What to see in Varna in 1 day – route, photo, description, map
Bulgaria, in the view of many Russians, is a country worth flying to in the summer, basking on the golden sands of seaside resorts. But not everyone knows how many different attractions there are – natural, cultural. Take Varna – people have lived on these lands since time immemorial, archaeologists have found a lot of evidence of this. And the heroic past of this city! You can come here at any time and for any period, the impressions will last for a long time. What to see in Varna in 1 day on your own? Choose yourself.
Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
This is not just a beautiful cathedral, but also a real symbol of independence. For many centuries Bulgaria was an Orthodox country, having inherited the religion from Byzantium. After this land was conquered by the Turks, the Christians had a hard time. Many temples were destroyed, valuables were taken out of them. The conquerors turned the surviving churches into mosques. Only in the second half of the 19th century, with the help of the Russian army, the Bulgarians were able to achieve the independence of the country.
In memory of this war, as a token of gratitude to the liberators, the cathedral was built. It was erected by the whole world – money was donated by both ordinary people and the nobility. The decision was initiated by a special committee – the opinion of the townspeople and the local bishop Simeon was taken into account. And the first stone in the foundation of the cathedral was laid by Prince Alexander the First. The Russian Empress Maria Alexandrovna, wife of the Emperor-Liberator Alexander II, was the aunt of the first person in Bulgaria. The prince decided to dedicate the cathedral to the Most Holy Theotokos, Heavenly Patroness Maria Alexandrovna.
The project was carried out by I. Maas from Odessa, and the Bulgarian I. Kupka led the construction. It cannot be said that the cathedral is designed in the same style. Here is the heritage of Byzantine culture, and features characteristic of Russian churches, and even some elements of Gothic. Golden domes are a real decoration of the city, and the inhabitants of Varna are rightfully proud of their cathedral. It is worth seeing it not only from the outside, but also to go inside. You will see very beautiful paintings.
Archaeological Museum
This wonderful museum can give its guests a lot of experiences. Scientists and enthusiasts began to collect exhibits for it a very long time ago – in the second half of the 19th century. Then there was already an archaeological society in Varna, which initiated the creation of the collection. At first it was small and placed in the city library. But soon it was decided to move the museum to a beautiful Neo-Renaissance mansion, built by the famous architect P. Mamchilov. The museum opened in the new location at the beginning of the 20th century.
The abundance of exhibits is due to the fact that people have lived on the territory of Bulgaria since ancient times. Several halls are dedicated to the Paleolithic era, and finds related to Ancient Thrace are also presented here. This is followed by “Antiquity” and “Middle Ages”. You can see a variety of items – tools and jewelry, weapons and utensils, works of art and surviving documents – evidence of a particular era. Orthodox art is represented by very interesting finds. And the main treasure of the museum is gold items that are already several thousand years old. They were found during excavations of a necropolis located not far from Varna.
Boulevard Knyaz Boris I
A charming boulevard that simply cannot be missed. It stretches from Independence Square and is the main pedestrian street of the city. You can come here for different purposes. Including, as they used to say, to look at others and show themselves, to walk in a beautiful outfit. Here you can buy souvenirs – the choice is huge. From rose oil in original bottles to intricate creations by local craftsmen. Although this boulevard is a very popular place among the townspeople, the prices will still not be too high.
If you come here with children, they will surely find new friends among their peers. Adults can drink beer or sit in a coffee shop. And the most inquisitive tourists will pay attention to the buildings lined up along the boulevard. All of them are old, all have their own history. They are amazingly beautiful. Some are built in the Baroque style, others are reminiscent of the Gothic. It is best to walk along the boulevard accompanied by a guide who can tell you the history of each house.
seaside park
This ancient park (another name for it is “Sea Park”) has become a favorite vacation spot for the residents of Varna. You can come here with your children for the whole day. The park was designed by Anton Novak, an architect from the Czech Republic, and this happened in the 19th century. Prior to this, the territory was an abandoned piece of land on the seashore. Now here you can see beautiful alleys surrounded by trees, among which there are many conifers. Therefore, the air here is truly healing.
The flower beds are broken, the flowers are fragrant. Fountains sparkle in the sun. You can take a leisurely walk, sit on the benches, admire the sculptures – they are presented here in abundance. In addition, there are museums and such attractive tourist centers as a planetarium, a zoo, a dolphinarium in the Marine Park. You can go down to the beach, swim, or take your child to the rides. The Summer Theater regularly hosts entertainment events. Well, and, of course, in the park you can have a bite to eat in a cafe and buy souvenirs in small kiosks.
Planetarium and Observatory of Nicolaus Copernicus
In the second half of the 20th century, interest in astronomical observations increased dramatically. This was connected with the launch of an artificial satellite, and then with the flight into space of the first astronaut. In 1960, the Astronomy and Cosmonautics Club was opened in Varna. A few years later German Titov, a follower of Yuri Gagarin, visited the city. He arrived within the framework of the congress of members of the International Federation of Aviation and Cosmonautics. Then it was decided that an observatory would appear in the city.
At first, she occupied the premises of the Summer Theater, then the construction of her own building in the Seaside Park began. The architect was K. Goranov. The result was a whole complex – not only an observatory, but also a planetarium, as well as a turret with a Foucault pendulum. Thanks to him, you can make sure that the Earth makes rotational movements around its axis. The complex conducts astronomical observations, here you can listen to lectures, admire the stars and planets, read books about them – there is also a library here.
Zoo and terrarium
Visiting the zoo will be interesting for both adults and children. The menagerie is quite old – it was opened back in 1961. The money was allocated by the sailors of the Maxim ship. The terrarium appeared much later – almost 40 years later. Today you can see over 70 species of fauna here. These are animals and birds, including rare ones, their names are listed in the Red Book. You can admire the predators – lions, tigers, panthers.
Feed a camel and a llama, watch how a handsome peacock spreads its tail. The pride of the zoo is the most beautiful black swans. The menagerie is open daily. The terrarium contains various types of snakes, spiders, lizards, turtles, frogs. Good conditions have been created for everyone, guests will be told what insects and reptiles eat, what lifestyle they lead.
The first exhibits for this museum began to be collected by naval officers in the 80s of the 19th century. Much later, already in 1923, the first viewers were able to look at the collection. And in the 50s, the museum entered the system of the Ministry of Defense. Today it is located in a building built in the 19th century – it already attracts attention in itself. The museum presents ancient anchors, finds made at the bottom of the sea – fragments of ships, nasal figures.
The uniforms of sailors and officers are also exhibited here. Museum guests can look at flags, marine instruments, ship models and much more. But the most interesting are those exhibits that are in the open air. This is the famous destroyer “Daring”, famous in battles, a yacht that went around the world, a minesweeper, various types of guns, even Bulgarian helicopters. Residents of Varna are rightfully proud of this museum.
Roman baths
Roman baths – or terms – is another confirmation that people inhabited this land in antiquity. They were built around the 2nd century AD. These are the largest terms on the territory of the Balkan Peninsula, but if we take Europe into account, they will be in 4th place. Presumably, the terms were used for 150-200 years. It was a whole complex.
Inside there was a courtyard where merchants' shops were located. Then the men and women went to their departments. The baths had lobbies and pools, halls for dousing with water, rest rooms, latrines, service rooms. The marble floors were heated. A water tower the size of a 6-storey building provided an uninterrupted supply of water. The complex itself occupied about as much space as a modern football field.
Euxinograd Palace
It is not difficult to see the summer residence of the rulers of Bulgaria – it is located a few kilometers from Varna. Those who have visited the Crimea, visiting Evksinograd, will remember the places where the family of the last Russian emperor rested. The construction of the palace began at the end of the 19th century by order of Prince Alexander of Battenberg, and work was completed under the next ruler of the country, Prince Ferdinand. The Renaissance palace looks luxurious.
Until now, important state receptions are periodically held here. Preserved furniture made of precious wood, stylish chandeliers, interior items – paintings, clocks, jewelry. The name of the palace comes from the ancient Greek name of the Black Sea “Euxine Pont”. There is a beautiful park around the palace. For this, it was necessary to import both land and seedlings of trees – palms, cedars.
Guests can see the “Greek Garden” and “English Garden”, admire the sculpture of Neptune that adorns the pond. The pride of the complex are wine cellars built and equipped according to the project of a German architect. Until now, excellent wines are stored there, a tasting room is open. You can also see the ruins of an ancient fortress, which are located in the park.
Varna Opera House
The theater building is relatively small, but it is one of the most beautiful in the city. The Empire style emphasizes the impeccable taste of the architect. The creative team of the theater is so good that it has already been invited to perform in other European countries. Residents of Varna consider the day when they came here to see the performance a real holiday. The theater opened in 1947. Since then, the doors have not closed. Concerts are held here, the audience comes to watch opera performances, operetta, musicals, performances for children.
Moreover, there are both classical productions and performances created by modern authors. It was once planned that the Summer Theater and even a casino would be attached to the main building. But, in the end, they decided that there were other places in the city for these objects. Today, the Varna Opera House is the second most popular in the country, second only to a similar theater in Sofia.
The most famous opera singers of the world performed here. It is possible that during your visit to Varna, some celebrity will also sing on the stage. And how wonderful it will be to hear again the divine music of Strauss or Legrand! Finding the theater is very easy – it is located next to the Seaside Park.
Armenian Church of St. Sargis
Armenians have lived in what is now Bulgaria since time immemorial. Therefore, it is natural that their churches are here. Once upon a time, at the place where the temple of St. Sarkis is now located, there was a modest wooden chapel. It burned down in a fire, and a few decades later, in 1844, a new church was built here. It has a multifaceted dome, and the bell tower has a square shape. Inside, Orthodox believers will be surprised to note the absence of an iconostasis separating the altar. The walls of the temple are decorated with beautiful paintings.
According to the hagiographies, Sargis was a brave warrior and successfully fought against the pagans. Like Saint Valentine, he patronizes lovers. It is believed that if you pray well to him, you can see your betrothed or betrothed in a dream. Inspecting the church from the inside is not so easy – it is open mainly during worship. But if you get here, you will be surprised. Nondescript from the outside, inside the church looks luxurious and somehow airy. You can put candles to the icons, and ask the Savior and Saint Sargis about what you most want.
Dolphinarium
Dolphinarium “Fiesta” is very popular with viewers of all ages. It opened in 1984, and its first artists were bottle-nosed dolphins, who arrived here from the Atlantic. In a short time they mastered a large number of tricks. Smart mammals perform real acrobatic numbers, jump through a hoop, play ball, dance and even sing songs. And, of course, you can take pictures with them. There are souvenir kiosks selling funny little things that will remind you of visiting the dolphinarium.
There are also discs with performance recordings. It is very convenient that the comments are in several languages, including Russian. The total show lasts approximately 30 minutes. If you agree in advance, you can even swim next to the dolphins. Impressions will remain unforgettable. If during your stay in the dolphinarium you want to have a snack, there is a cafe. You can sip a cocktail through a straw while watching the games of dolphins through the panoramic window.
Museum of the History of Varna
This interesting museum is a must visit. There is nothing pompous here – it just shows what Varna used to be, from the second half of the 19th century until the start of World War II. The very atmosphere of a friendly resort town has been recreated. You can see what the workshops and shops of artisans looked like, the atelier where the photographer worked, the cafe where customers drank coffee. Even a small courtyard looks “like alive”.
The museum opened in 1969, and since then the number of exhibits has been increasing. Clothing is presented, both civilian and military. A lot of old photographs have been collected, exhibits from Evksinograd have replenished the collection. A priceless exhibit is a piano, which was bought in 1926, when Varna was preparing to meet the first international music festival. Since then it has been a regular occurrence. Maybe you will catch the “Varna Summer”.
Ethnographical museum
The museum was opened in 1974. Everything related to the cultural traditions of the region in the 19th century and at the beginning of the 20th century is collected here. Then the local population was engaged in agriculture and viticulture, cattle breeding and beekeeping, fishing and various crafts. Tools of labor that were used for plowing the land, utensils, costumes have been preserved. It is in clothing that national characteristics are well traced. After all, immigrants from various countries came to the lands surrounding Varna.
Of great interest is wedding and festive clothing. You can learn a lot about the customs and traditions of the locals. Buy books and souvenirs. The building itself breathes with antiquity, and the photos here are wonderful. Models of mills and residential buildings, an old clock with a pendulum, a bed with metal backs… In this museum you will feel the authentic atmosphere of old Varna.
Retro Museum
Bulgaria in the times of socialism – is it possible to see how everything was then? You can, if you look into this museum. It just opened in 2015. And the exhibits that are presented here refer to the time period of 1944-1989. Items of that time are exhibited here – cigarettes and perfumes, household appliances, including Russian-made ones, cosmetics, clothes and much more. Want to know what a popular brand vacuum cleaner looked like? Or Bulgarian cigarettes without a filter? And what about the famous cosmetics, which in the USSR could only be bought in Moscow, but in the Sofia store?
Here you will be told and shown everything. The pride of the museum is the collection of cars. Then they were a luxury – “Zhiguli”, “Moskvich”, “Volga”, “Skoda” and others. There is even a Chaika limousine, which was used by the most important statesmen. By the way, you can see them themselves. Many tourists take pictures next to the wax figures of great politicians.
Vladislav Varnenchik Park Museum
In the middle of the 15th century, more precisely, in 1444, a grandiose battle took place near Varna: Christian warriors tried not to let the Ottoman Turks into the lands of Europe. The death toll was in the thousands. Vladislav III Jagiello also died here. His body could not be found. According to the most reliable version, the Turks raised the head of Vladislav on a spear, and triumphantly carried it through the streets of Bursa. According to another legend, Vladislav could not survive the shame of defeat and became a hermit. One way or another, a mausoleum was built in the park, where a stone sarcophagus was installed in memory of the hero. It seems that the guests see the hero with their own eyes – the sculpture is made very authentically, the lying commander clutches a sword in his hands.
Big changes took place in the park in 1964, when the 520th anniversary of the battle was celebrated. A museum was built here, which stores everything related to the famous battle. From weapons, banners and knightly armor, to works of art dedicated to this topic. Of great interest are various layouts that allow you to recreate the details of the battle. Although the park-museum is located quite far from the city center, the excursion here will not be tiring. To make everything clear to guests, they are given a text printed in Russian.
Varna cemetery
This famous burial ground was discovered by accident. In the 70s of the last century, during earthworks, several gold jewelry fell into the bucket of an excavator. To date, about 300 graves have been found, which, according to scientists, is approximately two-thirds of the necropolis. More than 3,000 gold items and several hundred ceramic samples were found. It is proved that the people who are buried here lived around the end of the 5th millennium BC. Men were buried lying on their backs, women rested on their side, in the “fetal” position. They put in the graves what the deceased might need in the afterlife – dishes, jewelry, weapons, idol figurines, talismans.
If the body could not be delivered to the burial place, they buried a clay head, and instead of eyes, nose and mouth there were precious stones. One of the graves turned out to be a real treasure trove. Together with the man, numerous gold items were buried here, their weight was approximately 1.5 kg. In total, the necropolis “gave” over 6 kg of gold to scientists. But the main wealth is the new knowledge about the life of the ancestors, which was obtained by exploring the burials.
University Botanical Garden “Ecopark”
If you love nature, you can appreciate this eco-park with its natural and artificial ecological systems. It occupies a large area – 36 hectares. Rare trees, shrubs and herbs are grown here. Amazing irises grow here, many varieties of roses. You can see how the tulip tree, sea pines, iron and paper trees and other curiosities look like.
In addition, there is a jockey club where a horse lover can afford any whim. For example, ride in an old convertible along the alleys, or ride a horse. National tournaments are held here, and in March they celebrate the Horse Day (Todorov Day) – a very beautiful event. There is a biological station where students are trained, there is also a market where you can buy seedlings for summer cottages or exotic indoor plants.
Those who have a rest in hotels nearby like to come here. Part of the garden resembles a virgin corner of nature, where no one will stop you from spending time. You can come here for a picnic, order a barbecue. Children are delighted with a small waterfall, and avid gardeners do not leave the garden without buying new plants.
Historical and ethnographic complex “Fanagoria”
This complex is designed to show the important place of the pro-Bulgarian culture in the history of the country's development. It will be interesting to visit children, teenagers and adults. Phanagoria appeared relatively recently. Construction work began in 2001, and the complex was opened in 2002. Now here you can clearly imagine what the military camp looked like around the 8th century AD. Protective buildings made of wood, workshops, yurts and temples. The costumes of that time, weapons, household items have been recreated. On the territory there is a shooting gallery, places for spectators. Lectures and master classes are held here, in the evening you can watch an equestrian performance.
There is also a school where children are taught to ride. If you want to bring unusual souvenirs from Varna, you can buy them here. They are replicas of old items. You can visit the complex on any day of the week except Monday. Whole families come here, and when they leave, they leave rave reviews. They write that even the air here is somehow special, “historical”. Subsequently, much more will be built in Phanagoria: a real fortress, a suspension bridge, even an Orthodox church. It can be seen with what love the people of Bulgaria relate to their past.
Monastery Aladzha
The monastery is located in the Golden Sands park. Its name “Aladzha” is translated as “motley”. Most likely, it came from the fact that the colored frescoes seemed especially bright on the gray stone. The real name of the monastery is still not exactly established. According to one version, it was dedicated to the Savior. Monks lived here in the 13th and 14th centuries. Interestingly, there is a network of caves a few hundred from the monastery. Apparently, people settled in them in the first centuries of Christianity, as there were left: ceramics, coins, various products.
As for the monastery, it was badly damaged by the Ottoman Turks, but the hermits stubbornly returned to their caves – until the 18th century, and at the end of the 19th – scientists became interested in the monastery. In 1968, the monastery was recognized as a cultural monument of national importance. There really is something to see here. On the first level there were monastic cells, there was also a temple, a refectory and a kitchen, pantries, a room where the remains of the deceased were kept. There was a chapel on the second level.
There are many legends associated with this place. Until now, tourists who are not alien to the extreme spirit hope to find treasures hidden by hermits in Aladzha, or to see ghosts. A museum has been built next to the monastery, where the past of the monastery is recreated. You can also buy books and souvenirs here.
As you can see, there are a lot of sights in Varna that you can see at any time of the year. Take your time and try to visit those museums and places of interest that interest you. Only then will you fully appreciate this wonderful Bulgarian city.