How many days do you need in Varna?

The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel.

What are the top things to do in Varna?

Highlights: Varna Necropolis, Dormition of the Theotokos Cathedral, Varna Archaeological Museum, Roman Thermae in Varna and Bulgarian torpedo boat Drazki. The map has 9 things to do in total.

How do you get from the airport to Varna city centre?

Varna (VAR): Bus 409, or taxi ≈ 15 min

All cities

Varna Things to do and walking itinerary

Bulgaria

Varna travel guide

9 things to do in Varna, where to stay, airport transfers. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.

All Varna guide sections (8)

Top things to do in Varna

Varna Necropolis: The prehistoric cemetery west of the city yielded the world's oldest known gold objects, dated 4600-4200 BC. (visit ≈ 60 min)
Dormition of the Theotokos Cathedral: Opened on 30 August 1886, the cathedral is Varna's largest church and one of its symbols. (visit ≈ 35 min)
Varna Archaeological Museum: The archaeology museum where gold finds from the Varna Necropolis are displayed. (visit ≈ 120 min)
Roman Thermae in Varna: Ruins of Roman baths built in the late 2nd century in the south-east of the city, ancient Odessus. (visit ≈ 60 min)
Bulgarian torpedo boat Drazki: A museum ship displaying a Bulgarian Navy torpedo boat from the early 20th century, rebuilt on a hull of the same class. (visit ≈ 120 min)
Varna Aquarium: A public aquarium on the Black Sea coast, beside the Sea Garden. (visit ≈ 150 min)
Boris Georgiev City Art Gallery: Varna's municipal art gallery, named after the painter Boris Georgiev. (visit ≈ 120 min)
Sea Garden: Stretching along the Black Sea shore, Varna's largest and oldest park is said to be the largest landscaped park in the Balkans. (visit ≈ 45 min)
Stoyan Bachvarov Dramatic Theatre: Founded in 1921, the theatre occupies a historic central building built between 1912 and 1932. (visit ≈ 20 min)

2-day Varna walking itinerary

Starting point: Centre and the cathedral. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated. Distances are estimates with a street allowance.

Day 1 (≈ 6.5 km · 8,820 steps · 1 h 26 min on the way): Dormition of the Theotokos Cathedral → Varna Archaeological Museum → Boris Georgiev City Art Gallery → Sea Garden
Day 2 (≈ 3.1 km · 4,220 steps · 42 min on the way): Varna Aquarium → Roman Thermae in Varna → Bulgarian torpedo boat Drazki → Stoyan Bachvarov Dramatic Theatre

Where to stay in Varna

Centre and the cathedral: Pedestrian streets, museums and buses to the coach station.
Sea Garden: Next to the seaside park, on foot to the beach and aquarium.
Greek Quarter (Gratska Mahala): Old houses and quiet lanes around the Roman baths.

Getting from the airport to Varna

Varna (VAR): Bus 409, or taxi ≈ 15 min

Getting around

The centre, Sea Garden and beach are all within walking distance. The beach gets crowded in summer, so go early. City buses run to Golden Sands.

Classic places to eat

Staria Chinar: Traditional Bulgarian cooking, with fish soup and grilled squid.

Good to know before visiting Varna

Fine: Motorways require an e-vignette.
Fine: Smoking indoors is banned.
Warning: Check the tariff on taxi windows or use an app.
Bulgaria adopted the euro in 2026. Prices may still be shown in both currencies.
Some Bulgarians shake their head for yes and nod for no.
Cover shoulders and knees in Orthodox churches.

Emergency: 112
Plugs: C/F, 230V
Tap water: Tap water is safe to drink.
Tipping: About 10% is customary.

Sources: UK FCDO: Foreign travel advice: Bulgaria, Wikivoyage: Bulgaria, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı: Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only. Rules change, so check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10

Varna travel FAQ

How many days do you need in Varna?: The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel.
What are the top things to do in Varna?: Highlights: Varna Necropolis, Dormition of the Theotokos Cathedral, Varna Archaeological Museum, Roman Thermae in Varna and Bulgarian torpedo boat Drazki. The map has 9 things to do in total.
Where to stay in Varna?: Centre and the cathedral: Pedestrian streets, museums and buses to the coach station. Other options: Sea Garden and Greek Quarter (Gratska Mahala).
How do you get from the airport to Varna city centre?: Varna (VAR): Bus 409, or taxi ≈ 15 min
How do you get around Varna?: The centre, Sea Garden and beach are all within walking distance. The beach gets crowded in summer, so go early. City buses run to Golden Sands.
What is the emergency number in Varna?: Emergency: 112.
Do you tip in Varna?: About 10% is customary.

Nearby cities

Bucharest · Istanbul · Plovdiv · Alexandroupoli · Brașov · Bursa · Çanakkale · Gökçeada

Bulgaria travel guide: all cities · All cities