Top places to visit in Varna

• Aladzha Monastery

  Monastery · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · entry EUR 5

  A medieval Orthodox cave monastery carved into a sheer limestone cliff in the forest north of Varna.

• Dolphinarium Varna

  Cultural · 4.3 rating · about 1 h · entry EUR 15

  A popular dolphin-show venue set within the Sea Garden, one of few in continental Europe.

• Dormition of the Mother of God Cathedral

  Church · 4.7 rating · about 0.5 h

  Varna's landmark 1886 Orthodox cathedral, the third-largest in Bulgaria, with fine murals and stained glass.

• Roman Thermae of Odessos

  Heritage · about 0.8 h · entry EUR 3

  The largest Roman baths in the Balkans, an atmospheric late-2nd-century ruin in the old Greek quarter.

• Varna Archaeological Museum

  Museum · about 1.5 h · entry EUR 5

  Home to the Varna Gold — the oldest processed gold treasure in the world, dating to 4600-4200 BCE.

• Sea Garden (Primorski Park)

  Nature · about 1.5 h

  The largest and oldest seaside park in the Balkans, threading gardens, museums and beaches along the coast.

• Varna Central Beach

  Beach · about 2 h

  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

  Museum · about 1 h · entry EUR 3

  Bulgarian naval history displayed alongside the Drazki, the torpedo boat that sank an Ottoman cruiser in 1912.

• Retro Museum Varna

  Museum · about 1 h · entry EUR 15

  A nostalgic hall of 50+ restored socialist-era cars and wax figures inside the Grand Mall.

• Euxinograd Palace & Park

  Heritage · about 1.5 h · entry EUR 3

  A 19th-century royal summer palace with French-style gardens and a working winery north of the city.

• Pobiti Kamani (Stone Forest)

  Nature · about 1 h · entry EUR 3

  A surreal natural "forest" of hollow limestone rock pillars on the sands west of Varna.

• Varna Aquarium

  Nature · about 0.8 h · entry EUR 3

  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 around

• Bus main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Taxi main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Walking main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

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.

More in Bulgaria

• Sofia
• Plovdiv
• Nessebar
• Bansko
• Burgas
• Veliko Tarnovo