Varna is the biggest city and seaside resort on the entire Black Sea coast of Bulgaria. It is located on the northern portion of Bulgaria. Varna is the third largest city in the entire country of Bulgaria, just after Plodiv and Sofia. It is also the 78th biggest city in the European Union. The city has approximately 353,292 inhabitants. There are bout 420,000 inhabitants within the metropolitan area of Varna.Keep reading
Varna is considered as the summer capital and marine capital of Bulgaria. It is a major tourist spot, university center, and business center. It is also a major seaport. In addition, this city is the home of the merchant marine and Bulgarian Navy headquarters. Moreover, the city of Varna is the center of the Northeastern planning region of Bulgaria, or the NUTS II, and the Varna Province. Varna also comprises various provinces including Shumen, Targovishte, and Dobrich.
The city is designated as the seat of the European Region’s Black Sea, a new organization that focuses on regional cities and countries within Europe. This is different from the Euro-region of the Black Sea by the European Council.
Geography
This city has a coverage area of about 205 square kilometers. It covers verdant terraces, including the Moesian platform of the city’s monocline. Varna’s coverage descends from the Franga Plateau, which is about 356 meters high, on the northern portion and the Avren Plateau on the southern portion along the Black Sea’s Varna Bay, which is famous for its resemblance to a horseshoe. It also features the Lake Varna and two artificial waterway systems that connect the Varna Bay and the Varna Lake and are bridged by the Asparuhov.
Varna is the center of the growing conurbation that stretches along the coastline, which is about 20 kilometers on the northern portion and 10 kilometers on the southern portion. The southern coastal portion of Varna is mainly composed of recreational and residential homes. The Varna Lake, which is about 25 kilometers, on the city’s western portion is mainly composed of industrial facilities and transportation. Since the olden days, the city of Varna had already been surrounded by various forests, orchards, and vineyards. The commercial facilities of the city are relocated inland, while the Varna bay remains a tourist area for recreational purposes.
The water of the Black Sea has become cleaner after 1989 because of the decreased use of chemical fertilizers when farming. The water has low salinity. It also lacks poisonous species and huge predators. Moreover, the tidal range of the Black Sea is virtually hardly noticeable.
Climate
The city’s urban area has an excess land area of about 20 kilometers. This excess land is composed of sandy beaches that are abundant in mineral and thermal water sources. The urban area has a continental and mild climate that is greatly influenced by the sea. The city has long and mild autumns similar to that of the Mediterranean climate, but it has a hot and sunny climate during the summer that is considerably colder than the Mediterranean climate. In addition, Varna has regular rainfalls and a moderated breeze. The city has abundant groundwater that keeps the hills lush green throughout the entire summer season, though it only receives 2/3 of the average rainfall in Bulgaria. Varna is cut off from the northern and northeastern winds by the hills along the bay. Between the months of January and February, the city’s climate can be bitterly cold with blizzards.
Transportation
Varna is located about 47 kilometers away from another big city, Sofia. The nearest cities in Varna include Dobrich, which is 45 kilometers towards the north, Burgas which is 125 kilometers towards the southwest, and Shumen which is 80 kilometers towards the west.
Varna is virtually accessible by all kinds of air transportation because it houses the Varna International Airport. The city is also accessible by water via the Port of Varna Cruise Terminal. Moreover, the city has a railroad station called the Central Train Station. It has numerous well-built roads located within the city boundaries, which make it accessible by buses and automobiles.
Major roads and highways in the area include E87, which leads to Constanta, Romania, and Istanbul, and the E70 European route which leads to Bucharest. The national motorway of A-2, more commonly known as the Hemus Motorway, is also a main road leading to Sofia. The A-5, or the Cherno More Motorway, leads to Burgas. There are numerous bus lines that travel to many international and Bulgarian cities from a train ferry and two bus terminals and ro-ro services that lead to Ukraine, Poti, Russia, Batumi in Georgia, Port Kavkaz, and Odesa.
Hotels in Varna
There are a number of 2-star to 5-star hotels in Varna. On the northern portion of the city along the 20-kilometer strip in the areas of Constantine, Helena, Chaika, Riviera, Golden Sands, Sunny Day, and Euxigrad, are beachfront resorts. There is a total of over 60,000 hotel guest rooms and bedrooms as well as villas offering private lodgings. Below is a list of affordable hotels in Verna.
Affordable Hotels
- Gregory’s Backpackers – This hostel is located outside the center of Varna within the Zvezditsa village. It has abundant facilities, including a DVD or satellite TV lounge, a bar, and an Internet café. It also features a well-equipped kitchen for the guests.
- XHOSTEL – This hotel is located at 16th St. Number 19 Euxinograd Varna, Bulgaria. It offers free transportation to the Varna City Center and the Golden Sands. It has a pool, international staff, free breakfast, on-site restaurant, a relaxing garden, a common game or TV room, and a sea-view terrace. It is perhaps the newest hotel in the area and is only a 13-minute walk towards the beach and the thermal baths of St. Constantine and the nearby cafes and markets.
Other Hotels in Varna
- Alekta Hotel
- Fllinis Hotel
- Amfora Hotel
- Hotel Divesta – This is a luxury hotel located within the city center.