Staying in Varna City Centre: Is It Worth It?
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We recently spent 5 days in Varna, enjoying the history, weather, beaches, thermal spas, food… The list could keep going. We absolutely loved it, but in all honesty, the most difficult choice was deciding where to stay, even more than planning what to do in Varna.
Staying in the city centre offers a completely different experience from a typical resort holiday, but it also comes with its own unique set of pros and cons. That’s why in this blog I’m sharing the unfiltered truth about staying in Varna City Centre, so you can decide if it’s right for you.
Why stay in Varna city centre? (The pros)
If you decide to base yourself in the actual city centre, the style of your holiday completely shifts. While we actually stayed in St. Constantine and Helena because our priority was the thermal spas, every time we visited the city centre, it felt completely different to other popular coastal destinations — local, authentic, green, and incredibly varied.
Here are the biggest reasons we noticed why staying in the city centre is incredibly rewarding:
1. The entire city is completely walkable
The absolute best thing is how well-connected everything is. The centre is full of pedestrian-only zones, allowing you to walk from a lush green park to local cafes, the beach, and historic sites in minutes, without ever worrying about transportation. We’ve actually included many of these locations in our Varna Google Maps list, including food spots, parks, beaches, landmarks, and so much more. It will genuinely save you hours of research!
Because we live in the UK, Bulgaria wasn't included in our mobile roaming plan. To avoid high roaming charges while navigating the city streets, we used a 5-day unlimited eSIM from Jetpac for just €19. It was a lifesaver for using Google Maps, looking up menus, and translating on the go without worrying about finding public Wi-Fi. If you want to grab one for your trip, use the code CARMAADV15 to get 15% off any of their eSIM plans.
2. Direct access to the Sea Garden and the beach
By staying in the centre, you are right on the doorstep of the Sea Garden (Primorski Park). This isn't just a basic city park — it is a massive, lush green park used by locals that stretches for miles along the coastline, separating the city from the sand. If you walk across it, you will find a very long beach strip with beach bars, sun beds, and activities.
3. Better food, authentic vibes, and fairer prices
Unlike tourist-focused areas like Golden Sands, where things are overpriced, the city centre is where the locals actually live, shop, and eat. This means you get access to incredible, authentic Bulgarian restaurants, fresh seafood spots along the port, and trendy bakeries at everyday Bulgarian prices.
4. You’ll never be bored
Within a short walk, you have the ancient Roman Baths, the Archaeological Museum (home to the oldest processed gold in the world), the stunning Opera House, and many more incredible things to do in Varna. We didn’t have much of an idea, but it really surprised us (positively!) how much history and entertainment there was.
Best hotels in Varna city centre
Before I share the downsides of staying in the heart of the city, these are the hotels we’d absolutely stay at when we visit Varna again.
The perfect place to sleep in Varna centre depends heavily on your budget and travel style, so if you have any questions, feel free to email us, and we’d be happy to help!
Graffit Gallery Design Hotel: This is a modern, sophisticated hotel ideal for couples and families. The rooms are incredibly spacious, but one of the standout features is the indoor pool with panoramic city views. Best of all, it’s ideally located right on the edge of the Sea Garden, the beach, and the historic centre.
mOdus Hotel (our top pick!): For value for money, this is easily the best hotel in the city centre. It is situated right on the front line of the Sea Garden, making it slightly closer to the beach. If you want a really pleasant surprise, check out their Large Suite — it is incredibly spacious and luxurious. They also offer a very handy airport shuttle service for an additional fee, which takes all the stress out of your arrival and departure if you are planning not to rent a car.
Grand Hotel London: This is the ideal hotel for those seeking a touch of old-world charm. If you love history, architecture, and being steps away from the Opera House and the Cathedral, this is a beautiful, highly characterful place to base yourself.
The downsides of staying in the city centre
While we absolutely fell in love with the vibrant local atmosphere of the city centre, it isn't a perfect paradise.
1. It can get quite noisy
Between the lively restaurants, late-night pedestrian traffic, and regular city sounds, it can get noisy — especially if your hotel is right on the main walking streets.
2. Parking can be a nightmare
If you are unsure about renting a car or don't want to pay for parking, it can be frustrating. If you do rent one, we recommend leaving it in your hotel's parking lot. Hotels usually charge a daily rate, but this keeps the car safe and saves you from the stress of driving in the city. Only use it when you plan to travel outside of Varna.
3. The city beaches aren't as pristine
While it is amazing to have a beach just a short walk from the main square, Varna's central city beaches are not the cleanest in the region. This doesn't mean you will find rubbish piled up on the sand, but because the busy Port of Varna is located right next to the beach, the water naturally won't be as clean or clear as it is further up the coast.
How to get around Varna city
Getting around Varna city from the centre is incredibly straightforward. Because the central area is highly pedestrianised, you won't need to rely heavily on transport unless you are leaving the city.
Here are the best ways to get around:
Exploring on foot. For 90% of your stay in the centre, walking is all you need. The main pedestrian boulevard connects the Cathedral all the way down to the Sea Garden and the beach. It is entirely flat, car-free, and very easy to navigate.
Using local buses. If you want to travel to nearby areas (like Golden Sands or St. Constantine and Helena) or back to the airport, the local bus is cheap and reliable.
Bus 409 is the most useful line for tourists. It connects the airport directly to the city centre
Taking taxis. Taxis in Varna are very affordable, but you should avoid hailing random cabs on the street to prevent being overcharged.
Our recommendation is to use Triumf Taxi to get around the city, which is the most reliable and trusted taxi company in the city. That said, to get from the airport to your hotel, we’d recommend pre-booking your transfer through GetTransfer.com.
Where to eat: Best restaurants in Varna centre
One of the main benefits of staying in or visiting the city centre is the quality and variety of the food. While we’ve added many to our Varna Google Maps list, here are the top two:
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Staria Chinar: Very high-quality seafood, meat and delicious local wine.
Saltish Restaurant: Varied and vibrant food at great prices.
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