Euxinograd near Varna: how to visit the palace and what to see

Euxinograd Palace stands on the Black Sea coast north of Varna (Wikipedia data). It is the former summer residence of the Bulgarian tsars, and today it serves as an official estate for government receptions.

Inside, two storylines await you: the chambers of Tsar Ferdinand with authentic interiors and a large park (description on English Wikipedia). The halls are visited in groups and by timed entry, so it's best to plan your visit in advance.

A ticket stays in the low double digits in leva, and the tour with a walk takes half a day. Below we'll break down what to see in the palace and park, how to get there from Varna, and where to book a guided tour.

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What Euxinograd is

💡 In short:

• The palace sits just outside Varna: chambers, a panoramic elevator, and a collection of royal items.
• The park: a statue of Neptune, two bridges over a river.
• Tickets in the low double digits in leva, discounts for seniors and schoolchildren.
• Facts about the palace and park were verified on 09/15/2026 against the article on Euxinograd.

© Спасимир (Spasimir Pilev) · CC BY-SAPhoto: Спасимир (Spasimir Pilev), CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

The estate's history begins in 1882. Prince Alexander of Battenberg received the land from Orthodox hierarchs, and before him the monasteries of Saints Demetrius and Constantine stood here (history of the estate).

At first the estate was calledandrovo. The palace got its current look under Ferdinand I, who ruled from 1887 to 1918: he brought in surviving fragments of the Château de Saint-Cloud from Paris and commissioned the Viennese architect Viktor Rumpelmayer to incorporate them into the walls (palace architecture).

In 1893 the residence was renamed Euxinograd. The name was chosen by Princess Marie Louise after the ancient Greek name for the Black Sea, Pontus Euxinus (description of the residence).

What to see in the palace

The first floor houses the reception halls, concert hall, and dining room, the second floor held the royal family's private quarters, and the third floor contained service rooms (palace floor plan). You'll cover all three floors on a single tour.

The interiors hold gifts from various courts: the Bourbons sent a chandelier with a royal crown and golden lilies, Queen Victoria sent a sundial, and the door handles still bear Ferdinand's coat of arms (gifts and interiors). The furniture was made of mahogany and walnut.

A panoramic elevator operates in the center of the palace: from the cabin you can see the princely bedchamber, the mirrored salon for receiving honored guests, and the monarch's study. The palace also displays a collection of royal belongings.

The tour ends with a walk through the stables and the park with lilies and roses. Some of the greenhouses are also open: they grow plants that are not typical for this region.

• Who it's for: those who love palace interiors and parks and don't mind touring with a group.
• The catch: the beach by the palace is divided by a fence, and part of the shore is reserved for the state residence (English Wikipedia about the beach).

Park, winery, and stables

The park was laid out in 1890. According to Wikipedia, trees were brought from Marseille, and fertile soil came from the mouth of the Kamchia River (history of the park).

It has more than 310 plant species from Asia, South America, North Africa, and southern France, and the green area covers more than 55 hectares (park information). Gardener Édouard André combined English and French styles.

© Balkanregion · CC BY-SAPhoto: Balkanregion, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

Take your time walking: the park features statues on classical themes and a statue of Neptune, two bridges cross the small Kestrichka Bara river, and a small lake is covered with lilies (park data).

The winery has been operating since 1891. The cellars have two floors, 12 varieties of white wine and 7 varieties of brandy are produced here, and the collection includes French wines around 125 years old (history of the winery).

The former royal stables and greenhouses stand nearby.

Tickets and opening hours

Tickets are priced in the low double digits in leva. Discounts are available for pensioners, students, and organized groups, and a panoramic elevator was installed in the center of the palace for guests with disabilities.

Tours run in sessions: the estate remains a state residence, and in summer some rooms are closed for official receptions (current description of the estate). Check the schedule on the day of your trip, and in winter confirm in advance whether visits are held at all.

• Important: book a morning session: before noon there are fewer groups in the rooms, and the park is not hot yet.

You can compare guided options for Varna and the surrounding area in GetYourGuide excursions.

How to get there from Varna

The palace is 8 km from central Varna, on the coastal road between the city and the St. Constantine and Helena resort (geography and address).

By car you will get there in 15-20 minutes; the parking lot at the entrance is small, so in high season arrive in the morning. Without a car, take a taxi or a suburban bus along the coast: check the route number and departure times on the day of your trip.

Near the estate lie the ruins of the Kastritsi fortress with excavations, which are visited separately. A walk through the park takes at least an hour, so bring water and a hat: there are many open areas here.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much does a ticket to Euxinograd cost?

The price is kept in the lower double-digit range in leva, with discounts for pensioners, schoolchildren, and organized groups. Check the exact cost and session times before your trip: the schedule changes by season (residence and receptions).

Can you enter the palace without a tour?

There is no free access to the rooms: the estate operates as a state residence, so visitors are taken through in groups with a guide. Advance booking is not always required, but in high season arrive at opening time.

How long does the visit take?

Allow half a day including the trip from Varna. Just the walk through the park takes at least an hour (the park and its collection), and you also have the state rooms, stables, and greenhouses ahead of you.

How do you get there without a car?

The easiest way is by taxi or suburban bus: the estate is on the coastal road between Varna and Golden Sands. Check the schedule and route number on the day of your trip; in summer the services change.

What to see nearby?

A couple of kilometers away is the St. Constantine and Helena resort with beaches and a park, and further on Golden Sands. A separate point is the ruins of the Kastritsi fortress right by the palace. In Varna itself, set aside a day for the Sea Garden and the Archaeological Museum.

In short: what to book

If you have one free day, take a palace tour in the morning and leave the park and stables for the afternoon. If you are traveling with children, add the St. Constantine and Helena beach: it is a couple of kilometers from the estate. If you want more history, combine the visit with the ruins of the Kastritsi fortress.

The simplest option is a ready-made guided tour: look for tours of Varna and Bulgaria on GetYourGuide.