Varna

About Varna

Port of Varna, a state-owned port operator, celebrates 115 years since its inauguration. The port has seven terminals, including Varna East and Varna West, which handle all types of cargo and are key elements of the Black Sea transport network. Varna is a popular tourist destination, known for its natural resources and location on the Northern shore of the Black Sea.

This year marks 115 years since the inauguration of the modern Port of Varna. Port of Varna EAD is a state-owned port operator of Varna East (Passenger Terminal) and Varna West port terminals. Both terminals are universal and are leaders in the handling of containers and grain. The charm of Varna stems from 7 ancient and modern cultures. The oldest golden treasure in human history was produced in Varna 4000 years BC. To see it in the Museum of Archeology or to visit other important sights of the city, a small walk starting from the Passenger Terminal, past the beautiful statue of “Dragons in Love” is enough.

Once in the pedestrian center of the city, you can choose whether to visit the cathedral with the golden domes, or to visit the Roman Thermae – the largest public ancient building ever discovered in Bulgaria, or another museum. Or from the very start you can walk along the promenade or enter the deep shadows of the “Sea Garden” all the way to its northern end, where in the Dolphinarium you can watch a show, swim with the dolphins or get a kiss from a seal.

You can enjoy the summer cultural events, and if you happen to meet the dawn on July 1, come to the breakwater to attend the traditional for Bulgaria hippie holiday “July Morning”. Varna is a starting point for four UNESCO sites, which will offer you close contact with antiquity, the Middle Ages, even some of the secrets of the Renaissance. And you will find the secrets of the heart in the queen’s Palace in Balchik.

On 18th May 1906, in the presence of Prince Ferdinand, ministers and foreign delegations, a ceremony took place for inauguration of Port of Varna – today’s Varna East port terminal. That was the beginning of modern development of Port of Varna, which now includes seven terminals. Port of Varna has faced various historical periods and challenges, and now it guarantees high-quality service, transparency and fair relationships with its suppliers, clients and employees.

The trading company Port Varna EAD is a port operator which is 100% state-owned, and it operates the largest port terminals Varna East and Varna West. Located at the EU outer border, these terminals are key elements of the Black Sea transport network, providing convenient bridge for cargo traffic between Europe, Asia, Near and Far East. Port Varna EAD provides port services and any related agency, commercial and technical service, forwarding, investment and engineering, research and development, training of port staff, home and foreign trade.

The terminals can handle all types of cargo, including containers, general cargo, dry and liquid bulks. The port successfully handles heavy lifts and out-of-gauge traffic, including components of wind turbine generators, power transformers and project cargo. Among the priorities of the company is the preservation of environment by introducing new facilities and technologies. The Passenger Terminal is located at the north-east end of Varna East, where it serves passenger and cruise ships, scientific vessels and pleasure boats.

Varna is one of the most visited cities in Europe by tourists who travel for pleasure and holidaymakers. Varna is the third largest city in Bulgaria (with population more than 347,840 people), with an area of 205 sq. km. Its situation on the Northern shore of the Black Sea, along with its richness in natural resources make it one of the famous resorts in Europe and definitely the largest one in the Black Sea region. It also happens to be on the crossroads between Western Europe and the Middle East.

Port destination information

Varna is a town in Bulgaria where the oldest gold treasure in the world can be seen. The town was established in 570 B.C. as a Greek trading colony under the name of Odessos. After being annexed to the Roman Empire in 15 A.D., the town flourished in the 2nd and 3rd centuries. The town was destroyed several times but was rebuilt and became an important port of the Eastern Roman Empire. The Slavs named the town Varna when they conquered it. In 1393, it was captured by the Ottoman troops. Varna was finally liberated in 1878 after the Russo-Turkish war of 1877-1878. The oldest gold treasure in the world was found near Varna in a Chalcolithic Necropolis from the 5th-4th millennium B.C. with 294 graves.