Sitting at the bay of the Black Sea, the Sea Garden is Varna's most famous attraction. Many tourists flock here to visit the local zoo and planetarium, or simply to walk along the beach and take wonderful photos.
1) Varna Beach
Varna's beach is very clean and beautiful. Surrounding the beach itself you'll find lots of bars, disco-clubs, restaurants and many other places for a good time out. The most fun activity of all, however, is to simply walk along the beach enjoying the beautiful turquoise waters and taking some great photos.
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2) National Maritime Museum
Established in 1885, the Naval museum is located in the Sea Garden not far from the railway station. This large museum has more than 350 square meters of exhibition space, featuring fortifications on the Black Sea and the Danube coast dating back to medieval period, the Russian-Turkish wars of the 17th-19th centuries, and the Emancipation War of 1877/78. Outside the museum you can find a Drazki ship, the most renowned vessel of the national navy.
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3) The Aquarium and the Black Sea Museum
Open since 1912, the Aquarium and the Black Sea Museum have a facade that combines bas-relief images of some of the most common species found in the Black Sea. The Aquarium has a fascinating collection of fresh-water and sea creatures; some of the flora and fauna exhibits are truly unique.
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4) Planetarium
The Planetarium of Varna bears the name of famous astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. Founded in 1963, it's the largest planetarium in Bulgaria. Lots of visitors come here to observe the Sun, Moon and stars with the facility's special projectors.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Nikola Gruev
5) The Natural History and Science Museum
The Natural History and Science Museum is divided into three sections: Geology, Animal Kingdom and Vegetation. In each section you'll find lots of fascinating information about the history and present day reality of flora and fauna in the Black Sea region.
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6) Varna Zoo
Situated within the Sea Garden, Varna Zoo is a large-scale zoo that has been a firm favorite with children ever since it opened in 1961. The facility got started with the donation by sailors from a torpedo boat of a bear named Maxim, all the way back in 1956.
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7) Terrarium
Varna Terrarium is one of the most exciting and exotic places in the city. Here you'll find a wide range of animal species, including many endangered ones. Not stuck behind glass, these animals have a more natural living environment that allows them to thrive and the visitors to see what their lives are really like in the wild.
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8) Dolphinarium
Open since 1984, the Dolphinarium has been one of Varna's top attractions. It is just as interesting for its architecture - spatial design in the form of a glass cube - as it is for its inhabitants. Inside there is a main pool where dolphin shows take place. The dolphins eat five or six times a day, consuming up to 10 kilos of white fish, sprat, squids, and their favorite delicacy - herring. Watch as the dolphins walk on the water's surface with their tails, eat fish from their trainer's mouth and sing notes.
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