Known as the cultural capital of Bulgaria's Black Sea coast Varna is blessed with sandy bays and lush green hills. This vibrant city offers a variety of activities for visitors. You can party into the night on the city beach or visit the ancient Roman baths during the day. Outside the city national parks provide ample opportunities for hiking such as walking through The Stone Desert – one of the only deserts in Europe. Make sure to save time to taste the unique cuisine of the area which is a surprising fusion of Mediterranean Balkan and Asian flavors.
When it comes to accommodation Varna has a range of options to suit every budget. Some Varna hostels are located by the sea while others are situated in the city itself. You can find hostels that host live music events in the evenings or ones with swimming pools to cool off in. If you're looking to meet fellow travelers choose a Varna hostel with a wood-fired oven and organize a pizza night. There are also restored 19th-century homes or Art Deco buildings with the oldest working lift in the city. Many hostels in Varna offer free breakfast or guest kitchens and free Wi-Fi is available in most places. For those on a budget there are several options for cheap accommodation that still provide great amenities.
Varna's Old Town is the central neighborhood with a pedestrian-only core bustling with outdoor cafés. The Sea Garden park popular with locals lies between the center and the beach providing a peaceful oasis for picnics in the shade. For hiking you can go to the oaken forest just outside of Vladislavovo or drive north for 20 minutes to the Golden Sands Nature Park.
Popular sights within Varna include the copper-domed cathedral and the Retro Museum where you can discover Bulgaria under communist rule. For a swim surrounded by wilderness try Fichoza Beach which serves as a meeting place for locals. There are plenty of interesting day trips from Varna too. Visit Aladzha Monastery in the Golden Sands Nature Park – a series of hermit caves where 13th-century monks spent their lives – or Barite Complex a living museum where you can eat in a traditional restaurant and hear folk music among rolling green hills.
Getting to Varna is convenient. You can fly into Varna Airport which is a 20-minute bus ride from the city center. If you're arriving by bus the intercity bus terminal is a 25-minute walk from the center. From here you can connect to Sofia (7 hours) Plovdiv (7 hours) and Istanbul (10 hours). Varna Train Station is close to the beach with trains running to most Bulgarian cities. Much of the city is walkable but to reach Golden Sands take bus 109 or 409. For those seeking cheap accommodation Varna offers several budget-friendly options that are conveniently located near public transport making it easy to explore the city and its surroundings.
