5-Day Bulgaria road trip from Varna to Sveti Vlas and Shumen

Your road trip adventure in Bulgaria begins as soon as you reach the incredible city of Varna. You’ll stay in Varna for 2 nights, experiencing all the best things to do and see in the city.

Varna has many popular destinations you can explore. You could visit attractions like the incredible Sea Garden. This attraction is an urban park and has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 32,141 visitors.

When you're done sightseeing for the day, you'll check in at one of the best hotels or places to stay in the city. Your stay promises to be a delightful continuation of your exploration, providing comfort and tranquility to recharge for the adventures that lie ahead.

When you’re ready for dinner, we recommend you try one of the best restaurants in the city of Varna, Sweet Parmy. The restaurant is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 645 customers.

Another of the best restaurants in the city of Varna is Happy Bar & Grill Center (Varna). This restaurant is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 8,318 customers.

Locals recommend Happy Bar & Grill as one of the best restaurants in the city of Varna. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 7,456 customers.

Varna also has several great bars that will fit all travel budgets. One of the best bars in the city of Varna is Cubo. This bar has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 5,527 customers.

Another of the best bars in the city of Varna is Beach Bar Menthol. This bar is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 2,430 customers.

Locals also enjoy The Garden Bar. This bar has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 2,562 customers.

Enjoy toasting the start of your 5-day vacation in Bulgaria!

Day 2 of your road trip through Bulgaria gives you the opportunity to experience two places in one day. You'll start your day with some exploring in the city of Varna and end it at a top-rated hotel in the city of Sveti Vlas. You will stay in Sveti Vlas for 1 night. Have a hearty breakfast and get excited for a wonderful day ahead!

One of the best places to visit today in Varna is the amazing Dormition of the Theotokos Cathedral. This attraction is an eastern orthodox cathedral that is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 6,920 visitors.

You could also stop at the incredible aquarium, Dolphinarium Varna. With an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 8,495 visitors, this attraction is one of the top sights in the area.

Another unforgettable travel destination in the Varna is the outstanding Retro Museum. This popular museum and travel destination has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 6,701 visitors.

The spectacular Asparuhov park is another popular attraction you can visit today. This fascinating must-see tourist destination and attraction has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 4,162 visitors.

You can make the most of your new day in Varna by joining activities and tours that let you discover what else the city has in store for you. There are many top-rated experiences you can include in your travel plan to add flavor to your road trip in Bulgaria. Browse all of your options and reserve your slot before it's too late.

At the end of the day, you will drive to the city of Sveti Vlas, where you will access the best hotels and places to stay.

After a long day of driving and exploring, we recommend you try Familia Fish & Grill, one of the best restaurants in the city of Sveti Vlas. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,421 customers.

Locals also recommend Vaya beach as one of the best restaurants in the city of Sveti Vlas. Vaya beach is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 2,214 customers.

Another of the best restaurants in the city of Sveti Vlas is Plakamoto. This restaurant has been rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,639 customers.

After dinner, visit ECO-Bar By Michael, which is considered one of the best bars in the city of Sveti Vlas. This bar is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 1,157 customers.

You can also enjoy drinks at a popular bar like Caramel - Music Hall. This bar has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 966 customers.

Alternatively, Bar Mexo is one of the best bars that locals recommend in the city of Sveti Vlas. This bar is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 870 customers.

Raise your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure through Bulgaria!

Day 3 of your road trip will take you to the city of Nessebar and the city of Burgas. You’ll stay in Shumen for 1 night.

One of the best places to explore in the town of Nessebar today is Sunny Beach. This excellent attraction is a town that has been rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 6,801 visitors.

We also recommend you visit the amazing Church of Saint Sophia, an outstanding church, in the town of Nessebar. Around 9,816 travelers rated this attraction with 4.7 out of 5 stars.

Another of the best travel destinations you can visit in the town of Nessebar is Nesebar Archaeological Museum. This amazing attraction is a museum and is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 3,692 visitors.

To experience the local culture, see more of Bulgaria, and meet new people at the same time, we highly recommend you go on a tour. You’ll find many top-rated and popular tours in the town, offering unique experiences that will inspire you. On this tour, you can go on an epic adventure to some of the best places to visit in Bulgaria. You also get to admire popular places of interest.

You could then travel to The Sea Garden for some unforgettable sightseeing experience in the city of Burgas. This popular attraction is a park and is rated an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars by 34,514 visitors.

You’ll have your choice of the best hotels and places to stay in the city of Shumen.

After a long day of traveling and sightseeing, we recommend you try one of the best restaurants in the city of Shumen, Barbarossa Beach Club. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,743 customers.

Locals recommend Primo Bar & Grill as one of the best restaurants in the city of Shumen. Primo Bar & Grill is rated an average of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,308 customers.

Another of the best restaurants in the city of Shumen is Vienna garden. This restaurant has been rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,079 customers.

After dinner, visit one of the top bars in the city of Shumen, BACARDI CLUB. This popular bar is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,210 customers.

You could also relax with a drink at a popular bar like Zino Club. This bar has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 646 customers.

SPORTEN BAR I GRIL "REFERITE" is a popular bar that locals recommend in the city of Shumen. This bar is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars by 285 customers.

Be sure to celebrate another day of your incredible road trip adventure through Bulgaria with a toast!

Rise and shine on day 4 of your road trip in Bulgaria. Today, you'll wake up in Shumen and embark on a scenic drive to Varna, where you'll stay at one of the best hotels for 1 night. Seize the opportunity to explore spectacular attractions in Shumen and Balchik before you reach your end destination for the day.

It’s hard not to feel excited about visiting attractions in a destination as lovely as Shumen. When you’re eager to explore the city and nearby areas, we recommend visiting some local favorites, such as the wonderful Balchik Palace. This attraction is a palace that has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 19,361 visitors.

You could also stop at the incredible Balchik Botanic Garden. This attraction, a beloved park, has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 15,348 visitors.

Wave goodbye to Balchik and continue your journey by car. If you want to break up today’s drive into two, take the opportunity to stop and discover what the city of Balchik has to offer.

One of the most popular attractions you can visit is the remarkable Albena. This attraction is a seaside resort that has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 2,517 visitors.

If you want to explore more, visit the incredible Balchik Palace. This palace and attraction has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 19,361 reviews.

Another site you could visit today is the top-rated Balchik Botanic Garden. This park and travel destination is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 15,348 visitors.

When you're done with your sightseeing in Balchik, it's time to continue your drive to the city of Varna. When you arrive in Varna you’ll check in at one of the best hotels in the area.

We recommend you end the day with a dinner at a popular restaurant near your accommodation, like Staria Chinar - Port Varna. This restaurant offers various delicious and comforting meals and has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from 4,810 customers.

Locals also recommend Godzila Sevastopol, another of the best restaurants in Varna. Godzila Sevastopol is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 4,248 customers.

If you feel like having something else, check out the menu at Staria Chinar Restaurant. This restaurant has been rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 3,178 customers and is a great place to enjoy a lovely meal.

After dinner, visit Muffin bar & coffee to enjoy a couple of drinks and relax. This bar is one of the best in Varna, with an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars by 1,718 customers.

You can also enjoy drinks at a popular bar like The BRICK bar. This bar is a great spot to meet new friends and celebrate your vacation. The BRICK bar has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 1,387 customers.

Bar PUNTA CANA is another bar locals often recommend. This bar offers a great variety of snacks and drinks and is rated an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 1,540 customers.

End your day by raising your glass in celebration of your incredible road trip adventure in Bulgaria, and look forward to more great days to come!

Day 5 of your road trip in Bulgaria is your departure day. This is your chance to catch one last glimpse of Varna before saying goodbye to this wonderful destination. When you have time to explore the area before you make your way home, we recommend visiting some of the following attractions.

Monument of the Bulgarian-Soviet Friendship is an extraordinary attraction you could visit to enjoy your last day in Varna. This park and popular site of interest has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars by 2,432 visitors.

Take a stroll along the main shopping streets of Varna and find some souvenirs to remind you of your road trip in Bulgaria.

You could then enjoy your last meal in the city of Varna at Morska terasa before you travel home. This popular restaurant is rated an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 3,104 customers.

Alternatively, we also recommend El Kapan for your last chance at a meal in the city of Varna. The El Kapan restaurant has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by 3,370 customers.

If you'd prefer a popular restaurant that locals enjoy, try Happy Bar & Grill. This restaurant has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars by 2,955 customers.

You’ll then say farewell to Varna. We wish you a pleasant journey home, with many wonderful memories of your unforgettable vacation in Bulgaria!