Varna (Bapha) Overview

Expansive beaches, a Mediterranean climate, open-air nightlife, and frequent summer festivals draw visitors to Varna (pop. 312,000) on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast. Roman ruins and ancient gold artifacts are the chief attractions for those looking for sightseeing. From the train station, go right on bul. Primorski (Приморски) to reach the town’s   beaches and seaside gardens. The   Archaeological Museum (Археологически Музей; Arheologicheski Muzey), bul. Maria Luiza 41, (in the park) has the world’s oldest gold artifacts, dating from over 6000 years ago. (☎052 681 011; www.amvarna.com. Open Tu-Sa 10am-5pm. 10lv, students 2lv.) Cultural events include the International Jazz Festival in August (☎052 65 91 67; www.vsjf.com) and the Varna Summer Festival (☎052 60 35 04 or ☎052 65 91 59; www.varnasummerfest.org), a music, theater, and folk festival in late June-late July. For schedules and tickets, check the Festival and Congress Center, bul. Primorski; also the location of Love is Folly, a September film festival. (☎052 60 84 45. Box office open daily 10am-9pm.)

  Gregory’s Backpackers Hostel , str. Fenix 82, in Zvezditsa 10km from Varna, has a bar, a fantastic movie selection, and free Wi-Fi; infamous for its fun-loving staff and guests. (☎052 37 99 09; www.hostelvarna.com. Free pickup 7am-10pm. Breakfast included. Kitchen available. Laundry 12lv. Internet 1.40lv per hr. Reserve ahead. Open Apr.-Oct. Dorms 22lv. Double 56lv. Camping in the backyard 10lv. Cash only.) Nightlife centers on the beach in Primorski Park, which features a strip of outdoor discos along Krabrezhna Aleya. A popular place along the strip is Brilliantine, ul. Slivnitsa 9 (☎052 614 346, open daily 9am-2am. Beer from 3lv, bottle of wine from 16lv).

Near the commercial harbor, trains depart for Plovdiv (6-7hr.,4 per day, 16.70lv), Veliko Turnovo (4 hr., 3 per day, 14.80lv), and Sofia (7.5-9.5hr., 7 per day, 25lv). Buses leave from ul. Vladislav Varenchik (Владислав Вареник). ETAP buses go to Sofia (6hr., 11 per day, 22lv) via Veliko Turnovo (3hr., 11lv) while Victory buses go to Burgas (2hr., 2 per day, 12lv). The tourist office, pl. Musala, will provide free brochures and help with accommodations and car rental (☎052 654 518, open M-F 9am-5pm). Astra Tour, near track #6 at the train station, finds private singles for 16-24lv and doubles for 25-40lv. (☎052 60 58 61; astratur@yahoo.com. Open May-Oct. daily 6am-9pm.) Access the Internet at Bitex.com, str. Zamenhof 1, 3rd fl., off pl. Nezavisimost. (☎052 63 17 65. 1.50lv per hr., 2lv 9am-2pm, 3lv midnight-8am. Open 24hr.) Postal Code: 9000.