Varna in Bulgaria - 13 tips for things to see and do

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated August 2026 | Varna in Bulgaria is a lovely holiday town on the Black Sea, offering everything from long, fine sandy beaches to food, wine and historical sights. We really fell in love with this city, and here you will find our best tips on what to see and do in Varna.

Varna in Bulgaria

Varna is the third largest city in Bulgaria. The city has a long history and was inhabited even before the Greeks established the colony of Odessos here around 580 BC. Later, under Roman and then Slavic rule, Varna became an important trading centre along with Constantinople, Venice and Dubrovnik.

In 1393, the city was conquered by the Turks, who made it an important military centre. Today it is an important port and also has an international character, with its proximity to the holiday destinations of Golden Sands, St. Constantine and Albena.

Varna is located in eastern Bulgaria, on the Black Sea coast. The city is about 45 kilometres east of the capital. Sofia.

What is there to see and do in Varna?

What can you see and do in Varna? We discovered the city together with a guide, and also had time for several small excursions. Here are our best tips in a list.

1. Discover the city on foot

Varna is a pleasant city to walk around. The city offers a relaxed atmosphere with everything from historic buildings to pedestrianised streets and shops. The architecture alternates beautiful turn-of-the-century buildings with houses from the communist era.

The city's beautiful buildings include the Varna Theatre, which opened in 1932.

2. Admire Varna Cathedral

Another building worth taking a closer look at is the Varna Cathedral, or Dormition of the Mother of God Cathedral, as it may be called by a slightly longer name. This is the largest church in Varna and the third largest in all of Bulgaria. This orthodox cathedral, which is adorned with beautiful gold domes on the outside, was inaugurated in 1886. The church is very beautiful and powerful to visit inside.

3. Visit the Archaeological Museum

If you are interested in history, you should not miss visiting the Archaeological Museum in Varna. It houses exhibits and artefacts from the different periods of the city's and region's history.

A wealth of artefacts have been found, and the museum shows what it looked like to open old graves filled with jewellery and other items that the deceased might have needed to take with them. Varna is famous for the discovery of the world's oldest gold treasure, dated between 4600 and 4200 BC.

4. See the ruins of the Roman baths

Another exciting sight in the centre of Varna are the ruins of the Roman baths. This bath was built at the end of the first century AD in the Roman city of Odessos, under the rule of Emperor Septimius Severius.

Covering an area of more than 7000 square metres, the baths are the fourth largest Roman public baths found in Europe. Due to a crisis in the Roman Empire, the baths were abandoned around 280. However, large parts are still intact and it's powerful to walk around here and imagine life as it once was.

5. Walk in the Sea Garden

Along the waterfront, a long green walkway runs through a park called Sea Garden. The park was created in the 19th century and has been expanded over time, becoming larger and larger.

The park is popular for walking or cycling and has plenty of plantings, waterways, small bridges and fountains. The park also has a zoo, dolphinarium, terrarium and aquarium.

6. shopping

Varna is located right on the Black Sea coast, and in the summer it is full of tourists. So naturally there are plenty of small shops selling clothes, hats, bags and jewellery.

7. Sunbathing and swimming

A fine sandy beach runs along the Black Sea. The sand is soft and fine-grained and along the beach there are plenty of ice cream parlours, restaurants and businesses that rent out pedal boats and other things to enjoy in the water.

8. Hang out at a beach bar

Along the beaches are plenty of relaxed beach bars where you can settle down for a beer, a drink or a soft drink in comfortable beach chairs or on soft cushions.

9. Have lunch in the harbour of Port Varna

Port Varna is the largest harbour complex in Bulgaria. Here you can stroll along the waterfront, or perhaps pause for lunch.

We had lunch at the restaurant Staria Chinar, a chain that is located in several places in Bulgaria. Here we started with bread and tasty little scrambles, and then we had a tomato and musarella salad as a starter. For the main course, Peter chose mussels and Helena duck with mashed sweet potatoes.

The most interesting thing was still the dessert, an ice cream that came in together with spraying smoke. Tasty and nice!

10. Experience Bulgarian culture at Kopitoto restaurant

If you want to experience an evening of traditional Bulgarian food and culture, you can go to restaurant Kopitoto in the north-eastern part of the city. We did get some "tourist trap vibes" here, but you sit cosily in the courtyard and it seemed after all that even locals (or tourists from nearby towns / countries) found their way here.

We had a rustic and traditional meal here, with salad for starters, meat and potatoes for the main course and a cake for dessert. Quite simple, but tasty and pleasant.

After dinner it was time for entertainment, which started with a woman and a man walking on hot coals. A hot tip is to not try it yourself. We were told of a man in another Scandinavian society who was challenged to walk barefoot over the embers, which ended up with very large blisters under his feet...

After the show, traditional Bulgarian music was played and a group of girls started dancing. One of our group, Hannah from @hannahlates on Instagram (far right in the picture) joined in and quickly got the hang of it. Impressive!

11. Enjoy food and wine at Darzalas wine and dine

Another special food and wine experience can be had at Darzala's wine and dine, which is very charming and surrounded by greenery. You can't come here unannounced, but if you are a larger group you can book a meal and wine tasting via @darzalaswine on Facebook.

Here we experienced a fantastic evening with genuine Bulgarian food, good Bulgarian wines and pleasant conversations. The meal started with a small selection described as "Bulgarian meze", followed by meat stew and finally Bulgarian cheeses and fruit.

12. Shopping for wine at a Bulgarian winery

If you are interested in wine, you can also take a trip to a Bulgarian winery. We visited Varna Winery in General Kantardzhievo village, just north of the centre of Varna, where we had a short guided tour with information about the wines of the farm.

Among other things, we were fascinated by all the "chemistry" that seems to be behind the process to produce a really good wine. We also tasted, and the wine tasted very good.

When the winery is open, you can stop by to try and buy some wine. The bottles below come from a slightly more "touristy" collection with extra decorated bottles.

13. Take an excursion to Aladzha Monastery

While in Varna, don't miss visiting the Aladzha Monastery, located just north of the centre of Varna. Now an attraction, this cave monastery was once home to monks who lived a strict ascetic life in the caves.

READ MORE: Aladzha Monastery in Bulgaria - the cave monastery in the cliffs

More to see and do in Varna

There is, of course, more to see and do in Varna than we had time for during our trip. There is a whole range of museums and many more churches and archaeological sites. Here are a few more suggestions:

• Retro Museum is a museum that showcases life during the communist era, including a collection of cars and wax figures.
• Maritime Museum (Naval Museum) showcases Bulgaria's maritime history.
• Stone forest, Pobiti Kamani, is a group of naturally formed limestone pillars with very special shapes.
• The wonderful rocks is located a short distance from Varna and offers spectacular views.

Where to stay in Varna?

There are of course many different hotels to choose from in Varna, both in the city centre and along the coast. We stayed at the Graffit Gallery Design Hotel in Varna, which was a very nice, fresh and modern hotel in the centre of town. Here we were served a very good breakfast in the mornings and you could also book yourself into the lovely pool on the penthouse floor.

Things to see and do in the neighbourhood

Do you want to see and experience more in this part of Bulgaria? Here you will find tips and reports:

• Nesebar
• Sunny Beach
• Baltjik

FAQ – frequently asked questions about Varna in Bulgaria

Where is Varna located?

Located on the Black Sea coast in northeastern Bulgaria, Varna is the country's third largest city. The city is an important port and is considered the summer capital of Bulgaria thanks to its beaches and rich entertainment options.

What is Varna known for?

Known for its long sandy beaches, the large Sea Garden, its lively nightlife and the famous gold from the Varna Necropolis – the world's oldest worked gold find. The city also offers an interesting mix of history, culture and beach life.

How to get to Varna?

Varna has an international airport with direct flights from several European cities during the summer season. It is also possible to travel here by train or bus from other parts of Bulgaria, such as Sofia and Burgas.

How many days do you need in Varna?

Two to four days is enough to experience the city's attractions and enjoy the beach. Many people also use Varna as a base for excursions along the Black Sea coast.

What is there to do in Varna?

Stroll through the Sea Garden, visit the Varna Archaeological Museum, relax on the beach or explore the city's historic center. You can also visit the aquarium, dolphinarium or take a boat trip along the coast.

What is the Sea Garden in Varna?

The Sea Garden is Varna's large waterfront park and one of the city's most popular meeting places. It features walking paths, cafes, playgrounds, fountains and beautiful views of the Black Sea.

Is Varna a good destination for swimming?

Yes, Varna is one of Bulgaria's top beach destinations. The city's central beach is long and wide, and nearby are popular seaside resorts such as Golden Sands (Zlatni Pjasatsi) and Saints Constantine and Helena.

Is Varna child-friendly?

Yes, Varna is great for families with children. In addition to beautiful beaches, there are large green areas, playgrounds, an aquarium, a dolphinarium and several family-friendly activities.

Do you need a car in Varna?

No, the city center and most attractions are easily accessible on foot or by public transport. A car may be useful if you want to explore the seaside resorts and attractions along the coast.

When is the best time to visit Varna?

The best time is between June and September, when the swimming temperatures are at their most comfortable. For those who mainly want to discover the city, May and September are also suitable, when the climate is mild and there are fewer visitors.

What should not be missed in Varna?

Don't miss the Varna Archaeological Museum with the world-famous gold from the Varna Necropolis, the beautiful Sea Garden, the Orthodox Cathedral of the Dormition of the Mother of God and the seaside promenade. If you have time, the rock formations at Pobiti Kamani (Stone Forest) are also an exciting excursion destination.

Can you combine Varna with other destinations in Bulgaria?

Yes, Varna is a great starting point for exploring Bulgaria's Black Sea coast. Popular nearby destinations include Golden Sands, Albena, Balchik, Kaliakraudden and the historic town of Nesebar further south.