Balchik Palace & Botanical Garden
Двореца Балчик
Queen Marie of Romania's seaside summer palace, paired with the university botanical garden on the hillside to make the best day trip north of Varna.
The palace was built between 1926 and 1937, blending Balkan, Oriental and Mediterranean styles, with a minaret-like tower standing by the sea. The surrounding gardens include a small chapel, Queen Marie's Silver Spring and a stone seat. The adjoining Sofia University Botanical Garden holds about 3,000 plant species and is famous for Europe's second-largest cactus collection. A combined ticket costs about EUR 13. The palace is about 42 km from Varna. Take a coach to Balchik town, then walk about 20 minutes.
Opening hours
Summer 08:00–20:00; shorter in winter
Nearby sights
- Albena
- Golden Sands
- Aladzha Monastery
- Euxinograd Palace
- Festa Dolphinarium Varna
- Sea Garden, Varna
- Varna Central Beach & Seaside Promenade
- Naval Museum, Varna