Sea Garden: Varna's historic park by the sea
Varna's Sea Garden is a free seaside park begun in 1862 and shaped by Anton Novák from 1895, a national monument with the Aquarium and Naval Museum.
The Sea Garden (Morska gradina) is Varna’s great park by the sea: a long, green stretch of alleys, flowerbeds and monuments running along the bay east of the centre. It is free, open all day and a national monument of landscape architecture — often described as the largest landscaped park in the Balkans. This guide covers its history and how to visit; for concerts and what is on in the park right now, see the Sea Garden page on Varna Now.
How did the Sea Garden begin?
A first small garden was laid out in 1862 on the orders of the city’s Ottoman mayor. After 1878 the new Bulgarian city expanded it, and in 1881 Mayor Mihail Koloni proposed a proper city garden and seaside park. In 1895 the Czech gardener Anton Novák, invited by the archaeologist Karel Škorpil, arrived and radically reshaped it, planting the alleys and trees that define it today. The park grew from about 2.6 ha to about 9 ha by 1905 (Wikipedia) and reached its present borders in the 1950s.
How did the park change in the 20th century?
- 1912–1913: fountains and the first electric lighting were added.
- 1939: architect Georgi Popov designed the central entrance, with its plaza and tall columns.
- 1961: the Varna Zoo opened, and on 26 May Yuri Gagarin planted a silver fir in the park.
- 1960s: the Alley of Cosmonauts was laid out.
- 1984: the Dolphinarium was built.
For the wider story of the city, read Varna’s history from Odessos to today.
What is inside?
| Attraction | Opened |
|---|---|
| Varna Aquarium | built 1906–1911 |
| Naval Museum | founded 1923 |
| Varna Zoo | 1961 |
| Observatory and Planetarium | 1968 |
| Summer Theatre (open-air) | stage of the Varna International Ballet Competition |
| Alley of Cosmonauts | 1960s |
| Dolphinarium | built 1984 |
The Naval Museum displays the torpedo boat Drazki in its grounds. The open-air Summer Theatre is the stage of the Varna International Ballet Competition, held since 1964.
Do you have to pay to visit?
No, the park itself is free and has no gates or opening hours. The museums and attractions inside charge separately and switch between summer and winter hours, so check our Varna museums hours and prices table before you plan a museum stop.
The seaside
Steps and paths lead down from the park to Varna’s central beaches and the seaside promenade, which is lively on summer evenings and calm in winter.
Tips for your visit
- Enter from the end of the pedestrian zone near the centre, or from Primorski Boulevard.
- Combine it with the Cathedral and the Roman Thermae for a full day on foot.
- Summer evenings are the best time for the promenade; spring brings the flowerbeds into bloom.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sea Garden in Varna free?
Yes. It is a public park open all day; only attractions inside, such as the museums, charge admission.
What is there to do in the Sea Garden?
Walk the alleys and seaside promenade, visit the Aquarium, the Naval Museum or the Observatory and Planetarium, and go down to the city beaches.
Where is the Sea Garden?
Along the coast on the east side of central Varna, a short walk from the cathedral and the pedestrian centre.
