Coast · Black Sea North

Varna

Bulgaria's sea capital, with Roman baths, a sprawling seaside garden and the world's oldest worked gold treasure.

Beaches 1 Attractions 13 Stays 22 Restaurants 19

About Varna

Varna, the seaside capital

Varna doesn't behave like a resort. It is a real city — trams, a university, a working port and a nineteenth-century bourgeoisie that left behind shaded boulevards and neoclassical façades. The sea is only one of its arguments; the others are deep history and an urban life that doesn't switch off in September. In the Archaeological Museum sits the oldest worked gold in the world, lifted from the Varna necropolis, and a few steps away the Roman city rises literally out of the ground.

Things to do

Start at the [Archaeological Museum](/obiective/varna-museum-of-archaeology), then walk down to the [Roman Thermae](/obiective/roman-thermae-varna), among the largest in the Balkans, where you can still trace the hot-water channels and the frigidarium. For a change of century, the [Retro Museum](/obiective/retro-museum) lines up cars and objects from the socialist era, while [Varna Zoo](/obiective/varna-zoo) and the [Vladislav Varnenchik Park-Museum](/obiective/park-museum-vladislav-varnenchik), built on the site of the 1444 battle, make easy outings with children. South of town, [Cape Galata](/obiective/cape-galata) offers wide views over the bay.

Beaches

[Varna Beach](/plaje/varna-beach) stretches right below the Sea Garden, a short walk from the centre. It is an urban beach rather than a wild one, with bars and broad steps down to the sand; for quieter shores, many head to the resorts north of the city. The Black Sea has no tides, and the water is calmest in the early morning. Cleanliness and buoy lines are *approximate* — check on the spot.

Where to stay

For the city, [Rosslyn Dimyat Hotel Varna](/cazare/rosslyn-dimyat-hotel-varna) and [Golden Tulip Varna](/cazare/golden-tulip-varna-2) are solid business-leisure choices, while [Graffit Gallery Hotel](/cazare/graffit-gallery-hotel-2) leans design-hotel. The local classic remains [Hotel Cherno More](/cazare/hotel-cherno-more-2), on the main boulevard, with views from the upper floors. Also worth a look is [Aqua Hotel](/cazare/aqua-hotel-3) for value and location.

Where to eat

The homegrown [Staria Chinar](/restaurante/staria-chinar-port-varna) is an institution for Bulgarian cooking and grilled meats, with several locations around town (including Cherno More). For fish and harbour atmosphere try [El Kapan](/restaurante/el-kapan), and for an Italian break, [Burrata Italiana Varna](/restaurante/burrata-italiana-varna). Order a shopska salad and a glass of white from the Dobrudzha vineyards.

Getting there

Varna has an international airport minutes from the centre, plus rail and bus stations well connected to Sofia and the coast. Frequent summer buses link the northern resorts (Golden Sands, St Constantine). In town you'll manage on foot and by tram or bus; a pedestrian route ties the centre to the Sea Garden.