Tourist Attractions in Varna

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Varna

Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps

About Varna

Varna has many names: “pearl of the coast”, “queen of the Black Sea”, “summer capital of Bulgaria” – this resort town has many names! Thanks to its long and rich history, Varna attracts tourists not only with its beaches, but also with its interesting architecture and invaluable cultural heritage.

The city has been ruled in turn by the Romans, Byzantines and Turks, which has undoubtedly affected its appearance. Roman thermae from the 2nd century are juxtaposed with 19th century mansions, creating a rather unusual contrast.

Varna is also an important cultural centre of Bulgaria. One of the central events is the Varna Summer Festival, which annually attracts thousands of participants and spectators from all over the world.

Top-20 Tourist Attractions in Varna

STONES

 3.8/5

6 reviews

Stone columns of natural origin, located 18 kilometres from Varna. It is believed that they originated as a result of weathering of rocks or formed from hardened coral. Over 200 years of research scientists have not reached a consensus on the veracity of one of the versions. To preserve the unique attraction, the territory with the stones was declared a natural monument.

Open time

Monday: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Euxinograd Palace

 4.4/5

1229 reviews

Summer residence of the royal family on the Black Sea coast, which is now used for government receptions. The palace was built in the late 19th century by order of Prince A. Battenberg. The residence of the House of Orleans in one of the suburbs of Paris, destroyed during the Franco-Prussian War, was taken as a model. The surviving fragments of the Paris palace were used in the construction of the Euxinograd.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

Sea Garden

 4.7/5

31678 reviews

The park was designed by the Czech master A. Novak in the 19th century. This picturesque garden on the seashore has long been a favourite place for walks and relaxation. The alleys of the park stretch along the coast, along them there are flowerbeds, fountains and sculptures. There is a terrarium, a zoo, a dolphinarium, a sports complex, a planetarium and several museums. The park even has its own beach.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Varna Roman Baths

 4.4/5

2660 reviews

The ancient thermae were built in the 2nd century and used until the end of the 3rd century. The imposing bath complex, the size of a football field, is located in the centre of Varna among residential buildings. It is believed to have been the largest baths on the Balkan Peninsula and the fourth largest in the Roman Empire. Today, even from the surviving ruins, one can judge the scale of this ancient structure.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

Dormition of the Theotokos Cathedral

 4.7/5

6773 reviews

The cathedral of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, which is located in the centre of Varna. It was inaugurated in 1886 in honour of the liberation of the city from Ottoman rule with the active participation of the Russian Emperor Alexander II, whose wife was an aunt to Prince Battenberg. In the architecture of the cathedral one can discern features of Byzantine style, elements of Russian temple construction and even some Gothic touches.

Open time

Monday: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Sunday: 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM

Armenian Orthodox Church

 4.7/5

52 reviews

An Armenian Orthodox church built in the mid-19th century on the site of a burnt-out church in honour of St. Sarkis, an associate who lived during the time of Emperor Constantine and was famous for converting pagans to the Christian faith. The main facade of the building is made of red brick, the side walls are covered with white plaster. Inside the temple is painted in Byzantine style.

Open time

Aladzha Monastery

 4.5/5

4789 reviews

A 12th century rock Orthodox monastery, now lying in ruins. It is known that since the IV century Christian hermits lived in the catacombs. The monastery existed until the end of the 14th century, when it was destroyed by the Ottomans, but the monks continued to inhabit the caves for another four hundred years. Almost all the grottoes used to be decorated with frescoes, but today they remain only in the monastery chapel.

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Opera Varna

 4.7/5

1323 reviews

The theatre stage is located in a picturesque Empire-style mansion, which is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. The Varna Opera is second only to the Sofia Opera House in terms of popularity. The company was founded in 1947 and immediately began to work on staging works by classical and contemporary authors. Later, operettas were added to the repertoire to attract more spectators.

Open time

Monday: 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM, 2:30 – 8:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM, 2:30 – 8:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM, 2:30 – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM, 2:30 – 8:00 PM
Friday: 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM, 2:30 – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM, 2:30 – 7:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Archaeological Museum Varna

 0/5

The collection of the museum is considered one of the largest in Bulgaria, as it contains more than 50 thousand specimens. On an area of 2,000 m² there is a scientific library, an exhibition hall, an archive and classrooms. Part of the exposition is exhibited in the courtyard. Among the unique exhibits is a collection of gold items that was discovered in the Varna necropolis. Experts believe that its age is more than 6,000 years.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

Varna Ethnographic Museum

 4.4/5

202 reviews

The museum was opened in 1974 in a 19th century mansion. Its collection is dedicated to the culture and life of the people of the Varna region. The exposition on two floors covers the time period from the second half of the 19th century to the middle of the 20th century. In the museum you can learn about the traditional trades of the region: fishing, beekeeping and viticulture, as well as look at tools and everyday objects.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Retro Museum

 4.7/5

6421 reviews

The collection was created on the initiative of businessman C. Atanasov, who was a collector of vintage cars and various items used by residents of Warsaw Pact countries. Over time, the exposition grew to such a size that a separate room had to be rented for it. The main “pearl” of the collection is a seagull car owned by Todor Zhivkov.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Varna Museum of Modern History

 4.5/5

291 reviews

The museum building is located in the centre of Varna near the Roman Baths. Here visitors can learn about the history of the city from 1878 to 1939. Most of the collection is a reconstruction of the town’s cafes, shops and workrooms. The remaining rooms display weapons from the First and Second World Wars and the Balkan Wars, clothing, photographs and furnishings.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Naval Museum

 4.6/5

1339 reviews

The collection was started in 1923 by a group of enthusiasts. It consists of naval uniforms, ship models, insignia and ship’s guns. The exhibits are placed in 12 halls. First of all, the exposition will be of interest to fans of naval military themes and people who are simply interested in ships. The museum has a library with a rich book collection.

Open time

Park Museum „Vladislav Varnenchik“

 4.3/5

577 reviews

A memorial complex erected in honour of the national hero Wladyslaw Warnenczyk (Wladyslaw III Jagailo), the Polish-Hungarian king who died in a battle in 1444 when a united army of Bulgarians, Czechs, Hungarians, Bosnians, Croats, Poles and Romanians tried to stop the invasion of Europe by the Ottoman Turks. The museum was established in 1924. There is a mausoleum of Jagailo on the territory of the complex, but the body of the king himself is not there.

Open time

Dolphinarium Varna

 4.3/5

8366 reviews

Varna, like almost every seaside resort town, has its own dolphinarium. All six days of the week, when performances are organised here, the stands are filled to capacity, as the amusing marine mammals leave no one indifferent. The animals dance during the show and “sing” Bulgarian songs to the delight of the spectators.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:00 PM

Varna Aquarium

 3.9/5

1341 reviews

The aquarium is located in the building of the Institute of Aquaculture and Fisheries, which was erected in 1912. Sea creatures live in spacious tanks where optimal living conditions have been created. Part of the exposition shows the underwater fauna of the Black Sea, while the other part is dedicated to the World Ocean. In addition to fish, you can see algae, mollusks, octopuses and jellyfish.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Varna Zoo

 4.3/5

6779 reviews

Varna Zoo is not a large zoo – you can easily walk around its territory in 30 minutes. The animals are kept in enclosures behind bars, so you can only observe them from afar. The history of the zoo began in 1956, when the crew of a military ship brought a bear from a regular voyage. The animal was given the name Maxim and settled in Primorsky Park. Soon he was joined by other residents.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Ecopark Varna

 4.6/5

1552 reviews

The garden opened to the public in 2002. It used to be the site of a university plant nursery. Exotic plants and local species grow side by side in the Ecopark. Here you can see sea pine, ginkgo, iron, paper and tulip trees and other interesting specimens. The park has a gorgeous rose garden, where more than 30 species of this flower are planted.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Lake Varna

 4.5/5

468 reviews

A long estuary on the coast near Varna, which is connected to Lake Beloslav and the Gulf of Varna by navigable canals. The water body has an area of 17 km² and a relatively shallow depth of only 19 metres. Its bottom is covered with a layer of silt and hydrogen sulphide mud, which has therapeutic properties. Next to the lake is the famous Varna Necropolis.

Cape Kaliakra

 4.8/5

10253 reviews

The cape is located about 60 kilometres from Varna on the Dobrujan Plateau. It is included in the list of the hundred most picturesque sights in Bulgaria. There is a nature reserve on its territory. The steep cliffs of the cape rise 70 metres above the sea, protecting the bay from cold winds. The legend of 40 girls who threw themselves into the Black Sea to avoid being captured by the Ottoman Turks is connected with this place.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM