Kavarna holidays

How to reach Kavarna

• Flight time: There are no direct flights to Kavarna. Flights to Varna Airport some 50km south take about 3 hours 15 minutes from London and other UK airports.

• Transfer time: From Varna Airport, it takes around 50 minutes by taxi or private transfer to reach Kavarna. Alternatively, you can take the #406 bus from the airport to Kavarna, which takes approximately one hour.

• Price: A taxi or private transfer from Varna Airport to Kavarna costs approximately 60-80 BGN (£27-£36). The bus option is more economical, with a fare of around 10 BGN (£4.50).

Best time to visit Kavarna

It goes without saying that you’ll get the best out of the resort in summer, but Kavarna’s beaches are just as enjoyable in spring and autumn too. Deciding on when to take your trip will depend on how much you enjoy the heat and the crowds of your fellow tourists.

• May to June: A good time to visit if you prefer fewer crowds but still beautiful warm weather. Average temperatures range from 18°C to 25°C, with around 9-11 hours of sunshine daily and minimal rainfall.

• July to August: The height of the tourist season, with correspondingly busier beaches and accommodation harder to come by (and more expensive). Temperatures often reach 28°C or higher, with plenty of sunshine (10-11 hours daily) and minimal rainfall.

• September to October offers a more relaxed experience with temperatures still quite high in September ranging from 20°C to 25°C and the sea remaining warm enough to swim in. Expect around 7-9 hours of sunshine daily. There are far fewer tourists too, while accommodation prices dip slightly.

• November to April: The off-season means far cooler temperatures (8°C to 12°C), but still with some decent sunshine (4-7 hours) and less tourist activity. A good time for a quieter and cheaper getaway, but note that many hotels close down for a few months over the winter.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: Bulgarian is the official language, but as a major resort, English is widely understood here.

• Local habits and customs: Bulgarians shake their heads when they mean “yes” and nod when they mean “no” Confusing? Absolutely. Dress modestly when visiting religious sites.

• Health and safety: Kavarna is safe, but the usual precautions against pickpocketing should be taken on the beaches. Healthcare facilities are good, and pharmacies are widely available.

• Currency: Bulgaria uses the Bulgarian Lev (BGN). ATMs are plentiful, and credit cards are widely accepted.

• Getting around: Kavarna is a compact resort and nowhere is too far to walk. For exploring further along the coast, for example Golden Sands and Albena, there are plentiful buses, with tickets costing around 1.50 BGN (£0.70). Taxis are available and reasonably priced.

• Electricity and plug types: The standard continental 220 volts with two-pin plugs. UK travellers will need an adaptor.

• Time zone: Kavarna is in Eastern European Time (EET), which is 2 hours ahead of GMT and observes Daylight Saving Time.

• Required travel documentation: UK travellers need a valid passport. No visa is required for short stays.

Discover the best beaches in Kavarna

Kavarna, situated on Bulgaria's picturesque Black Sea coast, boasts a variety of beautiful beaches that cater to every type of traveller. Whether you’re looking for a quiet retreat, family-friendly shores, or spots perfect for water sports, Kavarna’s beaches have something for everyone. Here are some of the top beaches to explore during your holidays in Kavarna:

Kavarna Beach

Kavarna Beach is the main beach in the town, offering a lovely stretch of sand and clear, calm waters. This beach is perfect for families and those looking to relax by the sea. The beach is well-equipped with amenities such as sun loungers, umbrellas, and beachfront cafes. Its proximity to the town centre makes it convenient for visitors who want to combine beach time with exploring local shops and restaurants.

Bolata Bay

Bolata Bay is one of the most beautiful and secluded beaches near Kavarna. Surrounded by red cliffs, this small sandy bay offers crystal-clear waters ideal for swimming and snorkelling. Bolata Bay is part of a nature reserve, making it a great spot for nature lovers and those seeking a peaceful, unspoiled environment. The tranquil setting and stunning scenery make Bolata Bay a must-visit during your holiday.

Rusalka Beach

Rusalka Beach, located in the Rusalka Holiday Village, is known for its picturesque setting and recreational activities. The beach is nestled among rocky cliffs and lush greenery, providing a scenic and serene atmosphere. Rusalka Beach offers various water sports, including kayaking, windsurfing, and diving. It’s an excellent choice for both relaxation and adventure, with facilities that cater to all ages.

Ikantalaka Beach

Ikantalaka Beach, also known as White Lagoon Beach, is located between Kavarna and Balchik. This beach is renowned for its fine white sand and shallow, clear waters, making it ideal for families with young children. The beach is part of a resort area that offers amenities such as sunbeds, umbrellas, and beach bars. Ikantalaka Beach is also a great spot for water sports and beach games, ensuring plenty of fun for everyone.

Chirakman Beach

Chirakman Beach is situated near Chirakman Hill, providing a unique beach experience with historical significance. The beach is less crowded, offering a more tranquil and relaxed atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy the clear waters and explore the nearby ruins of ancient fortifications. Chirakman Beach is perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy a peaceful day by the sea.

Topola Beach

Topola Beach, located in the nearby village of Topola, offers a serene and picturesque setting. This beach is known for its golden sands and clear waters, ideal for swimming and sunbathing. The area around Topola Beach is less developed, providing a natural and unspoiled environment. It’s a great spot for those seeking a quiet retreat and an authentic beach experience.

Kavarna’s diverse range of beaches ensures that every visitor can find the perfect spot to unwind and enjoy the beauty of the Black Sea coast. Whether you’re seeking lively beach scenes, secluded coves, or family-friendly shores, Kavarna’s beaches have something to offer for everyone.

Local dishes in Kavarna

Meat is king in most of Bulgaria, but here in Kavarna it’s seafood that dominates, although you can find all the usual staples on most restaurant menus.

Some typical dishes

• Gyuvech: The best-known traditional dish is a rich stew comprising peppers, aubergines and beans, to which either meat or meat stock is added.

• Kiselo mlyako: Bulgarians consider their yogurt the world’s finest, and hardly miss a day without consuming it. As well as being tasty, it’s renowned for its probiotic qualities.

• Shopska salad: The combination of tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, onions and feta, or Bulgarian sirene (white brine) cheese, is hard to beat - and a rare treat for vegetarians.

Meat dishes

• Sarmi: Stuffed cabbage or vine leaves filled with minced meat, rice and spices, then slow-cooked to perfection.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Tsatsa: Fried sprat fish, usually served with a wedge of lemon, these small, crispy morsels are the perfect companion to a cold beer on a hot day.

• Mussels with rice: These fresh Black Sea mussels from Dabolka, the Black Sea’s biggest mussel farm, are tossed in rice, herbs and spices.

• Rapa whelks: A large, carnivorous sea snail, these surprisingly tasty whelks are typically served as part of a salad, though they can be fried and served as a main too.

Street food

• Kebapcheta: Grilled minced meat rissoles usually served with a hunk of bread and pickles - popular variations include shishche (shish kebab) and kyofteta (meatballs).

• Banitsa: A flaky pastry envelope with a filling – usually cheese – sold by bakeries and street vendors in the morning and evening.

Sweets and desserts

Bulgarian desserts tend to consist of very sweet Turkish derivatives, such as baklava or revane, while Halvitsa, a kind of nougat, is also popular. Ice cream sellers litter the resort’s numerous promenades.

Local drinks

• Rakia: This traditional fruit brandy, often made from grapes or plums, is strong and usually served as an aperitif - best sipped to avoid a sore head.

• Bulgarian wine: The local wines are constantly improving, and among the best reds are the heavy, mellow Melnik and rich, dark Mavrud, while Dimyat is a good dry white.

• Bulgarian craft beer: Produced in abundance, leading local brands are Boliarka from Veliko Tarnovo, Astika from Haskovo and Zagorka from Stara Zagora. Boliarka also produces a bizarre stout called Stolichno.

Best things to do in Kavarna

Backed by enormous cliffs, this small village resort - one of the coast’s prettiest - packs in a multitude of things to see and do.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• Cape Kaliakra: This long rocky headland jutting out into the Black Sea has been the inspiration for countless myths and legends, and will no doubt inspire you as you peer out to the distant horizon.

• Kavarna Cliffs: Looming over the town and beaches, these vertiginous cliffs provide stunning panoramic views all along the coast.

The best districts

• Old Town: The village is essentially the Old Town, whose timeworn streets are run through with traditional architecture, shops and outdoor cafés and bars.

Museums

• Varna Archaeological Museum: Housing one of Bulgaria’s finest collections of antiquities, most impressive are the skeletons adorned with Thracian gold jewellery that were unearthed in Varna in 1972 and date back almost 6,000 years.

Parks and gardens

• **University Botanical Garden:**Just a short drive from Kavarna, the country’s first eco-park presents a collection that includes more than 300 species of exotic trees and bushes, and more than 100 species of herbaceous plants.

Historical monuments

• Yailata Archaeological and Nature Reserve: Scattered with more than 130 ancient tombs, as well as a complex of caves and a Thracian sanctuary, Yailata will delight fans of archaeology.

• Kavarna Fortress: Originally built in 3BC, this substantial citadel grew to become a Roman stronghold before falling into decline, yet it retains quite an aura.

Day trips in the area

• Albena: The trendiest of the Black Sea resorts, Albena arguably possesses the finest selection of beaches anywhere along the coast - certainly the widest and sandiest.

• Varna: Bulgaria’s third-largest city is a cosmopolitan affair, its Baroque, 19th-century and contemporary architecture the perfect foil to the shady promenades and busy seaside park.

Activities for families in Kavarna

The resort's beaches are of course the reason why so many families take their holidays to Kavarna, but there are many other forms of entertainment once you’ve exhausted everything the beaches have to offer.

• Beaches: Kavarna has stacks of family-friendly beaches to choose from, mostly of the sand and shallow water variety - with plenty of lifeguards on hand too.

• Aquariums and zoos: Varna’s Dolphinarium has it all going on, with the resident dolphins performing high jumps, double flips, triple axles and the like - you can even have a swim with them.

• Water sports: Jet-skiing, parasailing and zorbing are all family-friendly activities available at various points along the coast. Many outfits also offer lessons for beginners in stand-up paddleboarding.

Free things to do in Kavarna

Kavarna holidays are all about taking it slow which also means spending very little at all, something that’s very easy to do here.

• Beach days: Quite simply, the best and easiest way not to spend any money is to head for the beach - with a picnic - and just relax.

• Promenade walks: A lovely way to spend an evening without the cost, save perhaps for the odd ice cream, is to take a leisurely stroll through the Old Town and its parade of restaurants and bars.

Nature and outdoor activities in Kavarna

This quieter northern stretch of the Bulgarian coastline provides ample opportunities to partake in a range of sporting pursuits, both on water and on land.

• Sea kayaking: Sea Kayaking Bulgaria offers a range of guided kayaking trips - from two to seven hours - beginning in Kavarna and taking in this stunning stretch of coastline.

• Horse riding: Next to the Malibu Hotel, this excellent equestrian centre offers riding lessons and longer hacks into the countryside.

• Fishing: Keen anglers will enjoy the coastal waters, where huge numbers of saltwater fish, including turbot, mackerel and tuna can be fished for. Note that there is no angling off-season on the coast.

• Baltata Nature Reserve: Home to a fabulous variety of birdlife, Baltata offers a rare opportunity here on the coast to observe the likes of purple herons and green-headed geese in their natural habitat.