Varna, Bulgaria: Underrated seaside city with £2 pints and without the crowds | World | News
A pretty underrated seaside city in Europe offers £2 pints and has barely any crowds.
Varna is a seaside resort on the Black Sea and the third-largest city in Bulgaria. It has a population of over 350,000 people.
It is a combination of a port city, naval base and seaside resort, making it an appealing place to while away a few days.
Varna is packed with history yet remains thoroughly modern, with an enormous park to wander around and a lengthy beach to relax on.
In the city centre is Bulgaria’s largest Roman baths complex and its finest archaeological museum, as well as a lively cultural and restaurant scene.
Also worth visiting is the Dormition of the Mother of God Cathedral, the National Naval Museum and Sveti Nikolai Church. Nearby are Dobrich, Shumen, Burgas and Sliven.
The average cost of a pint or a small bottle of beer in Varna is £2, according to Numbeo. The average cost of a three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant is £35.
One visitor said in a Tripadvisor review: “It is a lovely seaside city, inexpensive, and very popular with Bulgarian and other Eastern European tourists. Not many western tourists at all really.”
Another said: “This city is the second best after Sofia. In summer is so relaxing with open-air bars and restaurants. The sea is super and beaches are never-ending. Food is very good and all is grilled.”
The oldest gold treasure in the world, belonging to the Varna culture, was discovered in the Varna Necropolis and dated to 4600 to 4200 BC.
Since the discovery of the Varna Necropolis in 1974, 294 burial sites have been found, with over 3000 golden items inside.
Varna has an average summer temperature of 23C and an average winter temperature of 3C.
There are direct flights from Manchester to Varna and one-stop flights from London. The city has lots of accommodation including hotels, B&Bs and hostels.