Tourism in Varna
Tourism is one of the main sectors in the economic structure of Municipality of
Varna. The resort complexes “Golden sands”, “St. Konstantin and Elena”, “Riviera” and “Sunny day” are world famous resorts and three of them have won the Blue flag prize for the best beach. The resorts offer numerous sports opportunities, balneological treatment and entertainment. The potential of the municipality in this sector is characterized with the unique combination of natural resources (beaches, mineral spas) and a cultural and historical heritage and traditions. The prices of the tourist services in Bulgaria are competitive as compared to the prices in Croatia, Greece and Spain. The demand for Wellness and Spa services is increasing, as well as the volume of demand during the months outside the active season. In
Varna there are also prerequisites for the development of health, cultural and ecological tourism.
The Varna Black Sea Coast offers a combination of wonderful conditions for sea tourism, rich cultural and historical heritage and incredible nature.
In the Sea Capital there are many museums, galleries, theatres and cultural monuments, such as the archaeological and historical museums, the cathedral “The Assumption”, the clock tower and many others that are worth seeing. The natural phenomenon – The Upright Stones is located close to the city.
Some of the most beautiful luxurious sea resorts in the country are located north from
Varna, which offer excellent conditions for summer vacations, entertainment and practicing water sports. These are the resort complexes “St. Konstantin and Elena”, “Sunny day”, “Riviera”, “Golden Sands” and “Albena”. A lot of cultural events, conferences, seminars, as well as some attractive sports events are carried out there. In Albena resort complex paraplanning tournaments are often organized. The availability of healing mineral spas in the region and the wonderful modern resort and health centres turn the resort complexes into suitable places for combining balneological treatment with a holiday and relaxation near the sea shore.
Some small, but picturesque settlements, such as Obzor and Byala, are located south from the sea capital, where there are also good possibilities for sea tourism. They are suitable for those, who prefer the natural genuine atmosphere, far from the noise and luxury of the first-class resorts.
South from
Varna is also located the resort complex Kamchiya, situated on the waterside of Kamchiya river in the midst of an exotic dense forest, close to the natural reserve of the same name, where unique plant and animal species are preserved.
Golf tourism has reported a 10 % increase; it strengthens the position of new destinations, one of which is the new golf playgrounds that are currently being constructed north from
Varna.
Bulgaria will compete with Spain and Portugal in offering golf tourism in the near future, according to the catalogue of the Association of the British Tour operators (ABTA) for 2007.
Places of interest
Municipality of Varna has a strategic location with a transcontinental significance.
• The Black Sea as a key natural geographic factor is a prerequisite for the development of the marine industry. Municipality of Varna has a well-developed tourist industry and a potential for development of new forms of tourism, such as Spa and Wellness, cultural, and ecological tourism.
• There are urban planning and infrastructure conditions for the development of a duty-free zone.
• All types of transport are available and are well-developed and synchronized. The transport infrastructure is of local, national and international significance.
• Scientific and technical potential. All levels of education are developed, up to university education in the area of economics, management, technique and technologies, medicine and tourism.
• Municipality of Varna attracts labour force from the neighbouring regions and the entire country.
• Highly-qualified unoccupied labour force.
• Developed modern communication connections and rich information environment.
• A well-developed network of financial and credit institutions for supporting the small and medium-sized business.
• Active international cooperation and opportunities to participate in EU projects.
• Large-scale production base in the industry with a broad sectoral scope.
• High level of privatization and restructuring of the state and municipal property.
• Cultural institutions of national and international significance.
• Availability of a rich cultural and historical heritage.
• Numerous non-governmental organizations, civil movements, associations and chambers.
The national astronomic observatory and planetarium “Nikolay Kopernik”
The planetarium, as it is known among the people in Varna, is one of the attractions in our sea capital. It has been established by Nikolay Petrov and has been officially opened on May 22nd, 1968. It is located in the Sea garden, just a few meters from its central entrance. The star hall has 80 seats.
Varna Aquarium
The aquarium in Varna has been constructed in 1912 under the suggestion of King Ferdinand. The incredibly original make of the façade combines bas-relief images of a huge clam and some of the most widely-spread animal species in the Black Sea. The central hall of the Aquarium reveals before the view of the visitors an impressive collection of freshwater and sea species, presented in their natural environment. In some of the other halls there are arranged expositions that give a full picture of the flora, fauna and its specific characteristics in the Black Sea.
Varna Dolphinarium
The only dolphinarium on the Balkan Peninsula is really one of the most amusing attractions that Varna offers to its visitors. In a spectacle, with duration of about 45 minutes, the visitors can see the incredible intelligence and receptiveness of the sea mammals. An interesting detail is the fact that in the Dolphinarium in Varna the first dolphin was born in 1992, which is currently not the only one. The event was considered as a sign that the animals have adapted themselves well in their new home.
Varna Terrarium
The terrarium in the city of Varna has the most diverse and rich exhibition of living exotic animals, that is unique for the Black Sea region and the richest one in Bulgaria. The terrarium has a permanent exhibition of exotic animals – about 120 species of invertebrates, fish, amphibian reptiles, birds and small mammals. The building was constructed in 1998 by the professional biologists R. Trayanov, G. Simeonov, D. Delchev, V. Hainadzhieva.
Varna Zoo
The zoo takes up an area of 30 decares. It is located in the Sea Garden, near the monument of the perished soldiers during the Russian-Turkish war. The zoo was opened in 1961 and soon it turned into a favourite spot both for children and adults. The first inhabitant of the zoo was the bear Maxim, who moved in to his newly constructed home in 1958. After that different animals and birds were supplied through the Varna Hunting Association, as well as monkeys from India and other animals.
The water slide “Rolba” is located at the South beach in
Varna. Swimming courses for children are organized in the attached swimming pool with mineral water.
Sea garden - Varna
The Sea garden is one of the symbols of the city of
Varna. It has arranged its beautiful and breezy lanes along the entire coastal alley in the city. A characteristic feature of the Sea garden are the maintained wonderful garden areas, the quiet alleys, the beautiful and diverse natural vegetation and the numerous cultural monuments located on its territory.
Coastal alley of Varna
During the summer season the Coastal alley of the city of
Varna turns into one of the most wanted and visited places in the city. The reason for that is not only the contiguous beach strip, but also the fact that here are concentrated all the summer clubs, discos, pizzerias and fish restaurants.
Beaches of Varna
Varna can brag itself with its long and broad beach strip, which is covered with beautiful, golden sand. The strip is conventionally divided to several main beaches whose borders are not clearly defined: south, central, north, fisherman’s and officer’s beach.
Varna Archaeological museum
The Archaeological museum in
Varna takes up an area of 2000 square meters and has 32 halls, where permanent expositions are exhibited – Prehistory, Antiquity, Middle Ages, Renaissance Icon-painting. The oldest golden treasure is kept here. Its age dates back to 4000 years B.C.
Varna Naval Museum
The Naval Museum is one of the symbols of the city of Varna. It is located in the southernmost part of the Sea Garden. The beautiful building of the museum has been constructed in 1890 for the Italian consul Asaretto. Its park displays an arranged collection of marine guns, the old lighthouse of the sea port of Varna and one of Bulgaria’s first mine sweepers. The exposition is arranged in 12 halls, tracing the maritime history of the region from ancient times to the present day. The most valuable exhibit is the Drazki torpedo boat which became famous for sinking the Turkish cruiser Hamidie. This is the only ship of its kind to be preserved till the present day.
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