Varna travel guide

The official currency in Varna, Bulgaria is the Bulgarian Lev (BGN). It is recommended to have some local currency on hand for small purchases, as not all places may accept credit cards. However, most hotels, restaurants, and larger stores will accept major credit cards, such as Visa and MasterCard. ATMs are readily available throughout the city, and provide a convenient way to withdraw cash. Be mindful of foreign transaction fees that may be imposed by your bank. It's also good to note that tipping is customary in Bulgaria, with 10-15% of the total bill being the norm. Therefore, keeping a small amount of change is beneficial. Budgeting will largely depend on your personal spending habits, but generally, the cost of living in Varna is lower than in many Western European countries.

While visiting Varna, you will find that a considerable number of locals speak English, especially the younger population and those working in tourist-related jobs. However, learning a few phrases in Bulgarian can greatly enhance your experience. Some useful phrases include 'Здравей' (Zdravey) for 'Hello', 'Благодаря' (Blagodarya) for 'Thank you', and 'Говорите ли английски?' (Govorite li angliyski?) for 'Do you speak English?'. You'll also notice that Bulgarians nod when they mean 'no' and shake their heads for 'yes', which can be confusing. To avoid misunderstandings, use 'да' (da) for 'yes' and 'не' (ne) for 'no'. Always remember to speak clearly and slowly, and don't be afraid to use gestures to aid communication.

Varna, Bulgaria, experiences a humid subtropical climate, with strong maritime influence due to its coastal position. The city enjoys warm and sunny weather from May to October, with average summer temperatures ranging from 20-27°C (68-81°F). These months are perfect for beach outings and outdoor activities. Autumn in Varna is brief and rainy, often starting in late September and lasting until November, with temperatures dipping between 10-15°C (50-59°F).

The winters are typically mild, with temperatures rarely going below freezing point, averaging around 2-6°C (36-43°F). Snowfall is occasional but can occasionally be heavy. Spring arrives in March, bringing with it increasing temperatures and abundant rainfall. Keep in mind, sudden temperature changes and rain showers are possible in Varna, so packing versatile clothing and an umbrella would be wise.

Regardless of the time of year, Varna's climate is relatively mild compared to other parts of Bulgaria, making it a year-round destination. However, for those sensitive to higher humidity levels, it's worth noting that Varna's coastal location can lead to higher humidity, especially in the summer months.

Home to plenty of top attractions, Varna is more than just a wonderful city in Bulgaria. Varna is a travel hotspot and a great place to experience a mix of the traditional and modern culture of Bulgaria.

One fascinating sight in Varna is the unforgettable Sea Garden. Considered one of the most well-known attractions in the city, a visit to this spectacular travel destination is something you shouldn’t miss on your trip to Varna.

Sea Garden is open for visitors at any time of the day and is located at Varna, Bulgaria.

For more information about what you can expect during a vacation in Bulgaria, check out our list of top attractions in Varna below. Discover the best places to visit in Varna, including the fascinating Sea Garden, Dormition of the Theotokos Cathedral, Retro Museum, Aladzha Monastery, and Asparuhov park.

Use this map to find the location of all top attractions in Varna.

Traveling is all about gaining new experiences. You can have that and more in the city of Varna.

Varna offers numerous tours and activities for travelers to choose from. Historical Tours, Walking Tours, and Private Day Trips are only a few of the many experiences you can book for your holiday in Bulgaria.

Explore the most popular experiences you can join in Varna by clicking on one of the top-rated tour categories below.

Travelers in Varna can choose from 17 categories of top-rated tours and tickets.

By joining this highly recommended tour, travelers get to learn more about what makes Varna one of the best travel destinations in Bulgaria.

Varna also offers plenty of budget-friendly tours and activities that promise travelers a unique experience in the city. The affordable Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Self-Guided is the cheapest tour in the city, and is a popular Historical Tour. This experience costs around 6 EUR and allows travelers a great time in Varna. Around 1 traveler have given this activity an average rating of 5 stars out of 5.

Secure an unforgettable experience for your upcoming trip to Varna and book a top-rated tour in the city. Discover the best tours, activities, and tickets in Varna below.

Discover the best things to do in Varna. Choose from 89 fantastic tours and activities available in the city.

Select your dates and number of travelers in the search bar below to receive the best recommendations for your vacation in Varna. Click the green button to view your options.

Varna, Bulgaria's seaside capital, is a culinary paradise offering a rich blend of traditional Bulgarian fare and contemporary cuisine. The city's dining districts range from the bustling street food markets to the plush high-end restaurants. The 'Sea Garden' area is home to some of the best places to eat in Varna, serving local favorites like 'Banitsa', a savory pastry, and 'Shopska Salata', a fresh salad topped with Bulgarian cheese. You can't leave Varna without trying 'Moussaka', a hearty baked dish of eggplant, minced meat and potato, and 'Tarator', a refreshing cucumber and yogurt soup, perfect for the summer heat. The central 'Kapana' district, with its myriad of small eateries, offers the charm of authentic Bulgarian street food. For a more upscale dining experience, the 'Primorski' district houses gourmet restaurants serving delectable seafood dishes, paired with local Bulgarian wines. To fully immerse yourself in the Varna culinary experience, consider participating in a food tour or cooking class, where you can learn to prepare these traditional dishes yourself.

Varna, the maritime capital of Bulgaria, offers a vibrant nightlife scene that perfectly juxtaposes the city's rich historical charm. With an abundance of beachside bars, sophisticated clubs, and traditional taverns, the city thrives once the sun sets. The Sea Garden and the central beach area are considered the best area for bars in Varna, boasting a plethora of options that cater to every taste and preference. From high-energy dance clubs like Horizont Club to laid-back beach bars such as Cubo, the city's night culture is as diverse as it is captivating.

Venture towards the city center and you'll find more intimate venues like Martini, a popular cocktail bar known for its eclectic mix of music and lively atmosphere. The city's love for music extends beyond the dance floor, with many establishments hosting live performances ranging from classical to modern genres. For a more unique experience, visit Rakia & Co, a must-visit establishment renowned for its selection of Rakia, a traditional Bulgarian brandy. Remember, Varna's nightlife is not just about partying, it's about embracing the local culture, enjoying the music, and indulging in the city's gastronomical delights. So, get ready for an unforgettable night out in Varna.

Varna, often referred to as the maritime capital of Bulgaria, offers a unique and vibrant shopping experience. The city is a mix of contemporary and traditional, which is reflected in its diverse shopping scene. The best place to go shopping in Varna is the Grand Mall, the largest shopping centre in the area. Here, you'll find a plethora of international and local brands, alongside a variety of dining options and entertainment facilities.

For a more local experience, visit the Varna Central Market, where you can find everything from locally grown produce to traditional Bulgarian crafts. This is the perfect place to pick up unique souvenirs, such as handmade ceramics, embroidered textiles, and traditional Bulgarian rose oil products.

Fashion enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to Slivnitsa Boulevard, renowned for its boutique stores and designer shops. Here, you can explore the latest Bulgarian fashion trends and shop for high-quality leather goods. Practical information: Most shops in Varna open around 10 am and close at 8 pm, with shorter hours on weekends. Credit cards are widely accepted, but it's advisable to carry some local currency for smaller vendors at the market.

Varna, often referred to as the 'Maritime Capital of Bulgaria', is a city teeming with history and culture, and offers numerous free activities to travelers. One of the best free things to do in Varna is visiting the Sea Garden, a sprawling park that runs parallel to the city's coastline with many monuments, an open-air theatre, and a zoo within its premises. A stroll around the Roman Thermal Baths, one of the largest surviving Roman bath complexes in Europe, allows you to appreciate the city's rich history. Don't miss the chance to admire the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin, an architectural marvel that dominates Varna's skyline. The city is also home to many free festivals throughout the year, such as the Love is Folly International Film Festival and the Varna Summer International Jazz Festival. Lastly, a walk along the picturesque Varna beach, watching the sun set over the Black Sea, is an experience no traveler should miss.

The most popular way to experience Varna is by visiting the city as part of a road trip across multiple destinations in Bulgaria. However, it is also common for travelers to go to Varna on both shorter and longer getaways, to get a break from everyday life, relax, and experience something new.

With Guide to Europe you can find road trips, city breaks, and weekend getaways in Bulgaria, ranging from budget to luxury. Whether you’re planning a multi-day road trip across Bulgaria, or you just want to enjoy a few days exploring Varna, there is a vacation package for you.

Discover the most popular vacation packages in Varna below.

Travelers have a great selection of vacation packages to choose from in Bulgaria. In fact, you can choose from as many as 172 different top-rated vacation packages to take you to Varna, and even more if you expand your search to include a bigger area of Bulgaria.

To help narrow your choices down, here are some of the best vacation packages for exploring the city of Varna.

For an epic vacation, discover Varna and other top destinations in Bulgaria on a top-rated holiday like the 10-Day Bulgaria Beach Holiday in Varna. This vacation package provides travelers with tons of opportunities to experience not only the most popular attractions in Varna, but also in other top places to visit in Bulgaria. If Clock Tower of Varna, Dolphinarium Varna, Euxinograd Palace, Ecopark Varna, and Monastery "Saints Constantine and Helena" are on your bucket list, this is the perfect vacation package for you.

If you would like to go on a budget vacation in Varna, book the popular Cheap 3-Day Bulgaria City Break in Varna and spend as little as 126 EUR. This vacation will take you on a journey to experience some of the most incredible attractions and sights in Varna, including the fantastic Детски кът Варна, Retro Museum, Sea Garden, Dolphinarium Varna, and Dormition of the Theotokos Cathedral.

Get more Varna vacation ideas on this site and discover the greatest selection of vacation packages in Europe. Scroll down to find the best vacation packages in Bulgaria that match your needs and budget.

Discover and compare 172 vacation packages that take you to the wonderful city of Varna.

The best flights, hotels, and activities in Varna get fully booked quickly. Use the search tool below to find the best vacation packages in Bulgaria. Your customized holiday package to Varna is only a few clicks away!

Over the years, more airlines have started offering flexible and direct flights to Varna, making it one of the most accessible travel destinations in Bulgaria. However, it is usually cheaper to fly to Varna, Bulgaria, in May.

The cheapest one-way flight to Varna costs around 22 EUR and is offered by the airline Wizz Air.

The cheapest round-trip flights to Varna cost approximately 23 EUR in total. The departure flight leaves on July 30 and the return flight is scheduled on July 23. The flight time is around 1 hour per way.

The return flight is operated by Varna.

Use the search tool below to find the cheapest flights to Bulgaria and the city of Varna from your city of departure.

While each type offers varying amenities and rates, there is no denying that Varna provides a great selection of lodging options ready to cater to every kind of guest.

Budget accommodations are also incredibly popular among travelers in Varna. Cheaper alternatives allow travelers to save on accommodation costs and have more to spend on other experiences.

Select the type you prefer to compare options under each category and find the best accommodation.

Use the Accommodation Search tool below to find available stays in the city of Varna on specific dates. This handy feature also allows you to compare prices and amenities.

Enter the preferred check-in and check-out dates. Then, select the number of guests and rooms. Click the Search button to find all the available hotels and places to stay in the city of Varna that match the information provided.

Get ready to hit the road and explore the beautiful city of Varna. Find the best deals on a variety of popular car rentals in Varna, Bulgaria, or any other destination in Europe by using the search tool below.

Enter your pick-up and drop-off location, driver's age, and dates. Click the green button to view your options.

When unsure of where to go next, use the map below. This map shows the locations of all the best destinations in Bulgaria. Use the map to plan your trip and find the best routes.

Traveling to another city or region in Bulgaria? Use the flight search tool below to quickly find the cheapest one-way or round-trip flights from Varna to different local destinations.

Enter all the necessary information and click or tap on the Search button to see a list of the available domestic flights in Bulgaria on the selected dates.

Travelers in Bulgaria can catch flights to domestic airports in Sofia, Plovdiv, and Burgas. Domestic flights in Bulgaria are operated by 8 airlines: Wizz Air, Bulgarian Air Charter, Smartwings, Ryanair, and Turkish Airlines. There are around 20 scheduled flight routes operating to Varna on a weekly basis.

From Varna, travelers can book scheduled flights to 3 domestic destinations. The most popular flights from Varna depart to many top-rated destinations in Bulgaria and are offered by Wizz Air, Bulgarian Air Charter, and Smartwings.