Things to do in Varna

Best time to visit Varna

• a note or something on   ✦ an occasion worth the trip

• May and June

  warm, sea swimmable from late May, thin crowds; best window

• July and August

  hot, peak prices, beaches packed; book ahead

• September

  sea still warm, crowds thin, resorts wind down mid-month

• October to April

  city life continues; beaches and resorts closed

What's on

• Varna Summer International Music Festival June to September

  classical and jazz concerts across the city

• July Morning 1 July

  the Bulgarian sunrise tradition on the beaches

Best things to do in Varna

• Sea Garden, Varna

  Free

  The city's huge seafront park, zoo, aquarium and promenade in one.

• Varna Archaeological Museum

  $

  Home to the Varna Gold Treasure, the oldest worked gold in the world.

• Roman Baths of Odessos

  $

  Largest preserved Roman baths in Bulgaria, walkable vaulted halls.

• Dormition of the Mother of God Cathedral

  Free

  Varna's landmark golden-domed cathedral with frescoed interior.

• Dolphinarium Varna

  $$

  Scheduled dolphin shows in the Sea Garden, book the time on arrival.

• Retro Museum Varna

  $

  Socialist-era cars and memorabilia in the Grand Mall.

• Pobiti Kamani

  $

  Field of upright stone columns, 18 km west of the city.

• Varna Aquarium

  $

  Small Black Sea aquarium in the Sea Garden, good with kids.

Best restaurants in Varna

• Staria Chinar

  $$

  Traditional Bulgarian with sea produce, a local favourite.

• Mr Baba

  $$

  Rustic Bulgarian cooking locals recommend.

• Di Wine Restaurant & Wine Cellar

  $$$

  Serious Bulgarian wine list with a set menu.

• Niko'las

  $$

  Seafood near the Sea Garden; order the Black Sea mussels.

• Mehana Chuchura

  $$

  Traditional mehana in a restored 19th-century house.

• Godzilla

  $$

  Bulgarian chain for shopska, grills and sushi under one roof.

• Happy Bar & Grill

  $$

  Consistent chain for sushi, burgers and salads.

• The Little Things

  $$

  Modern bistro cooking, popular with a younger crowd.

Best coffee in Varna

• Le Petit Nicolas

  $

  French-style cafe for a calm breakfast.

• Simona Art Bakery

  $

  Artisanal bakery; take pastries to the Sea Garden.

Outdoor things to do in Varna

• Golden Sands

  $

  The big resort beach 17 km north, aim for the calmer northern end.

• Sts Constantine and Helena

  $

  Quieter older resort with mineral springs, 10 km north.

• Aladzha Monastery

  $

  13th-century rock monastery in the forest, with a summer light show.

• Balchik

  $

  Queen Marie's palace and botanical garden above the sea.

• Cape Kaliakra

  $

  Red cliffs, fortress ruin and big sea views 80 km north-east.

Best hotels in Varna

• Grand Hotel London

  $$$

  Historic grand hotel on the central square.

• Boutique Splendid Hotel

  $$

  19th-century boutique building near the Sea Garden.

• Rosslyn Dimyat Hotel

  $$$

  Modern business hotel on the Sea Garden edge.

• Astor Garden Hotel

  $$$

  Five-star with spa and private beach in Sts Constantine and Helena.

Is Varna expensive? What a day costs

A day of food, drink, sights and getting around, before the room

What to book ahead

• Staria Chinar: a few days ahead
• Di Wine Restaurant & Wine Cellar: a few days ahead
• Niko'las: a few days ahead
• Grand Hotel London: weeks ahead
• Boutique Splendid Hotel: weeks ahead
• Astor Garden Hotel: weeks ahead

• August hotels: 6-8 weeks ahead
• dolphinarium midday shows sell out in August
• Aladzha evening show has limited summer seats

Is Varna safe?

• pickpockets on crowded summer beaches and around the bus station
• taxi overcharging; insist on the meter
• swim in lifeguarded sections when windy
• emergency number: 112

Varna travel tips: tourist traps to skip

• Golden Sands promenade restaurants charge resort prices for average food
• airport and bus-station taxi touts quoting flat 50 BGN rides
• plated 'Thracian gold' souvenirs; buy replicas from the museum shop

Getting around Varna: public transport and more

• centre is walkable; Sea Garden is a long flat walk or short bus ride
• city buses to Golden Sands and Sts Constantine and Helena in season
• use metered taxis, not station touts
• airport is 8 km from the centre with bus and taxi links

Who Varna suits

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