Varna

Introducing Varna

Bulgaria’s third city and maritime capital, Varna is by far the most interesting and cosmopolitan town on the Black Sea coast, and a definite highlight of the region. A strange yet harmonious combination of port city, naval base and seaside resort, it’s an appealing place to while away a few days, packed with history yet thoroughly modern, with an enormous park to amble round and a lengthy beach to lounge on. One of the most dynamic and fast-growing Bulgarian cities, it has experienced a property boom in recent years and there’s a definite air of affluent swagger about the place. In the city centre you’ll find Bulgaria’s largest Roman baths complex and its best archaeological museum, as well as a lively cultural and restaurant scene – while every other shop-front now seems to be an estate agent touting holiday homes to British visitors.

Away from the capitalist crush, Varna has a number of less obvious attractions, including several art galleries, a dolphinarium and Bulgaria’s only naval museum, while the city also makes an ideal base for day trips to nearby beach resorts such as Sveti Konstantin and Golden Sands (Zlatni Pyasâtsi), and the charming towns of Balchik and Dobrich.

Horror fans will no doubt remember that it was from Varna that Bram Stoker’s Dracula set sail on the Demeter, bound for Whitby and a date with Mina Harker.

Last updated: Mar 2, 2009