As the third largest city in Bulgaria and one of the country's
most attractive towns, Varna is known as Bulgaria's Seaside Capital
and the 'Pearl of the Black Sea Coast'. The town is arranged in
tiers along the curve of Varna Bay, and besides being a popular
beach resort, it rivals the important cities of Sofia and Plovdiv
in its wealth of museums, art galleries, historical buildings and
cultural entertainment, and as such is a year-round holiday
destination. The 19th-century Cathedral of the Assumption of the
Virgin is an impressive landmark, while the extensive ruins of the
Roman Spa in the centre of town constitutes the largest ancient
building in Bulgaria, dating back to 1700. It is the main port for
commercial and naval shipping and has a casual, cosmopolitan
atmosphere with a Mediterranean charm created by the sunny climate,
calm sea, beach promenades and red-tiled roofs. Varna is the
gateway to the nearby beach resorts, including Albena and the
mega-resort of Golden Sands, and numerous scenic spots along the
coast are within easy reach, such as the nature reserve at Kamchia
and the crumbling rock formations and dramatic cliffs along the
Balchik coast.
