Varna - travel guide and posts - Read more about Varna, Bulgaria

Varna is the third largest city in Bulgaria and the biggest seaside resort on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. Situated strategically in the Gulf of Varna, the city has been a major economic, social and cultural center for almost three millennia.

Varna – a cradle of culture and history

Here has been found the oldest gold treasure in the world, belonging to the Varna culture, discovered in the Varna Necropolis.

Historically known as Odessos, it was one of the oldest ancient Thracian settlements in Bulgaria to develop to a major seaport on the Black Sea.

It covered 47 hectares in present day central Varna and had prominent public baths, Thermae, erected in the late 2nd century AD, now the largest Roman remains in Bulgaria and fourth largest known Roman baths in Europe which testifies to the importance of the city.

The city survived centuries of battles, attacks and transitions to stand out proudly in present days.

Today Varna is an important center for business, transportation, education, tourism, entertainment and healthcare. The city is referred to as the maritime capital of Bulgaria and has the headquarters of the Bulgarian Navy and merchant marine.

Except for its historical and economic significance, its location, climate, cuisine and hospitality, most importantly – the amazing wide beaches are one of the main reasons which make Varna irresistible.

See the 10 best reasons to visit Varna

Having R Varna apartments located in the heart of Varna is one of our greatest advantages. The amazing location allows our guests to take profit of all the benefits the city has to offer.

There is no need to make big plans on your sightseeing route or the transportation as anything you wish to see is at hand. In case you still would like to visit some of the surrounding landmarks, R-Varna will arrange a taxi, rent-a-car or a limousine driven by a private chauffeur for you.

**Rent a luxurious retro Rolls-Royce limousine with a private chauffeur**

What can you see and do in Varna?

No matter the season – Varna has to suggest!

Usually in summer our guests spend most of their time at the beach as it is best time to be there between the months of May – till the end of September. You won’t need any vehicles to get to the seaside as R-Varna Apartments are only 500 meters from the Central beach.

Choose between yachting, swimming, diving, surfing, kiting, cycling or whatever other summer activity comes to your mind – we will help guiding you or arranging it for you.

You will also find the best restaurants, clubs and bars in less than 1 km from your accommodation at R-Varna.

Check out the best museum s , shops and sites near the Apartments.

In spring R-Varna is still the best choice for your stay. Don’t miss a visit to Balchik Botanical garden and Balchik Palace (40 km from Varna), located on an area of over 190 acres, with the status of a protected territory. It is well known for its great variety of plants, flowers and colors.

Here you can see the second biggest cactus collection in Europe. Some of the succulents are in blossom just once in 100 years. The Garden will mesmerize you with its vivid green paths, stone stairs and bridges, fine arches and landscapes. Take your camera and create some memories while inhaling the spring scents of the Eastern coast.

In autumn and winter the beach is still amazing with its raw endlessness and pastel palette but we would highly recommend visiting these unique sites, located very close to R-Varna Apartments:

Bulgarian Naval Museum – only 100 meters from R-Varna Apartments
Roman Baths Varna – only 200 meters from R-Varna Apartments
City Aquarium – only 200 meters from R-Varna Apartments
Varna Observatory and Planetarium – only 300 meters from R-Varna Apartments
Varna Zoo – 1.8 km from R-Varna Apartments
Varna Dolphinarium – 4.8 km from R-Varna Apartments

Getting rich in knowledge and experiencing new cultures is always exciting but sport and fun activities are equally important.

The good news is you can easily enjoy swimming in the warm waters of Primorski pool complex (only 300 meters from R-Varna Apartments) as it works all year round and is absolutely at hand if you are accommodated at R-Varna.

**Ovech Fortress, Aladja Rock Monastery, Petrich Kale Fortress**

Another great suggestion for your active rest time during colder seasons are cycling or hiking. You should absolutely visit Aladja Rock Monastery and the woods around it as well as Ovech Fortress in Provadiya (50 km) and Petrich Kale Fortress in Razdelna village (29 km). The view from Petrich Kale is breathtaking.

Here is a suggestion if you are in adventurous mood and would like to spend a day in different locations, doing various activities.

Get on a train from Varna Central railway station (1.6 km from R-Varna Apartments) to Razdelna railway station, climb Petrich Kale Fortress and have a picnic on top of the hill.

On return you can still get on a train to Varna. But another exciting options is to take a taxi to the ferry port at Varna lake (directly accessible from the road to Varna) and sail by ferry to Varna port (600 m from R-Varna Apartments). Check the availability and schedule of the ferry company here.

Another top choice to spend half a day sightseeing around Varna is visiting the Standing Stones (or Pobiti kamani – this is the way it sounds in Bulgarian), located in 18 km from Varna. It resembles Stonehenge a bit and is the only desert in Bulgaria.

Usually there is very little snowfall or none at all in Varna in winter but you can still enjoy winter sports such as ice-skating as there are at least two ice rinks in the city – one working all year round and one which is built every year around Christmas time at Varna port site.

A Heart For Varna

You can’t just visit Varna – you can solely feel and live it and get addicted. Especially if you stay at R-Varna Apartments where the luxurious facilities, the variety of services and their great location in the heart of Varna will make your stay easy, unforgettable and compelling.

Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Check the availability at R-Varna

10 Best Reasons to Visit Varna

Varna is the largest city on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast and the Sea capital of Bulgaria. Its area occupies 205 sq. km.

It is one of the most desirable resorts in Eastern Europe, thanks to its location, historical and cultural meaning, which determine a great value for the cost to visit.

At the same time, it is a crossroad and a trade center between the Middle East and Western Europe.

Here are the best and most special reasons to visit Varna:

1. Location and climate

Varna is situated on the west coast of the Black Sea, thanks to which it enjoys a mild climate throughout the whole year. The coldest season usually lasts from December to March, when the average temperature varies between 5 and 10 degrees, with mild to no snowfall.

The summer season starts in May and lasts until the beginning of October. The hottest temperatures in the summer usually vary between 25 and 35 degrees, and the most pleasant months to go to the beach and enjoy the sun are July and August. Sea water temperature in the summer months is usually around 23-27 degrees.

2. Beaches and mineral springs

The region of Varna includes the near resorts – “Golden Sands” and “St. St. Constantine and Elena” which altogether create a magnificent long beach line. The sea, along with the healing mineral springs, make Varna one of the preferable both sea and spa resorts.

There are 7 mineral springs with hot water between 40 and 60 degrees in “St. St. Constantine and Helena”. They are calcium-magnesium and slob mineralized, successfully treating cardiovascular diseases and have no analogue in Europe. In combination with the climate, their impact becomes even stronger.

The “Golden Sands” resort is known as the “Pearl of the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast”, preferred by many Russian and West European tourists each year.

3. Historical significance of the city

Varna is the cradle of the oldest European civilization. There are exhibisions of the original artifacts of the oldest golden treasure in the world, dated between 4400 – 4200 BC.

And this is just to start with – there are many other treasures from later periods and cultures, such as Thracian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Bulgarian and others.

The rich collections of the museums in the city are of exceptional interest among the guests of Varna. Moreover, the fourth largest Roman baths in Europe are among these museums and right next to R-Varna Apartments.

The biggest historical attraction in Europe is also near Varna – the Historical park in Neofit Rilski village, on a land of more than 500 decares. A great variety of proto-Bulgarian, Greek and Thracian rituals and villages can be seen and experienced in the park.

4. Historical and cultural life

There are daily cultural events in Varna, including music, opera, theatre, ballet, national and foreign folklore, cinema festivals, art and photo exhibitions as well as outdoor happenings.

Except for the many authentic revival houses from the XIX-th century, there are plenty of galleries and museums.

Varna is great to visit all year long also because of its seasonal festivals and city celebrations.

5. Cuisine and wine

Varna is one of the well-known wine areas where good quality wines are produced. The wineries proudly offer tastings of their products, presented in interesting and memorable wine degustations.

The Bulgarian cuisine is of great interest to all tourists as it combines Balkan and oriental tastes and flavors. Food festivals are often dedicated to a specific kind of food, where visitors can experience a new touch of unknown culinary traditions. There are also many traditional Bulgarian restaurants in Varna, where you can enjoy the local cuisine.

In the few last years a new tradition for bio and organic food market was born in the center of the city where local farmers and producers offer unique products and foods made according to original old recipes.

6. Hospitality of the local people

Bulgarians are extremely hospitable people. They are warm-hearted and always happy to welcome the visitors of Varna in a traditional way – with delicious local dishes and wine.

Most of the Bulgarians speak English as well as other foreign languages which makes the stay in Varna easy and comfortable.

7. Architecture of Varna

Until the Liberation of Bulgaria from Turkish slavery in 1878, Varna was a typical oriental city with a territory of about 170 hectares and population of about 20,000 people, mostly Turks, Gagauz, Greeks and others. Bulgarians were a minority.

This determined the slower penetration of European cultural influences, including the architecture. The specific constructions of the modern appearance of Varna are mostly influenced by the European and the Mediterranean countries.

There are Byzantine, Arab, Moorish, Armenian and other architectural elements, enriched with bizarre Egyptian and abstract ornaments. Public and large commercial buildings are original and bear the hallmarks of a large construction.

8. Nightlife and fun activities

The visitors of Varna are always happy and impressed with the rich nightlife and opportunities for enjoying the city. During the summer months there are plenty of bars, restaurants and night clubs, offering various music and dance shows.

The beauty of the beachline can be experienced while dining and having a drink in the bars and the restaurants, directly located on the beach and the Sea Garden.

9. Shopping

There are three big and many smaller shopping malls in Varna, offering popular world brands, cinema halls and children play centers as well as traditional outdoor markets and small shops for specific local brands and goods.

10. Accommodation in Varna

Affirmed as one of the biggest and most visited Eastern resorts in Europe, Varna provides a big choice of accommodation options such as R-Varna Apartments, where high-quality value and luxurious services are offered in completely private apartments.

Do not hesitate to start planning on your next trip – check the availability now and make a reservation for your comfortable stay in the third biggest city in Bulgaria.

Category: Varna