Villa Loza-Quartet - Varna guidebook
Gastronomie
There are many restaurants in Varna, around the villa, downtown and on the beaches and harbor.
- What you will like in Bulgarian restaurants:
o The Bulgarian food,
o You can eat at almost any time,
o The bill, much cheaper than in Western Europe
- What you may not like in Bulgarian restaurants (in some cases):
o When all guests are not served at the same time. (you have to get used to finishing your hot dish before your friend gets his/her salad!)
o When the waitress takes your plate away just 2 seconds after you’re finished (leave at least one pea in your plate to be sure to keep it!)
o When bread you’ve ordered shows up when you’re done!
a good Italian restaurant located in Parkmart Supermarket Park. Good food, nice service.
20 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
La Pastaria
a good Italian restaurant located in Parkmart Supermarket Park. Good food, nice service.
a small restaurant with a very nice garden (very nice in Summer, book in advance)
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parmy Family Restaurant
a small restaurant with a very nice garden (very nice in Summer, book in advance)
this is not a traditional restaurant as such but Happy is a restaurant chain founded in Varna in 2000, an institution in Varna! There are several “Happy” in Varna, Happy City center and Happy Morska Gara (harbor) are worth the visit. Standardized but good quality food, sushis, big place, usually a very well organized service.
106 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Happy Bar & Grill
22 bul. "Slivnitsa"this is not a traditional restaurant as such but Happy is a restaurant chain founded in Varna in 2000, an institution in Varna! There are several “Happy” in Varna, Happy City center and Happy Morska Gara (harbor) are worth the visit. Standardized but good quality food, sushis, big place, usually a very well organized service.
Chuchura Restaurant
11 ulitsa "Dragoman"very typical small restaurant in the city center, not far away from the opera
Mehana Kashtata
9 ulitsa "8-mi noemvri"typical restaurant in the Greek quarter of Varna. Typical food, order a Satch!
restaurant Chuchurite
15 ul. "Panagyurishte"another typical restaurant, close to the railway station
very good location, nice view over the central beach.
33 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Sea Terrace
very good location, nice view over the central beach.
El Kapan
good location, tables on the beach.
a Bulgarian restaurant chain with good food
43 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Staria Chinar - Port Varna
a Bulgarian restaurant chain with good food
very nice restaurant with fine cuisine, cosy rooms and view over the bay (along the road to Vinitza, 1,5 km walk from the villa
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
BM Olea
1743 bul. "8-mi Primorski Polk"very nice restaurant with fine cuisine, cosy rooms and view over the bay (along the road to Vinitza, 1,5 km walk from the villa
good food in this small remote restaurant located in a small creek of St Konstantin & Elena resort. At walking distance from Aquahouse spa complex.
18 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Bay
good food in this small remote restaurant located in a small creek of St Konstantin & Elena resort. At walking distance from Aquahouse spa complex.
fish restaurant close to Evksinograd palace, outdoor restaurant, “the feet in sea water”!
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Nemo Evksinograd
ulitsa "Sandrovo"fish restaurant close to Evksinograd palace, outdoor restaurant, “the feet in sea water”!
on your way to Kaliakra cape, you have to visit this place, on the seaside at the bottom of a very steep cliff: a mussel farm and 2 fish/mussel restaurants, right or left, it’s up to you!
Dalboka Mussel Farm & Restaurant
on your way to Kaliakra cape, you have to visit this place, on the seaside at the bottom of a very steep cliff: a mussel farm and 2 fish/mussel restaurants, right or left, it’s up to you!
Beaches
- The closest beach is the “hidden beach”, at walking distance from the villa (refer to information map). Walk down, cross the highway (underground) and go through the “Briz hotels” road…
Hidden Beach
- The closest beach is the “hidden beach”, at walking distance from the villa (refer to information map). Walk down, cross the highway (underground) and go through the “Briz hotels” road…
- Varna main beaches are a bit further, easily accessible by bus, bike or car (refer to information map). Go down to the highway, turn right at the traffic lights and then left at the first little roundabout.
18 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Varna beach
- Varna main beaches are a bit further, easily accessible by bus, bike or car (refer to information map). Go down to the highway, turn right at the traffic lights and then left at the first little roundabout.
- The large beaches of the Northern resorts (St Konstantin & Elena, Golden Sands, …) are easily accessible by bus or car.
34 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Saints Constantine and Helena
- The large beaches of the Northern resorts (St Konstantin & Elena, Golden Sands, …) are easily accessible by bus or car.
- The large beaches of the Northern resorts (St Konstantin & Elena, Golden Sands, …) are easily accessible by bus or car.
43 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Golden Sands
- The large beaches of the Northern resorts (St Konstantin & Elena, Golden Sands, …) are easily accessible by bus or car.
Shopping
- The nearest place for daily shopping is “Citymarket” (small convenience store down the street)
Sitimarket
1-967 Свети Никола- The nearest place for daily shopping is “Citymarket” (small convenience store down the street)
- Parkmart Supermarket Park (also known as Picadilly Park) is a bigger shopping center at walking distance from the villa too. You can find there a supermarket (open 7/24) a restaurant, ATM and several stores.
38 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Parkmart
152 bul. "Knyaz Boris I"- Parkmart Supermarket Park (also known as Picadilly Park) is a bigger shopping center at walking distance from the villa too. You can find there a supermarket (open 7/24) a restaurant, ATM and several stores.
Kaufland Varna-Briz
2 ulitsa "Doctor Peter Skorchev- For big shopping, the nearest hypermarket is Kaufland Varna-Briz
- A more typical place in the center is Chataldzha Market were you can by fresh vegetables, fruits and all kinds of prepared dishes
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Market "Chataldja"
35 bul. "Chataldzha"- A more typical place in the center is Chataldzha Market were you can by fresh vegetables, fruits and all kinds of prepared dishes
fish market
4 ulitsa "Angel Kanchev"- The fish market is also worth a visit
Bars
- Most bars are on the seaside, close to the city center, a very lively area at night. Our favorite are:
o Cubo: a beach bar with good atmosphere and all kinds of DJ sets at night.
105 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cubo
- Most bars are on the seaside, close to the city center, a very lively area at night. Our favorite are:
o Cubo: a beach bar with good atmosphere and all kinds of DJ sets at night.
a beach bar with good atmosphere and live music at night
25 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Beach Bar Menthol
ulitsa "Kapitan Georgi Georgiev"a beach bar with good atmosphere and live music at night
Lieux emblématiques
Many sites are worth the visit around Varna, mainly along the Black Sea cost
- To the North:
o Aladzha Monastery: a remarkable cave monastery, close to Varna
93 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Aladzha Monastery
61 АбайMany sites are worth the visit around Varna, mainly along the Black Sea cost
- To the North:
o Aladzha Monastery: a remarkable cave monastery, close to Varna
Kaliakra
narrow and wild cape with high vertical cliffs, nature reserve (dolphins and cormorants)
o Balchik gardens and castle: wonderful botanic gardens and little castle of the Queen of Romania
Botanical Garden of the Sofia University
1 ул. Акад. Даки Йордановo Balchik gardens and castle: wonderful botanic gardens and little castle of the Queen of Romania
former royal palace, presently a governmental retreat. Can be visited upon request
26 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Evxinograd
former royal palace, presently a governmental retreat. Can be visited upon request
ancient town, major Bulgarian touristic site on the Black Sea. Very crowded in Summer. No cars in the old town, convenient car park just before the windmill bridge.
278 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Nessebar
ancient town, major Bulgarian touristic site on the Black Sea. Very crowded in Summer. No cars in the old town, convenient car park just before the windmill bridge.
another ancient town on the seaside, worth the visit. Sozopol is about 2,5 hours away from the villa. You need a long full day to go there and come back.
123 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sozopol
another ancient town on the seaside, worth the visit. Sozopol is about 2,5 hours away from the villa. You need a long full day to go there and come back.
Lozenets is a good place to spend one night when visiting the South cost
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lozenets
Lozenets is a good place to spend one night when visiting the South cost
o The South cost: from Lozenets to the Turkish border, a quite wild area with mostly Bulgarian tourists. To visit this part of the coast, you need to spend one night out of Varna. Lozenets is a good spot for staying over (family hotels, restaurants, …)
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sinemorets
o The South cost: from Lozenets to the Turkish border, a quite wild area with mostly Bulgarian tourists. To visit this part of the coast, you need to spend one night out of Varna. Lozenets is a good spot for staying over (family hotels, restaurants, …)
o The stone forest (pobitite kamani): a desert -like rock phenomenon, an exceptional place. If possible, don’t go there on a too hot day unless you appreciate desertic climate! Around 30 minutes drive from the villa, you need a car or a taxi to go there.
Pobitite Kamuni
o The stone forest (pobitite kamani): a desert -like rock phenomenon, an exceptional place. If possible, don’t go there on a too hot day unless you appreciate desertic climate! Around 30 minutes drive from the villa, you need a car or a taxi to go there.
Kamchia biosphere reserve: natural reserve, boat trip on the river, friendly and casual restaurants
Boat trips on river Kamchia/Разходка с лодка по река Камчия
Kamchia biosphere reserve: natural reserve, boat trip on the river, friendly and casual restaurants
What to do in Varna
a large outdoor theater in the sea garden where you can enjoy concerts, musicals, operas, …
29 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Varna Summer Theatre
Приморски паркa large outdoor theater in the sea garden where you can enjoy concerts, musicals, operas, …
a small opera theater with a good program. In Summer, representations are often relocated at the Summer Theater or at the Roman Therms
29 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Opera Varna
1 pl. "Nezavisimost"a small opera theater with a good program. In Summer, representations are often relocated at the Summer Theater or at the Roman Therms
a large thermal and spa complex in St Konstantin & Elena resort. Many indoor and outdoor thermal pools, sauna, steam bath, … Reachable by bus from the villa.
28 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Aquahouse Thermal & Beach
a large thermal and spa complex in St Konstantin & Elena resort. Many indoor and outdoor thermal pools, sauna, steam bath, … Reachable by bus from the villa.
Pirate boats: a funny experience for very hot days: you embark on a pirate ship for a battleship with water cannons! Casual fish lunch on board. Funny organizers, good for groups or families. Bath suits required…
45 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Port Varna
Pirate boats: a funny experience for very hot days: you embark on a pirate ship for a battleship with water cannons! Casual fish lunch on board. Funny organizers, good for groups or families. Bath suits required…
Consejos para la ciudad
Facilidad para moverse por la casa
Walking and biking in Varna
The villa is in the Northern part of Varna (St Nikola / Briz quarter), 4 to 5 km away from Varna city center which you can reach walking, riding, by bus, taxi or car.
- Walking: walking to the city center is a nice experience when you go through the see garden or along the beach road. There is a large pedestrian area in the city center.
- Biking: going by bike to the city center should be done via the sea garden or the beach road as well (don’t ride your bike on the highway!). There are more and more cycle paths in the center and you can ride your bike (carefully) in the pedestrian areas.
Facilidad para moverse por la casa
Travelling by bus in Varna
By bus: The nearest bus stop is “Studentska” (СТУДЕНТСКА). Several bus lines have a stop there. From there, you can go to the city center or the airport (westbound), or to the Northern resorts (eastbound, bus stop at the other side of the highway).
o Line 409: to city center and airport
o Lines 9, 109 and 31A: to city center and railway station
o (Eastbound, lines 9, 109 and 409 go to the Northern resorts (St Konstantin & Elena and Golden Sands)
You can purchase tickets from a bus ticket machine located at some bus stops as well as in the bus.
Watch out for your valuables in the bus...
Facilidad para moverse por la casa
Travelling by taxi in Varna
- By taxi: there are many taxis in Varna (yellow cars usually). A taxi ride is quite cheap (around 0,60 EUR per kilometre) if you take some precautions:
o Before getting in the taxi, check out the tariffs displayed on the taxi window, it should be around 1,10 BGN per kilometre. Some taxis propose exorbitant rates (around 3 BGN per kilometre), just go away!
o When you are on board, the driver MUST start the meter, don’t accept any fixed rate that would likely be a scam…
It is quite easy to hail a free taxi when you are in the street. You can also use an online service like Triumf Taxi
Facilidad para moverse por la casa
Travelling by car in Varna
- By car: driving a car in Bulgaria and Varna is quite easy, Bulgarian drivers are a bit nervous, although more and more respectful. You should obey speed limits (50 km/h in town) although many drivers don’t… There are many mobile road radars and getting caught can result in some financial/administrative problems…
The blood alcohol limit in Bulgaria is 0… This means that you cannot drink a single drop of alcohol before driving, be careful!
Facilidad para moverse por la casa
Car parking in Varna
Car parking is regulated in Varna. There is a blue zone in all the city center where you have to pay for parking, from 9.00 am to 7:00 pm. For foreigners, the best way to pay the parking is to use Varna parking app on your mobile (available in English).
You can also park your car in a toll parking. The harbour parking lot is quite convenient (about 1 km to the city center).
No te pierdas
Visit Varna
There are many things to see in Varna, the best tool to prepare your visit is Visit Varna website, the official visitor guide of Varna Municipality: https://visit.varna.bg/en/index.html
No te pierdas
Useful links for visitors
- Visit Varna (https://visit.varna.bg/en/index.html): the official visitor guide of Varna Municipality
- Programata (https://www.programata.bg/?p=26&l=1&c=3) : program of all events in Varna (in Bulgarian only)
- Varna Traffic (https://www.varnatraffic.com/en) : Varna public transportation (bus lines, schedule, …)
- Varna parking (https://varnaparking.bg/en) : Car parking app for the city center.
Costumbres y cultura
Money in Bulgaria
- The Bulgarian currency is the Lev or BGN (plural: Leva).
- The approximate rate is 1.95 BGN for 1 EUR. This rate is fixed and never fluctuates.
- To get cash, there are ATM everywhere in town and at the airport (Terminal 2 departure hall)
- For cash changing, go to a bank, avoid the airport change counter (bad exchange rate and maybe high commission)
- You can pay with credit cards almost anywhere; you shouldn’t need so much cash.
- Check your bank fees for transactions outside the Eurozone. For a stay in Bulgaria, you can drastically reduce the bank fees with new bank service like Revolut