About 230 mi/370 km east of Sofia, Varna is Bulgaria's third-largest city and the country's largest city on the Black Sea coast. Sites to see there include a ruined Roman citadel, two Roman baths, an aquarium, the 19th-century Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin, the Archeological Museum (one of Bulgaria’s most interesting museums), the Varna Museum, which details the city's history, the National Navy Museum, the Georgi Velchev Art Museum and botanical gardens.
The city's entertainment is the best along the coast, especially during the Varna Summer International Music Festival held in June and July. During this time, the city comes alive with various musical concerts and performances.
Excursions from Varna include Pobiti Kamani, a "Stone Forest" of cylindrical rock formations, located 12 mi/20 km west of Varna, and the Aladzha Monastery, located 2.5 mi/4 km from Golden Sands.
