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Hotels in Varna

Varna

Varna travel guide – explore the seaside capital of Bulgaria

The beautiful Varna city is the third biggest city in Bulgaria, following Sofia and Plovdiv. Varna is the primary city in Varna district. The ancient name of the city is Odessos and today’s modern city has become a favourite summer destination due to the unique mix of beach charm, cosmopolitan spirit and the diversity it has to offer. The distance between Varna and Sofia is 470km.

Varna city is amphitheatrically shaped, following the curves of the beautiful Varna Bay. Varna Bay is specific with its wealth of fruit gardens, vineyards and forests. The infinite nature resources, attractions, landmarks and the unique location turned Varna into one of the most popular Black Sea cities.

Varna regularly hosts many cultural events- folklore, theatre and movie festivals. If you prefer to enjoy the resorts near Varna, don’t miss to visit Golden Sands, St.st.Constantine and Elena and Albena. Yet, Varna city is a great summer holiday destination as it’s packed with tourists from all over the world, it also offers opportunities for walks, summer nights and real relaxation while you also take the most out of the beauties of the city. Varna has an International airport which is located a couple of km away from the city.

Undoubtedly Varna city is the seaside capital and it hosts various cultural events, it has centuries old history and here we can feel the spirit of the past through the legacy of archaeological remnants from different epochs and civilizations. Varna city is an attractive destination for cultural tours.

If you want it all: lazy days at the beach, wild summer nights, sports events and true exploration of the history, Varna awaits you! The city retains unique charm through the architecture which conveys the spirit of the past, the past civilizations. Varna has many landmarks and sceneries which will surely take your breath away. Do you want to get inspired by the nature? Explore the world of dolphins in the Varna Dolphinarium! Dolphins and their dedicated trainers perform the remarkable Dolphin Show which will surely remember for a long time. The impressive show is conducted in four languages– Bulgarian, Russian, German and English. The Dolphin Show will impress you with its diversity: acrobatics, balancing, music, singing, dances and games with the audience. The show lasts 40 minutes. Visit the official website of the Dolphinarium for further information.

Welcome to Varna, the sparkling city on the Northern Black Sea which can offer everything for an unforgettable summer vacation!

Transport in Varna- how to get to the resorts nearby

The infrastructure of Varna city is well developed and you can easily get to neighbouring Black Sea resorts, as well as major cities in Bulgaria. International Varna airport provides as an easy access to the seaside capital for all tourists who arrive from Europe. If your summer destination is Golden Sands, Albena beach resort or St.St.Constantine and Elena, then you should book an air ticket to Varna.

Varna accommodation – hotels for the need of every traveller

There are many luxurious hotels in Varna, as well as charming hotels along the coast. The price varies, depending on the hotel category, the location and, of course, all facilities that the tourists can use.

One of the posh hotels in Varna is 5* Grand Hotel Dimyat which is a symbol of luxury and utmost comfort. 3* Family hotel-villa Duchess is a boutique style hotel which will surprise you pleasantly with its unique architecture, coziness and facilities. Hotel Duchess is ideal for those who want to have some serenity during their vacation in the big city.

In case you want to feel the pulse of the bustling Varna city, then 3*hotel Odessos is suitable for you as it offers a view to the green garden and prices are quite reasonable.
There are many new 2* and 3* hotels in Varna city. Therefore, if you arrive in the city for a
couple of days, you can combine your business trip with your summer emotions at the beach. For more details about discounts, hot offers and promotions, please, visit Promotions for hotels in Varna section.

Beaches along Varna coast

Varna city has long sandy coastlines. They are long and wide. Basically the coastline is divided into 5 parts. The southern beach offers opportunities to enjoy the attractive water slide and the outdoor mineral water swimming pool. There are many bars at the central beach and you can take a drink, enjoy your summer cocktail or simply enjoy the beautiful sunsets.

Traces of history- Varna and the past splendor of Odessos

A few cities can boast centuries old history like Varna city. In the past an ancient Thracian fishing village existed on the spot of today’s sea station. Archaeological findings ascertain that a developed civilization was once established here. Also, the oldest processed gold in Europe was found here and experts claim that it’s 5000 years old. Later on here more ancient Thracian settlements were established.

Greek colonists from Milet founded the town Odessos. It used to be a fishing village, but gradually it flourished and turned into a real trade centre.
It is known that the ancient fortress Odessos was once located in the old part of the town along the coast of Varna Bay. It was conquered in the past and even the Alexander the Great ruled the area which was an independent part in his empire.

The town was conflagrated in 5th century and it was buried in ashes for a long time.

Gradually everyone forgot the old name Odessos. In 7th century Bulgarian khad Asparuh captured Odessos and thus the name Varna first appeared in the Byzantium chronicles. It is believed that Varna was the city where the deed for the establishment of Bulgaria on the Balkan Peninsula was signed.
Due to the flourishing of the trade relations and culture, Odessos was attractive piece for the powerful Byzantium Empire and this is why it was within Bulgaria’s borders or Byzantium Empire’s borders in the Middle Ages. During the reign of the king Ivan Assen II Varna established merchant relations with big trade centers like Venice and Genoa.

Even though Varna was defended very well, it was abducted by Turks in 1393 and it quickly lost its power. In 1444 the Polish king Vladisslav III Yagelo (Varnenchik) tried to save Odessos from the Turkish invaders. The troops did not manage to win the battle and, unfortunately, Vladisslav was killed. In appreciation to his deeds, Varna’s residents called him Vladisslav Varnenchik and they built a mausoleum in the town.
The beautiful town gradually appeared to adopt the oriental style. Many Turkish settled in the town and Turkish baths, mosques were built. It was strictly forbidden to build Orthodox churches for a long time. Varna became a town-fortress which defended the northern borders of the Ottoman Empire. In 1878 the town was finally liberalized from the Ottoman Yoke and it has become the most important harbor in Bulgaria.

Varna has gradually become a seaside resort, influenced by the European architectural styles.

There are different hypothesis for the origin of the name of our seaside capital. It is said that Odessos means ‘Water city’.

Entertainment and landmarks in Varna city

Varna is a city of multivaried colours and perhaps you feel the special charm, the abundance and the pulse of the city which offers entertainment , landmarks and cultural events that cannot leave you to get bored. If you feel that cultural events are the right thing for you in the afternoon, take a walk in the Seaside garden and go to the cinema, theatre or enjoy an opera performance.

The drama theatre ‘Stoyan Buchvarov’ is a repertoire theatre. Here you will find new performances that will leave you satisfied with the theatre world full of different experiences.

Summer theatre Varna is located in the central part of the Seaside Garden. The theatre is the traditional host of various cultural events both of national and International importance. Some of the events are the world-famous ballet contest and Summer International Music Festival. The summer theatre has 2340 seats.
The attraction complex for kids ‘The lake’ is located in the heart of the Sea Garden and both your children and yourselves can enjoy some fresh joyous experiences. The artificial lake offers different water amusements, water biking and many others.

Visit ‘’The bridge of wishes’’ in the Sea Garden in Varna, a small wooden bridge where all your wishes may come true!

If you love extreme sports, go to the complex ‘Combat’. It offers archery and the complex is equipped with most modern facilities.
Are you adrenaline-junkie? Don’t hesitate to jump with a bungee from Asparuh Bridge! We would love to see the sea from the above!

In case you like reading historic chronicles and your dream is to feel the real atmosphere of the Bulgarian settlement that once existed on these lands, it’s mandatory to visit the one of a kind open museum in Bulgaria, the ancient Fanagoria. It resembles an old Bulgarian town from 6th-8th century. You will be able to see fortresses, preserved craftsmen workshops, traditional costumes, weapons and others.
The evening program also includes an extraordinary and dynamic spectacle with horses, it tries to replicate the Bulgarian celebration of horses and young soldiers from the past.Fanagoria is located in the neighbourhood Apsaruhovo. More detailed information can be found here.
Besides the cultural monuments in Varna, the churches and museums, there are other natural and cultural landmarks which you should visit in order to say that you are now a part of the fairytale, called Varna.
Please, refer to the section, dedicated to Landmarks in Varna city.

Events, festivals and cultural experience in Varna

There are many International competitions an festivals which are held in Varna. They are interesting for residents and guests of the city alike. Some of them are:
International choir contest Varna, International theatre festival “Varna Summer’’, International Music festival “Varna summer”, International summer scientific meetings, International Ballet Contest, International Jazz festival in Varna and International folklore festival.
In August Varna hosts many exhibitions, concerts and poetic evenings within the initiative ‘’Week of the Sea’’.
Varna is an attractive destination for many concerts and world famous musicians include it in their World tours. Some of them are Philip Kirkorov, Lord of the Dance, Serge Devant, Boney M etc. For more information, about festivals and future dates for concerts in Varna, please, check our page for events in Varna.

Shopping maniacs in Varna city

Yes, if you are addicted to shopping or just want to take advantage of some discounts, then Varna is the right place for you. The Sea capital is an attractive venue for investors , tourists and shopping addicts. This is the reason why there are many malls and other shopping cities in the city.
Mall Varna is one of the biggest centres in Bulgaria. It quickly changed the shopping habits of Varna residents and it also surprises with its entertainment options. Mall Varna is positioned as a unique destination for entertainment and modern lifestyle. This contemporary shopping centre is located in the central part of Varna on the crossroad of the boulevards “Vladisslav Varnenchik”and “Hristo Smirnenski”, 5km away from the centre, it is attractive centre for locals, as well as tourists.

PFOHE MALL is another modern shopping centre in Varna, it’s a primary venue for shopping and entertainment. The building is impressive due to its architecture and design, the harmony between the functionality and vanguard. The uniqueness of PFOHE MALL is expressed by the architecture which exudes style and beauty. You will find the map of the mall, the discounts and others on the official website of Pfone Mall.

The biggest shopping centre in Varna in Grand Mall which will impress you with its imposing size.

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