Varna
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At a glance
- Country
- Bulgaria
- Region
- Varna Province
- Population
- 330,000
- Best time to go
- June to September
- Main airport
- Varna (VAR)
- Coordinates
- 43.21°N, 27.91°E
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Overview
Varna is Bulgaria's largest city on the Black Sea, a port and summer resort with a long seafront park and sandy beaches right in town.
It also has deep history. The oldest worked gold in the world was found here, in a necropolis from around 4,500 BC, and the city has substantial Roman baths. Spend a few days mixing museums and beach time, with the cliffs, monasteries and stone forests of the coast within easy reach.
Things to see
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Photo: Yelkrokoyade, CC BY-SA 3.0 Varna Archaeological Museum
Home to the dazzling gold treasure of the Varna Necropolis, thought to be the oldest processed gold in the world.
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Photo: Alicia Fagerving, CC BY-SA 3.0 Roman Baths
The ruins of large second-century public baths in the old Greek quarter, among the biggest in the Balkans.
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Photo: MrPanyGoff, CC BY-SA 3.0 Cathedral of the Dormition
A large Orthodox cathedral with golden domes in the city centre, with fine wood carving and icons inside.
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Photo: Stanqo, CC BY-SA 4.0 Sea Garden
A long seafront park of shady paths, fountains and monuments above the city beaches.
Things to do
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Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0 Aladzha Monastery
A rock monastery carved into a cliff in the forest north of the city, with caves and cells to explore.
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Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0 Pobiti Kamani
A strange desert-like landscape of stone columns standing in the sand, about half an hour inland.
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Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0 Cape Kaliakra
A long, narrow headland of red cliffs further up the coast, with fortress ruins and dolphins sometimes seen below.
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Photo: The original uploader was Chlempi at German Wikipedia ., CC BY-SA 2.0 de Beach days
Swim from the city beaches or head to Golden Sands and the resorts along the coast for wider sands.
Where to stay
City centre
Walkable to the cathedral, museums and Sea Garden, with lots of restaurants.
Hotels in City centreNear the Sea Garden
Close to the beaches and the seafront promenade, good for summer stays.
Hotels in Near the Sea GardenSt Constantine and Helena
A greener resort a few kilometres north, with spa hotels and quieter beaches.
Hotels in St Constantine and Helena
Getting around
The centre and seafront are walkable. Buses and taxis link the city to the northern resorts.
The airport is about 10 kilometres west of the centre, around 20 minutes by taxi or bus. Trains and buses connect with Sofia.
When to go
June to September is warm and sunny, ideal for the beach; July and August are busiest. Late spring and early autumn are quieter and good for sightseeing. Winters are cold and windy.
Plan your trip to Varna
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.