The seaside resort city of Varna is a Bulgarian destination best known for its sandy beaches, buzzy nightlife and overall laidback vibe. It’s a city I’ve now visited twice, both times on the tail end of hectic trips, and I can safely say: if it’s a chill and relaxed vacation you’re looking for, this is a nice option that doesn’t break the bank.

Granted, unlike other Bulgarian cities like Sofia, Plovdiv and Veliko Tarnovo, where the main draws are history and culture, I’d say Varna is (unashamedly) more of a party place. Sure, there are still museums and ruins to explore, but the main star of the show are its beaches, beach clubs and abundance of affordable food, drink, and places to go out.

So if you’re looking for a historical, culture-dense trip, you might want to look elsewhere. If however, your goal is to deepen your tan and and play mermaids in the sea, then Varna is a relaxing (albeit touristy!) destination to check out.

So, read on for a list of the best things to do in Varna, from thermal baths old and new to museums and unique side trips.

1. Enjoy a beach day

As one of the most popular seaside resorts in Bulgaria, it’s no surprise that the main thing to do in Varna is getting pruny by the sea.

There are more than 10 different beach clubs to choose from in Varna, many of which are well worth the small entry fees for sandy, well-kept oases close to drinks, food, and perhaps most importantly… bathrooms!

I enjoyed our time at Makalali Beach, but other popular picks include…

• Punta Cana: If you want to avoid sand then you can sit on decking and still enjoy the views, or relax on the beach on cushioned sunbeds. At night it’s a very popular cocktail bar.
• Moonlight: This beach bar is also home to a small hot spring type pool surrounded by a deck and is a lovely spot to relax during the day. At night it’s one of the biggest nightlife spots as well, with a huge outdoor stage.
• Seacrets: Here you can sit on loungers under umbrellas, in cute two-person cabanas or beanbags on the sand, as well as dining tables on a raised deck to look out over the water.

If you don’t mind venturing farther, many people recommend going to Golden Sands as well, but I feel like there’s plenty of nice beach spots in Varna that you don’t necessarily need to go out of your way.

2. Amble along the pedestrianized center

The pedestrianized center of Varna is the heart and soul of the city, where you’ll find tons of restaurants, bars, cafes, and shops along with a slew of pretty, colourful buildings. This is the most ideal way to get to the beach, and you’ll find no shortage of spots here to relax and grab a bite!

Starting from Nezavisimost Square, you can stroll along Knyaz Boris I Boulevard to reach the Sea Garden, with plenty of people watching and pretty colourful buildings to ogle along the way. Of course, this is one of the busiest strips in Varna as well (meaning a fair share of crowds and rowdier spots) but it’s definitely one of the best places to absorb Varna’s unique energy.

3. Explore the Sea Garden (Morska Gradina)

For one of the prettiest spots along Varna’s coastline, make sure to visit the Sea Garden, the oldest and largest park in the city.

Spread across about 85 hectares, the garden’s origins date back to the late 19th century when Czech gardener Anton Novak began its development. Over time, it has grown to include an open-air theatre, an aquarium, and even a zoo.

Highlights here include…

• Pantheon Monument: A monument dedicated to notable Bulgarian figures, consisting of two warriors (one of whom is wounded) standing on a stone platform with various scenes on the outside. Once an ossuary but now just a peaceful spot to remember those who’ve died.
• National Maritime Museum: AKA the navy museum, featuring an impressive collection of naval artifacts, ships, and historical exhibits.
• Museum of Natural History: Filled mostly with dioramas of lots of stuffed animals in their native habitats.
• The Fountain of the Sirens: A cool fountain that is illuminated at night and features three figures on top that look more like cherubs than sirens to me, but it’s still a nice fountain!
• Public Astronomical Observatory and Planetarium Nicolaus Copernicus: A public planetarium with displays on space in Bulgarian, although they do sometimes have lectures in English.

4. See the Roman Baths (Thermae)

For those looking to delve into Varna’s historic side, one of the best places to visit is the old Roman baths.

These baths were constructed in the 2nd century and today the preserved ruins are apparently the fourth-largest in Europe and the largest in the Balkans. So, if you like wandering around Roman ruins, this place is for you! There are signs around to explain the different parts of the site so you can imagine how it would have looked in its heyday.

There’s also the Roman Baths of Odessos that you can visit, which are smaller but can mostly be seen from the street. If you choose to pay the small entry fee to go in, you can read the information panels. The Varna Museum of Modern History is right next door if you’d like to also learn some more modern history after seeing this ancient site.

5. Enjoy a thermal bath yourself

Of course, while ogling ancient baths is a fun exercise for the imagination, another (even more fun) thing to do in Varna is actually enjoying a thermal bath for yourself.

While the grand Roman-style baths of centuries past no longer exist, there are quite a few options. As a free option, I went to this spot (aptly named “the Hot Water” on Google Maps) that was like a natural infinity pool overlooking the sea. It wasn’t glamorous by any means, but with a glorious sunset and luxuriously warm water to soak in, I had no complaints.

Will you surely be sharing the space with confused locals wondering why you’re crashing their evening bath? Probably – but it’s worth every bit of dodged eye contact!

There are of course many more thermal baths dotted along the coast, so have a quick search to see what’s near you. For a fancier option, there’s the paid option of going to the Aquahouse Thermal & Beach a bit outside of Varna. I haven’t been, but it looks amazing!

6. Stop by the Dormition of the Theotokos Cathedral 

One of the most eye-catching landmarks you will notice as you wander around Varna is the Dormition of the Theotokos Cathedral, also known as the Dormition of the Mother of God Cathedral, which is the third largest cathedral in all of Bulgaria.

Construction of the cathedral began in 1880, shortly after Bulgaria’s liberation from Ottoman rule, and was completed in 1886. The foundation stone was laid by Prince Alexander I of Battenberg and dedicated to the Dormition of the Theotokos, a major feast in the Eastern Orthodox Church that commemorates the Virgin Mary’s ascension into heaven.

Architecturally, the cathedral is an impressive blend of Neo-Byzantine and Neo-Russian styles, with a design influenced by the Peterhof Palace Church in St. Petersburg, Russia, which is evident in its ornate decoration and the use of golden domes. The interior boasts beautiful icons, frescoes, stained-glass windows and a richly decorated altar, so while a photo from outside is a must, it’s also well worth going inside to admire this magnificent building!

7. Ogle the Monument of the Bulgarian-Soviet Friendship

One of the more unique and striking monuments I saw during my visit to Varna was the Monument of the Bulgarian-Soviet Friendship.

This massive monument was built as a tribute to Russia’s support of Bulgaria during the 1828-29 Russo-Turkish War. Constructed where many of the Russian soldiers had fallen, it depicts four Russian soldiers coming to the aid of three Bulgarian women. It used to be illuminated at night, with music playing around it and an “eternal” flame at the front but after the revolutions of 1989 it fell into disrepair, with many parts stolen.

While these days, there’s not much to do there apart from wander around and see the monument from various angles, it’s a very unique spot and home to some excellent views over the sea, so I’d definitely recommend stopping by.

8. Head to the Varna Archaeological Museum

Looking for nerdier things to do in Varna? The Varna Archaeological Museum is home to an extensive collection of Thracian, Greek, and Roman artifacts, including the world-famous Gold of Varna that was found in the Varna Necropolis.

This is one of the largest museums in Bulgaria, so there’s plenty to keep you occupied on a rainy day, or maybe a sunny day if you need to cool off!

The building originally housed a girl’s high school and was built in the beautiful neo-Renaissance style. Inside you can easily spend hours exploring all the exhibits, particularly the Gold of Varna, an exquisite collection of gold artifacts dating back to 4600-4200 BC, which are considered to be among the oldest gold treasures in the world.

Along with the fascinating exhibits there’s a library, children’s study museum, gift shop and cafeteria to enjoy, while the lapidarium in the courtyard is where Varna’s International Jazz Festival is held every summer.

9. Visit the Retro Museum Varna

Another place to dive into Bulgaria’s past is the Retro Museum Varna. Here, visitors can explore a treasure trove of memorabilia, including vintage cars, Soviet-era electronics, and nostalgic artifacts.

This museum has been set up to show what life was like in Bulgaria during the Soviet-era, with items mainly from the period 1944-1989 along with waxworks of notable figures from the time like Fidel Castro, Che Guevera, Stalin and Lenin. Car enthusiasts in particular will find it interesting as there are a lot of restored cars, but also household items such as Polish cosmetics, Russian vacuum cleaners and Bulgarian cigarettes.

The museum location is kind of random, in a big shopping centre outside of the city proper but it’s easy to get to via bus and there’s free parking if you’re coming by car. If you like museums that take you back in time, add this one to your list!

10. See the Varna Ethnographic Museum

Another great museum for going back in time is the Varna Ethnographic Museum, which looks at the lifestyles of people in Varna during the second half of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century.

There are some lovely traditional clothing examples of the kind worn by Bulgarians from varying geographic groups, along with objects showing the main livelihoods of people from Varna, like beekeeping, fishing, farming, copper-smithing and tailoring. The building housing the museum is also quite striking, built in the Revival style in 1860.

While the Retro Museum looks specifically at the more recent Communist-era in Bulgaria this one is much more focused on earlier periods, so if you want a thorough overview of Bulgarian history and culture then it’s well worth visiting them both.

11. Day Trip Out to Pobiti Kamani (The Stone Forest)

Pobiti Kamani, also known as the Stone Forest is a popular day trip from Varna. This area is known for its natural rock formations that resemble petrified trees, giving the area a quite eerie/otherworldly feel.

The formations, believed to be over 50 million years old, are made of limestone and have sparked numerous geological and mystical theories about their origins. Yep, that’s right, nobody really knows how they were made, although popular scientific theories include erosion, natural gas or a kind of paleo-hydrocarbon seep system.

There’s nothing in particular to do here, aside from wander among the weird formations, and maybe take some interesting photographs. While it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and you do have to pay to visit, there isn’t anything stopping you from climbing in or on some of the structures.

To be honest, as someone who’s not particularly into geology, I wasn’t wowed by this activity, but if you’re looking for something extra to do then just know that it’s an option!

12. Venture Out to Euxinograd Palace

Just north of Varna is another side trip worth considering – the elegant Euxinograd Palace, a former royal residence surrounded by beautiful gardens.

Built in the late 19th century as a summer residence for the Bulgarian royal family, the palace has an intriguing backstory. It was originally a monastery before being transformed into a grand estate by Prince Alexander I of Battenberg. Over time, it became a favorite retreat for Bulgarian monarchs, particularly King Ferdinand I, who made significant additions to the palace and its gardens, drawing inspiration from the French style.

The palace itself is beautiful, with elegant facades and richly decorated interiors that echo the opulence of its royal past. The lush gardens, stretching over 800 acres, are meticulously landscaped with rare plants, serene fountains, and charming pathways.

Do be aware though that you can only explore the palace and gardens as part of a tour, which needs to be organised in advance by calling or emailing the property.

13. Visit Aladzha Monastery

Finally, about 14km north of Varna, you’ll find the mysterious Aladzha Monastery, a rock-hewn complex dating back to the 12th century.

This medieval Orthodox Christian monastery is carved directly into a limestone cliff, where it’s said that the monks once lived in a series of small caves and niches, complete with chapels, and even a small church.

The name Aladzha (Alaca) means “motley, bright” in Turkish, likely referring to the vivid frescoes that originally decorated the walls, some of which have survived the passage of time. The site also features a small museum that provides deeper insight into the monastery’s history and the daily lives of its inhabitants.

BONUS: Go Karting

Okay, is it the most unique or cultural thing to do in Varna? No, but I’d be neglecting my travel blogger duties if I didn’t mention that Varna is actually home to the largest go karting course in Bulgaria.

So… if you’re looking for something to spice up your itinerary, then be sure to look into it here.

Did I miss any of your favourite things to do in Varna?

Let me know in the comments so I can add more of the best Varna activities to the list. Happy and safe travels! 🙂