Varna / Bulgaria

The Sea Garden

2007-12-10T00:08:00.000-08:00

The Sea Garden in the Town of Varna- an important tourist attraction and a national monument of landscape architecture.

Varna`s largest, oldest and best known public park is situated along the Black Sea coast and is mentioned to be one of the important tourist attractions and a national monument of landscape architecture, as well. Unthe middle of the 19th c. this place was a bare field outside the city walls.

In 1862 the City`s Ottoman Mayor ordered the following: a small garden had to be arranged for the people who live in Varna. After the Liberation of Bulgaria in 1878 the mayor Mihail Koloni suggested the arrangement of a city garden and a seaside park in 1881. Although there were some suspicions, a small sum of money was granted to the plan of French engineer Martinice. As a result the Sea Garden was expanded to 26 000 sq. m. But at the same time another project was proposed.
It was suggested the busts of outstanding Renaissance figures to be placed in some of the garden`s alleys.

In 1930 species from the Netherlands, Germany, the Czech Republic and France were palnted. the garden was expanded to the south to reach the house of the Italian consul Assaretto (the house is Varna Naval Museum today). The garden reache dits present borders in the 1950s and the trees in teh center of the central alley were substituted with flower beds in the 1960s. During that time the garden reached 20 000 sq.m. In 1939, the garden`s modern central entrance with a wide plaza and tall columns was designed by the architest Georgi Popov. The Seaside Garden shelters an amphitheatre, an astronomic site with an observatory, planetarium with a tower,children playgrounds, a pool with water wheels and a zoo. There is a small chanel,where one can practise rowing.
An interesting fact is that the beach, where one can find mud and water therapy complexes, two quays, numerous restaurants and disco clubs, is just beneath the Sea Garden. The Dolphinarium which is located in the Sea Garden is one of the favourite attractions for children and guests of the town. The Festival Complex can be found just opposite the entrance of the Sea Garden Park. It is a modern building of aluminium, stone and glass and has several stages, conference halls and a big bazaar. The Sea Garden is a place where everybody can relax and spend wonderful time.

Maps of Varna

2007-12-08T10:06:00.000-08:00

Varna International Airport

2007-11-20T10:15:00.000-08:00

Varna has banned construction in some in areas where building of residential and office properties has been very intense over the past several years until a common zoning plan for the city is approved.
Municipal administration could not predict when the plan would be ready; the most optimistic say the plan will be ready in two years. Construction in progress will not be affected by the ban.
Varna chief architect Ivan Trendafilov say the ban is harmless to businesses, as a number of open areas are still available for construction.
Due to the greater expectations of Varna airport's role in the overall development of the Black Sea region and the considerably increased flow of both passengers and cargo, a new general plan has been promoted by the national government for the Varna airport complex over the last couple of years. The plan provides for modernization of both the international terminal and the domestic lines. Concession contracts are expected to be inked in 2005 before the start of the busy summer season. The 35-year contract will have an option for a 15-year extension. The concession of Bulgaria's coastal (Burgas and Varna) airports is expected to attract investments of nearly BGN 100-150 M for both airports over the next several years. The Parliament has finalized amendments to the Aviation Act, which regulate the airport concession procedures. With the concession comes the obligation to maintain both airports in year-round operation for domestic and international flights - Varna and Burgas are currently fully-engaged only in summer months. More than 40 airlines have announced their intentions to launch charter flights to Varna in the summertime. This year for the first time, passengers from Madrid and Lisbon will be also able to land directly in Varna.
Varna-Budapest regular flights are scheduled by Malev Airlines of Budapest, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Bulgaria Air flag carrier has announced the launch of regular flights from the coastal city of Varna to the European cities of Amsterdam, Vienna and Frankfurt, as of May-June. The Varna-Amsterdam-Varna flight will run every Monday, the Varna-Vienna-Varna one - every Friday, and the return flight to Frankfurt will be scheduled every Sunday, the airline officials said. Austrian Airlines has regular flights between Vienna and Varna, and scheduled flights four times weekly, including Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday. A regular charter flight to Amsterdam is also operating at the Varna Airport.

Panorama Hotel

2007-11-20T10:07:00.000-08:00

Location: Panorama Hotel Varna is located in the city center of Varna , on the seaside Primorski Blvd. , offering a splendid view over the Marine garden and the Varna bay. The hotel is right next to the beach and within a walking distance to downtown business, shopping and entertainment.
Rooms: Each one of the 48 standart rooms, 5 business rooms and 4 apartments features:
· Central Heating and Air-conditioning
· TV with News and Satellite Channels
· Free LAN Internet
· Telephone in Room
· Private Minibar
· Bathtub
· Hair Dryer
· Room Service
· Laundry and Dry Cleaning Service
· Concierge Service
· Free Access to Hotel Fitness Club
Capacity: 52 persons48 standart rooms, 5 business rooms and 4 apartments.
Characteristics: Take a tour of the hotel facilities or send a reservation note by using the navigation above. Warm and friendly ambience, subtle music and professional service. The idea - here you can relax and enjoy your business trip or holiday. The Lobby Bar is the ideal place for early coffee, late afternoon cocktail or pre-dinner drink. Our staff is at your disposal 24 hours day.
Restaurant
Abundant breakfast buffet served daily from 07:00 till 10:30. Upon request we accomodate cocktails, lunches, dinners and special celebrations. Conveniently located next to the Lobby Bar and the Restaurant the Conference Room is available for seminars and presentations, as well as buisness meetings and cocktails.You can work out and relax in the hotel's Fitness and Sauna facilities. The hotel also offers an Underground Garage for guests only. Other services provided: Currency Exchange, Safety Deposit Boxes, Laundry and Dry Cleaning Service, Chauffeur and Limousine Service, Rent-a-car.

Beach resorts near Varna, Bulgaria

2007-11-20T09:36:00.000-08:00

North of Varna there is a cluster of seaside resorts all with fine - sandy beaches but differing in size and style.

Golden Sands
Golden sands is located 17 km north of Varna. It deserves to be called "the pearl" of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast thanks to its unique park, the cool freshness of the woods, the vast stretch of fine golden sand. It combines uniquely calm and clean sea, rich vegetation in a park of 8 000 ha and curative mineral springs. The beach strip is 3,5 km long and up to 100 m wide. Golden Sands offers excellent holiday conditions with lots of entertainment, sports and new encounters.
The hotels have been reconstructed and refurbished to create excellent conditions for rest and recreation in the summer. The hotels nestle in the magnificent forest sloping down to the very waterfront and offer excellent conditions. Golden Sands - breathtaking scenery, superb and picturesque beaches, clean sea, sun and mineral springs. The beach strip is 3.5 km long and up to 100 m wide. Bask in the sun from May through October. Summers are not too hot thanks to the mild sea breeze. The average air temperature in July and August is 27C, water temperature is 24C.

St.St.Constantine and Helena
Bulgaria's oldest seaside resort - St.Constantine and Helena is only 8 km north of Varna. It is small and secluded and offers excellent opportunities to rest and relax in peace and quiet.The little base and fine beaches of fine sand are ideal for underwater diving and fishing. Today there exists many reasons to visit this resort; the specific microclimate with a high concentration of soothing lightweight negative ions; the perfect harmony of the sea breeze at an altitude of 25 meters, cool, bracing air, the scent of century old fig, cypress and lime trees, and the abundance of mineral springs. The winter comes but what of it – the sea is charming even during this season.

Riviera
Situated 17 km north-east from Varna right on the shore. Peace and quiet reign over the beautiful parkland with rare plant species, calm bays with fine sand contribute to the atmosphere of coziness and immaculate luxury. The six hotels at the Riviera Holiday Club (Imperial, Oasis, Lotos, Nimpha, Rousalka and Romantica) can accommodate a total of 550 guests. The "pearl" of the complex is the 5-star Imperial hotel which is fully air-conditioned and open all the year round.Riviera offers ideal conditions for water sports, diverse touring events, animation events of mirth and laughter. Riviera is a renowned exclusive center of business tourism, which offers excellent environment for convention - and business meetings and enjoys an array of technical support and room facilities.

The Sunny Day Complex
Ten kilometers north of Varna, a quiet bay in the resort of St.St.Constantine and Helena has given shelter to the Sunny Day Complex. It meets all the requirements of the club type of tourism: luxury hotels, a wide beach strip of fine golden sand, a yachting marina, playgrounds, a tennis court, facilities for spa treatment and preventive medicine. Away from the hustle and bustle of large beach resorts, the Sunny Day Complex offers the best conditions for holiday makers to rest, relax and enjoy the sun and the sea. Sunny Day is a posh place for holiday and relaxation located at the far end of a secluded scenic bay with fine sand beaches just 10 km away from the Bulgarian town of Varna.

Albena
Albena is located in a picturesque bay in the north part of Bulgarian Black Sea Riviera. It is a fairy tale place where you will be in a full harmony with nature. The sea water here is crystal clean. The sea is with shallow bottom and the beach strip is 7 km long and 150 m wide.
Albena is surrounded by the deep vegetation of Baltata hill Preservation. The nature here has been preserved from the encroachments of the civilization and treasures some very rare plants and animals.One of Albena's latest acquisitions is the Maastricht Hotel, which houses the Dutch Hotel Management School.
Albena is a Blue Flag winning resort, located in a picturesque and ecologically clean gulf on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, famous for its flower gardens.

Kavarna
Population: 16 823
Territory: 483 000 decares
Settlements: 21
Administrative centre: Kavarna
Kavarna population: 11 588
KAVARNA is a legendary town with a peculiar fate full of years of rise and fall, decline and prosperity. It lies where the gentle slopes of the Dobrudzha Valley are cut by a deep picturesque gorge winding towards the Black Sea. The sheer slopes of the Gore Chirakman tower above the seacoast. There are remains from stronghold walls, moats, buildings, churches, necropolises, etc. on the flat plateau of the gore. At the foot of Chirakman there are fascinating caves, where vestiges of life from the New Stone Age, 7,000 - 3,000 BC, can be found. Kavarna is one of the ancient towns along the Bulgarian Black Sea Coast. An old Thracian village lied in the place of the present-day town. In the 5th century BC Greek colonials were attracted by the convenient bay, the abundant springs, the fertile land and strategic location of the hills. They founded the colony Byzone on the Chirakman plateau, but a disastrous earthquake destroyed the frontal part of the gore and a great part of the town sunk into the sea. During the Roman Empire the town was restored under the same name and it quickly flourished. In the 7th century the Slavs and Proto-Bulgarians destroyed the town and founded the settlement of Karvuna on the Gore Chirakman. In the Middle Ages, Karvuna was already a popular town.The present-day name of the town was mentioned for the first time at the beginning of the 15th century. During the Turkish invasion the town was almost destroyed, but in the second half of the 17th century it was rebuilt.The town was a significant economic and cultural center in the Antiquity and the Middle Ages with rich and various cultural remains - stronghold walls, early-Christian basillica, mediaveal churches and public buildings. Interesting and splendorous works of art were found here - coins from different historical epochs, golden adornments, unique patterns of high art value, golden Thracian treasure of applications, etc.In the Middle Ages the town preserved its strategic role and in the 15th century Karvuna and Kaliakra were the major towns in the Karvuna Principality of despot Dobrotitsa. Vestiges of the ancient times along the coast of Kavarna point to the dynamics of life in the 3rd century BC till the mid of 17th century, when the population settled in the area of the present-day Kavarna. During the 15th - 19th century the medieval town became popular under the name Kavarna as a Christian settlement and port for grain. From that time remained a Turkish bath, a medieval necropolis, a bridge, fountains, Christian churches and many writings.In 1868 hieromonk Evstratiy of Rila founded the first Bulgarian school. In 1892 Saglasie Community Center was established. During the Russian-Turkish Liberation War (1877), the citizens of Kavarna rebelled against the hordes of Bashi Bazouks and Circassians. After the liberation, the town became part of the Principality of Bulgaria.After the beginning of the 20th century Kavarna achived a rapid progress as an economic and cultural center of the region, interrupted in 1913, when the town came under the Romanian rule. The Bulgarian population opposed to the assimilatory policy of the Romanian authorities by means of active cultural and social activities of the church, community centers and libraries. In 1940 the town again became part of Bulgaria. Nowadays Kavarna is the administrative center of the Kavarna municipality and it’s representative face.Kavarna is modern town with good infra-structure and well-developed service activities. It disposes of a resort complex, a spacious beach, sports hall, tennis courts and a fishing base.The town wonderfully combines the pastoral of one- and two- floor houses with pretty little yards and the stylistics of the contemporary architecture, the silent narrow lanes and the broad boulevards, the vestiges of the past and the features of the modern world.(phone: 0579 26 91, emergency 0579 24 42)The police station: 4 Ivan Vazov Str. (phone: 166)
Location and climate
This is one of the first environmentally protected areas in the country, listed as such in 1941, and the only natural reserve, covering some of the offshore water area. Due to its appealing location, it was called Kaliakra (beautiful land). The climate is typically mild and wet in the winter, and hot and dry in the summer. The Kaliakra Reserve lies on a seismic area. A very strong earthquake was registered here in 1901.
History
Cape Kaliakra is a precious historical monument. Its first name was Terisis. During the Byzantine era, the fortress carried the name of Akra. The name Kaliakra originated in the middle ages. There are several documented historical sites on Kaliakra and the surrounding area, including: 48 Thracian burial tomb, 28 antique and medieval settlements, 4 cemeteries of cave tomb, and over 300 cave dwellings. The first presence of humans dates back to the Neolith age.
Biodiversity
The Kaliakra Reserve includes 359 grass species, 17 bush and 18 tree species. The vegetation is predominantly steppe-like. On the Reserve territory have been established 40 rare, close to extinction, plant species, 8 of which are listed in the European list of rare species, threatened with extinction. Here we come across the small iris of different colours, the narrow leaf peony, the esparto (Stipa Tenacissima), the rue, the Crimean tea, the mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), the sandy corn-flower, and the Bulgarian Commiphora erythaea.The fauna is characterised by a diversity of species. Life in the coastal area is a complex mixture of organisms, belonging to different system groups. There are a few rare species of birds nesting in the area such as the owl, the white-tailed buzzard, the Burhinus oedicnemus, and the Aristotle’s cormorant.It is only in this area that the European hamster and the Dobrudzha’s own Mesocricetus newtoni can be found. Two species of Sorex Araneus can be spotted in Chirakman, while near the village of Bulgarevo has been seen the rare species of Vormela peregusna (a multicoloured polecat).In the offshore waters of the Kaliakra Reserve have been identified 78 species of fish. There are 15 rare species among them - including the hausen, Russian sturgeon, Danube herring, Lychnis, etc., all included in the World book of vulnerable species. There are three species of dolphin identified among the sea mammals.
The mobile tour guide entitled
For a fare of 1.20 lev anyone can use the new tourist service of the mobile tour guide Bulgaria on the back of my hand.The project was designed by the theatre director Sunny Sunninski, who is one of the authors of the 3-dimensional theatrical exposition Bulgaria on the back of my hand, which was on display at the Hr. Gradechliev School of Arts in Kavarna.Visitors may listen to the text in Bulgarian language by dialling 1 300 005 or in English, dialling 1 300 006. By taking a journey back in time, you become acquainted with the legend of the 40 maids, and the diversity of vegetation and animal kingdom in the nature reserve.

Russalka (Mermaid) Resort

Roussalka Resort is located 20 km eastward from Kavarna in the unique reserve called Bird Bay. The region around Roussalka and the plateau surrounding it are the only preserved wild steppe on the continent.The extremely picaresque rocky coast, the little sand stripes, the venerable oaks, and the plants attract millions of birds and turn the bird bay into an oasis of the untouched nature. Multiple archaeological monuments, the oldest of which are 8,000 years old. They turn the seaside around Roussalka into a unique archaeological reserve. The antique and medieval fortresses, the rocky tombs, the caves, the oblation stones attract archaeologists from all over the world. Roussalka offers 500 houses with two beds each. Some of them are semi-attached and are meant for families.

Yaylata
Some ten kilometres east of Kaliakra, right by the sea shore, is the country of Yaylata - a fascinating natural phenomenon, transformed for centuries by the human hand into a unique archaeological complex.Yaylata represents a terrace, 1200 metres long and with an average width of approx. 200 m, which is separated from the Dobrudzha plateau by 50-60 metre solid cliffs, elevated at approx. 10 m above the sea level.The reserve holds ruins from an early Byzantium fortress. The walls were built in well-cut stone blocks and filled with mortar. Apart from the fortress, also visible are parts of buildings and premises. In the rock massif separating Yaylata from the Dobrudzha plateau have been preserved some artificial caves, which constitute part of the one of the richest found sections of a coastal formulation, among the so-called Dobrudzha coastal cave town-colonies.

Particularly fascinating are the dual chamber cave tombs and the Thracian cult facility. A subject of research are also the coastal underwater rock caves, strewing the area cliffs and facing the sea.

Kamen Briag
Kamen Briag is a combination of a sea with shading green and blue nuances, a beautiful panorama, and a crystal pure air. People have lived here for thousands of years in harmony with nature and they have preserved untouched beauties and amazing abundance of plants and animals in combination with cultural and historic heritage. The village has about 100 houses that remind one of the idyllic life with the green porches, the colourful flower gardens and the abundance of fruit and vegetables. The hosts will welcome you with sincere gaiety, their sense of humour and wit will warm you up. The village is known for its thick home-made wine and the rakia with a flavour of herbs and figs. The day in Kamen Briag might be short if you like fishing, climbing, diving, paragliding, or birdwatching, if you like archaeology or bioenergy.

Ikantalaka - The White Lagoon

The picturesque Ikantalaka spot is doomed to have a representative tourist future. Recently, the resort area rapidly develops: the camp of bungalows transforms into a separate holiday village Byalata laguna (The white lagoon) situated in the virgin bosom of nature. Nearby some of the most attractive golf playgrounds in this part of the world spread out.

Bulgarevo And Dulboka
The village of Balgarevo, famous for its vineyards, sweet melons and water melons, now covers itself with new glory; in the Dulboka place a mussel farm has been built and functioning. Its natural continuation is the two restaurants which dispose of more than hundred seats each and offer sea delicacies, romance and calm is the quite bay. Here the vestiges of a lost in the chronicles ancient town, supposed to be the glorious Tynum, are to make out. On the slope before the mussel farm ruins of an imposing settlement are buried. Part of the finds lay in the sea bottom at the foot of the slope, flung there by the strong earthquake which has ruined the neighbouring Bizone. On the virgin shore remains of an earlier settlement and a range of Thracian mounds could be seen.

Bolata

North of Kaliakra is situated the wet zone Bolata. Here interesting water birds like the little bittern, little grebe as well as many ducks nest. These places are unlimitedly rich during the migration when more than 150 species of birds stop here for break and to find food. The surrounding cliffs are haven for the eagle owl, long-legged buzzard and reptiles threatened with extinction, included in the Red Book of Bulgaria.

Pomorie

Pomorie is one of the prettiest seaside towns, a unique and attractive resort and spa. The ancient town of Anhiallo emerged over the 6th and 5th c. BC as a Hellenic colony on the Black Sea. Its good location with access to important routes ensured its prosperity, while its proximity to a salty lake determined the development of its population’s ages-old craft of salt production. The sea attributes the charm to another ancient custom - fishing, while vine-growing remains as a legacy of the Bakhus worshipers, though it is still not known for certain whether they were the original local Thracians or the later Hellenic settlers. Surviving through 25 centuries, burned down several times and rebuilt again, the town holds in the depths of its land the memories of Roman and Byzantine invasions as well as those of Crusaders and Turks. The exhibits in the archaeological collection are silent witnesses to its turbulent millennial past. Among the unique historical and cultural monuments today are the Thracian Dome Tomb, the Old Anhialo salt mines museum site, the churches of Christ and the Virgin Mary, the Monastery of St. George and the Old Pomorie homes architectural reserve, to name a few. Over the years after the Liberation from Ottoman rule Pomorie has preserved and rediscovered its traditional customs and crafts in lucrative activities, contributing to its new image of a prosperous commercial and resort center. Today an exceptional progress is marked by the production of new ranges of white and red wines, special and vintage rakias and brandies, winners of top awards at all international shows. The town has also become a center for medical tourism. At the spa center thousands of visitors from this country and abroad treat themselves to the healing powers of the famous Pomorie mud. The simple charm of its cobbled streets and the romanticism of the seaside walkways and pretty houses, the wide beach strip along with the modern mud treatment procedures have long turned Pomorie into a desired location for rest and recreation. To its numerous visitors the town offers a complete range of facilities for rest, sports and entertainment. Its summer cultural calendar features, above all, the events within the National Maritime Week and The Days of Yavorov - now a tradition, whose 40th anniversary edition was celebrated in August 1998. The relative humidity in Pomorie is 79%. By the Pomorie lake, it matches well the mild climate and has become an exclusive precondition to the medical tourism development. The sea temperature is moderate. It averages around 21°C between May and September. The water is quite pleasant for swimming until October.

Aladzha Monastery

2007-11-20T09:33:00.001-08:00

The “Holy Trinity” monastery is of the many rocky monasteries which are still in process of research. It is situated 14 km away from Varna and 2 km away from the sea coast and “Golden Sands” resort. It is known as Aladzha (particoloured) monastery because of the lurid wall paintings. They are dating back from the middle ages and some of them are still preserved. Aladzha monastery is the most visited tourist site along the Bulgarian Black sea coast.
Probably the monastery was founded in the time of the early Christianity. During the 10th century it was constructed in the way we see it today. At the time of the Second Bulgarian kingdom the religious doctrine Hesihasm got very popular. Many monks and holy men left the large rich monasteries and started searching their unity with god among the inaccessible rocks and cliffs which became their asylum. So the rocky monasteries, including Aladzha monastery, thrived.
The monastery is a complex system of sells, churches, chapel and other premises, spread on several stages. On the south on the same cliff catacombs are located.
Probably they were anchoretic sells and monks tombs. K. Shkorpil made the first complete research of the monastery. In 1889 he studied the cave and drew its constructive plan. There is a small museum in the monastery which shows exponents connected with the monastery history and the northern part of the Bulgarian Black sea coast.
But the most interesting part related with Aladzha monastery mystery is its mythology. May be it is because of the magnetic rocks and thick forests but many legends tell about hidden treasures and their sinister keepers around the monasteries. The most popular saga is about mysterious monk wandering around the ruins. His name is Rim Papa – the keeper of the hidden treasures, the monastery and the surrounding forest. As he meets someone he asks him about the people and how do they live.
Then he closes his eyes and disappears. And he would do this until there are the monastery and the old fortress. And when they vanish something unusual will happen. Nobody knows what.

Photohgallery

The City Clock-Tower

2007-11-20T09:28:00.002-08:00

In 1775 the Frenchman Chevalier visited Varna and described it as following: "There are approximately 16000 citizens, 12 mosques, 2 churches and 1 bell-tower built 20 years ago, on top of which a clock with a bell can be seen..." From these diaries it becomes obvious that even back in mid XVIII century there had been a city clock in Varna. That clock tower was located in the green grounds behind the present theatre and it was also used by firemen as their watchtower. How did the tower look like, was it made of wood or stones? We don't know. As we also don't know when exactly it had been destroyed. It could have happened in the years of the 1828 siege of the city or in the fierce fire in Varna during the Crimean War.

The idea to build an impressive city clock tower was accomplished in 1888 at the time when Krastyu Mirski was mayor of Varna. Varna municipality assigned to architect Sava Dimitrievich the project of a stone fire tower with a clock that should be 24 metres high.
The construction site was carefully chosen - the new clock tower in the city park and the Cathedral formed the city centre boundaries of those times. The same year Concordia theatre hall burnt out and another hall for meetings and theatre plays was planned to be built close by the tower.
In two years' time the new clock tower and Saedinenie (Union) Hall were ready and officially opened to visitors. Firemen used the tower since high buildings were still rare and from top of it they could watch over the entire city. At daytime they used coloured flags to signalize for fire and at night signals were exchanged by lit lanterns. Those fire prevention activities stopped in 1898, when the fire brigade was equipped with a telephone line. The clockwork was purchased from England and the prominent revolutionary Oton Ivanov fixed it on the tower.
Though it remains unrevealed to people's glances, the clockwork itself is a real masterpiece. It is quite strange that contrary to traditions the name of the producing company was not inscribed on it. The whole system is fitted in a big wooden "box" reached by a narrow winding staircase along the stone walls. The dial-plate in front is used to control the pace of the clock, as well as to correct it. Each fourth second a system of axles and gears transmits the motion to the clock hands on the tower outside. Instead of springs used in contemporary clocks, this clockwork mechanism is driven by weights suspended in the middle of the tower. The winding up is performed by the help of a simple crank arm of a huge drum besides the main group of gear wheels, which winds the string with the hanging weights. Another axle transmits the motion to the bell knocker at the tower top. Till 1930 the bell had been measuring hours two times within an interval of one minute.
The watchmaker Oton Ivanov (who died in 1932) dedicated his life to the clock tower. His son Oton Ivanov inherited his father's profession and love and continued to maintain the clock until his death in 1976.
His successor today is Boyan Nikolov, an apprentice with Oton Ivanov since 1940 and thanks to his cares the 100 year-old clock still shows the time accurately. A couple of years ago the clock stopped and newspaper articles stated that it needed repair. However, the truth was that snow had been blown in the dial-plate thus hindering the movement of the clock hands. When the clock needs actual repair, its hands are manually moved so that citizens of Varna can always be on time.
After a long period of construction works the railway station and its clock tower were finally finished in 1925. Pitel-Brauseweter Co. was the company to carry out the entire railway station composition and it suggested that a clock should be placed there, which was actually done in 1929.

The Asparuh Bridge

2007-11-20T09:28:00.001-08:00

Thanks to its huge dimensions, the Asparuh Bridge has become one of the symbols of the city. The length of the Bridge is 2050 meters, and its height is 50 meters.The Asparuh Bridge is a part of the autobahn "black sea" and the international road E-87. At the same time this bridge plays a huge role as a connection between the sea and lake channel.It is also famous for the adrenalin seekers. Here everyone could practice bungee jumping.

Pantheon

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This monument situated in the sea garden, close to the Sport Palace Center was built in 1961 as a sign of appreciation to all who gave their lives in the fight against the fascism.

The Olympic swimming pool

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The swimming complex “Primorski” built on 1964 consists of several swimming facilities.The Olympic poll complies with the international swimming-federation standards and is one of the best swimming facilities in Bulgaria. Its construction has size of - 25/50 meters, with tribunes offering capacity of up to 500 seats. The pond is equipped with modern water filter and dose system for nitrogen and ammonium waste removal while refilling mineral water from an independent source.The pool has also 6 locker rooms, 4 bathrooms, medicine office, training facilities, spa center and special doping control cabinet. In the complex there are also 4 training rooms, 2 judge halls, sport shop and 120 seats panorama coffee shop.The children pool has its own filter and dose system. There are held beginner courses while the keen individuals could practice water jumping from 3, 5, 7.50 and 10 meters.

Azizie mosque

2007-11-20T09:15:00.000-08:00

The Azazie mosque is settled in the nowadays â€œAngel Georgievâ€ street. There is no information about the date of its erection. According to some information the mosque was built in 1795. As the most mosques and this one the praying hall are towards Meka. The mosque is low building with a small back yard in the middle. The minaret is at the west - side, to the right of the entrance. The minaret is with square base.There was a reconstruction of the mosque.

The interior is slightly formed, but according to the religious statues. Before the entrance of the pray hall there is a small premises for ritual washing and a place for the shoes. On the analogy of the Christian altar, there is a praying niche. This mosque is the only one decorated niche with â€œgold doorâ€ from Meka.There is a terrace at the entrance colon, behind at which is the place for the women. Typical and t=for the other mosques is and the passage between the terrace and minaret.

Wine Club Varna

2007-11-20T09:09:00.000-08:00

Varna, Black Sea coast

Wine Club Varna is situated in the central part of Varna, opposite the Archeological Museum in an authentic stone cellar. Its aim is to introduce to the admirers of wine the history of vine growing and wine producing in Bulgaria, and to make popular Bulgarian wines.The capacity of the club is 50 seats.
Wine tasting of selected Bulgarian wines is organized in the club and interesting information about the technology of wine producing is presented. There is no requirement for the minimum number of participants in order the wine tasting to be held.Different wine-cellars and wine producers form Bulgaria present their selections of wines in the Wine Club.A great variety of meat and diery cold dishes is offered.

Collections
Wine Club Varna has a collection of over 500 sorts of Bulgarian wines, from all over the country. The experienced cup-bearer and enologist in the club are always ready to help the visitors in their choice of wine and to give them information about the different sorts of wine.The collection of books, articles, pictures and different items illustrates the history of vine growing, wine producing and cooperage in Bulgaria. In the entrÐ¹e of Wine club Varna there is a shop from where the visitors can buy different beverages and souvenirs related to vine growing and wine producing.
Working time: From 18.00 p.m. every day without Sunday.
Address: Town of Varna, 36, Ivan Vazov Str.
Phones: +359 52/609224, 601042, +359 88/8536916
E-mail: wineclub@net-bg.net

Photogallery

The Dolphinarium

2007-11-20T09:07:00.000-08:00

In 1984 one of the most significant tourist attractions of Varna was found – the dolphinarium in the Seaside Park. It is a favorite spot for both local residents and tourists. The
organized attractions and its architecture are unique in the country.

The dolphinarium was constructed for seven months, with architect Simeon Saraliev in charge of operations. The building is a light aerial co nstruction in the form of glass cube with measures 30x30 metres and height 14 metres, and was open for visitors on August 19th 1984. Stairways connect the lobbies and the audience hall with its 1200 seats capacity. In the middle is the main pool for performances with 6 metres in diameter and 3 metres in depth and additional smaller pool. The water needed for the pools is brought from distance 80 metres in sea through a special duct and pumping installation. It circulates constantly through a system of filters, while the desinfection and purification are automatic.

The total volume of water in both pools is 1200 cubic metres, every twenty-four hours about 100 cubic metres being purified. The installations, including dosing, filtering and ventilation devices, are under the audience hall. It is an amusing fact that all the pools and installations were constructed after the main holding structure.

The same month Varna meets its first dolphins Pipi, Popi, Reina and Split. They all are Tursiops truncatus and were caught in Guatemalan waters. Later new dolphins were brought and some were born in the dolphinarium. Now Pipi, Doli, Kimbo and Yoana take part in the performances, even though Pipi is in her 30s now and appearing rarely. In 2001 is Yoana’s debut – she and Presi were born here. The performances start with 3 to 4 a day, later increased to 6 a day. Since 1990 they are 3 a day, because of the dolphins overture risk. The first coach of our dolphins was the German Peter Bozeneker.
The dolphins have a 6 days “working” week, Monday being their relaxation day. This schedule has never been changed. They receive their daily food at 5 or 6 portions, only during training and performances. Their menu contains of 8-10 kg perch pike, sprat, sardines, and their favorite delicates – the herring.

The trainings include old elements of the performances, as well as new techniques. The visitors enjoy most of all when dolphins walk on their tails over the water, catch fish from the coach’s mouth, sing. In the moment they are practicing human participation in the pool. Soon new trainees are expected in the dolphinarium – sea lions.
Visitors can enjoy the dolphins playing in the small pool while expecting the performances through the panoramic coffee bar.
A short time ago the dolphin family was completed with one new member – on June 29th 2001 was born the small female dolphin Pepi.

Stone Forest

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Located 18 km westwards from Varna they are one of the most incredible natural phenomena in Bulgaria. The natural stone pillars - some reaching 6 metres high, some up to 12 metres across at their base are known as â€œthe petrified forestâ€.Some columns resemble animals, others remind you of frozen fountains or cascades. Several rows of columns create the impression that each is made up of two cones balancing on their sharp points. The prevailing theory is that the â€œstone forestâ€ near Varna was formed some 50 million years ago. At that time it was a part of the sea bottom. After the receding of the water the inorganic sediments eroded, thus attaining the marvelous forms we admire today.

The museums of Varna

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National Maritime Museum Varna
The museum displays a collection of marine guns, the old white house and the Sea Port of Varna and one of Bulgarian first minesweepers. The collection is on show 12 halls. It traces the maritime history of the region of the ancient time to the present day. The most valuable exhibit is the Drazki torpedo boat which earned fame for its crew by sinking the Turkish cruiser Hamidie during the First Balkan War in 1912. thing is the only ship of its kind to be preserved till the present day.
Open: Summer (04 May - 31 October): open daily 10.30 am - 6 pm; Winter (01 November - 03 May): 8.30 am - 5 pm; Closed: winter - Saturdays and Sundays

Natural Science Museum Varna
Natural Science museum in Varna studies and popularizes the geology, flora and fauna of the Black Sea and the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. There are three sections: Geology, Flora and Fauna, the formation and structure of the Earth are shown, as well as the development of life of Earth, Mesozoic and Tertiary fossils, samples of minerals, the main species of the flora along the Black Sea coast, the longoz (swamp forest), type of vegetation and the animal life in the region.The terrarium exhibition is housed in the branch of the museum in the Sea Garden close to the Dolphinarium.Open: 10 am - 5 pm; Closed: summer - mondays; winter - saturdays and Sundays.

Varna Terrarium

About exotic zoo
Exotic Zoo in Varna town is the most varied and unique exposing collection of terrarium animals in Bulgaria. It was created during 1998 by the professional zoologists â€“ R. Trajanov, G. Simeonov, D.Delchev, V. Hainadjieva.

Collection
About 70 species of interesting animals: from the Bulgarian fauna â€“ frogs, lizards, turtles, grass-snake, viper from the whole world â€“ tarantulas, scorpions, chameleons, water monitor, iguana, crocodiles, turtles, snakes (cobra, rattlesnake), pythons, anaconda.1/4 from the species are breeding successfully in the Terrarium.

Attractions
Animal feeding Demonstrations of interesting animals Photos with the exotic inhabitants Competitions for the most exotic pet Presentations during 2002Arahnomania â€“ over 20 species of spidersTurtlemania â€“ over 20 species of turtles, in august.

Services
Educational lectures in schools and kindergartens Making and support of terrariums and aquariums Exotic pets Consultations Tracing routes by professional guides-biologists for excursions, green schools and specialized eco tourism.
Prices:
Adults - 1,20 lv.
Children - 0,80 lv.
Adults - 1,00 lv.
Children - 0,60 lv.
Time: summer 9 - 21h
winter 10 - 19h
Address: Town of Varna, Nature science museum, Sea garden near the â€œHorizontâ€ restaurant.
Phones: +359 52/30 25 71, +359 88/7710305
E-mail: zoospektrum@hotmail.com

Roman spa
Varna, Black Sea coast
Situated in the south-eastern part of the contemporary city of Varna the Roman spa was the biggest social building from the past discovered in Bulgaria till now.The church St. Atanasii is close to it.It walls comparatively well preserved outline an imposing building which area is 7000 sq. m. Built at the beginning of the 3 rd C., the Roman Spa functioned at the end of the century. The visit of the spa was a part of the citizens everyday life. They spent there many hours most frequently in the afternoon.

Findings
There were also gymnastic halls, recreation halls as well as halls for meetings and conversations with a rich decorated interior. A lot of graphic drawings and inscriptions were found in the galleries. The height supposed of the walls was around 20 m; it has been preserved around 18 m. Some interesting findings have been dated from that time for example the statues of roman gods.The grandeur of the building, the brilliant archeological conception, the richness of the decoration define the spa like an remarkable monument, eloquent proof of the cultural bloom and the prosperity of Odessos during the 2 nd â€“ 3 rd C.The Roman Spa was the biggest in the European part of the Roman Empire.

Museum of Bulgarian Revival

Varna, Black Sea coast
On 27 July Str. in Varna one can find an ancient building related to the cultural and social life of the Bulgarians during the Revival. There were located the school, the church, the library and the municipality of the town till 1878.The school was established on August 12, 1860. It was situated in a private house, but on July 25, 1862 it was moved into a special built edifice. The two brothers Cyril and Methodius who written the Bulgarian-Slavic alphabet were its patrons. On February 14, 1865 a priest named Konstantin Danovski sanctified on the schoolâ€™s ground floor the first Bulgarian church in the town. In 1866 an independent Girlâ€™s high School opened in Varna, later it was moved into one of the central schools halls. In 1959 the edifice was transformed into a museum â€“ the Museum of the Bulgarian Revival.

First floor
The visitors can see a restored classroom with sandy desks where the children have learned how to write. Thes orders of praise and the black boards of reprobation meant for the pupils excite interest. Ð¢he original blackboard with the alphabet has been preserved too. Nearby the classroom one can see the church â€œSaint Archangel Mihailâ€ with some very interesting icons.

Second floor
On the second floor there is an exposition with some original manuscripts and ancient editions from the 18 th and the 19 th C. The engravings from the 19 th C, the lock of the city gates, as well as some antique weapons from the 18 th and the 19 th C. and burial finds of the perished in the Russian â€“ Turkish war attract the attention. There is an exhibition â€Ancient Varna in picturesâ€ who reveals the unique atmosphere of the town from the 19 th and the beginning of the 20 th century.

Aquarium

Varna, Black Sea coast
The Aquarium and the Black Sea museum in Varna were opened in 1932-the first and the only marine biological station in the country. Hundred of fish species are gathered here: molluscs, actinides, crabs, periwinkles as well as species of the fresh water rivers. A special place is occupied by the natural resources derived from the Black Sea, such as sea salt and petroleum.
The Aquarium is divided into three basic sections and a foyer. Different fish species are represented in the first hall, like sea wolf, grey mullet, sting ray, carp, sturgeon. Marine organismes and shells are in the second hall. There is shown also the oceanography of Black Sea and its history of research.The third hall comprises some mammals, sea birds and sharks. The tropical fishes in the foyer such as pirania, guppy and others are of great interest.
Address: Seaside garden
Time: Monday - sunday: 9.00 – 20.00
Phones: 052/63 20 65, 63 20 66
Prices:
Children 2-7 years: 1.00lv
Studensts: 1.60lv
Adults: 2.00lv

The Astronomical Observatory and Planetarium
Launching of the first artificial earth satellite aroused deep interest in Bulgaria and soon many towns established clubs connected with space issues. This enthusiasm spread out in Varna too and in 1960 an astronautics and astronomy club was organized in the city. The idea of establishing an astronomical observatory was developed in 1962, after the visit of the Russian astronaut German Titov. Varna Municipality resolution of 1964 cleared the way for building an observatory the way it looked like until recently. The author of that architectural project was architect Kamen Goranov. In the very process of construction works plans had been changed and a planetarium (star hall) was added to the main structure. On 22 May 1968 the first astronomical complex started operating in Bulgaria. It was named after the Polish scholar Nicolaus Copernicus and included an astronomical observatory, planetarium, and a Foucault pendulum tower. There is a monument of Copernicus in front of the planetarium entrance and its authors are prof. L. Dalchev and P. Atanassov.
Two revolving observation domes have been fixed on the roof of the observatory's third storey and they have been initially equipped with an 80/1200 mm refractor (refracting telescope) and a larger Cassegrain 150/2250 mm system reflecting telescope. Later on, in 1990, these instruments were replaced by Zeiss 100/1000 mm refractor brought in from the town of Gabrovo. The observation platform is equipped with a camera for photographing NAFA 3C/25 satellites and portable telescopes and T3K binoculars are used for open shows.
The planetarium to the observatory is the first facility of its kind in Bulgaria. Its dome reaches 10.5 m in diameter and ZKP - Zeiss Kleinplanetarium projection device (called planetarium) was imported from the former German Democratic Republic. The lecturer can control it from his own control panel and up to 5500 stars can be projected on the dome. In addition to it other projectors can be used to demonstrate the progress of the planets among the stars and a special device can show the solar system as if seen from a distance of 5 billion km.

Foucault pendulum is suspended in the planetarium tower and it manifests rotation of the Earth around its axis. In a small hall below visitors can watch the swinging of the pendulum. In the first years following the building of the complex a comet finder was also installed on the observation platform. During the autumn of 1998 the municipal council decides on reconstruction of the building of the planetarium. Full substitutions of the thermo- and hydro isolation, as well as the water and power installation are planned. The work is slowed down, as some old plans are missing. The reconstruction faces the fact that when built in the 60s, not all construction norms were kept, and now almost only the walls are left. The expectations were that the renewed astronomy complex will meet the large number of visitors during the Sun eclipse in 1999, however financial difficulties delay the project for four years.Finally, on Aug 15th 2002 the renewed building of the Planetarium “Nicolaus Copernicus” was founded. This is a very important event for the Day of Varna, and in the ceremony, in which participants are the Prime minister Simeon Saks Coburg Gotha, the city mayor and regional governor, deputies, businessmen and many citizens. The new project suggests a slight change in the outlook of the observatory. The general architecture plan is unchanged, but the author of the project – arch. G. Savakov, brings modern nuances. The top of the tower of Foucault now has the form of semi-sphere, open to the sky. The Foucault’s pendulum is at a higher level, convenient for observation from visitors, both in- and outside the buildung. For adaptation of vision before a tour the windows overlooking the sea are replaced from a wall of figures; the lobby is vaguely lighted. Under the tower are the computer hall, library and lecture hall. The rooms are widened, and the new fa?ade creates the new attractive look of the building. The decorative lights in the night make the observatory one of the accent spots of the Seaside garden.Since 1971 there has been a branch of the observatory in the village of Avren, located 35 km away from Varna. The dome of the building there is 5.2 m in diameter and below it a Cassegrain 500/8900 cm telescope has been installed.
Besides the planetarium located in the astronomical complex in the Sea Park of Varna, there is a second one in the vicinity of the Naval Academy. It is located in the middle of a park area. Its dome reaches 18 m in diameter and it accommodates 120 seats which makes it the biggest planetarium on the Balkan Peninsula. It was officially opened on 3 March 1986.
The projecting device RFP-DP is of a very high quality and allows for possibilities to represent various astronomical events. It is installed on four axes: a polar axis to demonstrate the 24 hour rotation of the sky; an ecliptic axis to show the paths of the Sun, Moon, the planets, as well as the static stars; a horizontal axis to change the latitude and a vertical axis for the horizontal rotation of the sky. This gives the operator the chance to project the appearance of the sky and various astronomical events as if they were observed from any point on Earth or space. The planetarium close to the Naval Academy is used not only to teach cadets in "Navigation astronomy", but it is also open for public shows. The audience is offered four thematic sessions in nine working languages.

Varna golden treasure
The Varna Chalcolithic Necropolis was accidentally found in October 1972. It is situated about 500 m north of the Varna Lake and about 4 km west of the downtown of Varna. Area from about 7 500 sq. m. was explored and were found more than 3000 golden objects dating back 6000 years ago were discovered in 294 graves. The Varna treasure is the oldest treasure in the world.The whole inventory from some of the most significant graves is exhibited in 6 rooms in Varna Archaeological museum. On both sides of the entrance are represented the graves with masks of human faces shaped out on spot and appliquÐ¹d with gold plates. The rich variety of funeral utensils is most expressive in two of the symbolic graves. In grave 4 have been found two unique vessels where the typical for the time decoration of strongly stylized geometrical symbols is fulfilled in golden paint.More than 850 golden objects have been found in grave 36. The type of the objects implies donation dedicated to the stockbreeding deities â€“ two of the gold plates represent animal figures, there are also 30 heads of horned animal and an astragalus for playing with a hole for hanging on a chain. Grave 43 is a complete reconstruction of a manâ€™s grave as found. Impressive is the height of the buried â€“ about 1,70 m. and the funeral inventory with him â€“ 990 pieces of gold objects weighting 1,5 km. numerous copper tools, flint and pottery. This obviously is the grave of a leader or a priest.The Varna Eneolithic Necropolis by the richness of the artifacts remains without an analog among the archeological discoveries of the epoch. Rising incredibly high scientific emotion the discovery turned into a sensation in the scientific world and was announced â€œthe archeological discoveryâ€ of the century.

Archaeological Museum Varna
The beginning of Varna Archaeological Museum and its development is connected with the names of the two brothers Herman and Karel Škorpil, Czechs by origin.The first exhibition of the Museum was officially opened in a room of the Girls’ High School on the 11th of June, 1906. Karel Škorpil was elected as director of the Museum and remained in that post till his death in 1944.Since 3 March 1983, the Archaeological Museum Varna has been accommodated in the present building – the only one offering complete possibilities for exhibiting and preserving its riches.The building comprises of a basement area and two floors. It nearly forms a complete square and includes a spacious inner yard. Some of the rooms and the corridors are decorated with wall paintings. A continuous corridor runs throughout the whole building, leading to the exhibition rooms. The exhibition area of the Museum is 2150 sq. m, not including the storerooms, the library and the Educational Children’s Museum.Throughout its existence of over 120 years, archaeologists, members of the Varna Archaeological Museum and its employees have constantly carried out archaeological investigations and excavations on various sites all over Northeast Bulgaria. The Varna Archaeological Museum now holds over 100,000 various objects of the region's past epochs.The total number of the exhibition rooms of the Archaeological Museum in Varna is 32. The permanent exhibitions, which are showed there are: “Prehistory”, “Antiquity”, “Middle Ages”, “Revival Iconography”. The oldest golden treasure is exhibit here as well. It is dated from 4000 years B.C.

Park – Museum Vladislav
It was built in honour of the historical battle in 1444 when Czechs, Poles, Croatians, Hungarians and Bulgarians tried to resist the Turkish invasion in Europe.The mausoleum was built in 1934 on the foundations of an ancient Thracian tomb.There is a very old story about a historic event, dating back to the XV century. On November 10, 1444 a mixed Christian army, comprising of Hungarians, Polish, Czechs, papal knights, Bosnians, Croatians, Bulgarians, Romanians and Routines (Old Russians) fought a heavy battle near Varna against the Turks. Many lives were lost. More than half of the soldiers from the united army, together with the king of Hungary and Poland Vladislav III Yagelo (Varnenchik) perished. In memory of the people, who sacrificed their lives in the name of freedom, on the place of the heroic battle there was built the park-museum Vladislav Varnenchik. The museum is a memorial complex. Plenty of weapons and accoutrements are exhibited in its halls: armours, chain armours, helmets, swords, spears, halberds, arbalests, maces, shields, etc. In the park of the museum there is an original Thracian Tomb, dating back to the IV century A.D. and a mausoleum of King Vladislav Varnenchik.

Navy Museum
The Varna’s Navy Museum is one of the symbols of the city. It is established in an elegant building not far from the sea. There is also an open-air exposition where authentic sea-going vessels are shown. The history of the Bulgarian navy and commercial fleet since 1878 is illustrated on an area of 416 sq.m. in different halls. The park occupying 3000 sq.m. shows diverse military equipment and machinery, the ship-museum “Drazki”, which is one of the most valuable exponent, coast artillery equipment, the Kor Karoly yacht on which the first Bulgarian sail around the earth was made. The museum houses an old collection of naval relics, mostly from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, including model ships, uniforms and various ship fixtures.Ethnographic Museum Varna
The Ethnographic Museum of Varna was opened in 1974 in a restored National Revival house, built in 1860. The museum displays folk art, particularly costumes from the region of Varna and shows great diversity of styles. The museum reflects the rich material and cultural heritage of the local population during the second half of the XIX and the beginning of the XX century - catering, crafts, clothes, jewellery, ritual bread, "survachki" (special colour-folded sticks, decorated with popcorns, candies, ribbons, used by children on the first day of the New Year to tap neighbours on the back, wishing them good health, happiness, success in the new year).

Museum of Varna’s History
The building of the museum of Varna’s history was built in 1851 for a Belgian consulate. Later it was turned into a hotel. From the end of the 19 th century to 1929 it was used for a prison.The Museum was established in 1969. Its new exposition was inaugurated on November 22, 1991, situated in three rooms and reveals the city development like a port, as well as cultural, commercial, industrial and medical centre during the period 1878-1939. On the first floor are displayed the main crafts typical for the region: cotton growing, metalwork, but also the construction of a new port, the development of the navigation and the shipbuilding, the first loom from 1902, а printing press from the end of the19 th C., documents and models of the first boats and ships.А smithery, dressmaking and tailoring shop, shoemaker’s atelier, farm implements and machines are restored. On the second floor is shown the transformation of Varna into an international resort and a summer capital of the Bulgarian culture. The cards, the beach articles, the old swimming suits are very interesting. There are exhibited original photos of ancient buildings, plans and maps of VArna , musical instuments, etc. One can be absorbed in the specific atmosphere of the city house and the life after the Liberation on the third floor. There are presented also a hotel room, an eating-house, a pastry shop, lawyer’s and insurance offices, a photographer’s atelier, the first bookshop in Varna.

Museum of Medicine
The Museum of Medicine is the only one on the Balkan Peninsula. Medical plants and herbs are here on display, as well as clothing used in the medical profession from ancient times up till now. In another exhibition hall are shown more than 4000 old medical books.

introduction to Varna

2007-11-18T14:58:00.000-08:00

Introduction
Varna is a truly great beach side city, located on Bulgaria's northern Black Sea coast, this city is making a serious case for entertainment capital of Eastern Europe. Walking through the seaside parks, watching the dolphins perform in the aquarium, enjoying one of the many free water parks or just relaxing at a cafe on the beach, whatever you do in Varna, it's going to be fun, cheap & entertaining. Varna isn't Bulgaria's largest city, just its best. This is after all the "Party Riviera".
The City
Varna has one of the most interesting & entertaining beach fronts in the world. Something is always going on. Going to the beach in here isn't an action, it's an experience. With plenty of bars, restaurants, carnival games, water parks, open air discos & some of the best looking, least dressed women you have ever seen!
Varna's city center is built entirely for pedestrians with networks of walking streets several kilometers long. Thousands of shops & sidewalk cafes, there aren't many better ways to spend a day shopping on a pink tiled street next to the Black Sea in Bulgaria. Downtown Varna has a great outdoor market, it's a great place to buy quality, yet really cheap clothes. The market is at the end of the pink tiled walking street, just across the street from the gold domed cathedral, that so dominates the city skyline.

Night time in Varna has more of a time than any other night you've ever seen. The beach area comes alive as the crowds flock to enjoy the warm summer nights. Nightclubs, discos, restaurants & cinemas, the carnival games are a whole lot of fun. There's even archery, which I'm not sure how good of an idea that is, seeing that vodka is practically free in this country. On my first time with the bow & arrow I hit the bullseye, which in turn qualified me for a stuffed animal, Woo Hoo!

Personal Experiences
As for my personal experience in Varna, I spent an amazing 2 months there. Not once did I go bored from lack of entertainment or from lack of something pretty to look at. During my days in Varna, I'd usually walk up & down the main street, flirting with all the girls, because yes they are all that beautiful. Luckily I'm pretty cute, so I didn't do all that badly. Everyday I would usually eat at Happy's, it's like Denny's, but think mini skirts.
In the afternoon I would head down to the beach & waste away at a beach side cafe. My favorite one was the Inflatable Chair Cafe. A friend showed me the place, I was amazed the first time I went there.Everything was inflatable, the cup holders, the chairs, the tables, everything! I would be sitting there in my bright purple inflatable chair, sipping on some Bacardi, staring at this gorgeous girl next to me. As she sunbathes, topless, on her bright green inflatable sun chair. How could life get any better than sitting at the inflatable chair cafe, surrounded by half naked women, so beautiful that if they were in Milan, tourists would mistake them for super models.
I would spend most of my evenings in Varna, walking down the the boardwalk, going from disco to disco. The best disco by far in Varna is New York. The club is legendary among Varna nightlife. Situated right on the beach, it's open air & the clubs centerpiece is the 50 foot replica statue of liberty in the middle of the dance floor. The club is going off every night from 11 & after, so many girls it's unreal & this is Bulgaria. The girls, they're like super fine, super fine like Denise Richards/Sarah Michelle Gellar/Cameron Diaz, fine.
Sometimes I would go up to Golden Sands & spend the day. There's no combination like Bacardi, Sprite & a beach. I had some good times at Golden Sands, once you've had a little Southern Comfort, no difficulty level on the mechanical bull seems too high.
Nights in Golden Sands are something else entirely. Me, being bad, usually chose to go to the strip club, next to the one disco, across the street from the hot dog/hat seller dude. When you first get into the club, you'll automatically think "ahh this strip club sucks", but wait until around midnight & you'll see how great it truly is.
When I went in nothing was happening at the strip club, so I went over to the dance club instead. Then a friend of mine came running over & told me that I had to see what was going on in there. When I got back over there, I saw what quickly propelled this club up the ranks to best strip club ever! Sex on stage! For like hours & this wasn't just any girl, this is Bulgaria. This girl was hot. I mean hot like Marissa on The OC hot.
I asked the club whether they were hiring, they said yeah, but you would have to meet a few requirements. I boldly stated, baby I got whatever requirement you need. I was getting all excited about the audition, then they pointed at like the only ugly girl in the whole country, so I was like fuck it, never mind.

Finally
Varna will always be remembered by me, as one of my favorite cities in the world. All the fun I had here, all the women I met, all the days I spent on the beach at the inflatable chair cafe. When people talk to me about Rio, I talk to them about Varna. Your time here will go by all too quickly & unfortunately after 2 months my time here was up also. Another adventure awaited.

Getting Around
Varna is a very compact & easily navigated city. Pretty much everything is within walking distance & there are buses every 15 minutes to Golden Sands, leaving from the KFC. If you don't feel like walking, the taxis here are safe, ridiculously cheap & numerous.

Getting There
Varna is readily reached by bus from Sofia (15 hours) & Burgas (4 hours). Bulgaria has a very safe, efficient, most of all cheap coach network, but the roads can get kind of bumpy. There is also a ferry leaving irregularly to the Romanian port town of Constanta. There is also a train leaving daily to Ruse (10 hours), with connections to Bucharest (5 hours). Also Istanbul is only a 20 hour bus ride away.

Lodging
The best way to find a hotel in Varna is to hop in a taxi & just ask for "sleep, cheap", you'll either go to a whore house, or to a reasonably priced hotel, either way you can't go wrong. The taxi should take you to a nice reasonably priced place, giving you a few days to get settled in & find another place. Hotels are very cheap n Varna, around $15 dollars a night for a single. Golden Sands on the other hand is outrageously priced, a hotel there will cost you around $100 bucks for a single.

Food
Cheap! Food is very cheap. There are restaurants everywhere, with quality food & very cheap prices.
Even if you eat at a nice restaurant like a "Happy's", you shouldn't find yourself paying more than $3 dollars for a meal. Food at grocery stores are even cheaper, but with restaurants being so cheap & convenient, you probably won't do much of your own cooking.

When To Go
The time to be here is from late Spring to very early Autumn. I visited from August to September & things were perfect. August is the holiday season in Bulgaria, so it's the best time to come, as far as nightlife & everything go.

When Not To Go
The winter, it´s cold, the crowds have thinned, no one is on the beach & there's no nightlife.
How Does Varna Compare With Other Destinations.
Varna is easily Bulgaria's best & most entertaining city, Varna blows away competitors like Burgas, Nesebar or Sozopol. On the international scale Varna also is a heavy competitor. When it comes to nightlife, beaches & good looking women, Varna can't be beat by any city in Europe. This is the "Party Riviera", & when you're here, it shows.

Comparative Cost Scale
Bottle of coke = $.75
Bottle of vodka = $2
Cigarettes = $.60
Big Mac = $2
Night in a hotel = $15
Bacardi Breezer = $1
Tablet of Ecstasy = $10
Hooker = $30

Cafes, pubs and bars in Varna , Bulgaria

2007-10-07T10:28:00.000-07:00

Cafe "Delphin"

The cafe is situated in the middle of pedestrian precinct. Small but fine. The guests can feel the stylish and modern atmosphere. The prices are average. The specialties of the cafe are cake "Dolphin" and cocktail "Dolphin". There are 80 places in the shadow of the trees.
Address: Knias Boris I 33
Phone: 603 905

Cafe "Santana"

In the middle of the centre of Varna, three levels with a beautiful summer garden - this is the "Santana" cafe. Variety of warm and cold drinks, cakes, creams, ice-creams and all kinds of cocktails. The rooms are stylish and chic-decorated. The cafe is air-conditioned. Cakes and cocktails are the specialties of the house.
Address:Kniaz Boris I 28
Phone: 611 139

Bar "Radio City"

Cafe "Radio City" is ingeniously-furnished in antique style. There are more than 20 sorts of old-time radios and uniforms. The cafe has 90 places, 30 of them are in the open.
Address: Slivnitsa Blvd. 57
Phone: 258 775

Bar "Bordo"

An attractive bar on the 2nd floor. A great choice of hot and cold drinks . The cafe has 150 places, 80 of them are in the open air. The guests can use the parking lot. The house is air-conditioned.
Address: :Slivnitsa Blvd. 33
Phone: 608 415

Ice-cream house "Coco Bongo"

Just behind the theatre the visitors can feel the pleasure of tasting a cold ice-cream with fruits. The choice is nearly unlimited and the prices are average. There are 120 places, all of them are in the open. A beautiful garden embellished by palms, bushes and a place for children. There are parking places, too.
Address:Just behind the theatre

Cafe "Vienna"

This is the place for trying something sweet. Only the cakes are 25 sorts. The guests can also taste here ice-creams, fruit salads, sandwiches. A comfortable, modern, air-conditioned room. The prices are average.
Address:Knias Boris I Blvd. 74
Phone: 222 639

Ice-cream cafe "Mistral"

There are 65 places, air-conditioner and classic Vienna style. The ice-cream "Fantastiko" is one of the specialties. 22 sorts of Italian ice-cream are recommended and various drinks, tortes, puddings should be tasted.
Address: Preslav Str. 42
Phone: 606 436

Beer houses "Viking"

In the presence of 35 sorts of beer, six of which draft beer and 15 different sorts of wine you could have a great time here - in the open or in an air-conditioned room. There is also solution for the hungry guests. They have a large menu at their disposal. The roasted pork fillet Viking is the specialty. There are special kids-corner for children.
Address: Ivan Aksakov Str. 7
Phone: 223 147

Beer houses "Red Pub"

A beer houses with fine interior - pictures of stars and sculptures are all around. There are good appetizers for the beer. The specialties of the house are small tasty dishes. There are 60 places in the restaurant and 60 in the open. It works until 02 o'clock am.
Address: Tchatalja Blvd 33
Phone: 230 378

Pub "Tari"

In the company of 30 kinds of beer and contemporary rock music you can stay here for hours. The prices of the food are between 0.70 and 4.90 Lv. The specialty of the house is chicken fillet "Tari". It is open till 2 o'clock am. Big room - good atmosphere.
Address: Slivnitsa Blvd 22
Phone: 610 269

English Pub "The three lions"

60 sorts of beer make the heart of a beer fan beat stronger. The atmosphere is typical of an English pub. It has 150 places and air-conditioner. There are great salads, appetizers and grilled meat for the beer.
Address: 29 Tsaribrod Str.

Beer house "Terena"

It is open 24 hours a day. Situated in the central beach area it offers fine fillets, chicken specialties and grilled meat. Prices are average. There are 2000 places and two levels. There is live music - rock and Bulgarian pop.
Address: Central beach area

Transport

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The fastest way to get to Varna is by airplane, as it takes less than an hour from the capital city of Sofia while planes in both directions fly 6 or 7 times a day during the summer. The seaport offers regular water transport to and from Balchik, Slunchev Bryag (Sunny Beach), Nessebar and Bourgas. Varna is also connected to all main railway lines in the country with express trains to Sofia and Plovdiv that take 7 and 4.30 hours respectively. The city's main bus station is 1.5km away from the city centre with buses to all larger cities in the country, nearby seaside resorts, Athens and Istanbul as well as to some cities in Central and Eastern Europe. Besides, Varna's city transport has a network of over 60 bus lines (some of these also travelling to nearby resorts) and trolley buses.

Cherno more hotel

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Address: Varna, 33 Slivnitza Blvd.

Cherno more hotel is located in the centre of Varna, close to the Sea garden and the main shopping street of the city.

The hotel offers 50 single rooms, 156 double rooms and 4 apartments.
The room facilities consist of: cable TV, radio, telephone, private bathroom and WC, bathtub, balcony.
The hotel has: lift, safe deposit boxes on the reception, currency exchange office, room service, laundry and dry cleaning, restaurants, panorama restaurant, tavern, cocktail bar, lobby bar, garage and parking lot, fitness room and sauna.

Prices:
01 Jan - 31 March 2006
01 Nov - 31 Dec 2006
Single room (non-reconstructed, with TV, bath tube): 18 Euro
Single room (reconstructed, with air-condition, TV, bath tube, refrigerator): 26 Euro
Double room (non-reconstructed, with TV, shower): 21 Euro
Double room (reconstructed, with TV, shower, refrigerator): 26 Euro
Double room (reconstructed, with TV, bath tube, refrigerator): 26 Euro

01 April - 31 Oct 2006
Single room (non-reconstructed, with TV, bath tube): 20 Euro
Single room (reconstructed, with air-condition, TV, bath tube, refrigerator): 38 Euro
Double room (non-reconstructed, with TV, shower): 22 Euro
Double room (reconstructed, with TV, shower, refrigerator): 38 Euro
Double room (reconstructed, with TV, bath tube, refrigerator): 38 Euro

Breakfast: 2,60 Euro per person, per day
City tax: 0,61 Euro per person, per day

More discounts:
- Children to 2 yrs age stay free of charge in parent's room
- Children 2-12 yrs age have 50 % discount of the price for 1 adult person

Prices are per room, per night in EURO. Breakfast is not included.

Accommodation in Varna

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Varna offers a virtually unlimited number of accommodation facilities. A well - known joke says that in summer Varna grows to the dimensions of Sofia whereas Sofia shrinks to the dimensions of Varna. As a rule the greater part of holiday-makers put up at private lodgings. There are several Accommodation Bureaus in the city which all exchange current information. The hotels at the disposal of the guests are a great number and continuously increase. Luxury hotels are the Cherno More Hotel, Odessa Hotel, Varnenski Bryag Hotel. The Moussala Hotel and the Orbita Hotel are cheaper ones. The latter is a hotel for international youth tourism. There are about 60 private hotels, most of them are 1- or 2-star hotels. The prices there are moderate. One of the best is the Breeze-II Hotel nearby Pochivka bus stop. Private lodgings can also be found directly not through the lodging offices.