A calm coastal town on Bulgaria's Black Sea, known for its botanical garden and Queen Marie's summer palace. Popular for its beaches and local wineries.
Balchik, a small coastal town in northeastern Bulgaria, sits on the Black Sea coast. You can explore the Balchik Palace with its extensive botanical gardens, relax on calm beaches, or wander through the old town. The area also offers opportunities for day trips to nearby attractions like Cape Kaliakra.
Balchik Palace and Botanical Garden
The Balchik Palace complex, built in the 1920s for Queen Marie of Romania, is a key site in the town. As you walk through the palace grounds, you'll see various architectural styles that reflect the queen's interests. Next to the palace, you'll find the Botanical Garden, one of the largest in Europe. It contains over 2,000 plant species from around the world. You can spend time exploring its winding paths, looking at colorful flowerbeds, and finding spots with views of the sea.
Balchik's Beaches
Balchik's beaches are smaller than some of Bulgaria's more well-known coastal resorts, but they offer a calm atmosphere. The town's main beach is a narrow strip of sand and pebbles where you can sunbathe or swim in the Black Sea. For a quieter experience, head to the beaches north of town, where you'll find secluded coves below steep cliffs.
Local Cuisine
Balchik's location by the sea means you can often find fresh seafood. Many restaurants along the promenade serve local dishes like grilled fish, mussels, and octopus. You can also try traditional Bulgarian foods such as shopska salad or banitsa. For a meal with a view, visit one of the restaurants near the yacht port, where you can eat while watching the sunset over the sea.
Getting to Balchik
You can reach Balchik from nearby coastal areas. From Golden Sands, a taxi costs about 30 leva (BGN), or you can take a bus for 5 leva. If you're coming from Varna, buses leave regularly from the central station, costing 7 leva. The bus schedule from Varna includes departures at 09:30, 13:30, 15:00, and 18:00.
Beyond Balchik
Balchik can be a starting point for exploring other places in the region. A short drive will take you to Cape Kaliakra, a long, narrow headland extending into the Black Sea, with remains of a medieval fortress. Golfers can play at one of the three 18-hole courses nearby, including two designed by Gary Player and one by Ian Woosnam.
Local Culture
If you visit in summer, you might see one of Balchik's cultural events. The "Process – Space Art Festival," held each June, presents contemporary art from around the world. For music fans, the Kavarna Rock Fest in the nearby town of Kavarna brings top international rock bands for a three-day festival each summer.
