TaipeiAccommodation
Good · #24 of 62
7.8/10
If visiting outside of the peak summer months, you should have no problem getting a good quality apartment at a great price. Even during peak summer months, prices remain competitive.
BulgariaVisited Apr 2022 · 1 week
Varna
Black sea beaches & ancient Roman ruins .
Great valueGreat for a holiday
This guide was written 4 years ago
Prices, opening hours and recommendations may have changed since my visit, so double-check anything important before you book.
On Bulgaria's Black Sea coast, Varna stands as a prominent resort town steeped in ancient history.
Today, the city balances archaeological remnants with a lively beach scene throughout the summer months.
Worth up to a week's stay if already in Bulgaria or the Balkans, but wouldn't prioritize visiting specifically.
At a glance
Coworking
Good · #49 of 62
6.8/10
Varna has a surprisingly good number of coworking spaces to opt from and a range of coffee shops in the cenre suitable to work from.
Value
Good · #49 of 62
7.2/10
Eating out is good value, with a good number of options for casual and more formal dining across the city center.
Excitement
Good · #39 of 62
6.3/10
Visiting before the main tourist season, Varna certainly felt on the quieter side. With a relatively small city centre to explore, you're better off visiting during the summer months to fully experience the city's ambience.
Plan
Summary
Having spent a bitterly cold, March in Sofia inundated with snow, I wanted to explore another city in the country with the hopes of some warmer weather to be found.
Cost of living
$1,395a month, before rent
Comfortable living costs, rent not included
Day-to-day spending for a month: two meals out and a coffee every day, three taxis and two nights out a week, a gym and a coworking desk. Add your rent on top.
Very Affordable- Meal in a casual restaurant$14
- Speciality coffee$4.05
- Pint of local beer$4.05
- Cocktail$10
- Taxi for 2 miles$7.09
- Men's haircut$16
- Women's haircut$41
- Gym membership, monthly$52
- Coworking, monthly$124
Prices as of Oct 2026. Confidence: low (gym & coworking verified; other prices restated at 2026-10-07 exchange rates). Sources: trade.ec.europa.eu, numbeo.com, visit.varna.bg. Always check locally before planning around them.
Duration & season
During my stay in early April, the weather mild but not yet comfortable enough to be on the beach. You'd be best off waiting until June for the best summer days where the city truly comes alive.
One week was sufficient for me in the city, with little reason to stay longer. It wouldn't be a location that I would prioritise returning to for work, but I would definitely consider it for a summer vacation.
By month
| Month | Low °C | High °C | Rain mm | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1 | 9 | 36 | |
| February | 2 | 8 | 22 | |
| March | 3 | 16 | 36 | |
| April | 7 | 20 | 64 | |
| May | 10 | 21 | 88 | wet month |
| June | 18 | 30 | 29 | peak season |
| July | 21 | 33 | 17 | peak season |
| August | 20 | 31 | 38 | peak season |
| September | 14 | 27 | 48 | peak season |
| October | 8 | 20 | 87 | wet month |
| November | 4 | 17 | 68 | |
| December | 4 | 9 | 68 | wet month |
Wettest months Peak season
Typical daytime highs and overnight lows, from the last two years of observations (Open-Meteo). Rain icons mark the wettest months.
- Visitors a year
- 830k2024
- Crowds
- Medium
- Peak season
- Jun–Sep
- Low season
- Nov–Mar
Remote work visa
No digital nomad visa
Working hours
Bulgaria operates on Eastern European Time (EET), pushing it an hour ahead of Western Europe throughout the year.
Live & work
Where to stay
Varna Center
RecommendedThere's no reason to not stay as close to the centre as possible in Varna, with the beachfront also nearby.
Where to work
Varna has a surprisingly good number of coworking spaces to opt from and a range of coffee shops in the cenre suitable to work from.
Innovator
Top locationCommunity
Situated just a few moments from the main train station, Innovator provides a reliable base to work from within the city. Wifi was reliable, a week pass was good value and there were a number of good spots for coffee within a short walk.
The city centre is within a 10 minute walk making it easily accessible from wherever you might be staying.
The only downside being that there wasn't many places to take private calls from making it a bit noisier than you would ideally want.
ul. "Sofia" 1, 9000 Center, Varna
Food & drink
Coffee
Samba Coffee/HQ
Top rated
Good selection of food and drinks, with space for working upstairs.
Drinks
Бира Бар Ключето/The Key Beer Bar
Wide range of draught craft lagers plus burgers and bar snacks.
Off the clock
Off work
Visit the Archaeological Museum
Showcasing ancient artefacts from various historical periods, the museum provides a comprehensive overview of the region's rich archaeological heritage.
Rappongi Beach
Known for its vibrant atmosphere, beach clubs, and entertainment options, it is one of the more lively beach areas in the area. Easily accessible within a 20 minute walk from the centre of town.
Exercise
Run
Beach Loop
The beach front makes for a perfect morning run with the sun rising up in the distance over the black sea.
People
There was little by means of a remote working culture in the city, with the coworking space mainly made up of local residents.
During the summer months you're likely to see a wider array of holiday makers arrive in the town but is by no means a hub for remote work.
Notes
Positives
Great beaches immediately next to the city.
If you're looking to have immediate access to the beach, this a great option.
Good value food and drink options.
Eating out is reasonable priced in the city with a good if not unremarkable selection of local and international foods.
It has a well connected airport.
Especially during peak season, it had good connections to the rest of Europe.
Outside of the Schengen Zone.
If for whatever reason you have reached your limit of time available within the Schengen group of countries, Bulgaria is an alternative.
Negatives
Outside of peak season, it's not particularly exciting.
Like most resort towns, outside of the core summer months there isn't a lot going on.
Tips
If planning on taking the train from Sofia, plan ahead.
Night trains with sleeping births do fill up prior to the departure date, book ahead where possible.
Planning a trip to Varna?
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