Best Beaches in Varna and the Region: A Guide for Families & Drivers
Summer in Varna has its own specific, laid-back rhythm. The city succeeds remarkably well at blending urban comfort with the luxury of being just a stone's throw away from the sand. Whether you are a local looking for a new weekend spot or planning a family beach holiday in Varna, one thing is certain — the choice of beaches here is immense.
From vibrant city stretches lined with trendy cocktail bars to luxurious private resorts and endless, wild coastlines just a few kilometres outside town, the region offers something for everyone. In this guide, we have gathered the very best beaches in Varna and its surroundings, packed with real, practical tips for families with children and those travelling by car.
🏖️ Beaches in the Heart of Varna: Urban Chic and Convenience
If you want to combine sunbathing with a stroll under the thick shade of the Sea Garden or dinner at the Marine Station (Morska Gara), the city beaches are the easiest and most accessible solution.
South and Central Beach: This is the most vibrant strip in the city. The sand here is exceptionally fine, and the water is shallow at the shoreline, making it highly suitable for children. The coast is lined with Varna's iconic beach bars and restaurants, which offer great food, cold drinks, and chill music by day, and transform into the centre of nightlife by evening.
Third Buna Beach (Treta Buna): One of the most preferred city beaches by locals. The strip is wide, clean, and a bit calmer than the central part.
🚗 Tip for Drivers: Third Buna is a lifesaver if you are travelling by car. There is a spacious free parking lot right next to the sand. Keep in mind, however, that spaces fill up rapidly during peak season weekends, so it is best to aim to arrive before 10:00 AM.
🚗 The Best Beaches Around Varna: Where to Go by Car
If you want to venture outside the city limits, incredible resorts and hidden bays await you around Varna. Here are the must-visit destinations:
1. St. St. Constantine and Helena Resort – Serenity and Mineral Springs
Located just about 8–10 km north of Varna is the oldest Bulgarian seaside resort, famous for its unique microclimate and century-old parkland. The beaches here are smaller, tucked away in beautiful coves between the rocks, and surrounded by lush greenery. The area is exceptionally clean, well-maintained, and quiet.
👨👩👧👦 For Families: This is arguably the best family beach near Varna. Because most of the bays are naturally sheltered or protected by breakwaters, the sea here is almost always completely calm with no large waves, and the water is shallow and crystal clear — perfect for small children to play safely. A huge plus is the presence of thermal springs in the resort, including hot mineral pools located right on the shore.
🚗 Parking: The resort features paid parking lots (around hotels and beaches) as well as designated blue/green parking zones. Parking is well-organised, but the golden rule still applies — arrive early during the height of summer.
2. Golden Sands Resort – Vast Space, Golden Sand, and High Adrenaline
About 17 km north of the city, one of the most impressive beach strips on the entire Black Sea coast awaits you. Golden Sands Beach is nearly 4 km long and stretches over 100 metres wide in some areas. The sand here completely justifies the resort's name — golden, clean, and exceptionally fine — with the hills of the matching nature park rising up right behind it.
🏖️ Atmosphere: The resort pulses with life. You can find everything here — from perfectly arranged paid zones with luxury sunbeds to massive free zones. For active beachgoers, there are all kinds of water sports (jet skis, parasailing, paddle boats, banana boats), and the beachfront promenade is packed with diverse dining options.
🚗 Parking: A paid parking zone operates throughout the resort, along with numerous private guarded parking lots. To avoid heavy traffic along the narrow inner alleys, it is best to use the large parking lots located near the main entrances of the complex.
3. Shkorpilovtsi – Endless Horizon and Wild Nature
If you are looking for a complete escape from civilisation, head south of Varna (about 40 km). The beach in Shkorpilovtsi is the longest continuous sand strip in Bulgaria — over 12 kilometres of pristine sand combined with the freshness of a dense oak forest. The resort village is quiet, free of massive concrete complexes, and has preserved its authentic charm.
🌿 The Experience: You won't find loud music or beach bars every few metres here. There is only the sea, the dunes, and endless open space. It is the perfect spot for a weekend picnic, long walks along the shore, or a beach day where you can actually hear your own thoughts.
🚗 For Drivers and Families: Access by car is very straightforward, and parking behind the beach is completely free in the unregulated areas next to the forest. For families with older kids, this is a fantastic place for a day filled with ball games and frisbee without getting in anyone's way. A word of caution for parents: The sea here gets deep relatively quickly and often has larger waves, so keep a close eye on small children.
💎 Alternative and Luxury Beaches on the Way to Golden Sands
If you are looking for a slightly different atmosphere, there are three excellent alternatives along the panoramic road north of Varna that are definitely worth a visit:
Sunny Day Resort: This is a premium, gated holiday complex located within the territory of the St. St. Constantine and Helena resort. The beach here is gorgeous — set in a sheltered bay that protects it from winds and large waves. The sand is fine, and the water is very shallow. The place is exceptionally peaceful and a true favourite for families with toddlers and strollers.
Riviera Holiday Club: Situated 14 km northeast of Varna, right before Golden Sands, "Riviera" is another luxury, gated vacation complex. It is nestled within a magnificent 12-hectare (120-decare) park and consists of several five-star hotels. The beach is pristine, perfectly maintained, and offers a sense of privacy and premium comfort far away from mass tourism.
Kabakum Beach (Journalist Bus Stop Area): Located in the iconic Journalist area just before Golden Sands. Alongside its reputation for clean water and a remarkably wide shoreline, Kabakum Beach offers perfect conditions for an active holiday. Here, you can enjoy various sports on the designated beach volleyball court or dive into numerous water attractions such as jet skiing, inflatable ring rides, banana boating, and more. Excellent restaurants with panoramic views line the area.
🚨 Crucial Tip for Sunny Day, Riviera, and Kabakum/Journalist: All three of these locations are highly popular and bustling during the summer months, and parking capacity near the shore is limited. If you plan to visit by car, make sure to arrive before 10:00 AM. After this hour, finding a parking spot becomes a serious challenge, and you might lose precious beach time driving around in circles.
🛏️ Where to Stay? Logistics and Transport Tips
The great thing about this region is that it offers immense flexibility regarding accommodation:
Staying in the Resorts: All of the beach locations listed above boast fantastic hotels and villas of all classes where you can book an overnight stay and wake up just a few metres from the waves.
Staying in Varna + Commuting to Nearby Beaches: Many tourists and families prefer to rent an apartment or stay in a hotel within Varna itself. This allows them to combine beach days with the city's vibrant nightlife, restaurants, and entertainment. You can very easily turn Varna into your "basecamp" and visit a different destination every single day.
🚗 By Car: The road network north of Varna is fast and scenic, meaning driving to Sunny Day, St. St. Constantine and Helena, Riviera, Kabakum, and Golden Sands takes only between 15 to 25 minutes.
🚌 By Public Transport (Bus 409): If you don't want to worry about parking, Varna's public transport is excellently organised. Bus 409 is a true legend in the city — it connects Varna Airport and the Central district with absolutely all key northern coastal destinations. It drives through St. St. Constantine and Helena, stops right by Sunny Day, the Journalist area (Kabakum Beach), Riviera, and goes all the way to its final stop in Golden Sands. The line runs very frequently during the summer, the buses are air-conditioned, and the journey is affordable and highly convenient for families.
💡 Practical Tips for the Perfect Beach Day Around Varna
To ensure your holiday is as pleasant as possible, here are a few tried-and-tested tips from the Mestala team:
Watch Out for the City's Blue Zone: If you decide to hit South or Central Beach in Varna and park on the streets just above the Sea Garden, remember that the Blue Zone operates every day from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Use the mobile app to pay for a full-day stay — this will save you the stress of constantly checking the clock.
Shade for the Kids: The city beaches, Golden Sands, Riviera, and Sunny Day feature large, excellently equipped paid zones with umbrellas. However, if you choose the free zones of Kabakum or the vast sands of Shkorpilovtsi, make sure to bring your own umbrella or beach tent, as natural shade right on the sand is non-existent.
Waves and Wind: The beaches tucked inside the bays of Sunny Day and St. St. Constantine and Helena are naturally sheltered due to the coastal landscape. If the forecast indicates stronger winds or if the sea is rough on more open shorelines (like Shkorpilovtsi), head over there — the waves are always significantly smaller.
The Varna region offers the perfect beach mix. Choose your destination based on your mood — whether it is a lively beach party at the Marine Station, family coziness at Sunny Day, luxury at Riviera, sports excitement at Kabakum, or a wild adventure in Shkorpilovtsi, the sea is waiting for you!
Pack your swimsuits, grab your sunscreen, and enjoy the summer!