Holidays in Varna in 2023: A Complete Guide to the Resort, Prices and Attractions
After reading this article, you will find out whether it is worth going on holiday to Varna? And has a holiday in Varna become more expensive in 2023? We will also evaluate the resort according to all the main criteria. You can also take part in the assessment of the resort – by giving your rating at the end of the article.
Holidays in Varna in 2023: what you need to know
The most famous seaside city in Bulgaria is Varna. And this is not surprising, because Varna is the largest city in Eastern Bulgaria.
The city is an important tourist and educational centre, a starting point for resorts along the Black Sea coast. The city is rich in history, with early traces of human presence in the Varna region dating back some 100,000 years.
What names did Varna have in history?
In ancient times, the city of Varna was called Odessos. Theophanes calls it Odesopolis, and other authors also call it Ulisopolis. After the 6th century, the name Odessos disappears from historical documents. During the reign of Emperor Tiberius (14–27 AD), the city was briefly called Tiberiopolis. During the reign of Empress Irene at the end of the 8th century, it also briefly bore her name – Irinopolis.
It is assumed that its current name comes from the Old Bulgarian *varn – “black, raven”. Another theory connects the name with the word “var”, which means water and mineral spring. The first mention of the name Varna is found in the chronicles about the campaign of the ruler Asparukh and his army, who “…came to the so-called Varna, near Odessa…” and the settlement of the Proto-Bulgarians in these places.
Theophanes writes that in 774 Emperor Constantine V set out on a naval campaign against the Proto-Bulgarians, but upon arriving in Varna, he became frightened and turned back. Konstantin Irechek believes that this name did not belong to the old city of Odessos, but to the area in the vicinity, to the Provadia River and Lake Devna.
Constantine Porphyrogenitus writes that Varna is a river, and A. Vretos is of the same opinion. On the other hand, in 765, Nicephorus reports that the kavkhan of Khan Umar was killed by his servants in Varna. According to the Shkorpil brothers, on the shore of the lake, in the area below “Yanavara”, there was a Thracian settlement called Varnas, where many archaeological materials are still found.
Dimitar Dimitrov believes that Varna was a settlement in the western part of today’s city, where the necropolises of the Eneolithic era are located. At the beginning of the 20th century, Archimandrite Innokenty noted in his research that the name Varna comes from the Hun-Avar word varosh, which means city. Krystyu Mirsky suggests that the name comes from var, limestone, meaning that “in Varna and its environs the soil and stones are limestone…”. From December 20, 1949 to October 20, 1956, Varna bore the name of Stalin in honor of Joseph Stalin.
Climate in Varna
According to long-term data, the warmest month in Varna is July, with an average temperature of +22.4°C. The longest number of sunny hours in Varna is observed in July and August, 300.7 and 299.2 hours, respectively. And the average sea water temperature near Varna in July is +24.6°C, and the warmest in August is +24.7°C.
And if your phone suddenly runs out of battery and you don’t want to ask passersby the time, then it’s not a problem in Varna. The sundial, which is located at the entrance to the Seaside Park, is one of Varna’s attractions. You can see the time thanks to the movement of the shadow from the hands along the divisions of the dial. And near the seaport, another sundial was installed.
Location of Varna
The city of Varna is located on the shore of the Varna Bay, between Lake Varna and the Franga plateau. Part of the city are the districts of Asparuhovo and Galata, located south of Lake Varna and connected to its central part by the longest bridge in Bulgaria – the Asparuh Bridge. The bridge is the only connection through the shipping channel connecting Lake Varna with the Black Sea.
How to get to Varna?
You can fly to Varna by plane; there is an airport with fairly extensive air traffic and relatively inexpensive tickets.
Of course, you can also get there by bus, Varna has a new international bus station that accepts buses from many countries around the world.
You can also get to Varna by train. Varna has a railway station, where, by the way, the famous train “Orient Express” stops, running on the London-Istanbul route. Buses and trolleybuses run within the city. The price of a ticket within the city is 1 euro, if you buy it at stops or on buses from machines.
There are several official taxi companies in the city. These cars are yellow, with phone numbers, company names and other advertising on them. All cars are equipped with taximeters and the taxi driver always issues a receipt after the trip. Some cars are equipped with terminals for card payments, such cars are marked with external advertising.
Many taxi dispatchers speak Russian. As a last resort, you can order on the website, but they say that this does not always work. Taxi meters are installed in taxis, and after the trip the taxi driver gives you a receipt. The approximate cost of a taxi in the city is within 3-5 euros.
There are rental points for cars, bicycles and electric scooters in the city.
If you arrived by car, then you should know that the city is divided into zones. The blue zone implies paid parking.
Parking costs 1 euro per hour. You can pay via SMS or an app on your phone. If you don’t pay for parking, your car will be towed and you will have a hefty fine. And the car will have to be picked up from a place that can only be reached by taxi (under the bridge). Therefore, the best option is to leave your car in a paid parking lot. Then there will be no problems with a tow truck or car thieves, which also happens sometimes.
Beaches of Varna
Varna’s beaches, and there are about ten of them, stretch over more than 8 kilometers of coastline and stretch along the entire coastline. In Varna, the beaches are sandy with fine sand.
South Beach
If you go from the port along the coastline, the first beach will be the South, its difference is that it has the widest sand strip, up to 100 meters. The price for an umbrella or sun lounger is two and a half euros.
Adjacent to the South Beach is a swimming sports center with two pools, one of which is open all year round, and a SPA center offering massage services, a fitness room. There are no water attractions on the beach itself.
Many cafes have their own beach areas like this one, where you can enjoy drinks and snacks while lying on a sun lounger or in a specially equipped area on soft pillows or sofas.
Central Beach
Next comes the Central Beach, which contains a large number of restaurants, bars and clubs in its area. There are no water attractions on this beach.
In summer it is always noisy and cheerful here. And in the evening it becomes even more cheerful: numerous night clubs and beach discos start working. The Primorsky Park adjoins the Central Beach. A very successful combination: sea, sun, sand and greenery, where you can find coolness in the midst of the daytime heat.
Fisherman’s Beach
Fisherman’s Beach, which is not very suitable for swimming, as it is mostly rocky. But along it stretches a string of cafes with a variety of cuisines.
Officers’ Beach
Next is the Ofitserskiy beach. Among the features of this beach, it is worth noting the hydrogen sulphide pool with hot water that beats from the depths of the earth all year round.
Rapong Beach
The next beach is the popular Rapongi beach, named after the restaurant. Here are the most expensive umbrellas and sun loungers. 5 euros each.
Beaches of Bunite 1,2
Next come the beaches “Bunite 1 and 2”.
Beach “Pochivka”
The beach “Pochivka” with sand and large stones, the entrance to the sea is sharp, a few meters from the shore the depth will be the full height of an adult. Not suitable for small children. Small trains travel along the promenade, as well as in the park. There are also beaches on the other side of the city across the bridge in Asparukhovo.
Most of Varna’s beaches are suitable for family holidays with children. I would like to note that all beaches are sandy, there are rocky areas, there are no pebble beaches in Varna.
Accommodation.
Varna has a wide range of accommodation from hostels to luxury villas. Prices for accommodation this summer start from twenty-eight euros for a double room, which is ten percent higher than last summer. In a hotel on the first line, prices start from 32 euros. And a double room on an all-inclusive basis will cost from 180 euros per night.
If you want to rent an apartment, the prices for a studio apartment will start from 33 euros, and renting an entire house with a swimming pool will cost from 42 euros per day.
Food and what options are there?
What to do if you haven’t booked a hotel on an “all inclusive” basis? Where to eat? In Varna, we counted as many as four food options, but let’s take them in order.
First option
It is the simplest, but also the most expensive option. It is simply to eat in cafes or restaurants located throughout the city.
In good value for money establishments there may not be any vacancies. You should also keep in mind that you will have to make several test orders in different establishments, read reviews, in a word, spend a lot of time before you find what suits you. But still, this option will be more expensive than the others.
Second option
A budget option for food is to cook for yourself, buying products in chain stores, where prices are minimal. For example, such stores as Billa, Lidl, Kaufland, Metro or buy products at the Central Market. With this option, the cost of food will be close to what you spent at home.
Third option
Perhaps this is the “Golden Mean”. It combines both savings and, what is important for a comfortable holiday, you will not need to cook yourself. To do this, buy ready-made food in those stores that have a so-called “hot display case”. Such display cases are available in Billa and Bulmag stores. In such “hot display cases” you can buy prepared food. They will pack it for you so that you can easily deliver it to your place of residence.
In some Kaufland stores, cafes have opened near the checkouts where you can buy fresh, ready-made food at low prices. A tray of mushrooms with butter, a type of pork ragout with vegetables and fried chicken wings cost 5 euros. And a slice of freshly made pizza costs 1.5 euros. At least it tastes better than any frozen pizza bought in a store.
The fourth option
An alternative food option and a relatively new one. Delivery of ready-made food directly to your home. In Varna, there are several well-known services where you can order food from the list of catering establishments directly to your home.
It may not be the cheapest option, but it is very fast, comfortable and convenient. It is very profitable for large families or companies, because there is a certain amount above which delivery will be free. There are also promotions and cumulative discounts, and you can also find free delivery.
What to see in Varna?
The list in Varna is very extensive, we have prepared for you only the most interesting places.
Cathedral of the Dormition of the Holy Virgin Mary
The symbol of the city is the 19th-century Cathedral of the Assumption of the Holy Virgin, which was recently restored. It is located in the heart of the city.
Central pedestrian street
The most popular place for a walk in Varna is, of course, the Central Pedestrian Street. It starts from the largest fountain in the city on Independence Square and goes to the central entrance to the Seaside Park. There are many shops, cafes and restaurants on the street itself.
Varna Coastal Promenade
It stretches for several kilometers. There are many summer clubs, discos, pizzerias and fish restaurants concentrated here.
Seaside Park
The famous Seaside Park is the largest park in the Balkans, declared a work of park art. The park offers a view of the sea and Roppongi Beach. The Varna Dolphinarium can also be visited in the park.
Archaeological Museum in Varna
The Archaeological Museum in Varna, which impresses not only with its rich collection of artifacts, but also houses something very valuable, namely the oldest processed gold in the world.
Varna Sea Port
Varna Sea Port, which is part of the port complex in Varna. The complex has numerous restaurants, a duty-free shop, a yachting equipment shop, an amusement park and a large parking lot.
Roman Baths
This is one of the symbols of ancient Odessa. They are the ruins of ancient Roman baths . You can buy a ticket and see the sight.
Amusement parks
For thrill-seekers, there is an amusement park in the Seaport area, where there are some pretty extreme rides. Otherwise, it’s a standard set.
Also on the territory of Primorsky Park there is an amusement park – “Children’s cat”. Here in the shade of trees you can ride on attractions, which are mainly for children.
Varna Aquarium
You can visit the Varna Aquarium, where various species of fish, coral reefs and other sea animals are presented.
There is also a mini-aqua park in Varna.
You can rent the entire yacht. It will be cheaper if you have a large company. The carrying capacity of this yacht (see photo) is up to 10 people. This is a pleasure boat. You can go to a specific place or just walk along the sea or lake for a certain time.
Varna has three operating shopping centers: Grand Mall Varna. Delta Planet Mall and Mall Varna. Where you can go shopping, have lunch, watch a movie in the cinema or play on the rides.
What to see in the vicinity of Varna?
Euxinograd Residence
The residence “Euxinograd”, built for Tsar Alexander I of Battenberg.
Aladzha Monastery
The Aladzha Monastery is the most famous rock monastery on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. And nearby, a few hundred meters from the monastery, are the Catacombs.
Cape and fortress of Kaliakra
A natural and archaeological reserve stretching 2 kilometers into the sea. The legend of its name comes from the self-sacrifice of 40 Bulgarian girls who tied their hair and threw themselves into the sea to avoid falling into the hands of the Turks. One of them was named Kaliakra.
Pros of Varna
- A great combination of a large marine park and the sea nearby.
- Good transport links.
- The widest choice of housing in any price category at various prices.
- It is possible to buy products at the lowest prices in Bulgaria.
- The sea and the beach are also suitable for children.
- There are many attractions and entertainment options both in the city itself and in the surrounding areas.
- Near the sea, the surface is generally flat, without any sharp ascents or descents, with the exception of the Vinitsa quarter.
- There is 5G coverage in the city.
Cons of Varna
- Varna also faces the problem of an acute shortage of parking spaces, especially in the central part of the city.
- The city’s garbage collection is not ideal and there are clearly not enough trash bins around the city.
- There is also a clear lack of free toilets in the city.
- You can see a lot of people begging around the city and in underground passages.
- There is also a characteristic smell in the underground passages.
Results
So, vacation in Varna in 2023, what has changed since last summer? Minimum prices for accommodation have increased by 10%. Prices for travel have increased by an average of 20%. Prices for food have increased by an average of 20%. But if you compare Varna with other resorts in Bulgaria. All the same, vacation in Varna will be cheaper than in most other places.
The resort is suitable for people who love cultural events: exhibitions, galleries, festivals. But it may not appeal to people who are looking for peace, quiet and cleanliness.
I wonder if you have been to Varna? And what you liked or didn’t like, write in the comments.
Sea water temperature in Varna by month
Weather in Varna today
VARNA WEATHER 
