Cheap holiday Varna
Varna is Bulgaria's vibrant Black Sea resort: an expansive sea boulevard, the world's oldest worked gold treasure and direct flights from Eindhoven with Wizz Air. Week from ca. €350 per person.
✈️ Plan your trip to Varna →When is the best time to go?
June and September are ideal: 24 to 28 degrees and warm sea water without the August crowds. In the shoulder season prices drop by twenty to forty per cent compared to August. Peak season (July and August) is busier and pricier but offers the warmest Black Sea swimming.
The best areas in Varna
- City Centre (Cathedral Quarter) All sights within walking distance: Cathedral, Roman Baths and Archaeological Museum close together. Lively terraces in the evenings.
- Primorski Park (Sea Boulevard) An 8-kilometre green coastal strip with dolphinarium, aquarium and direct beach access. Popular with joggers and morning walkers.
- Greek Quarter (Gratska Mahala) A 19th-century neighbourhood built by Greek merchants, with cobbled lanes, hidden wine bars and galleries. After 20:00 the most authentic part of town.
- Asparuhovo Quiet neighbourhood across the bay connected by the long Asparuhov bridge. Own guarded beach and significantly cheaper accommodation.
- Briz and Chayka Modern coastal suburbs with clifftop sea views, ideal for longer stays away from the busy centre.
Top 5 things to do in Varna
- Primorski Park (Sea Boulevard), free The largest city park on the Balkans: 8 kilometres along the coast with dolphinarium, aquarium, botanical garden and panoramic Black Sea views. Fully free to enter.
- Gold Treasure in the Archaeological Museum, ca. €5 to €7.50 The world's oldest worked gold, over 6,000 years old, older than the Egyptian pharaohs. Found in a nearby necropolis and an absolute must-see.
- Roman Baths, ca. €2.50 to €4 The fourth-largest intact Roman bath complex in the world, from the 2nd century AD. Centrally located and barely known to foreign visitors, perfect to combine with the Archaeological Museum.
- Cathedral of the Assumption, free The most impressive Orthodox cathedral on the Black Sea coast with gold-leaf mosaics and stained glass. Small contribution for photography sometimes requested.
- Dolphinarium, ca. €12 to €15 (adults) In Primorski Park, dolphin shows with Black Sea dolphins. Children ca. €7.50 to €10. Tickets at the box office on the day.
Flights + transport from the Netherlands
Wizz Air flies direct from Eindhoven (EIN) to Varna (VAR) in about three hours, two to three times a week during summer. Return from ca. €65, book at least six weeks in advance for the best price. From Schiphol (AMS) you fly via Sofia or Vienna in about four to five hours total, return from ca. €180. Bus 409 connects the airport to the centre in about 20 minutes for ca. €1 (60-minute ticket). City bus within Varna costs ca. €1 per journey. A taxi from the airport to the centre costs ca. €5 to €10.
What does a holiday in Varna cost?
Hotels in the centre (2026) from ca. €27 to €40 per night (budget), mid-range ca. €45 to €80. A meal in a local mehana costs ca. €4 to €7.50, a beer on the beach ca. €2.50 to €4. Free sights: Primorski Park (Sea Boulevard) and Cathedral. Note: Bulgaria raised the hospitality VAT from 9% to 20% in 2025, so boulevard terrace prices have risen. For a week in Varna including direct flight, hotel and daily expenses budget realistically ca. €350 per person in shoulder season up to ca. €550 in August.
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Frequently asked questions about Varna
When is the best time to visit Varna?
June and September are ideal: 24 to 28 degrees and warm sea water without the August crowds. In the shoulder season prices drop by twenty to forty per cent.
How do I get to Varna from the Netherlands?
Wizz Air flies direct from Eindhoven to Varna (VAR) in about three hours, two to three times a week during summer. Return from ca. €65. From Schiphol you fly via Sofia or Vienna, total journey around four to five hours.
Which neighbourhood is best to stay in Varna?
The city centre around the Cathedral and the Sea Boulevard: everything on foot and right on the promenade. Budget alternative: Asparuhovo across the bay, significantly cheaper with its own beach.
What does a holiday in Varna cost?
A week in Varna including direct flight from Eindhoven, hotel and daily expenses: ca. €350 per person in the shoulder season up to ca. €550 in August.
🗺️ Where do you want to stay in Varna?
Hotels and apartments in Varna on the map. Click a pin for live prices and direct booking.
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