Varna puts you within easy striking distance of otherworldly rock deserts, cliff‑edge fortresses, and two former medieval capitals. Use this list to pick a day trip that fits your mood—each entry includes why to go, best season, distance (km), typical driving time, elevation (m a.s.l.), and quick road advice.
Cape Kaliakra & Bolata Bay
Why visit: A finger of rust‑red limestone thrust 2–3 km into the Black Sea, Cape Kaliakra delivers vertiginous views, seabirds, and, in calm conditions, dolphins. A few minutes away, Bolata Bay is a horseshoe cove perfect for a late‑day swim.
Best season: May–October for sea & sun; April/Oct for fewer crowds and painterly light.
Distance / time / elevation: ~60–70 km, 1h15–1h30, 70 m at the cape; ~0 m at the beach. Kaliakra sits about 60 km NE of Varna; the cliffs reach ~70 m.
Road & driving: Follow E87 north via Balchik/Kavarna. Expect strong crosswinds near the headland; slow down and keep both hands on the wheel. The Bolata access road is narrow, with potholes—go slow and yield at pinch points; parking is limited in peak season.
Don’t miss: The sea‑gate arch and tiny chapel on the cape, and the sunset color show on the cliffs.
Balchik Palace & Botanical Garden
Why visit: Queen Marie of Romania turned this seaside slope into a palace‑and‑garden ensemble: minaret, Mediterranean terraces, and botanical beds tumbling to the sea.
Best season: April–June (flowers), Sept–Oct (soft light). Learn more about Balchik.
Distance / time / elevation: 41–42 km, ~45 min, ~20 m (seafront terraces).
Road & driving: Straightforward run on E87; allow time for paid parking near the entrance.
Albena & the Baltata Nature Reserve
Why visit: Albena’s wide, shallow family beach meets Baltata, a rare longoz (riverside) forest threaded with trails and birdsong.
Best season: June–September for beach days; May or September for forest walks + swimming.
Distance / time / elevation: ~30 km, ~40–45 min, ~0–10 m. Albena lies ≈30 km north of Varna; Baltata lines the Batova River right behind the resort.
Road & driving: E87 north; light urban traffic leaves Varna, then resort traffic. Watch for pedestrians and bikes near Albena.
Aladzha Monastery & Golden Sands Nature Park
Why visit: A rock‑hewn, two‑level monastery carved into a 25‑m cliff face; forest paths and viewpoints spread through the surrounding Golden Sands Nature Park.
Best season: March–June and Sept–Nov for cool, green hiking. Learn more about Aladzha Monastery.
Distance / time / elevation: 14–17 km, ~17–25 min, ~90–120 m on the Franga Plateau rim.
Road & driving: Quick hop north; small parking area by the museum. In summer, arrive early.
Pobiti Kamani (Stone Forest)
Why visit: One of Europe’s strangest landscapes—a sandy “desert” studded with hollow stone columns up to 5–7 m tall. Photogenic at golden hour and fabulous for kids’ imaginations. Learn more about Pobitite Kamuni.
Best season: Year‑round; hottest months are July–August (bring water).
Distance / time / elevation: 18–24 km, ~17–25 min, 164 m a.s.l.; fastest approach via the Varna–Devnya road.
Road & driving: Short drive west; the last meters are on a minor road—go slow on the loose sand near the parking.
Kamchia River & Longoza (floodplain)
Why visit: Drift by boat or kayak under canopies of ash, elm, and lianas before stepping onto one of Bulgaria’s longest natural beaches.
Best season: May–September; shoulder months are great for birds.
Distance / time / elevation: ~28–30 km, ~30–40 min, ~0–5 m. The reserve mouth sits ~25–29 km south of Varna. Note: the site was once on UNESCO’s Biosphere list; biosphere status was removed in 2017 (it remains a strict nature reserve).
Road & driving: South on E87 over the Asparuhov Bridge; slow for sand blown onto the road after windy days.
Provadia – Ovech Fortress & Solnitsata
Why visit: Climb the Ovech limestone plateau for views over Provadia, then detour to Solnitsata, the oldest known salt‑production/urban center in Europe (Neolithic–Chalcolithic). Learn more about the Varna culture.
Best season: April–June and Sept–Oct (cooler for stairways and boardwalks).
Distance / time / elevation: ~53–55 km, ~55–60 min, ~200–250 m (fortress plateau).
Road & driving: West toward Provadia; last stretch climbs to the fortress car park—use low gear on descents.
Madara Rider (UNESCO World Heritage)
Why visit: Bulgaria’s iconic rock relief of a horseman spearing a lion (8th c.), carved into a 100‑m cliff; trails lead to a panoramic plateau above. Learn more about the Madara Rider.
Best season: Spring–autumn; avoid midday heat on the stairs in July–August.
Distance / time / elevation: ~75–90 km, ~1h–1h15, 337 m a.s.l. at the site; the relief itself sits high on a ~100 m rock face.
Road & driving: Motorway & main roads most of the way; signed turn‑off to “Madara.” Watch for livestock on village lanes.
Pliska – Great Basilica
Why visit: Explore the first medieval capital and the footprint of the vast Great Basilica (c. 875). Learn more about Pliska.
Best season: March–June and Sept–Nov.
Distance / time / elevation: ~74–76 km, ~45–50 min, 145 m a.s.l.
Road & driving: Combine with Shumen/Madara or Veliki Preslav for a “Medieval Capitals” loop.
Veliki Preslav Archaeological Reserve
Why visit: The second Bulgarian capital—city walls, palace remains, and a strong local museum. Learn more about Veliki Preslav.
Best season: Spring & autumn for cooler wandering among ruins.
Distance / time / elevation: ~106 km, ~1h–1h10, 132 m a.s.l.
Road & driving: Easy day when paired with Pliska or Madara; fuel up before leaving Varna.
Devnya – Museum of Mosaics (Marcianopolis)
Why visit: A purpose‑built museum over a Roman domus showcasing top‑tier floor mosaics (Dionysus, Medusa and more).
Best season: Year‑round (indoor).
Distance / time / elevation: ~30–33 km, ~25–45 min, 48 m a.s.l. (town).
Road & driving: Simple westbound hop; signposted in English.
Ancient City of Nessebar (UNESCO)
Why visit: A romantic peninsula old town dotted with medieval churches and cobbled lanes above the sea. Learn more about Nesebar (Nessebar).
Best season: May–June and Sept–Oct; July–August is beautiful but busy.
Distance / time / elevation: ~100–106 km, ~1h45–2h, ~0–30 m.
Road & driving: Follow E87 south past Obzor; arrive by 9:30 or after 16:00 for easier parking.
Wild‑coast add‑on): Tyulenovo Arch, Yailata Plateau & Shabla Lighthouse
Crashing waves, limestone arches, and steppe flowers along the least developed slice of Bulgaria’s coast. Tyulenovo village sits at ~47 m a.s.l., with cliffs 20–30 m high. Take care near edges; winds can be fierce.
Practical driving tips (save/print)
- Vignette required: All non‑urban national roads in Bulgaria require an e‑vignette (digital toll sticker). Buy only from the official BG TOLL website/app or authorized terminals. Fines apply for driving without one. See more driving tips for Bulgaria.
- Main coastal artery: The E87 connects Varna with Balchik, Kavarna, Kaliakra, Obzor, and Nessebar—scenic but busy in summer.
- Wind on cliff roads: Expect gusts near headlands (Kaliakra). Slow down, keep a steady line, and avoid overtakes in strong crosswinds.
- Narrow access roads: Bolata Bay has a tight, potholed approach—yield and proceed slowly; limited parking.
- Seasonality: Off‑season hours vary (monuments/museums). Carry a light layer even in summer—sea breezes can be cool at viewpoints.
Why is it special?
- Pobiti Kamani is a protected natural landmark and a proposed (tentative) UNESCO site—a real‑world geology lesson.
- Kamchia remains a strict reserve with the Longoz forest; it lost its UNESCO biosphere title in 2017, but is still superb for nature.
- Madara Rider’s relief sits high on a 100‑m cliff—pair the archaeology with the panorama above.
Suggested 1‑day pairings
- Coast north: Balchik → Albena/Baltata → Cape Kaliakra (sunset)
- History loop: Pliska → Madara Rider → Veliki Preslav
- Nature & oddities: Pobiti Kamani (morning) → Devnya Mosaics → Varna Sea Garden dinner
- Wild beaches: Kamchia (kayak/boat) → long beach walks toward Shkorpilovtsi
