10 Best Things To Do In Varna, Bulgaria - Updated 2024

Marina
Marina 
Updated
| 5 min read

Hey, travelers, you’d better start packing up since we’re about to take you along on a lovely virtual trip! Are you ready to join us on a tour throughout Varna’s most renowned attractions? Are you thrilled to walk into the mysterious nature of Bulgaria’s beautiful coastal sea resort? Then it’s time to roll up the sleeves and get started!

1. Discover the cave formed medieval Aladzha Monastery

Posted by Silviq Ivanova on Wednesday, 12 April 2017

Considered the most prominent cave monastery left as a remnant from medieval times, the ancient Aladzha Monastery lies on the Black Sea coastline of Bulgaria. The famous Christian monument is what locals are immensely proud of. Given the title of a public historical monastery and a monument, Aladzha is thought to be another heavily appreciated and crowded attraction in and around Varna.

Why visit it: Walk inside to explore a small fraction of Varna’s historical heritage making all Bulgarians so boastful. Besides this, nearby are located the so-called Catacombs, being a formation of caves that spreads reverence all over.

Aladzha Monastery

Address: Golden Sands Reserve, Varna

Website: Aladzha Monastery

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2. Sea Garden: explore the only Dolphinarium in the Balkans

Posted by Морска градина ВАРНА / Sea garden Varna on Saturday, 26 September 2015

Referred to as one of the top and genuinely attractive spots around here, Varna’s sea garden sure has a lot to offer. Newcomers get blown away by the magnificent Dolphinarium as well, being Varna’s greatest attraction. As a matter of fact, the city’s Dolphinarium is the only one in existence on the entire Balkan Peninsula.

Don’t miss it: With this in mind, you wouldn’t want to miss out on it, right?

Sea Garden and Dolphinarium

Address: 9002 Sea Garden, Varna

Website: Sea Garden and Dolphinarium

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3. Stone Forest: a unique attraction that could only be seen in Varna

Posted by Carlos Reyes on Tuesday, 11 April 2017

Believe it or not, there’s such a thing called “stone forest”. It’s just that you haven’t heard of it. Neither have you been there, right? The natural phenomenon is often regarded to as “a group of rocks and stones which have been beaten down right into the ground”. Indeed, that’s the BG translation of its name, more or less. Keep in mind that “Pobiti Kamani,” as its original title goes, consists of several groups of stones scattered here and there. A bunch of high pillars going over 10 meters (33 feet), single rocks, and cylinders as well as awe-striking cliffs pretty much make up the mysterious image of this place.

Visit it: if you haven’t seen a “stone forest” like this before, you’d sure love the idea of losing yourself in a whole new rocky world, more or less.

Stone Forest

Address: Department of Natural History, Regional Museum of History

Website: Stone Forest

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4. Varna Archeological Museum: back to the Bulgarian roots!

Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο.

Posted by Kosmas Vidos on Wednesday, 12 April 2017

Varna’s museum has been long known for housing what seems to be the earliest traces of human’s presence from about 100,000 BC. Alongside this, the archaeological museum in Varna also displays exhibitions dating back to the Late Paleolithic age. Once inside, visitors are able to trace back the human’s presence back to the middle Endolithic age being illustrated by ceramic findings kept inside.

Why it’s worth it: Get to know more about the ancient human’s presence thanks to the great archaeological museum in Varna!

Varna Archeological Museum

Address: 41 Maria Luisa blvd., 9000 Varna

Website: Varna Archeological Museum

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5. Varna Walking and Wine Tasting Tour, for wine and culture lovers (from USD 65.0)

Posted by Orng Moon Jewelry on Saturday, 12 December 2015

Finally, the possibility to try out fine wine selections while walking around the lovely city of Varna is coming alive! How thrilling! For those of you who’re eager to dig deep into Bulgaria’s culture and history and drink some wine in the meantime, you’d totally love Varna’s walking and drinking tour!

Why try it: Take some time off from the fancy side of the city and go back to the Bulgarian roots thanks to the lovely idea of Varna’s walking and talking tour! See exotic spots and riveting cultural stories while having fun!

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The Ultimate Private Communist Tour of Varna

Duration: 4 hours

2 reviews

6. Pokémon GO Varna Private Walking Tour: explore the city while catching Pokemons! (from USD 18.0)

Posted by Varna city, Bulgaria / Варна on Monday, 3 October 2011

Are you still hooked on that Pokemon game? If so, then you’d surely love the idea of chasing and catching tough Pokemon characters! Note that you’d be able to do it while strolling around the gorgeous city of Varna. If this doesn’t sound pretty awesome, there’s hardly anything else that could be more alluring to you.

Have fun: Catch the last Pokemon character in existence and explore Varna’s top spots in the meantime! How awesome!

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Pokémon GO Varna Private Tour

Duration: 3 hours

7. Varna Cathedral surprises with its 133 steps!

Posted by Lilia Paskova on Sunday, 9 April 2017

Meet the imposing cathedral in Varna that serves as just another great tourist spot gathering flocks of people year-round. The 19th-century cathedral impresses with its bishop’s throne, combined quite wonderfully with the well-carved iconostasis. Tourists often get deeply astounded by its historical symbolism. The interesting murals and unique stained glass make the prominent cathedral a must-see attraction while being in the city.

What to do: Once you come inside, don’t miss out on climbing the spiral staircase that features more than 133 steps! Pluck up your courage and get started!

Varna Cathedral

Website: Varna Cathedral

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8. Varna Roman Baths: a heritage left by the Roman Empire

Roman Baths - Varna - Bulgaria (28307300407)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Adam Jones used under CC BY-SA 2.0

The Roman Baths serve as an important historical reminder for all locals. This widely known attraction walks us back to a significant period when a part of the city was ruled by Romans. The empire built these baths as the settlement back then was called Odessos.

Why visit it: Discover the legends surrounding the Roman Baths. Rumor has it that the settlement was one of the largest constructions left by Romans, which proves once again the great meaning of the city, administratively and economically.

Varna Roman Baths

Address: 9000 San Stefano, Varna

Website: Varna Roman Baths

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9. Experience the awesome Varna Horses and Vines Tour

Posted by Конна база "Св. Георги" Варна on Sunday, 5 March 2017

Horse riding experiences are so much fun when being in such a lovely place with nature and fresh air. Hop on and do what you’re best at! Tip: make sure you don’t miss out on the gorgeous scenery and lush greenery while riding! It’s so nice and refreshing!

Why try it: Enjoy this tour to the fullest while blending with nature. Bring a friend along and set off on a lovely journey on a horse!

Varna Horses and Vines Tour

Website:

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10. Enjoy the Wonderful Rocks in Varna

Posted by Къща за гости Камелия on Saturday, 15 February 2014

If you’ve never been to the magical city of Varna, the chances are you’ve haven’t heard of the Wonderful Rocks located nearby the village of Asparuhovo. The so-called Wonderful Rocks are genuinely wonderful and awe-striking. Shaped like futuristic castle towers, the rocks consist of a total of 10 rock needles, each about 40+ meters (130+ feet) high.

Don’t miss it: The Wonderful Rocks are simply an incredible landscape, beautifully formed by Mother Nature. Tip: the rocks are heavily inhabited by rapacious birds, so keep your eyes peeled in order to catch a glimpse of them.

Wonderful Rocks

Address: Near the village of Asparuhovo, municipality of Dalgopol, Varna

Website: Wonderful Rocks

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What to expect

Considered the sea capital of Sunny Bulgaria, Varna lies on the Black Sea Coast. Not only is it a pretty significant business and educational center, but Varna is also a wonderful sea resort offering such a sweet variety of indoor and outdoor activities. Once you step in and around the coastal city, you’d fall head over heels for its magnificent character and a wide myriad of attractions! Have a lovely holiday in Varna, Bulgaria! You won’t regret it!

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Marina Yoveva is a creative thinker, adventurer, and a poetry lover. In her spare time, she loves reading, writing on her personal blog and spending time with her family and friends. She's also a...Read more

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