Varna was my introduction to Bulgaria. It’s a city right on the Black Sea and the sea is what draws so many people here. So, of course one of the best things to do in Varna is to experience the Sea and its great beach, but there’s a few things you can do on your visit.
Let’s plan your trip to Varna!
The Best Things to Do in Varna, Bulgaria
Many lists online include so many things that most tourists won’t even bother with. So instead, this is a condensed and focused list of things to do in Varna, Bulgaria.
Enjoy the Beach
By far and away the best thing to do in Varna, Bulgaria is enjoy the beach. In my opinion, if you have no plans to spend a few hours relaxing on the beach, there’s no point in coming to Varna at all.
Along the beach you’ll find clubs with lounge chairs and umbrellas you can rent, but plenty of free areas as well. Just bring your towel, find one of those free areas, and set up for the day. Bring a picnic or stop by one of the clubs for something to eat or drink.
Dip into the water to cool off, lay in the sun do dry off and warm up, and repeat.
Wander through Seaside Park
Varna has a pretty large coastline and there’s plenty of beach. But separating the beach from the town itself is a wide park that’s full of walking trails, ice cream stands, amusement rides, and plenty of people watching.
You’ll inevitably end up in Seaside Park at some point during your time in Varna, just because you’ll end up walking through the park (however briefly) to reach the beach. But I don’t think that should be your only experience at Seaside Park. Spend an early morning or late evening joining the rest of the people in Varna and just walking.
I went out for a morning walk on a Sunday and was shocked by how many people were out and about. Maybe I’ve just gotten too used to other countries where everyone seems to get a late start, but there were walkers, bikers, and runners all making their way through the park and enjoying being outside.
Visit Domination of the Mother of God Cathedral
It’s not a list of things to do in Europe if I don’t include a church on the list. I don’t care how many articles about Europe I write. There will always be at least one church on this list.
For the city of Varna, it’s the Domination of the Mother of God Cathedral, which has become a symbol of the city. It’s the third largest church in Bulgaria and has been serving worshipers since the late 1880s.
You can step inside for a better view of this Orthodox Church. I peaked inside, but didn’t actually go in, but that’s because I happened to be there during a service and didn’t want to disrupt anything.
Visit the Roman Thermal Baths
In the center of Varna, you’ll find the most complete ruins of Roman baths anywhere in this region. These baths date from around the second century AD. That’s quite a long time, but this part of Romania became part of the Roman Empire in 15 AD. Later, the baths were turned into craftsmen’s workshops.
While you can pay a fee to enter and walk through the baths up close, I’m not entirely sure it’s worth it. I didn’t do this myself, but I had planned to. So what happened?
First, I was reading some reviews of Varna’s Roman Baths and found that they didn’t have a lot of signage or information. That was a bummer. But then, once I got to the Roman Baths, I realized that I could get a pretty decent view from above, just by walking around the perimeter of the building. From what I could see, the reviews about the lack of signs were spot on, so I saved the few euros and walked the perimeter to view the baths from every angle.
Was it as in depth as if I had paid the entrance fee and seen the baths up close? Nope. But at the same time, I don’t think I missed much by skipping the paid area.
Explore the Architecture
Lastly, I think it’s worth spending some time just walking around Varna. Many people congregate in the pedestrian streets near the beach and that’s not a bad thing. It’s lovely to walk through here and people walk.
But don’t just watch for people. Keep an eye out for the architecture (I really enjoyed the Opera House) as you weave your way through the may streets of Varna.
How Long Do You Need in Varna, Bulgaria?
I’d recommend at least one full day in Varna, but I think two days is better. Varna is a place to slow down, relax, and recharge and I think if you only have one day, you’re not taking full advantage of the area.
Sure, you can do everything on this list in one day, but with the beach being the main draw, I think it’s better to have just a little bit more time on your visit.
How to Get to Varna, Bulgaria
Varna is well connected by several forms of transportation.
For flights, you can look into utilizing Varna’s airport (airport code VAR). It’s a small airport, but there may be more flights than you expect, especially during the busy summer season.
For buses, the main bus terminal has connections to much of Bulgaria as well as some international destinations. I arrived from Bucharest, Romania using Pegasus Bus. I departed on M-Bus for Burgas, another seaside town on the Black Sea. On both of these buses, I was able to purchase my ticket online and show it on my phone. That’s not the case for all buses in Bulgaria, though, so be aware that you may need a printed ticket for many bus lines.
There’s also a train station in Varna, but know that trains in Bulgaria are slow. Still, for some itineraries, this may be a better option for you.
How to Get Around Varna, Bulgaria
I found Varna to be walkable. To be clear, there are buses that wind their way through the city, so depending on where you want to go, the buses could be a good option.
I recommend staying near the beach. Everything on this list is within walking distance, so as long as you get to the beach area, you’ll be able to walk.
During my trip, I walked from the bus station to my hotel near the beach. I had read somewhere online that it’s too far to walk, but I disagree. It’s a long walk, don’t get me wrong, but it’s doable. It was about 30 to 35 minutes of walking.
Should You Visit Burgas or Varna?
Varna and Burgas are two popular seaside towns in the Black Sea. If you have the chance, I’d say visit both cities and decide for yourself. Each has a different feel.
Varna felt larger and more developed. Therefore it felt like there were more tourists here. The beaches were lovely, but on a weekend they did feel a bit crowded.
Burgas felt smaller and more lived in, though it’s still a large city (and the fourth largest in Bulgaria). The beaches were large and felt much emptier with more room to spread out (though I was in Burgas during the week and in Varna on the weekend). Burgas also has the added advantage of being a hub for other seaside towns.
Yes, you can reach places like Nessebar from Varna, but it’s easier to reach Nessebar from Burgas. Plus, you also have Sozopol and St. Anastasia Island as day trip options.
If you’re looking for a bigger city with more nightlife and less day trips, go to Varna. If you want to mix up your beach time with some cultural day trips, book your trip to Burgas.
Final Thoughts
There are some interesting sights in Varna, but as I’ve said before, the main draw is the beach. Therefore, make sure to budget beach time into your Varna itinerary. If you don’t plan to go to the beach, honestly, I’d consider just skipping Varna and visiting one of the other many great cities in Bulgaria.
