Varna — The Maritime Capital

Varna (Варна) is Bulgaria's third-largest city and the unofficial capital of the Black Sea coast — a vibrant port city with a mix of culture, beach, and cosmopolitan flair. With 350,000 inhabitants, Varna is big enough for real city life but relaxed enough for a vacation.

Highlights

• Roman Baths: The largest preserved Roman baths on the Balkans (2nd century AD) are located in the middle of the city — a massive complex with walls, heating channels, and mosaics that hint at the size of ancient Odessos (as Varna was called). Admission: 5 BGN (€2.50).
• Archaeological Museum: The oldest gold in the world is here: The Varna Gold Treasure (ca. 4600–4200 BC) from a necropolis burial site is over 6,000 years old and proves that the Black Sea coast hosted one of the earliest civilizations of mankind. Fascinating and unique worldwide. Admission: 10 BGN (€5).
• Sea Garden (Morska Gradina): A huge park along the coast with shady trees, an open-air stage, an aquarium, a dolphinarium, and a planetarium. Perfect for an afternoon with a sea view. Admission: free.
• Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin: The second-largest Orthodox cathedral in Bulgaria (after Alexander Nevsky) with gilded iconostases and impressive stained glass windows. Admission: free.
• City Beach: Located directly at the Sea Garden — fine sand, good infrastructure, bars, and restaurants. Lively in summer, but never as crowded as Sunny Beach.

Golden Sands (Zlatni Pyasatsi)

Golden Sands is located 17 km north of Varna and is Bulgaria's most famous party spot — the "Ballermann of the Black Sea coast," so to speak. The 3.5 km long beach with fine, golden sand is truly beautiful, but in summer, clubs, all-inclusive hotels, and a young international party crowd dominate. Those who turn night into day will find their paradise here. Those seeking peace should move on.