Things to do in Varna when it rains

The museums in the centre

The Archaeological Museum holds the gold from the Varna Necropolis — the oldest worked gold in the world, roughly 6,500 years old. It takes about an hour and a half and sits within walking distance of the cathedral. The Naval Museum and the Natural History Museum are nearby if the day is long.

A thermal zone instead of the sea

The obvious substitute for the sea is warm water indoors. Spa and wellness centres in the centre are open year-round, and in the wet months they are considerably emptier than in August.

A full cycle — sauna, cool down, rest, repeat — takes about two hours and does more for your mood than it sounds like it should. If you have had a few days of wind and salt water, the effect is more noticeable still: sun and salt dry the skin out, and humid heat gives some of that back.

A day spa pass in central Varna costs around €15. Most places provide a towel and slippers, so there is nothing to bring but swimwear.

A massage, if it is the travel that hurts

A long drive or flight to the coast is usually paid for by your neck and lower back. A 60-minute classic massage runs €40–50 in the centre, and out of season you can generally get an appointment the same day.

If you have children

• The planetarium and observatory in the Sea Garden, on a fixed programme.
• The dolphinarium, which runs in bad weather.
• The Natural History Museum — small, but good for an hour.
• Thermal zones generally are not suitable for young children, so the spa plan is one for the adults.

Practicalities

Central Varna is walkable — the cathedral to the Sea Garden is fifteen minutes. Most spa centres open early and close late, and out of season the thermal zone rarely needs booking. Massages and group classes do need a call ahead, because places are limited.