Travel to Varna and its surrounding area

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Varna and its surrounding area, Bulgaria

Located on the north-east coast of Bulgaria, some 11 mi from the city of Varna (the country's 3rd largest city and the most significant on the east coast in terms of culture, economy and tourism) lies the resort of Golden Sands, the largest resort on the Black Sea. Built in the 50s amid 3,212 acres of protected natural grounds, the resort now consists of sixty or so establishments which are open during the summer season only (from May to October), with a variety of upmarket and also more conventional club hotels, surrounded by many bars and restaurants lining the fine sand beach which stretches for several miles. As for neighbouring resorts, the town of Albena, nestled between the mountains on one side and the beach on the other, is also very popular with tourists seeking sun and peaceful surroundings, and as an ecological resort (which has been awarded a Blue Flag), part of the area is taken up by the Baltata Natural Reserve, the largest water-based forest on the Black Sea coast. The resort also has a thalassotherapy centre renowned for its treatment of bone and muscular conditions and rheumatism, whilst the city of Varna, nicknamed 'the Pearl of the Black Sea', becomes the country's largest cultural hub for several months of the year. Beyond the shops and cafes of the city centre, Bulgaria's third city has a lot to offer in the way of places of interest, such as museums, churches, cathedrals, monasteries, Roman baths, art galleries, etc., all of which help make the Black Sea coast one of the country's largest tourist areas.

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Visit Varna and its surrounding area

• To see

  Thanks to its rich geological past and the different climatic zones that it spans, Bulgaria is home to an extremely varied and beautiful flora. The Black Sea coast, which attracts many visitors during the summer season thanks to its low prices, sunshine and miles of white sand beaches, is also popular among ornithologists and nature-lovers. Indeed, every year, hundreds of thousands of birds fly the Via Pontica (migratory route which stretches along the western coasts of the Black Sea and crosses the Bosporus, then the Middle-East, before reaching East Africa). To the north of the coast, the seaside resort of Golden Sands (also known as Zlatni Pyassatsi) is home to an exceptional natural park which has the honour of being Europe's northernmost jungle! Among the rare plants found in the area, almost 90% of which is covered in forest, you will find the large-flowered primrose. 11 mi from there, heading down towards the south-west, Varna Archaeological Museum houses among its collections the oldest pieces of gold in the world, at 7,000 years old. Further south still, you will also come across the towns of Sozopol and Nessebar, which are home to many ancient relics.

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  To do

  Bulgaria offers a wide variety of activities all year round, meaning that it benefits from many different forms of tourism, including rural tourism, which covers mountain-biking, hiking and nature holidays; cultural tourism, which includes visiting its many museums, churches, fortress remains and picturesque harbours (particularly in Sozopol and Nessebar); sports and adventure tourism, which combines climbing, mountaineering, trekking and paragliding, (with skiing during the winter season); and seaside tourism, which focuses on activities such as diving, surfing and boat trips. If you are staying in the resort of Albena, the Dobroujda hydrotherapy centre (open from 7:30 am to 8:00 pm) offers a variety of treatments with medicinal benefits, such as mud-based treatments for relieving joint pain, beeswax for clearing the airways, chestnut extract for fighting varicose veins and even essential oils, which are renowned for their many properties. 'Weight-loss', 'well-being' and even 'relaxation' programmes are also available. For those who like to keep active on holiday, rest assured that Albena will not disappoint. With activities such as parascending, tennis, horse-riding, jet-skiing, quad-biking and sailing, not to mention the many walks to be enjoyed in the area and the Blue Flag beach, there's plenty to keep you busy. The beach itself is also only accessible to holiday-makers and can be reached either on foot, on the little train which can take you there or by horse-drawn carriage. Whichever option you choose, you're sure to enjoy this relaxing setting and with its privileged location, nestled between the sea and the mountains, the resort of Albena really is one of a kind.

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  To think about

  The Black Sea coast is first and foremost a seaside resort, but it is also where springs lie (at the foot of the mountains), whose mineral water boasts healing properties. This being the case, a number of balneotherapy centres have sprung up offering various types of treatments (as part of a package or a la carte) designed to cure numerous ailments. Some centres even specialise in a given affliction and offer a comprehensive range of treatments which are as unusual as they are varied. The prices advertised are quite reasonable and you can turn up and book there and then if you are interested.

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• To avoid

  Even though the tap water is suitable for drinking, it is best avoided if possible, especially since bottled water is cheap in the hotels and shops (Bulgaria is planning to switch to the Euro in 2012).Try to save water when washing and showering and avoid using too much of it as it is a rare commodity.
  
  Don't forget that you are going to a country which is different from your own. Traditions are still very strong in Bulgaria, and you may find it interesting to try to understand them, or at least respect them. For example, kisses are only given as a greeting in a family context, or to people who are close to you, like your parents, so be careful not to cause offence.

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  To try

  Bulgarian cuisine is generally quite rich and uses a lot of meat, fish and vegetables. Popular pastries include all sorts of cakes of varying consistencies, including puff pastries and doughnuts which are not too sweet. If you fancy a snack at any point during your stay, try the 'banitza', a delicious cheese puff pastry, the famous 'baklava', the wonderful walnut macaroons or even the 'siréné', the most common Bulgarian cheese, similar to feta but not as dry or salty. It is also a good idea to ask what the local drinks served are - 'rakia', for example, is simply a brandy and 'mastika' a sort of anisette. Watch out for any little surprises though!

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  To bring back

  Bulgarian handicraft, including pottery in the form of beautiful, brightly-coloured traditional ceramics, which are also used in traditional cooking and make a nice souvenir of your stay. Wood carvings also make a pleasant souvenir, they are easy to find and very well made, as are the materials used to make rugs, table-cloths, fabrics and blankets as well as embroidery, copperware and silver jewellery. Bulgaria is also a country of religious paintings; they are everywhere, from the monasteries and Byzantine churches to the open-air market stalls. The finest pieces can be found in the art galleries but they are, of course, more expensive. Another gift idea is the high quality rose oil, with Bulgaria being the world's leading producer of this commodity.If you're planning on visiting Albena, for example, you'll find a great many mobile stalls located along the pedestrianised area (the resort's main road), with craftsmen, painters and caricaturists all selling their wares (some of which are authentic, others less so) alongside ice cream and fruit-juice stands.

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Bulgaria, All you need to know!

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