Central apartments' and BOLERO Suites' guidebook
Sightseeing
The Stone Forest is a very lovely day trip from Varna, especially if you’re not from around here. For us, Bulgarians, it’s very significant, since it’s the only desert in Bulgaria. It’s not too clear how these peculiar rocks have been formed and scientists have many curious theories. The most popular opinion, though, claims that this used to be a sea bottom thousands of years ago.
Once you enter the Stone Forest, there is a small building to your right where you need to pay your entrance fee. It’s just 3 BGN and you’ll also get a small booklet with the names of some of the most prominent rocks.
Pobitite Kamuni
The Stone Forest is a very lovely day trip from Varna, especially if you’re not from around here. For us, Bulgarians, it’s very significant, since it’s the only desert in Bulgaria. It’s not too clear how these peculiar rocks have been formed and scientists have many curious theories. The most popular opinion, though, claims that this used to be a sea bottom thousands of years ago.
Once you enter the Stone Forest, there is a small building to your right where you need to pay your entrance fee. It’s just 3 BGN and you’ll also get a small booklet with the names of some of the most prominent rocks.
The peculiar name of this rock monastery comes from Persian/Arabic and means “colorful”. It’s one of the most popular things to see near Varna and for a reason. Built in the 13-14th centuries, the monastery gave shelter to hermit monks. Aladzha monastery has a few different floors and sometimes on a summer evening, you can even catch a great light show!
After you’ve explored its main part, we recommend that you take the little path to the left of the entrance (next to the museum) and walk about 10 minutes on it. You’ll reach a necropolis to your right which is so, so gorgeous and not that popular.
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Aladzha Monastery
61 АбайThe peculiar name of this rock monastery comes from Persian/Arabic and means “colorful”. It’s one of the most popular things to see near Varna and for a reason. Built in the 13-14th centuries, the monastery gave shelter to hermit monks. Aladzha monastery has a few different floors and sometimes on a summer evening, you can even catch a great light show!
After you’ve explored its main part, we recommend that you take the little path to the left of the entrance (next to the museum) and walk about 10 minutes on it. You’ll reach a necropolis to your right which is so, so gorgeous and not that popular.
The Historical Park is one of the most wonderful things to see near Varna! Once you’re there, I highly recommend that you get a guide from the park – they will tell you in details about every region and every little house, you will surely learn curious new facts. Everything in the park has been constructed as authentic as possible – the Thracian temple in the photo is made of real marble! The paints used for the Neolithic houses are all natural and with materials that have probably been used in that era. The Thracian Palace with all of its rooms and even treasure replicas will take your breath away! You can currently also see the Proto Bulgarian village with its authentic huts, while the Second Bulgarian Kingdom is still being constructed.
Historical Park
The Historical Park is one of the most wonderful things to see near Varna! Once you’re there, I highly recommend that you get a guide from the park – they will tell you in details about every region and every little house, you will surely learn curious new facts. Everything in the park has been constructed as authentic as possible – the Thracian temple in the photo is made of real marble! The paints used for the Neolithic houses are all natural and with materials that have probably been used in that era. The Thracian Palace with all of its rooms and even treasure replicas will take your breath away! You can currently also see the Proto Bulgarian village with its authentic huts, while the Second Bulgarian Kingdom is still being constructed.
Pliska was a capital for over 200 years and at first there were wooden houses and and a fortified wall. Later on, the wooden houses were replaced by stone ones. You can also see remains of the Large Basilica – a symbol of when Christianity was accepted here in 864. The reconstructed Large Basilica is just a bit up the street – outside of the walls. It’s still undergoing renovations, so it gets more and more impressive every season!
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Pliska
Pliska was a capital for over 200 years and at first there were wooden houses and and a fortified wall. Later on, the wooden houses were replaced by stone ones. You can also see remains of the Large Basilica – a symbol of when Christianity was accepted here in 864. The reconstructed Large Basilica is just a bit up the street – outside of the walls. It’s still undergoing renovations, so it gets more and more impressive every season!
A museum of the Cyrillic alphabet. A charming place where you can see many interesting historical objects as well as wax figures of the most famous Bulgarian Khans and Kings.
Двор на кирилицата
A museum of the Cyrillic alphabet. A charming place where you can see many interesting historical objects as well as wax figures of the most famous Bulgarian Khans and Kings.
We can’t miss the spectacular Cape Kaliakra on a day trip from Varna. Apart from the curious legends that surround its history, you’ll also find ruins of a Roman settlement as well as even Roman thermae. And these views… these views! We promise you, it’s so beautiful that you’ll easily see why people go back there again and again.
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Cape Kaliakra
We can’t miss the spectacular Cape Kaliakra on a day trip from Varna. Apart from the curious legends that surround its history, you’ll also find ruins of a Roman settlement as well as even Roman thermae. And these views… these views! We promise you, it’s so beautiful that you’ll easily see why people go back there again and again.
According to some sources, the Shabla Lighthouse is the oldest one in Europe. Well, even if there is a discussion about this, it’s still the oldest on the Balkan peninsula and it’s still the Easternmost point in Bulgaria. This important thing to see near Varna is an important one for the area – the coasts are pretty rocky, so pretty dangerous for the passing ships. After you see the lighthouse, you can also visit the protected area of Shabla lake which is a very popular spot for bird watching.
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Shabla Lighthouse
According to some sources, the Shabla Lighthouse is the oldest one in Europe. Well, even if there is a discussion about this, it’s still the oldest on the Balkan peninsula and it’s still the Easternmost point in Bulgaria. This important thing to see near Varna is an important one for the area – the coasts are pretty rocky, so pretty dangerous for the passing ships. After you see the lighthouse, you can also visit the protected area of Shabla lake which is a very popular spot for bird watching.
The Roman Thermae in Varna are the 4th largest in the world! You can explore the ancient world, pop in and take a look at the different types of baths. If you’ve ever been to a good SPA, you probably know that it’s common practice to alternate between hot and cold showers. Well, there were 7 pools/baths at the Varna Roman Thermae and each one had different temperature. The Romans started dipping in from the hottest to the coldest one and then backwards.
For many, many years, baths (and not just Roman ones!) were where life happened in cities over the weekend. Important meetings took place there and men played dice while the women gossiped. This is why the ancient thermae were usually so vast and impressive!
The entrance fee to Varna’s Roman Thermae is 4 BGN for adults.
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Roman Baths
ulitsa "San Stefano"The Roman Thermae in Varna are the 4th largest in the world! You can explore the ancient world, pop in and take a look at the different types of baths. If you’ve ever been to a good SPA, you probably know that it’s common practice to alternate between hot and cold showers. Well, there were 7 pools/baths at the Varna Roman Thermae and each one had different temperature. The Romans started dipping in from the hottest to the coldest one and then backwards.
For many, many years, baths (and not just Roman ones!) were where life happened in cities over the weekend. Important meetings took place there and men played dice while the women gossiped. This is why the ancient thermae were usually so vast and impressive!
The entrance fee to Varna’s Roman Thermae is 4 BGN for adults.
Varna’s Maritime museum is one of the top things to see in Varna. Even outside you’ll be able to see a few curious ships, and among them – the famous torpedo ship Drazki. The collection inside is interesting as well – you’ll be able to explore different artefacts – from ship equipment to paintings and sculptures.
The entrance fee to Varna’s Naval Museum is 5 BGN for adults.
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Naval Museum
2 bul. "Primorski"Varna’s Maritime museum is one of the top things to see in Varna. Even outside you’ll be able to see a few curious ships, and among them – the famous torpedo ship Drazki. The collection inside is interesting as well – you’ll be able to explore different artefacts – from ship equipment to paintings and sculptures.
The entrance fee to Varna’s Naval Museum is 5 BGN for adults.
You can’t go to Varna and miss the Sea Garden! Luckily, lately there have been many improvements in this top thing to see in Varna, so if you visit during the summer, you’ll see this park in its full glory. The City Council renovated the cute Bridge of Wishes, the Rosarium and the area right below the Pantheon.
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Приморски парк
You can’t go to Varna and miss the Sea Garden! Luckily, lately there have been many improvements in this top thing to see in Varna, so if you visit during the summer, you’ll see this park in its full glory. The City Council renovated the cute Bridge of Wishes, the Rosarium and the area right below the Pantheon.
City/town information
If you’re headed to the South Coast on your day trip from Varna, Obzor is a great place for a stopover for a bite or even for some time at the beach. Its center has been renovated in the past few years – you’ll see the cute pencil benches, the lovely church, the Antique theare, as well as the statues of Neptune and the Roman.
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Obzor
If you’re headed to the South Coast on your day trip from Varna, Obzor is a great place for a stopover for a bite or even for some time at the beach. Its center has been renovated in the past few years – you’ll see the cute pencil benches, the lovely church, the Antique theare, as well as the statues of Neptune and the Roman.
The Old town of Nesebar is another favorite thing to see near Varna for me. The immense beauty of the remains from the Roman era right at the edge of the sea is something you can never get enough of. There are 6 churches in Nesebar (and you can enter each of them for 3 BGN), as well as an Archeological and an Ethnographic museum (6 BGN entrance fee).
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Nessebar
The Old town of Nesebar is another favorite thing to see near Varna for me. The immense beauty of the remains from the Roman era right at the edge of the sea is something you can never get enough of. There are 6 churches in Nesebar (and you can enter each of them for 3 BGN), as well as an Archeological and an Ethnographic museum (6 BGN entrance fee).
Food scene
One of the favorite Bulgarian restaurants with meals you will fall in love with.
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Happy Bar & Grill
22 bul. "Slivnitsa"One of the favorite Bulgarian restaurants with meals you will fall in love with.
A restaurant which combines a nice food with a charming view of the port of Varna.
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Happy Bar & Grill
22 bul. "Slivnitsa"A restaurant which combines a nice food with a charming view of the port of Varna.
Orient Turkish Restaurant
1 ul. "Tsaribrod"Try the taste of the Orient.
Captain Cook
If you like sea food, this is the best place to visit.