Why fly to Varna?
With cheap flights to Varna, you'll find a busy port city that blends urban energy with a relaxed seaside atmosphere on Bulgaria's Black Sea coast. It's unofficially referred to as the country's summer capital, a place where both locals and visitors from around the world come to enjoy a sunny getaway. Book plane tickets to Varna today, and start planning your Bulgarian Black Sea getaway.
Things to do in Varna
While Varna is known primarily as a seaside resort, there's much more to it than meets the eye. The highlight is the old Roman bath house, one of the largest and best-preserved Roman baths in Europe. You can still make out the changing rooms and the separate areas for hot and cold-water bathing. The ruins are managed by the Varna Archaeological Museum, an attraction in its own right. It's also worth visiting to see the oldest gold treasure in the world, which was discovered in the Varna Necropolis near the city.
A good tip when you're strolling around the city is to look up. While the shop fronts may look like any other European high street, the preserved architectural styles above them provide a glimpse into the Varna of the past. The art nouveau facades are fantastically grand.
If views are your thing, you can climb to the top of the Staircase of Victors, 305 steps that take you up Turna Hill. Most people come here to view the Monument of Bulgarian-Soviet Friendship. But it's worth spending a little more time here to enjoy the panoramic views over the city and the Black Sea.
Exploring Varna's Beachfront
Of course, the main reason people fly from the UK to Varna is for its cool seaside setting. Head down to the Sea Garden to be in the heart of it. The Sea Garden is a very large, landscaped park with walking paths, a swimming pool, tennis courts, and an open-air theatre. It's also home to the Varna Aquarium, which specialises in Black Sea species. You can see more than 140 species of Black Sea fish here, including tuna, anchovy, white sturgeon, herring and mackerel.
Right next to the Sea Garden is Varna's waterfront promenade, lined with beach bars, restaurants and nightclubs. If you've come for the beaches, this is the place for you. The most convenient is Central Beach, located by the Sea Garden entrance. If you want to try your hand at some water sports, the next beach along, South Beach, is where you'll find equipment rental services.
On the promenade, there are many little stalls selling souvenirs and low-key restaurants offering pizzas, pasta and burgers. For authentic Bulgarian cuisine, head into the city itself. If you're visiting in summer, try Tarator, a cold cucumber soup that's refreshing on a cold day. If you're in Varna during winter, try Bob Chorba, a hearty, warming and comforting soup made from tomatoes, carrots, onions and beans.
Booking cheap flights to Varna
Varna is a very affordable place to visit, and we're here to help you get there for cheap as well! To find the best Varna flights, we'd recommend visiting in May or October, when you'll find sunny weather but fewer tourists. You can use our low-fare finder to find the best low-cost flights to Varna, or anywhere else!
Flying from London? View your London airport options with direct flights to Varna on our London to Varna flights page.
