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Looking for the best things to do in Varna, Bulgaria? Varna – a city of treasures, legends, aristocracy, architecture, sea breeze, and a very special atmosphere. Varna – the city with many faces.
When we hear about Varna, we usually picture the sea and the beaches. The truth is, I’ve never seen it that way. To me, it’s a city with so many things to do in Varna, Bulgaria, that it can be visited in all four seasons. As I’ve said more than once, I’m not the biggest fan of the sea. But this maritime capital captivated me from the very first glance, and it always has something new to show me.
Last September I was invited by the Varna Municipality on the occasion of World Tourism Day. They put together a wonderful program for me and a few other travel bloggers, aiming to show us at least a small part of the city’s charms. I hope I can recreate that whole experience for you and inspire you to visit – not just during the summer season.
The truth is, our country hides many treasures that, because of weak marketing, aren’t even that well known to us locals. And I’m truly grateful that traveling around beautiful Bulgaria lets me discover these incredible places and share them with you.
Hotel Panorama is a great place to stay in Varna.
Top Things to Do in Varna for a Weekend
(or what to visit to see the Maritime Capital from another angle, not just as a beach destination)
1. The Roman Thermae
On my previous visits to Varna, I had no idea that just a few meters away stood the largest Roman bath complex in the Balkans, and the fourth largest in Europe. In the ancient city of Odessos, sometime around the 2nd–3rd century AD, the Roman Thermae were built, covering an area of about 7,000 sq. m., with the tallest section rising to around 20 meters. At the time, the baths were seen as a center of public life and were frequented by some of the wealthiest members of society. It’s truly an incredible place to visit – well preserved, spread over a large area, and walking through it feels like stepping back in time. New residential buildings have gone up around it, and it’s fascinating how antiquity and the modern world intertwine here.
2. The Archaeological Museum
I’ll start by admitting I’m not one of the biggest museum fans. There was a period when I traveled a lot, and over a year or two I visited some of the largest museums in the world – in New York, London, Paris, Cairo, Rome. So when I found out we’d be visiting the Archaeological Museum in Varna, I wasn’t particularly thrilled. Well, as they say, when you expect nothing you can’t be disappointed – but you can definitely be amazed. That’s exactly what happened to me. I was blown away!
What makes the Archaeological Museum in Varna so impressive?
First – the museum building itself is beautiful. Between 1898 and 1954 it housed the local Girls’ High School, and since 1983 it has been an archaeological museum.
Second – the collection! I had no idea that the oldest processed gold in the world was actually found right here, near Varna! It consists of around 3,000 pieces and weighs about 6 kg. This is a treasure of not just national but world significance. On top of that, you can see thousands of other valuable finds discovered around Varna. I never imagined this region was so rich in history.
And the third thing that impressed me about the museum – it’s so modern and interactive that I could hardly believe I was in Bulgaria. I’m always thrilled to see investment in culture and archaeology. In 2012, all 2,000 sq. m. of the museum were renovated and modernized. The whole history is presented in an engaging way, with multimedia that would capture even younger visitors’ attention (I personally got as excited as a little kid).
Mark this landmark as a must-visit, because it’s truly worth it (and again – I don’t even like museums, and still…).
3. The Sea Garden
The Sea Garden is like the emblem of Varna. A wonderful place for walks in the city center, stretching along the entire seafront promenade. You can walk here for hours among beautiful nature, interesting monuments, lovely cafés, and a real seaside atmosphere. There’s entertainment for all ages. Within the Sea Garden you’ll find the zoo, the dolphinarium, the observatory, the naval museum, the natural history museum, and many other interesting spots.
4. The Cathedral of the Assumption
The cathedral is also one of Varna’s emblematic landmarks. Construction began in 1879 and took six years. The foundation stone was laid by Prince Alexander I of Battenberg. The height of the temple is almost 48 m. When I visited it was under renovation, so I couldn’t take any beautiful photos. I’m sure that once restored, it will be breathtaking again and will once more catch the eyes of passersby.
5. The Taliana Quarter
This is a rather special part of Varna. A district full of architectural masterpieces, an aristocratic feel, and a journey through time. Every building has its own story to tell. As you walk the streets, pay attention to the details – the small architectural touches, the different styles, the eras they come from. It really is like traveling through time – from old Greek houses to the aristocratic Viennese style. If you have a soft spot for architecture, I’d recommend hiring a guide to take you on a tour of this part of the city. You’ll hear fascinating stories about almost every single building – it’s truly incredible.
6. Aladzha Monastery
A rock monastery hidden near Varna. Sounds intriguing and exciting, doesn’t it? Full of legends and myths about hidden treasures and hermit monks, this is a place brimming with energy and mystique. I visited it for the first time last year, but I’ll admit I wasn’t with a guide then – just with friends – and I didn’t really feel the place. Probably because I hadn’t heard its story yet. Here, too, I’d recommend using the services of someone familiar with the deep history of this sacred site. It’s one of the most famous medieval rock monasteries along our Black Sea coast.
The monastery has two levels, carved into limestone rock. No one knows what the monastery’s Christian name was – that remains a mystery to this day. There’s speculation that it may have been dedicated to the Holy Transfiguration (Sv. Spas). The name “Aladzha” is of Persian-Arabic origin and means “colorful” or “motley.” When the icons and murals were discovered – painted in two layers, the first from the 11th century and the second from the 14th – they turned out to be very colorful, which is where the name comes from.
When the brothers Karel and Hermin Škorpil conducted research on the site, they found a ring dating back to the 17th century, which is why it’s believed the place may have remained inhabited until then. The first settlers here may date back to the 9th century. According to legend, beneath the monastery lies an underground labyrinth filled with treasures from other monasteries and temples, hidden away from the Ottomans. Only the monastery’s abbot knew the paths and exactly where these valuables were kept.
About 700 m from this site, you can also visit the Catacombs, and right at the entrance there’s a small museum where you can read more about the history of the place and see a model of what it looked like when it was inhabited.
Where to Eat and Drink in Varna
Another one of my favorite things to do in Varna is eat! The city has a great selection of places, all with a really pleasant atmosphere. They have a really pleasant atmosphere with some genuinely delicious food.
For Breakfast
If you want a good morning coffee and breakfast, 43.12 is the place for you. 
Another great choice is Jasmin Coffee Roastery for lovers of quality coffee. They roast it on site and offer a great selection.
For Lunch
One of my favorite spots in the city is El Kapan. If you’re visiting Varna in summer, it’s lovely to sit at the tables that are literally set up on the sand, and in the evening the atmosphere is wonderful.
For Dinner
Overall, around the Sea Garden and the Sea Station area, the city is full of restaurants, and I don’t think you can really go wrong wherever you sit. I visited Mr Baba and left very happy. 
Not to mention the incredible sunset view I managed to catch completely by accident.
For a Drink
If you feel like a drink after dinner, Tasting Room is the place for you. They have a huge whisky selection and make incredible cocktails. The staff are so friendly and happy to recommend what to try. I highly, highly recommend this cool spot – and I really wish we had one like it in Plovdiv.
Landmarks Around Varna for a Weekend
Varna is a city that’s hard to fully explore in just one weekend. But if you manage to see the main landmarks and still have some free time, I’d recommend checking out these landmarks along the North Black Sea coast. Northern Bulgaria is my favorite part of the country – it has so much spirit and such a special atmosphere that no matter how many times I return along this route, I always want to visit these places again and again.
