Car Hire Varna - Mini guide to Varna

Located on the Black Sea, the ancient city of Varna is cosmopolitan and cultivated. It is the third-largest city in Bulgaria and well known for its parks, gardens, wide tree-lined boulevards and beachfront boardwalk.

Primorski Park is the town’s most attractive feature and is home to an aquarium, dolphinarium, small zoo and open-air theatre. From here, there is access to the brilliant white sands of the pleasant municipal beach. Other historical monuments include the remaining portion of the town's fortifications and the 17th century church of St Bogoroditsa.

A stroll along the promenade, which flows eastward from the square, is pleasant. To the north is the magnificent domed Cathedral of the Assumption; while to the south of the cathedral, in the city gardens, stands the Old Clock Tower, whose silhouette serves as something of a trademark for the city.

Varna's social life revolves around Nezavisimost square, where the opera house and fountain provide the backdrop for an array of restaurants and cafés. Most of central Varna's cafés serve alcohol well into the night, and a string of seemingly endless outdoor bars and fish restaurants lines the municipal beach.

Also within easy reach by car are quieter seaside villages like Kranevo, and popular daytrip destinations, including: the nature reserve at Kamchiya, the rock monastery of Aladzha and Queen Marie of Romania's former palace at Balchik.

By car, Sofia is nearly 500kms away and the journey takes about six hours along the A1, E773 and A9 highways. There are regular trains from the capital which also take six hours. Varna Airport is on the city's western outskirts; from here, you can get to town on bus 409 or by taxi.