Varna

Varna is described as the 'gem of the Bulgarian Black Sea' and is situated at the end of Varna Bay, with a convenient and well conserved water area. Varna lies on a large, flat and high terrace on the north-western most curve of the bay which juts some 7km inland. During the holiday season, July and August, the sunshine allows 10-11 hours of sunbathing. The sea is amazingly calm and free of dangerous tides. Varna is not simply just a beach resort. Varna rivals the great cities of Sofia and Plovdiv in its offering of cultural attractions and historical buildings, museums and galleries. It also provides access to some of the quieter scenic spots along the coast, including the nature reserve of Kamchiya, the royal palace of Balchik and the hillside monastery of Aladzha.

Varna boasts a wonderful park, the Sea Gardens, right alongside the sea and the beach. The park houses many attractions including a valuable and interesting collection of relics from wartime Bulgaria. The Natural History Museum is also located here, along with the open air theatre.

The area around the docks in Varna is quite unattractive with its busy shipyards and industrial areas. There is also a rather scruffy gipsy area.

Development around Varna is rife and there are some very important beach resorts such as Golden Sands and Sunny Day. It is still possible to purchase good value properties in and around these areas.

Arriving in Varna
The train station is located just south of the city centre and the bus terminal is 2km northwest. From either it is easy to get a bus to the cathedral in the centre, a good place to start exploring.

Varna is best explored on foot. The streets are safe and pleasant. There is ample accommodation in Varna and the quality is generally very good. Prices are reasonable.