When visiting Varna with your family you will find there are many places you can take them where the whole family can have fun and enjoy themselves.
One of the most popular activities of people living in Varna is walking in the shade of the Sea Garden. The garden, finally completed in 1908 when the first cafeteria was placed on piles and covered with straw and a fountain spring was built now shelters an amphitheatre, an astronomic site with an observatory, planetarium and a tower, children playgrounds, a small channel, where one can practice rowing, a pool with water wheels and a zoo.
The close by beach you will find mud and water therapy complexes, two quays, numerous restaurants and disco clubs. The Seaside Garden is not only a nature reserve, but also a recreational place for the citizens and visitors.
The Aquarium, one of Varna’s most famous sights can surely be of interest not only to your children but to you, adults as well. The building of the Aquarium (unique exposition of water organisms - Black Sea, freshwater, tropical fishes) was completed in 1911 and was later adapted to the needs of the Naval Engineering School and later on - of the Fishery School. It was not until 17 September 1932 that the Aquarium was opened for visitors. A Black Sea relief is modelled in front of it. You will be astonished by the variety of scientific and living specimens presented in the halls of the Aquarium.
In 1984 one of the most significant tourist attractions of Varna was founded – the Dolphinarium in the Seaside Park. It is a favorite spot for both local residents and tourists. The organized attractions and its architecture are unique in the country. The Dolphinarium was constructed in seven months and the water needed for the pools was brought the 80 metres from the sea through a special duct and pumping installation. Visitors can enjoy the Dolphins playing in the small pool or watch the performances from the panoramic coffee bar, six days a week, Monday is the Dolphins day off. There are three performances a day and you can enjoy the acrobatic turns, balance, games with the public, dances and songs of Pipi, Doli, Kimbo and Yoana-dolphins born in that very Dolphinarium.
National Astronomic Observatory and Planetarium Nicola Copernicus is the first astronomy centre of Bulgaria, consisting of the Planetarium, Observatory and a Foucault’s Tower. Exciting space travel can be experienced in the Star Hall of the Planetarium, where the view of the star-covered sky has to be seen. You can follow the movement of the constellations and even observe the beginning and the end of the Universe. There are several telescopes at the Observatory and in the only Foucault’s Tower on the Balkans the pendulum of Foucault is installed, to demonstrate the movement of the Earth around its axis.
If you are looking for a different experience for you or your family another place to go is the Varna Terrarium. There you will find the most diverse collections in Bulgaria - more than 40 different kinds of exotic animals from all over the world and many interesting and rare Bulgarian species. The display includes both vertebrates (10 kinds) and invertebrates (more than 30 kinds). The animals are dispayed in glass terraria, aquaterraria and aquaria, in an environment similar to their natural one. Also on display are 30 colour photos of animals, taken in the there natural habitat. Varna Terrarium works throughout the whole year and is quite dynamic - every 2 months some of the species are replaced and new ones brought in.
If you happen to be animal lover, do not miss the excitement of Varna Zoo. The Zoo is located in the Sea garden and started functioning as such in 1961. Most animals were initially supplied by Varna hunting association which delivered different animals and birds, as well as monkeys from India and others. Today Varna Zoo is still the favorite place for a Sunday walk for people in the city.
If you are, the sort of family that does not mind getting wet the best place for you is the Aquapolise complex in Golden Sands. The facility is situated in a natural forest and has a wonderful view towards the sea. All constructed in a Moresque-Mediterranean style so that the natural park environment can be preserved and combined with numerous artificial pools, water slides, Jacuzzi, fountains, water falls, towers and ruins. At the park entrance there is an artificial climbing cliff with an amphitheatre, waterfall and panoramic snack-bar very close by. In the Aquapolise complex in the resort of Golden Sands there also are shooting grounds for children and adults, diving school, children’s climbing cliff, bungee trampoline, as well as lot’s of parties, competitions, games and specialized children’s entertainment programs throughout the day.
