A Bulgarian coastal favourite
With a dash of golden sand and a shimmer of azure blue, Varna city breaks couldn’t be a more enticing prospect. The city on the Black Sea is home to a string of famous beaches with warm mineral-rich waters, a healthy nightlife and live music scene, and much more. Head to the southeast of the city to see Varna’s well-preserved Roman baths, which date from when the city was known as Odessus under ancient Roman rule. For a more modern cultural hit, wander around the centrally located, family-friendly Sea Garden. It’s said to be the Balkans’ largest landscaped garden, and is home to an open-air theatre, the Natural Science Museum, Naval Museum, Copernicus Astronomy Complex and Planetarium and the Terrarium zoo.
Foodies will enjoy the Mediterranean and traditional Bulgarian dishes at the city’s many restaurants – particularly along the coast – while night owls on city breaks to Varna will find bars, clubs and live music venues to enjoy. Varna’s compact, walkable city centre is packed with historic churches and monuments, while other interesting sights are within easy reach by bus or car, including the Euxinograd Palace and winery just a few kilometres away. Whether it’s spending time at those beautiful beaches or learning about its fascinating culture and history, you’ll never have a dull moment on a city break to Varna.
All resorts in Varna
Three tips for a top trip
Buy a Varna City Card
As well as giving you access to public transport, the Varna City Card provides discounts in some restaurants and shops, and free entry to a number of museums and galleries.
Take a soak
Varna has many delightful mineral springs. Enjoy a dip in their refreshingly warm waters at various beaches, or at one of the popular public baths.
Take a day trip
While Varna has museums, shops and historical sights, there are other great places to visit nearby, including Euxinograd Palace, Pobiti Kamani rock formation and the medieval cave monastery at Aladzha.
Best attractions to see in Varna
Golden treasures
Visit Varna Archaeological Museum and marvel at the gold of Varna. The museum displays the oldest gold artefacts ever discovered, which date from 4600 BC.
The Sea Garden
These pretty coastal gardens, which date back to the 19th century, are great for balmy afternoon walks. Explore the museums and attractions that sit in the grounds, too.
Roman bathing spots
In the south of city are the well-preserved Roman Thermae. While you can’t use the baths yourself, it offers a fascinating glimpse into Roman leisure time.
Your Varna questions, answered
Certainly. Given its coastal location, Varna is a great place for a sporty holiday, with beach volleyball and swimming available, as well as boat trips and diving excursions.
Absolutely. Varna’s beaches are excellent, from the tranquil Kabakum to the Saints Constantine and Helena resort a few kilometres out of the city, there are plenty to choose from.
Varna is a port city and popular seaside resort, so visit during June to early September to see this beautiful spot in all its glory. Sun worshippers should book for mid-August. That's when the average temperatures peak to a welcoming 28°C, although it can be much hotter. Temperatures max out at 35°C during hot periods. They cool off to 23°C in September. It's still warm enough for beach days, but the end of the peak holiday season means you'll have more space on the sand. And accommodation is less expensive, especially in the popular locations along the seafront.
Varna has a wide range of venues where artists perform live music across a variety of genres. There are also some great music festivals throughout the year.
Varna has a selection of beaches that cater to all holidaymakers. Sunny Beach is an eight-kilometre stretch of golden sand and blue sea. It's perfect for family beach days and big enough to accommodate the large number of summer tourists. Golden Sand is where the younger crowd recharge after a long night and the atmosphere starts to get lively again during the late afternoon. It’s just a short work from the biggest party districts. Kabakum beach is a 20-minute drive from Varna. This idyllic getaway is one of the quietest and most relaxing beaches near the city.
Varna is Bulgaria's third-largest city and a popular holiday destination for tourists and locals on a weekend break. Known as the Pearl of the Black Sea, it is famous for long stretches of coastline, numerous beaches, stunning views, and long summer days. It has a well-earned reputation as a party resort. Things grow rowdy around the Sunny Beach strip after dark. But Varna has its cultural side. Located just a five-minute drive from the city, Varna Necropolis is an ancient burial ground and a key archaeological site from prehistory.
Not everybody comes to Varna to party or sun worship. Some come to soak up the culture and visit the historical sites, which include a museum displaying the oldest gold treasure in the world. Experts think it dates to somewhere between 4,600-4,200 BC. In fact, Varna was the location for the earliest human settlements in Europe. Archaeologists discovered over 30 prehistoric settlements around Varna and unearthed tools thought to be 100,000 years old. The ancient Greeks, Romans, and Ottomans later settled in Varna. You can see their influence in the city's unique architecture.
Varna is a historic city with many cultural sites to explore, making it an excellent weekend city break destination. But once you see the beautiful beaches and blue seas, you'll wish you were staying longer. A week to ten days is the perfect amount of time to see loads of cool stuff and squeeze in more than a few lazy afternoons on the beach. Families and couples who've been waiting all year for their summer holidays will appreciate a few extra days. And there's more than enough in Varna to keep you and the kids entertained for a 14-day break.
Varna is a very family-friendly holiday destination. There are many fun places for kids of all ages, including amusement parks, water parks, museums, zoos, and adventure playgrounds. Most are within walking distance of the city or less than an hour’s drive away. The main beaches in Varna are suitable for family-beach days. You'll find changing facilities, playgrounds, and lots of cafes, restaurants, and fast-food joints along the promenade. Families should avoid staying at the resorts near Sunny Beach. It's a famous – and slightly notorious – party destination for large groups of younger travellers and stag dos.