Varna.
Flight from TLV
2h 19m
Best season
יונ–ספט
Avg temp
18°
Currency
лв BGN · 1=₪1.80
Time zone
זהה לתל אביב, למעט פערים קצרים במעבר לשעון קיץ
Language
בולגרית
Plug
C / F · 230V
Visa
אין צורך בוויזה לישראלים לשהייה של עד 90 יום בתוך 180 יום באזור שנגן
Safety
יעד נוח ובטוח יחסית; באזורי חוף, בילוי ותחבורה ציבורית כדאי להישמר מכייסות וממוניות לא מורשות
Overview
🇧🇬Varna
🇧🇬Bulgaria
Varna is the Bulgarian summer escape Israelis love: a short flight, Black Sea beaches, good-value hotels and an easy mix of relaxation and city life. Spend the day at Central Beach, Aquahouse Thermal & Beach or nearby Golden Sands, then stroll through the Sea Garden, shop along Knyaz Boris Boulevard and visit a casino after dark.
What are you looking for?
Everything for Varna, in one place
Pick a category and dive into its dedicated page.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Varna
Each area and who it suits best.
Varna City Centre
A convenient urban base around the Dormition Cathedral, pedestrian streets, and restaurants, with quick access to the Sea Garden and beach.
Varna Beach and the Sea Garden
A long green promenade with an urban beach, seafront bars, and family attractions all within walking distance.
Golden Sands
A lively resort strip about 17 km north of Varna, with a broad beach, all-inclusive hotels, bars, clubs, and a casino.
Sts. Constantine and Helena
A greener, quieter resort than Golden Sands, known for small coves, spa hotels, and warm mineral pools.
Albena
A resort town about 30 km north of Varna with a long sandy beach, shallow water, children’s activities, and less late-night noise.
Year-round weather
Year-round weather in Varna
Temperature averages
Real climate dataינו
9°
3°
Cool
פבר
9°
1°
Cool
מרץ
13°
5°
Cool
אפר
16°
8°
Recommended
מאי
19°
12°
Recommended
יונ
26°
18°
Excellent
יול
30°
20°
Excellent
אוג
29°
20°
Excellent
ספט
25°
17°
Excellent
אוק
20°
11°
Recommended
נוב
14°
7°
Cool
דצמ
10°
4°
Cool
Most pleasant weather: יונ · יול · אוג · ספט
Peak season for Israelis (when everyone goes): יונ · יול · אוג · ספט
Based on a 3-year average · measured in Varna · Open-Meteo
This week in Varna
Measured in Varna
15°
Partly cloudy
Next 7 days
Tap a day for hourly detail
Seasonal averages · loading live forecast…
Things to do
Things to do in Varna
On the map
Varna on one map
Every spot travelers love — tap a pin for photos, opening hours, navigation and booking.
Suggested plan
A perfect Varna itinerary
Day by day, so you can picture the whole trip.
- 1
Day 1
Central Varna and the Sea Garden
Start at the Dormition Cathedral, continue along Knyaz Boris I Boulevard, and pause at Nezavisimost Square. In the afternoon, walk through the Sea Garden to the city beach, then finish with sunset and dinner near the promenade.
- 2
Day 2
Beach and Nightlife in Golden Sands
Spend the morning on Golden Sands’ broad beach, trying water sports or relaxing on a sunbed. Walk along the resort promenade in the afternoon, then choose between beach bars, clubs, and the casino in the evening, or return early if traveling with children.
- 3
Day 3
Aladzha Monastery and Sts. Constantine and Helena
Visit Aladzha Monastery, a medieval monastic complex carved into a cliff and surrounded by forest. Continue to Sts. Constantine and Helena for a swim in a calm cove or time in the mineral pools at Aquahouse Thermal & Beach.
- 4
Day 4
Balchik and Cape Kaliakra
Take a rental car or organized tour to Queen Marie’s Palace and the terraced seaside Botanical Garden in Balchik. Continue to Cape Kaliakra for a walk among the fortress remains and dramatic views over the Black Sea cliffs.
- 5
Day 5
Ancient Ruins, Shopping, and Free Time
Visit the impressive Roman Baths and the Archaeological Museum, home to Varna’s Chalcolithic gold treasure. Finish with shopping at Grand Mall Varna or return to the Sea Garden; families can swap the museum for the Festa Dolphinarium.
Quick game
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Budget
How much does Varna cost?
Real ILS price ranges, so you know what to expect.
Round-trip flight from TLV
₪550-1,300 (summer: ₪1,700+)
Mid-range hotel night
₪250-500 (double room)
Restaurant meal
₪45-90
Local beer
₪8-16
Coffee
₪6-12
Short taxi ride
₪12-25
Rental car per day
₪100-220 (excluding fuel)
Daily budget per person
₪250-480 (excluding flight)
Good to know
Good to know before Varna
Getting around
From the airport
Varna Airport is about 9 km from the center. An official taxi to central Varna usually takes 15–20 minutes and costs around ₪30–50; Golden Sands takes roughly 35–45 minutes and ₪80–130. Bus 409 links the airport with the center, Sts. Constantine and Helena, and Golden Sands for just a few shekels.
Need a car?
You do not need a car when staying in central Varna or at a resort and focusing on beaches, dining, and shopping. A one- or two-day rental is worthwhile for Aladzha Monastery, Cape Kaliakra, Balchik, or Nessebar, though summer parking near the beaches can be difficult.
Tips
Use the Triumf Taxi app or the official taxi rank, and avoid drivers approaching passengers inside the terminal. Bus 409 is useful but crowded in summer; check the final departure before an evening trip between Varna and Golden Sands.
Kosher & Jewish
Chabad / community
A seasonal Chabad House operates in central Varna, mainly during summer and periods with significant Israeli traffic. It generally provides prayers, Shabbat meals, and sometimes pre-ordered kosher food; its address, hours, and availability can change, so advance contact and registration are essential. The city also has a historic Jewish community synagogue, but it should not be treated as a substitute for an active Chabad center or kosher restaurant.
Kosher food
Varna does not have a broad, dependable selection of kosher restaurants, and travelers should not expect readily available kosher food in Golden Sands without pre-ordering. Observant visitors typically arrange meals through Chabad, book an apartment with a kitchenette, and buy sealed products bearing a recognized certification at Lidl, Kaufland, or BILLA. Those comfortable with kosher-friendly rather than certified food can find Shopska salad without meat, grilled vegetables, potatoes, pasta, or vegetarian pizza, but the kitchens and utensils are not kosher.
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Learn moreTravel insurance
Travel insurance for Varna 🇧🇬
A hospital day in Varna can cost thousands. Full coverage with Hebrew support.
- Medical + hospital 24/7
- Trip cancellation
- Baggage
- Water & extreme sports
Currency & rates
Live rateCurrency & rates
Quick conversion at today's rate
Convert
You get
180
1 BGN
₪1.8
100 BGN
₪180
1,000 BGN
₪1,800
Source: exchangerate-api · updated Sep 14 · refreshes daily
Visa & documents
Visa & documents for Varna 🇧🇬
What you need before you fly
- אין צורך בוויזה לישראלים לשהייה של עד 90 יום בתוך 180 יום באזור שנגן
- Passport valid 6 months
- Travel insurance, leave details for a quote
Local tips
Good to know about Varna
- 📍For a holiday combining the city, restaurants and beach, stay near the center or Sea Garden, while Golden Sands is better for travelers who want a resort, pools and nightlife in one place.
- 🚕From the airport, use only the official taxi rank or bus 409, and never accept a ride from a driver approaching you inside the arrivals hall.
- 💳At card terminals and ATMs, choose to be charged in the local currency and decline conversion to shekels, which can add several percent to the transaction.
- 🌊In July and August, reach Central Beach or Rappongi Beach by 10:00 if you want a well-positioned sunbed without searching in the heat.
- ✡️Kosher travelers should contact Chabad Varna in advance regarding meals and Shabbat, and stock up on sealed supermarket products because the city's kosher selection is limited.
- 🎟️On summer weekends, reserve Aquahouse admission and popular beach-bar seating in advance, especially if your group wants to sit together at sunset.
מאיה רוזן
Senior agent · Greece for 12 years
"To me, Varna feels like an effortless summer break: sea in the morning, shopping in the afternoon and affordable bars at night. What wins people over is how quickly you can move from the city center into the Sea Garden, a huge green promenade leading straight down to the beach."
Loves
I love arriving at Cubo on the central beach before sunset, finding a spot with my feet in the sand and staying as the music picks up and locals fill the bar. It is the best way to experience Varna itself rather than simply holidaying nearby.
Skip
Do not book a hotel in Golden Sands expecting to walk into central Varna, as it is a separate resort area roughly 17 km from the city.
Boutique pick
I would start the day with coffee and a warm banitsa in the center, continue through the Roman Baths and Sea Garden, then head to Aquahouse Thermal & Beach in St. Constantine and Helena for a few hours in the mineral pools. We would return to Varna for sunset at Cubo and finish with dinner around the Knyaz Boris I pedestrian zone.
Client stories
What returning travelers say about Varna
"We started the day at the thermal Aqua House in Saints Constantine and Helena and ended with sunset drinks at Cubo, which made Varna exactly the couples’ weekend we wanted."
Noa and Ido
Couples’ weekend
"The kids could not stop talking about the Dolphinarium and Retro Museum, while we loved walking among the playgrounds and ice cream stands of Varna’s Sea Garden."
The Levi Family
Family beach holiday
"We spent the day swimming and doing water sports at Golden Sands, returned to the hotel to get ready and then explored Varna’s bars until late at prices that surprised us all."
Ori, Daniel and Friends
Summer friends’ getaway
FAQ
Common questions about Varna
Do Israelis need a visa for Varna?
Israelis do not need a visa for Varna for stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day Schengen period, but the passport must remain valid for at least three months after departure and ETIAS requirements should be checked before flying.
When is the best time to fly to Varna?
The best time for Varna is from late May to mid-September, with July and August bringing warm water and lively nightlife alongside peak crowds and prices.
How many days are enough in Varna, and is it better for families or couples?
Four to five days in Varna are enough for the beach, Sea Garden and a day at Golden Sands, while its attractions suit families and its hotels, spas and seafront bars work well for couples.
Are there direct flights from Tel Aviv to Varna, and how long is the flight?
Direct flights from Tel Aviv to Varna usually operate during spring and summer and take about two hours and fifteen minutes to two and a half hours, with fewer options in winter.
How do you get around Varna, and is renting a car worthwhile?
Central Varna is easy to explore on foot, by bus or with taxi apps, while a rental car is mainly useful for trips to Balchik, Cape Kaliakra or beaches outside the city.
How much does a holiday in Varna cost?
For a comfortable four-night stay in Varna, budget roughly ₪1,600 to ₪2,800 per person excluding flights, including a shared double room, meals, transport and attractions.
Is Varna safe for Israeli travelers?
Varna is generally safe for Israeli visitors, but it is wise to watch for pickpockets in crowded areas, book taxis through an app and follow beach warning flags.
Where are Varna’s beaches, attractions and nightlife, and is kosher food available?
In Varna, travelers can combine Central Beach and Sea Garden with Golden Sands, bars such as Cubo and Menthol, and pre-booked kosher meals through the local Chabad during the summer season.