Varna Province

Nature highlights include the Kamchia protected area and the stone pillars of Pobiti Kamani. In Varna, the Archaeological Museum, the Aquarium and the Sea Garden each showcase a different side of the city. Historical destinations range from Ovech Fortress to the prehistoric site of Provadia-Solnitsata in the wider area.

The Kamchia protected area covers almost 129,200 decares, including 7,500 decares of sea area. Its landscapes include shallow marine waters and bays, as well as shifting, fixed and wooded coastal dunes. Underwater sea caves are also part of the area. The protected area preserves habitats for species including wolves, otters, bottlenose dolphins and pond turtles. This diversity makes Kamchia a destination for travellers who want to explore different habitats and landscapes.

The stone pillars of Pobiti Kamani offer a different kind of nature experience. The Centre–South group comprises around 300 large and small pillars, reaching up to 6 metres in height. Pobiti Kamani is designated as a Natura 2000 protected area to preserve Bulgaria’s largest inland sand habitats. You can get there via the road network or by taking bus line 43 to the “Razklon Banovo” stop in Slanchevo. These details provide a practical starting point if you would like to include Pobiti Kamani in your travel plans.

Ovech Fortress was in use from the 3rd century until the first decades of the 7th century, and again from the 10th or 11th century until the end of the 17th century. Features visitors can see there include a 79-metre-deep well described as “speaking”, the Bishop’s Church and the Knights’ Prison. Other highlights include the Tower with the Devil’s Path and the Monk’s Holes. Their names give visitors a sense of the architectural and historical features to explore at the site.

In the wider area, Provadia-Solnitsata is considered Europe’s earliest prehistoric salt-mining and urban centre, dating from 5600 to 4350 BC. Its prehistoric stone fortress features defensive walls 4 to 5 metres high, built around 4700 BC. In Varna, the Archaeological Museum displays the treasure of the Chalcolithic necropolis, considered the oldest technologically worked gold in the world. Most objects from the necropolis date from 4600 to 4200 BC, and the majority are also now housed in the museum.

The Varna Aquarium provides information about the flora and fauna of the Black Sea, as well as its hydrological and hydrochemical characteristics. The Nikolay Kopernik complex was Bulgaria’s first astronomical complex and included an observatory, a planetarium and a tower with a Foucault pendulum. Those interested in natural sciences will find different topics here than in the city’s historical collections.

The Sea Garden and the University Botanical Garden each have their own appeal: the Sea Garden features peaceful avenues, diverse natural vegetation and numerous cultural monuments. The University Botanical Garden was the country’s first Ecopark and combines artificial and natural ecosystems. For families, Detski kut – Varna offers 28 attractions adapted to different age groups of children. Varna Zoo is home to more than 60 animal species, with around 400 animals in total. Festa Dolphinarium is a unique attraction in Bulgaria.

The Ethnographic Museum in Varna offers another insight into local culture, presenting viticulture as one of the population’s traditional occupations. The Vladislav Varnenchik Park Museum Complex commemorates the historic event at the exact site of the battle fought on 10 November 1444, in the western part of Varna.

For a broader regional overview, explore the guides to Byala, Varna, Dalgopol, Beloslav, Avren, Dolni Chiflik, Provadia, Aksakovo, Vetrino, Valchi Dol and Devnya. This lets you connect your search for suitable accommodation with the subregions you would like to explore further.

Which landscapes are found in the Kamchia protected area?

They include shallow marine waters, bays, various coastal dunes and underwater sea caves. Kamchia also protects habitats for several animal species, including otters and bottlenose dolphins.

How do you get to Pobiti Kamani?

Pobiti Kamani can be reached via the road network or by taking bus line 43 to the “Razklon Banovo” stop in Slanchevo.

Where is the gold treasure from the Varna necropolis displayed?

The treasure is displayed at the Archaeological Museum in Varna. Most objects from the necropolis date from 4600 to 4200 BC, and the majority are now housed there.

For the broader travel overview: Bulgaria.