Popular Cities Varna

The idyllic port city of Varna is located on the Black Sea and invites you to a wonderful holiday in Bulgaria. Let your soul unwind on the beautiful sandy beach or explore the city following in the footsteps of the past. In Varna, too, you will discover many remnants of the Romans. A visit to the Roman thermal baths is definitely a must! This destination is perfect for a family holiday or a solo trip full of new adventures.

• Landmark in the city centre: Cathedral of the "Assumption of the Holy Mother"

• History you can touch: The Archaeological Museum

• Mystical place: The Aladzha Monastery

• Roman cultural heritage: Roman thermal baths

• Walk along the coast: The Sea Garden

• Sunset panorama: Galata - a wonderful viewpoint

Sights of the city

Varna offers you a wide range of worthwhile highlights. In this city you definitely won't get bored! Explore the history of the city and visit the Archaeological Museum or the Roman thermal baths. The Stone Forest should also be on your list, a true natural phenomenon.

Cathedral of the "Assumption of the Holy Mother"

This cathedral is one of the landmarks of Varna and is located in the city centre of Varna, more precisely on "Sts. Cyril and Methodius" Square. The cathedral was built in 1886 by the Russians following Bulgaria's liberation from the Ottomans. To this day, the cathedral remains the home of the Diocese of Varna and Preslav.

The cathedral is known as the largest church in Varna and is considered the third largest church in all of Bulgaria. The cathedral is particularly popular as a photo motif among tourists or as an image on the city's various postcards. The cathedral impresses with its size and gleaming copper domes, which fascinate travellers. But the cathedral is not only a true gem of the city from the outside; inside, beautiful murals and impressive woodwork also adorn the building.

The Archaeological Museum

The impressive Archaeological Museum in Varna was founded in 1887 by the brothers Karel and Hermann Skorpil and is housed in a former girls' grammar school (1892 - 1898). Today, the museum presents a considerable collection of objects from throughout the ages. Discover exhibits from the prehistoric, Thracian, ancient Greek and ancient Roman periods, as well as remnants from the medieval Bulgarian and Byzantine empires. Equally worth seeing are exhibits from the time of Ottoman rule and the Bulgarian National Revival, all of which are related to your travel destination.

The museum also houses a collection, a sizeable library, as well as an interesting school museum for children. This school museum contains depictions of homes from various historical contexts, which children can discover. There are also various tools from past eras on display. Particularly interesting: all the tool exhibits are replicas of the originals and can therefore also be touched by children. But what is the outstanding highlight of the Archaeological Museum? Without a doubt, the oldest gold treasure in the world, whose origin has been dated back to the years 4600-4200 BC.

The Aladzha Monastery

Another fascinating place in the city is the Aladzha Monastery, considered the most famous medieval rock monastery in Bulgaria and one that will definitely catch your eye. To this day, little is known about this cave monastery. It is therefore not surprising that, due to its mysterious past, the monastery is perceived as a very enigmatic place. This place is made even more mystical by a multitude of legends telling of ghostly apparitions. The monastery's name also raises questions, as "Aladzha" comes from Persian and means "colourful" or "mixed together". This not yet fully solved mystery is definitely worth a visit!

Roman thermal baths

The Roman thermal baths are considered a cultural monument of the city of Varna and served as public baths in the historic centre during Roman times. To this day, you can see the remains of these thermal baths and truly imagine how flourishing life was in the then city of Odessos. Thermal baths were, in Roman times, a sign of a rich social and cultural life.

But what makes this Roman thermal bath so special? We can tell you! The public thermal baths of Odessos are among the best-preserved architectural monuments of Bulgaria from the Roman era. This allows you to truly step back into that era. In total, the various baths of the thermal complex in Varna cover 7,000 m2, making it the largest thermal bath in Bulgaria and the fourth largest Roman thermal bath in Europe. In addition to the large thermal bath in the centre of Varna, you can discover further remnants of baths in the southeast of Varna.

The Sea Garden

Would you like to visit more of the city's museums but don't know which ones are particularly worth seeing? Then you should head to the Sea Garden. The Sea Garden consists of colourful flower beds with a wide variety of plants, begins at Varna's harbour and stretches for several kilometres along the beautiful Black Sea coast. But walking along the Sea Garden is not the only wonderful undertaking here, as this is also where Varna's interesting museums are located. Visit various museums such as the Natural History Museum, the Naval Museum, the Varna Planetarium, the Zoo or the Terrarium.

If, after a nice walk and between the various museums, you would like to take a break, the various cafés and restaurants along the Sea Garden are wonderfully suited for some time out.

Galata: a wonderful viewpoint

If you would like to get an overview of the size of the city, or want to see the lights of the buildings sparkle to match the sunset, this viewing platform offers you a wonderful opportunity to do so. You can reach the viewing platform conveniently using various bus lines (17, 17A, 46, 60). The stop for the viewpoint is "Ivanova Cheshma". If you are travelling to Varna as a couple, definitely remember this place to enjoy a beautiful romantic sunset.

Varna: A port city with flair

The harbour is considered the heart of the city and gives you a wonderful opportunity for a bit of relaxation and entertainment. The promenade was fully renovated in 2016 and offers you a wide variety of restaurants and cafés to stroll past. Many cultural and sporting events, which are always very popular, also take place at the harbour. There is also an amusement park at the harbour, promising fun for young and old alike.

Besides the harbour, you should of course also take a trip to the city's beach and swim in the clear waters of the Black Sea.

Sights nearby

Would you like to go a little further on a voyage of discovery and not just explore the city of Varna? Then we have picked out two highlights for you, located not far from the city and perfectly suited for a day trip.

Stone Forest

You shouldn't miss this special natural phenomenon! The Stone Forest, also known as "Pobiti Kamani" or "Dikilitash", is located only about 20 km from Varna and has become known for its unique rock formations. It consists of a group of stone pillars up to 10 m high, which differ in shape and size, as well as a multitude of individual stones and rock blocks scattered all over the area.

The Stone Forest was once a sacred site in deep antiquity. The first documentation dates back to 1829, but the stone pillars themselves are around 50 million years old. As a result, the former rock has transformed into unique sculptures that, in the eye of the beholder, resemble people, animals, monsters or mythical creatures. Sculptures that very clearly resemble certain figures have already been given names such as "The Stone Guardian", "The Camel" or "The Stone Forest".

Particularly popular is the formation known as the "Dikilitash Group", which can easily be reached from Varna via the E70 road. This group contains over 300 stone pillars, spread over a long, narrow strip (850 m x 120 m), creating an impressive sight.

The "Euxinograd" Residence

The "Euxinograd" Residence is located 8 km from Varna and is definitely worth a visit. Once built as a summer residence for monarchs, the residence is today a popular destination for visitors to the city of Varna. But it is not only the residence itself that impresses with its appearance, but also the accompanying 80-hectare residence park. This residence park is divided into various areas, all of which are worth seeing: the central area with the residence, the Greek garden, the English garden, the river area, the beach area and the utility area. Let yourself be enchanted by the charm of the various areas, and don't forget to explore the remains of the late antique fortress "Kastritsi" in the northeast of the residence park. To make sure you don't miss any of the highlights of the residence and the park, it is advisable to book a guided tour. Afterwards, you will still have plenty of time to explore the residence and its beautiful gardens on your own. Would you like to stay longer than a day? That's no problem at all, as the entire complex also offers you overnight accommodation.

Party mile at the Golden Sands

Would you like to experience a bit of Bulgarian nightlife alongside your city trip? Then you should take the chance and head to the famous Golden Sands of Bulgaria, known for its party mile. At this spot, you can spend a relatively affordable party night and, during the high season (June to August), you will encounter many young people. There are also many restaurants and souvenir shops to be found on site.

The best time to travel

Depending on why you want to travel to Varna, the ideal travel periods for this city vary. If you would like to spend a summer holiday in this beautiful port city, including plenty of swimming in the sea, then the period from June to September is ideal. However, if you would also like to explore the party mile and perhaps combine your trip to Varna with several days at the Golden Sands, then you should travel to Varna between June and August. Please note, however, that especially in July and August there is more tourist traffic.

Regardless of a summer holiday, you can also visit the city wonderfully in April, May and October. This way, you avoid the crowds and can explore the city in peace.

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!

We wish you a pleasant journey to Bulgaria and lots of enjoyment exploring this diverse country. For more information on tolls in Bulgaria, please see our guide. Feel free to also use our route planner to optimally plan your trip and have the suitable toll products displayed to you. If you have any questions, we are always available via email. Order your digital vignette for Bulgaria from us now, quickly and easily, so you can use the country's motorways and national roads with complete peace of mind.