Book Olympic Air Flights to Varna

Things to do in Varna

Stroll through the “Sea Gardens”, the largest sea garden in the Balkans and a national monument of the architectural landscape. Discover an impressive recreational area, with cultural routes (National Revival Road, Cosmonauts Road), Museums (Natural History Museum, Nicolaus Copernicus National Observatory and Planetarium), an open-air theatre, aquarium, dolphinarium, zoo, ice rink and other attractions.

Visit the Archaeological Museum, the repository of the culture of Northeast Bulgaria housed in a wonderful neo-renaissance building dating to the 19th century. Admire the famous “Varna Gold”, the oldest treasure of golden objects in the world, discovered in the Varna Necropolis and dating to 4600-4200 BC.

Visit the impressive Roman Baths (late 2nd century), the largest and best-preserved complex of Roman ruins in Bulgaria.

Explore the centre of Varna, an open-air museum of Western-style architecture that was created in the late 19th and early 20th century by the rising bourgeoisie of Bulgaria. Stop to admire the neo-Renaissance and neo-Baroque villas, neoclassical buildings, and elegant art nouveau and art deco mansions that adorn the central boulevards and radiate an aristocratic aura of past eras.

Magnificent Orthodox churches are scattered throughout Varna. Visit the grand Dormition of the Mother of God Cathedral (1880), a wonderful stone building with superb wall paintings and ornate stained-glass windows.

Excursions from Varna

At a distance of just 10 km to the north of Varna is the luxury coastal resort of Saints Constantine and Helena, famous for its sandy beaches and medicinal spas. Also, in this region is the magical University Botanical Garden (Ecopark Varna). You must visit the amazing Euxinograd Royal Palace and Park, the summer residence of the Bulgarian tsars in the late 19th century.

The coastal resort of Golden Sands is considered the jewel of the Black Sea, an unbeatable combination of turquoise waters and rich forest in complete harmony. From here, it is also worth visiting the impressive Byzantine cave monastery of Aladzha (11th-12th century), a striking architectural complex, carved whole into the limestone rock, and containing amazing frescoes.

Known as the “Stone Forest” or “Stone Desert”, Pobiti Kamani is a rare geological phenomenon in the southwest hinterland of Varna, which stirs the visitor’s imagination. This protected natural monument consists of clusters of stone columns 5-7 metres high, which look as though they have grown out of the sand.

Coastal Balchik is one of the most picturesque towns in Bulgaria, with pretty traditional houses scrambling up hillsides that run down to meet the sea. The most famous sight here is Balchik Palace (the “Quiet Nest” Palace of Queen Marie of Romania in the interwar period) and its famous Royal Gardens.

Shopping in Varna

Amble along Knyaz Boris, the main shopping street in the city, where the stores of all the largest international brands and boutique local designers are to be found.

Visit the Grand Mall, the largest shopping mall in the city centre, with over 200 shops, a food court, IMAX cinema and even a vintage car museum and a waxworks gallery. Here you will find all the international clothes and accessories chains.

Head for the Mall Varna for more casual fashion and items for the house.

Buy traditional handmade souvenirs, such as religious icons, ceramics, wooden objects, tablecloths, lace cloth and much more.

Buy products made from the famous endemic rose, the Rosa Damascena, such as rose water, aromatic oils, organic makeup, jams and liqueurs.

If you are a booklover then take a stop at the independent English-language bookshop Shakespeare & Friends (Dragoman Street 28), with its thoughtful recommendations for new and used books.

Nightlife in Varna

The centre of Varna’s social life is the historic Independence Square (Ploshtad Nezavisimost). This is where the locals gather for their afternoon get togethers, around the “Singing Fountain” and the stunning Opera House. Head this way for a relaxed aperitif in the busy cafes or dine in one of the lovely restaurants around the square.

The favourite walk of the inhabitants of Varna begins at Independence Square, a pedestrianised route that goes along Slivnitsa Avenue and continues along the central Knyaz Boris, with its countless bars, to end at the pedestrianised road in the harbour, with the luxury marinas and cosmopolitan atmosphere.

In the summer the heart of the city’s nightlife beats along the beach, where you can choose from the open-air bars, pricey seafood restaurants and huge clubs that pulsate to the rhythms of the international beats and famous DJs.

Getting from the airport to Varna

Take bus 409, which connects the airport with the centre of Varna (Varna Cathedral). Buses depart every 15 minutes from the bus stop outside Terminal 2. The journey time for the city centre is 20 minutes while for the resort of Golden Sands it is 50 minutes. Tickets can be purchased on the bus.

Alternatively, you can take one of the yellow taxis operated by Triumf Taxi (the official airport partner) from the taxi rank outside Terminal 2.

The ideal season to visit Varna and its magical coastline is the summer, when the region becomes the centre of the summer cultural festivals and the international rock and hip hop clubbing scene. Book your flights for Varna with Olympic Air and land in the Bulgarian capital of the good life.