Holidays in Varna in 2023 – a detailed guide to the city's best attractions and activities

After reading this article, you'll find out if Varna is worth a vacation. And will vacations in Varna become more expensive in 2023? We'll also evaluate the resort based on all key criteria. You can also participate in the assessment by leaving your rating at the end of the article.
Holidays in Varna in 2023: What you need to know
The most famous city on the sea in Bulgaria is Varna. And this is not surprising, because Varna is the largest city in Eastern Bulgaria.
The city is an important tourist and educational center, a starting point for resorts along the Black Sea coast. The city is rich in history, with early traces of human presence in the Varna region dating back approximately 100,000 years.

Photos of Varna

What names has Varna had in history?

In ancient times, the city of Varna was called Odessos. Theophanes calls it Odesopolis, while other authors also refer to it as Ulisopolis. After the sixth century, the name Odessos disappears from historical documents. During the reign of Emperor Tiberius (14–27 AD), the city was briefly called Tiberiopolis. During the reign of Empress Irene in the late eighth century, it also briefly bore her name—Irinopolis.

It is believed that its current name derives from the Old Bulgarian *varn, meaning "black, raven." Another theory links the name to the word "var," meaning water and mineral spring. The first mention of the name Varna appears in chronicles about the march of ruler Asparukh and his army, who "...came to the so-called Varna, near Odessa..." and the settlement of the Proto-Bulgarians in this area.

Theophanes writes that in 774, Emperor Constantine V set out on a naval campaign against the Proto-Bulgarians, but upon arriving in Varna, he became alarmed and turned back. Konstantin Irechek believes that this name referred not to the old city of Odessos, but to the surrounding area, near the Provadia River and Lake Devna.

Constantine Porphyrogenitus writes that Varna is a river, and A. Vretos agrees. On the other hand, in 765, Nicephorus reported that Khan Umar's kavkhan was killed by his servants in Varna. According to the Shkorpil brothers, a Thracian settlement called Varnas existed on the shore of the lake, in the area below "Yanavara," where numerous archaeological finds continue to be found.

Dimitar Dimitrov believes that Varna was a settlement in the western part of today's city, home to Chalcolithic necropolises. In the early 20th century, Archimandrite Innocent noted in his research that the name Varna derives from the Hunnic-Avar word "varosh," meaning city. Krystyu Mirsky suggests that the name derives from "var," meaning limestone, referring to the fact that "in Varna and its surroundings, the soil and rocks are limestone..." From December 20, 1949, to October 20, 1956, Varna bore the name "Stalin" in honor of Joseph Stalin.

The Climate in Varna

According to long-term data, the warmest month in Varna is July, with an average temperature of 22.4°C. The longest hours of sunshine in Varna are observed in July and August, with 300.7 and 299.2 hours, respectively. The average sea temperature near Varna in July is 24.6°C, with the warmest in August being 24.7°C.

And if your phone's battery suddenly runs out and you don't feel like asking passersby the time, you can do just that in Varna. The sundial at the entrance to the Seaside Park is one of Varna's landmarks. You can tell the time by the shadows cast by the hands moving across the dial. Another sundial has been installed near the seaport.

Location of Varna

The city of Varna is located on the shores of the Bay of Varna, between Lake Varna and the Franga Plateau. The city's districts, Asparuhovo and Galata, lie south of Lake Varna and are connected to the central part by the longest bridge in Bulgaria, the Asparuh Bridge. The bridge is the only connection across the shipping canal connecting Lake Varna to the Black Sea. 

How to get to Varna?

You can fly to Varna by plane; there is an airport with fairly extensive air service and relatively inexpensive tickets.

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Of course, you can also get there by bus. Varna has a new international bus station that serves buses from many countries. And buy the cheapest bus tickets You can do it here.

You can also reach Varna by train. Varna has a train station, which, incidentally, is a stop on the famous Orient Express, which runs from London to Istanbul. Buses and trolleybuses operate within the city. Tickets within the city cost 1 euro, purchased at bus stops or from ticket machines on board.

There are several official taxi companies in the city. These cars are yellow and display phone numbers, company names, and other advertising. All cars are equipped with taximeters, and the driver always issues a receipt after the ride. Some cars are equipped with card payment terminals and are marked with outdoor advertising.

Many taxi dispatchers speak Russian. As a last resort, you can book a taxi online, but some say this doesn't always work. Taxis are equipped with meters, and the driver will give you a receipt after the ride. The average taxi fare within the city is between 3-5 euros.

There are rental points for cars, bicycles and electric scooters in the city.

If you're arriving by car, you should know that the city is divided into zones. The blue zone requires paid parking.

Parking costs 1 euro per hour. Payment can be made via SMS or a phone app. Failure to pay will result in your car being towed and a hefty fine. The car will need to be picked up from a location accessible only by taxi (under a bridge). Therefore, the best option is to leave your car in a paid parking lot. This will prevent problems with tow trucks or car thieves, which sometimes happens.

Beaches in Varna

Varna's beaches, of which there are about ten, stretch over more than 8 kilometers of coastline and extend along the entire coastline. Varna's beaches are sandy with fine sand.

South Beach

If you walk from the port along the coastline, the first beach you’ll come to is Yuzhny; what sets it apart is that it has the widest sandy strip, up to 100 meters. The price for a beach umbrella or a lounge chair is two and a half euros.

Adjacent to South Beach is a swimming and sports center with two pools—one of which is outdoor and open year-round—as well as a spa offering massage services and a fitness center. There are no water attractions on the beach itself.

Many cafes have their own beach areas like this one, where you can enjoy drinks and snacks while relaxing on a lounge chair or in a specially equipped area with soft cushions or sofas.

Central Beach

Next is Central Beach, which is home to a large number of small restaurants, bars, and clubs. There are no water attractions on this beach.

In the summer, it’s always bustling and lively here. And as evening falls, it gets even livelier: numerous nightclubs and beach discos open for business. Primorsky Park adjoins Central Beach. It’s a perfect combination: the sea, the sun, the sand, and green spaces where you can find some cool relief from the midday heat.

Fishermen's Beach

Fishermen's Beach isn't really suitable for swimming, since it's mostly rocky. But there's a string of cafes along it offering a variety of cuisines.

Officers' Beach

Next is Officer's Beach. One of the highlights of this beach is a hydrogen sulfide pool with hot water that gushes from deep underground year-round.

Rapongi Beach

Next up is the popular Rapongi Beach, named after the restaurant. This is where you'll find the most expensive umbrellas and lounge chairs—5 euros each.

Bunite Beaches 1, 2

Next come the beaches “Bunite 1 and 2”.

«Pochivka» Beach»

“Pochivka” Beach has sand and large rocks; the drop-off into the sea is steep, and just a few meters from the shore, the water is deep enough to reach an adult’s full height. Not suitable for small children. Small toy trains run along the promenade, just as they do in the park. There are also beaches on the other side of the city, across the bridge in Asparuhovo.

Most of Varna's beaches are suitable for families with children. It's worth noting that all beaches are sandy, with some rocky areas; there are no pebble beaches in Varna.

Accommodation.

Varna hotels on the map:

Varna offers a wide range of accommodation, from hostels to luxury villas. This summer, prices start at €28 for a double room, ten percent higher than last summer. Beachfront hotels start at €32. All-inclusive double rooms start at €180 per night.

If you want to rent an apartment, prices for a studio apartment will start from 33 euros, and renting an entire house with a swimming pool will cost from 42 euros per day.

Food and what options are there?

What to do if you haven't booked a hotel through the system “all inclusive” ? Where to eat? In Varna, we counted as many as four food options, but let's take them in order.

First option

This is the simplest, but also the most expensive option. It's simply eating at cafes and restaurants located throughout the city.

Good value establishments may have full availability. Keep in mind that you'll have to place several test orders at different establishments, read reviews, and, in short, spend a considerable amount of time before you find the perfect one for you. However, this option will still be more expensive than others.

Second option

A budget-friendly option is to cook your own meals and buy groceries at chain stores with the lowest prices. For example, try Billa, Lidl, Kaufland, Metro, or buy groceries at the Central Market. This way, the cost of food will be closer to what you'd spend at home.

The third option

This might be the "Golden Mean." It combines savings with, crucial for a comfortable stay, the freedom to cook. To achieve this, buy prepared food at stores that have a so-called "hot counter." Billa and Bulmag have these counters. You can buy prepared food at these "hot counters." They'll package it for you so it can be easily delivered to your accommodation.

Some Kaufland stores have opened cafes near the checkout counters where you can buy fresh, prepared food at affordable prices. A tray of mushrooms with butter, a type of pork ragout with vegetables, and fried chicken wings cost 5 euros. A slice of freshly made pizza costs 1.5 euros. At least it tastes better than any frozen pizza bought in a store.

The fourth option

An alternative and relatively new dining option: home delivery of prepared meals. Varna offers several well-known services where you can order food from a selection of restaurants directly to your home.

This may not be the cheapest option, but it's very fast, convenient, and comfortable. It's especially beneficial for large families or groups, as there's a certain amount above which delivery is free. They also offer promotions and cumulative discounts, and you might even find free delivery.

What's there to see in Varna?

The list of things to do in Varna is very extensive, we have prepared only the most interesting places for you.

Cathedral of the Dormition of the Holy Virgin

The city's symbol is the 19th-century Cathedral of the Dormition of the Holy Virgin, recently restored. It is located in the heart of the city.

Central pedestrian street

The most popular place to stroll in Varna, of course, remains the Central Pedestrian Street. It starts from the city's largest fountain on Independence Square and runs to the central entrance to the Seaside Park. The street itself is lined with numerous shops, cafes, and restaurants.

Varna Coastal Promenade

It stretches for several kilometers and is home to numerous summer clubs, discos, pizzerias, and seafood restaurants.

Seaside Park

Famous Seaside Park — the largest park in the Balkans, declared a masterpiece of park art. The park offers views of the sea and Roppongi Beach. The Varna Dolphinarium is also located within the park.

Archaeological Museum in Varna

The Archaeological Museum in Varna impresses not only with its rich collection of artifacts, but also houses something very valuable: the oldest processed gold in the world.

Varna Sea Port

The Varna Sea Port is part of the Varna Port Complex. The complex boasts numerous restaurants, a duty-free shop, a yachting outfitter, an amusement park, and a large parking lot.

Roman baths

This is one of the symbols of ancient Odessa. They represent the ruins of ancient Roman baths. You can buy a ticket and see the attraction.

Amusement parks

For thrill-seekers, the Seaport area boasts an amusement park with some pretty extreme rides. Otherwise, it's all pretty standard fare.

Primorsky Park also houses an amusement park called "Children's Playground." Here, in the shade of the trees, you can enjoy rides primarily for children.

Varna Aquarium

You can visit the Varna Aquarium, which features various species of fish, coral reefs, and other marine animals.

There is also a mini-water park in Varna.

You can rent the entire yacht. This is cheaper if you have a large group. This yacht (see photo) can accommodate up to 10 people. It's a pleasure craft. You can sail to a specific location or simply cruise the sea or lake for a set amount of time.

Varna has three operating shopping centers: Grand Mall Varna, Delta Planet Mall, and Mall Varna. These centers offer shopping, dining, movie theaters, and amusement rides.

What to see in the vicinity of Varna?

Residence „Evksinograd“

The residence "Euxinograd", built for Tsar Alexander I of Battenberg.

Aladzha Monastery

Aladzha Monastery – the most famous rock monastery on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. And just a few hundred meters away are the Catacombs.

Cape and fortress of Kaliakra

A natural and archaeological reserve stretching 2 kilometers into the sea. The legend of its name comes from the self-sacrifice of 40 Bulgarian girls who tied their hair and threw themselves into the sea to escape the Turks. One of them was named Kaliakra.

Pros of Varna

Cons of Varna

Results

So, what's changed since last summer regarding a vacation in Varna in 2023? Minimum accommodation prices have increased by 101₽3₽. Travel prices have increased by an average of 201₽3₽. Grocery prices have also increased by an average of 201₽3₽. But if you compare Varna with other Bulgarian resorts, a vacation in Varna will still be cheaper than most other destinations.

The resort is suitable for those who enjoy cultural events, such as exhibitions, galleries, and festivals. However, it may not appeal to those seeking peace, quiet, and purity.

Have you been to Varna? Let me know in the comments what you liked or disliked.

Sea Water Temperatures in Varna by Month

Today's Weather in Varna

VARNA WEATHER

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