Port Guide | Bulgaria | Dive Deep

Varna

Alexis Tonken | Editor

Published on 2025-08-28

Welcome to Varna, Bulgaria's breezy seaside playground-half historical treasure chest, half Black Sea bohemian with just the right dash of Balkan chaos. You've docked your floating apartment building in a city where beach bars buzz louder than Orthodox bells, and the archaeological museum casually boasts the world's oldest stash of gold jewelry-because Bulgarians have been blinging since long before your cruise director perfected karaoke. Sure, Varna might seem at first glance like the scruffy sibling of posh Mediterranean resorts, but that's precisely its charm: here Roman baths neighbored by modern cafes remind you the city has comfortably watched empires rise and crumble over espresso. Shake the gangway fatigue off your flip-flops and go explore the UNESCO-certified charms of Nessebar or lounge shamelessly at nearby Golden Sands resort-just remember, nightlife in Varna doesn't take kindly to early goodbyes, so pace yourself (or don't; I mean, it's your cruise).

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Notes from the Editor

Varna is known for its beautiful beaches, historical sites, and vibrant nightlife. Cruise travelers may enjoy excursions to nearby attractions such as the UNESCO-listed Nessebar and the Golden Sands resort.

Where do cruise ships dock in Varna?

Port Name Varna

Country Bulgaria

Region Southeast Europe

Ship Terminal Varna Cruise Terminal

Port Type Dedicated port

Accessibility Varna Cruise Terminal is located approximately 3 km from the city center, accessible by taxi, public buses, and walking.

What's the weather like in Varna?

Best Season to Visit Summer (June to September)

Climate Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters.

Weather Notes Summer experiences occasional thunderstorms but largely dry weather. Winter can be humid and chilly.

Temperature Range 70F to 85F (21C to 29C)

High Temp 92F

Low Temp 28F

Average Temp 62F

What do I need to know about Varna?

Language Bulgarian

Currency Bulgarian Lev (BGN)

Card Widely Accepted 1

Population 335,177

Timezone EET (UTC+2) / EEST (UTC+3 in summer)

How do I get around Varna?

Taxis, buses, bicycles for rent, and guided tours are available from the terminal.

What are The Best Things to do in Varna?

Discover what you should do while you're in Varna.

Historical and cultural landmarks

Explore Roman Baths of Varna

San Stefano Str.

Discover ancient Roman baths that date back to the 2nd century.

Distance from Terminal: 0.5 miles

Accessible Self-Guided Tour Indoors Urban Bucket-List Walking-Distance Photo Op

Visit Varna Archaeological Museum

41 Maria Luiza Blvd.

Experience history through Bulgaria's oldest gold artifact treasures.

Distance from Terminal: 0.7 miles

Indoors Tickets Required Museum Architecture Walking-Distance

Explore Aladzha Monastery

N/A

Visit a fascinating medieval rock monastery hidden in cliffs.

Distance from Terminal: 9 miles

Accessible Tour Outdoors Nature Rural UNESCO Architecture Bucket-List Photo Op

Experiences you can't replicate elsewhere

Day trip to Pobiti Kamani

N/A

Visit Bulgaria's mysterious natural stone formations known as Pobiti Kamani.

Distance from Terminal: 11 miles

Tour Outdoors Nature Rural Bucket-List Photo Op

Bulgarian Black Sea Sunset Cruise

Port Varna

Experience a calming sunset from a boat on the Black Sea.

Distance from Terminal: 0 miles

Relaxing Tour Outdoors Water Photo Op

Visit Retro Museum

186 Vladislav Varnenchik Blvd.

Step back into life behind the Iron Curtain with this nostalgia-filled museum.

Distance from Terminal: 2.5 miles

Self-Guided Indoors Urban Tickets Required Museum Walking-Distance

Thermal mud baths at Tuzlata

N/A

Enjoy rejuvenating therapeutic mud baths unique to this region.

Distance from Terminal: 20 miles

Relaxing Nature Water Rural Bucket-List

Attend Nestinari Fire Dancing Show

N/A

Witness traditional Southeast European ritual of fire dancing.

Distance from Terminal: 40 miles

Performance Bucket-List Touristy

A Little Extra

Wine Tasting Tour in a Bulgarian Vineyard

N/A

Taste regional wines at local Bulgarian vineyards during grape picking season.

Distance from Terminal: 15 miles

Active Tour Outdoors Rural Food Tour Bucket-List

Attend Varna Summer International Music Festival

Multiple Venues

Attend Southeast Europe's oldest and prestigious music festival.

Distance from Terminal: 1 miles

Performance Indoors Tickets Required Music Bucket-List Walking-Distance

Bulgarian Cuisine Cooking Class

N/A

Learn to cook traditional Bulgarian dishes with local chefs.

Distance from Terminal: 3 miles

Workshop Indoors Urban Budget

Visit Varna Dolphinarium

Primorski Park

Enjoy Southeast Europe's unique Dolphinarium experience.

Distance from Terminal: 2 miles

Performance Indoors Walking-Distance Touristy

Adventure and Outdoor Activities

Kayaking at Kamchia River

N/A

Enjoy kayaking along Kamchia River's lush natural reserves.

Distance from Terminal: 18 miles

Active Outdoors Nature Water Rural Wildlife Bucket-List Photo Op

Visit Ecopark Varna Botanical Garden

Primorski Park

Explore a vast collection of exotic regional and local plants.

Distance from Terminal: 5 miles

Accessible Relaxing Outdoors Nature Park Walking-Distance Photo Op

Skydiving over Bulgaria's Black Sea Coast

N/A

Experience an unforgettable skydiving adventure with sea views.

Distance from Terminal: 15 miles

Active Adrenaline Outdoors Water Rural Bucket-List Car Needed Photo Op

Cycle Along the Coastal Bike Paths

Sea Garden Park

Bike coastal paths offering panoramic views.

Distance from Terminal: 1.5 miles

Active Outdoors Nature Urban Walking-Distance Photo Op

Hidden Gems and Off-the-Beaten-Path

Discover local graffiti street art

N/A

Explore contemporary street art highlighting Eastern European artists.

Distance from Terminal: 1.2 miles

Self-Guided Urban Art Walking-Distance Photo Op

Varna's hidden craft beer microbreweries tour

Various Locations

Taste locally brewed regional craft beers exclusive to Bulgaria.