The gem of the Bulgarian Black Sea is situated at the end of the big Varna Bay, with a convenient and well conserved water area. The city's peculiar sea charm is sublime and moving. Ancient, medieval, renaissance and modern cultures mingle and coexist throughout the city. Varna lies on the same latitude of the famous Atlantic resorts Bayonne and Biarritz in France, on a large, flat and high terrace on the northwestern most curve of the bay which juts some 7 km inland. During the holiday season, July and August, the sunshine allows 10-11 hours of sunbathing. There is nothing of the cold Baltic wind or the summer Riviera heat. The sea is amazingly calm and free of dangerous tides.

Apart from being a beach resort, Varna rivals the great cities of Sofia and Plovdiv, in its offering of cultural attractions and historical buildings, museums and art galleries. It also provides access to some of the quieter scenic spots along the coast, including the nature reserve of Kamchiya, the royal palace of Balchik and the hillside monastery of Aladzha...

Varna is an 'around-the-year' holiday destination. Beyond the high Season its balneotherapy facilities can help you unwind and enjoy the many sights and sounds in peace.

Varna is well known by the thousands of tourists who flock to the popular Bulgarian Black Sea coast in the summertime not only because many travel via Varna’s international airport but because the city is in close proximity to all the major resorts in Bulgaria.

Varna offers visitors and residents a wealth of entertainment as well as cultural and historic attractions and this article is about the history, economy and present day life in Varna, Bulgaria.

After Sofia and Plovdiv Varna is the third largest city in Bulgaria, it is located on the shores of the Black Sea and as a port city in Bulgaria Varna is strategically highly significant. The city has a strong economy built on tourism but also on trade and transportation and in 2004 Varna was named by FDI magazine as ‘European City of the Future’ because of the strength of its economy and its positive prospects for the future.

Historically Varna is an incredibly ancient city, it was established in 580 BC as a Greek trading base and has changed hands many times over the years. Varna’s chequered past means that today it is a centre of great historic interest with many astonishing archaeological finds having been made in and around the city including the oldest gold treasure ever found.

Varna is appropriately also known as “The Summer Capital” of Bulgaria because in the summer months the city really comes alive. Its many cafes and bars spill out onto the streets and the nightlife of Varna heats up. Because Varna is close to all the beautiful Black Sea coastal resorts and visitors and residents in Varna have direct access to clean stretches of untouched sandy beach and the beautiful clear waters of the sea the title “The Summer Capital” is also appropriate.

In terms of the attractions that visitors can experience in Varna they range from historical and cultural attractions such as visiting the city’s cinemas, theatres and opera house or visiting mausoleums and museums. Alternatively Varna is quite a popular sporting town with activities ranging from football to beach volley ball and visitors can either participate or spectate!