Biljana & Momchil
Biljana & Momchil
Varna
Welcome to Varna - The Pearl of the Black Sea
Varna is the 3rd largest city in Bulgaria and one of the main and most historically significant ports on the Black Sea. With a history dating back thousands of years, Varna seamlessly combines its ancient heritage with a modern and cosmopolitan atmosphere, making it a compelling destination for travelers ... or a Wedding.
Varna is a treasure trove of archaeological wonders, most notably the Varna Necropolis, which yielded the oldest known gold artifacts in the world, dating back over 6,000 years.
Varna's nightlife is both dynamic and diverse, with numerous bars, clubs, and restaurants scattered throughout the city and along its seemingly endless beaches.
Get ready for a trip of a lifetime!
Варна - Перлата на Черно Море
Варна е третият по големина град в България и един от основните и исторически най-значими пристанища на Черно Море. С история, която се проследява хиляди години назад, Варна безупречно съчетава своето древно наследство със съвременна и космополитна атмосфера, правейки го магнет за пътешественици... или Сватба.
Варна е изобилие на археологически чудеса, най-известна със Варненският Халколитен Некропол и най-старите златни артефакти в света, датиращи от преди над 6000 години.
Нощният живот на Варна е динамичен и разнообразен с множество барове, клубове и ресторанти по целия град и около безкрайните плажни ивици.
Гответе се за пътуване, което няма да забравите!
Accomodations
Varna is tourist destination, and such has no shortage of accommodation options ranging from international hotel chains, local boutique hotels or private apartments for rent.
Our wedding will be at the Astor Garden Hotel & Resort situated along the waterfront at Sts Konstantine & Helena resort district which is about 6 miles or a 15 min (depending on traffic) cab ride from downtown Varna.
The list of possible accommodations below is just a short list of some of the over 200 hotels, guest houses and resorts situated within a 30 min drive of Varna. Please feel free to look at various all-inclusive options or private residences available through my wonderful hometown and the surrounding areas.
AirBnB
Renting an apartment is both the most economical, but also the most adventurous way to enjoy Varna. AirBnB offers a large selection of options fitting all tastes with prices starting as low as $30 per night. If you are unsure which part of town or simply want to double check before you book you are welcome to reach out to us directly! Generally speaking, stick to this area:
Hotels within walking distance
Astor Garden Hotel
This being the location of our wedding is by far the most convenient place to stay the night of July 6th, 2024. You can stay here for your entire visit to Varna or just for the night of the wedding.
Being a guest at the property gets you access to the luxury thermal spas in their adjacent sister property - Aqua House.
Per our wedding coordinator, there will be a discount during Black Friday (November 2023) for bookings in 2024. We recommend you take advantage of it.
Villa Chinka
Villa Chinka is a separate property from Astor Garden but under the same ownership. Guests staying at Villa Chinka will have less than 2 min walk from their room to the hall at Astor Garden where our wedding will be held.
Aquahouse Hotel & SPA
Another property extremely close to our wedding venue. Aquahouse is a 5 min walk (1/4 mile).
If you choose to stay in Astor Garden (wedding venue) you will still have access to the thermal pools.
Hotel "Estreya Palace"
Only 400 m away from our wedding venue, this 3 star hotel offers a more budget advantageous option while still being within 5 min walking distance.
Azalia Hotel Balneo & SPA
Located a bit further away (just over 1/2 mile) this hotel is still within walkable distance from our wedding venue. Azalia is at heart of the tourist part of St Konstantine and Helena and located right on top of the water. Additionally, this hotel is located above a natural hot spring and as such offers a variety of spa procedures structured around its natural spring waters. If you don't mind having to walk for 10-12 minutes this might be an option to look into.
Hotels in Varna (will require transportation to the wedding)
Varna is lively city worth seeing and exploring. The city center (downtown) is only about 6 miles away from the wedding venue and there are many options to enable you to travel without any challenges. If you don't want to be trapped within the resort district and experience mingling with the locals staying in the city might be an amazing experience for you!
Hotel Panorama
With a premium location this hotel is small and right in the middle of one of the busiest and most happening parts of town. Overlooking the city public pool, you might catch a practice or a match of a local water polo team. The hotel is a 5 min walk from the Port area which is filled with bars, restaurants and the Varna Lighthouse.
If you are looking for lazy vacation with extended sleeping hours or have small kids this location might not be the best suited for you, however if you want to enjoy the intensity of the Varna nightlife - this hotel will put you right in the middle of it.
Hotel Belle Epoque Beach
It does not get more boutique than this! This 16 room hotel is located right on the Primorski Blvd (means by the sea boulevard) in historically restored building typical for the Varna early 20th century architecture style. The charm of this hotel is a perfect match for its location the historical Greek quarters of Varna.
If you have unfulfilled aristocrat fantasies, this hotel may transport you into the life you never had!
Best Western Prima Hotel
Another boutique hotel in the desirable beachfront part of Varna. Small but with premium access to the Sea Garden and all the nightlife of Varna.
Modus Hotel
Another gem in the popular Greek neighborhood of Varna. Modus is Varna locals favorite and serves as popular pick and drop off point for taxis as it is located right near the alley which takes you down to the beach front its popular and endless list of bars, clubs and nightlife.
Hotel Gallery Graphite
Is this a hotel or a contemporary art gallery? This luxury 5-star hotel offers a sophisticated take on lodging and promises to be a very unique and street art inspired experience.
Grand Hotel London
In the very heart of Varna, there is a small, cozy boutique hotel with 100 years of history and unique design. Built by a famous Bulgarian architect you may see his bronze statue sitting on a bench as you take a stroll through Varna's main shopping street.
Grand Hotel London offers Old World Luxury of a bygone era.
Ground transportation
Varna has a well-developed public transit system which is both reliable and quite cheap (one way fare to just about anywhere is ~$1)
Varna Public Transit
There are many frequent busses and trolleys all throughout the city and the surrounding areas which offer convenient and air conditioned options for getting around. Most city busses offer free on-board Wifi Connectivity. Once the bus is boarded look for the self service machine located usually in the middle of the bus where you can purchase your fare (machines offer selection of interface languages English being one of them).
The 409 line offers connectivity from the Varna International Airport all the way to Sts Konstantin and Helena resort district, however this might be a ride of over an hour. Several other bus lines offer connectivity from downtown to the resort district, those are Route 9 and Route 209b. Using the bus you will need to get off on either the BALKAN stop or the "BOTANICHESKA GRADINA" stop.
Check out the link provided and get familiar with the routes ahead of time for a stress free experience
Triumph Taxi Ltd.
By far the easiest and highly recommended way of getting around! Taxis are relatively cheap and Triumph is the best among those. Please download the convenient app ahead of time and you can select you pick up and drop off locations without having to talk to anyone. Triumph is the official Taxi of the Varna International Airport. As you exit the terminal you will see an Airport Coordinator asking you for your destination and he will hail the cab for you. Cash only transactions!!!!!
As a local this is how I get around!
Top Rent A Car Varna Airport
Many rent a car options right at the airport terminal including Avis, Herts and many others. Top Rent a Car is a local company and seems to have the most attractive pricing with new and well-maintained vehicles.
While renting a car is an option, I would advise against it as parking in a real problem not only from cost perspective but also from availability. Parking even on the street in the downtown area requires payment by text message and can be very overwhelming. Also, traffic rules are more like loose guidelines in Bulgaria so unless you feel extremely sure of yourself get a taxi.
Attractions
Varna Sea Garden
Cost: FREE
Favorite local residents past time this manicured park stretches for miles along the Black Sea coast and offers a relaxing and carefree experience for all ages. The Sea Garden is the largest landscaped park on the Balkan Peninsula and is amazing place to visit with a family. There are plenty of benches to sit and rest under the thick shade of 100+ year old trees or for the parents to take a break in one of the many coffee bars while the kids run around or enjoy ice-cream, crapes or other delicious street foods.
Archaeological Museum Varna
Cost: 10 BGN (~$6 USD)
A must see while in Varna home of the oldest discovered gold, this unique experience will give you a sense of appreciation for craftsman dating back to the Neolithic era.
Build as an all-girls school in 1892 the building was later designated a historical landmark and a permanent home of the Varna Archeological Museum.
Dormition of the Theotokos Cathedral
Cost: FREE
With construction beginning in 1880 the Varna Cathedral is the 3rd largest Cathedral in Orthodox Bulgaria.
Euxinograd Palace
Cost: 12 BGN (~ $7.5 USD)
Euxinograd Palace derived its name from the combination of the words:
- Euxino: From the acient name of the Black Sea - Euxeinos Pontos, meaning Inhospitable Sea
- Grad: city
Built in the late 19th century the Palace served as the summer residence of Tzar Ferdinand Maximilian Karl Leopold Maria of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and later and summer retreat for the Bulgarian Communist Party.
The Palace and its grounds include many European royal gifts, statues and designs. Located on the grounds are also the Euxinograd Winery and Distillery popular with its premium alcohol production.
Dolphinarium Varna
Cost: 36 BGN (~$20 USD)
Located in the northern part of the Sea Garden the Dolphinarium offers a fun family activity where spectators enjoy dolphin acrobatics and tricks 4 times per day: 10:30 AM, 12:00 PM, 3:30 PM and 5:00 PM.
Hint: stay out of the first 3 or 4 rows unless you want to get soaked.
People's Astronomical Observatory and Planetarium ”Nicolaus Copernicus”
Cost: 6 BGN (~$4 USD)
Unique and educational experience this dome shaped building allows for an amazing star travel where guests recline in the captain chairs and take a trip through the Milky Way and beyond. Thursdays at 5:00 PM enjoy a solar system show in English.
Naval Museum
Cost: Free to 5 BGN (~$3 USD)
Located in the Sea Garden this open-air exhibition showcases naval military equipment from WW2. The museum also has an indoor exhibition for a small cover charge.
Port Varna
The Port District is one of the most popular gathering spots for locals and visitors. From wild party at one of the multiple night clubs to a romantic sunset the Port district has something to offer to everyone.
This also happens to be where I proposed to Biljana.
Varna Party Boats
Cost: 30 BGN (~$18 USD)
Jack Sparrow himself would have been proud to captain one of those pirate schooners! Bring your kids for an epic cannon battle as the two sides maneuver their ships towards victory. The epic battles between the Pinta Varna caravel and the Arabella schooner will leave you soaked and smiling! With its water cannons make sure you wear clothing that you do not mind getting completely soaked with sea water.
CHÂTEAU BOSHNAKOFF
Cost: FREE to our wedding guests
Maker of the Lakeside brand of wines and a friend and schoolmate of mine Peter Boshnakoff will take you on a behind the curtains wine tasting that will leave you happy and relaxed.
Located just outside Varna we will have a group transport organized for those who want to taste local grapes and wine.