 to EUR 85 per night
- Cherno More Hotel 4-star · EUR 60 to EUR 95 per night
- Grand Hotel London 5-star · EUR 90 to EUR 150 per night
- Yo Ho Hostel EUR 12 to EUR 30 per night
- Graffit Gallery Design Hotel 4-star · EUR 90 to EUR 140 per night
- Rosslyn Dimyat Hotel 4-star · EUR 120 to EUR 180 per night
Where to eat
- Staria Chinar Bulgarian, Serbian, Grill · about EUR 17 per person
- Godzila Bulgarian, Seafood, Sushi · about EUR 20 per person
- Mr. Baba Seafood · about EUR 23 per person
- Happy Bar & Grill Varna Bulgarian, Grill, Sushi · about EUR 15 per person
Getting to Varna
Airport: Varna (VAR)
How visitors arrive in Varna
- Train from Sofia or Ruse By train from Sofia, Ruse · common
Varna is the end of the Sofia-Varna and Ruse-Varna lines; the station is close to the centre. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Bus or car from Sofia By road from Sofia · common
The Hemus A2 motorway ends at Varna; long-distance buses reach the Central Bus Station from Sofia, Burgas, Plovdiv and abroad. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Flight to Varna Airport By air from Europe · common
Varna Airport has flights from many mostly European destinations, plus a domestic link to Sofia. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Cruise or sea arrival By ferry from Black Sea · possible
Varna is one of Bulgaria's official Black Sea ports of entry and its only cruise destination. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the airport to the centre
- Bus 409 from Varna airport
Runs from the airport to the Central Bus Station and the Cathedral area, then on to the northern resorts. Some 409 buses are private; buy tickets from the inspector on board. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Taxi rank at Terminal 2
Taxis queue in front of Terminal 2. Check the per-kilometre rate shown on the sign in the rear window and use a reputable company. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Check the rate posted in the taxi's rear window before getting in; scams are reported. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Getting around
- Bus
City buses link central Varna with the north-east beach resorts, including Golden Sands, and a bus also serves the airport.
- Taxi
Taxis operate across Varna through several local companies, and their per-kilometre rate is shown on a sticker on the rear door window.
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Beach bar padded bills
Central Beach and Sea Garden bars
Some seasonal beach bars serve without listed prices and add extra items to the bill.
How to avoid it: Ask for a price list before ordering and check the itemised bill.
Best time to visit Varna
- Jan 7°C
- Feb 8°C
- Mar 11°C
- Apr 16°C
- May 21°C
- Jun 26°C
- Jul 29°C
- Aug 29°C
- Sep 25°C
- Oct 19°C
- Nov 13°C
- Dec 8°C
More in Bulgaria
Frequently asked questions about Varna
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Varna?
- The highest-rated places in our Varna guide are Dormition of the Mother of God Cathedral, Aladzha Monastery, Dolphinarium Varna.
- Where should I stay in Varna?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Varna: City Centre, Sea Garden / Chayka, Greek Quarter.
- How do I get around Varna?
- Ways to get around Varna covered in our guide: City bus, Taxi, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Varna?
- Scams reported to us for Varna include Beach bar padded bills. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Varna?
- Average daytime highs in Varna run from 7°C in Jan to 29°C in Aug.
- Which airport is nearest to Varna?
- The nearest airport to Varna has the code VAR.