Varna Black Sea cliffs tour: Choose your own stops

Walk medieval fortress ruins above 60-meter cliffs, then choose what comes next

A private, full-day tour from Varna along the Bulgarian Black Sea coast where you decide which stops to visit and how long to stay at each one. The route passes Cape Kaliakra's dramatic clifftop ruins, Tyulenovo's natural coastline, and Cape Shabla lighthouse at Bulgaria's easternmost point, with optional visits to Balchik Palace and its botanical garden of over 3,000 plant species. A live English or Russian-speaking guide leads the way. Entrance to Cape Kaliakra is included, and mineral water is provided throughout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Northern Black Sea Coast

• Visit rocky monastery museum
• Pass by Albena Resort
• Tour Balchik Botanical Garden and Palace
• Enjoy wine tasting at Queen's Winery
• Visit Cape Kaliakra fortress ruins
• See natural surroundings at Tyulenovo
• Visit Cape Shabla lighthouse

The experience

The tour centers on Cape Kaliakra, where a 13th- to 14th-century fortress sits on cliffs rising more than 60 meters above the sea. You'll walk the ruins, learn the site's medieval history, and stand at the cliff edge where dolphins sometimes surface in the water below. From there, the day branches into your choice: Balchik Palace, the summer residence of Romanian Queen Maria, sits in a complex designed in the 1920s by Swiss architect Jules Jani, surrounded by a botanical garden holding over 3,000 plant species and Europe's second-largest cactus collection. A complimentary wine tasting happens in the Queen's Winery on the grounds. Alternatively, you can spend more time at Tyulenovo, a natural reserve named for the monk seals that once lived there, or linger at Cape Shabla, Bulgaria's easternmost point, where the oldest and tallest lighthouse on the Black Sea coast stands.

The private format means no fixed schedule or group constraints. You set the rhythm: stay longer at a site that interests you, skip one that doesn't, or ask the guide to spend extra time at a particular stop. The tour runs 8 to 10 hours depending on what you choose. Pickup from your Varna location is included, as is all transportation, entrance fees at Cape Kaliakra, and bottled mineral water. Entrance to Balchik Palace and the botanical garden costs extra if you decide to visit them. The Aladzha Monastery, a 13th- to 14th-century rocky site with monk dwellings and a museum, is also optional. Children from age 4 are welcome, and the tour is wheelchair accessible.

What’s included

• Private transportation from Varna.
• a live English or Russian-speaking guide.
• entrance fee at Cape Kaliakra.
• mineral water still and sparkling throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (14 and older) · Child (4 to 13 years): free · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Travelness

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English or Russian, so choose the language that works for you when you book. Because you set the stops and pace, the tour suits anyone from families with children age 4 and up to travelers who want to linger at one site instead of rushing through several.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Russian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 13 years): free. Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Cape Kaliakra and why is it worth visiting?

Cape Kaliakra is a headland on Bulgaria's Black Sea coast where a medieval fortress from the 13th to 14th centuries sits atop cliffs that rise more than 60 meters above the water. You'll walk the fortress ruins, learn its history, and stand at the cliff edge where you might spot dolphins in the sea below.

Can I choose which stops to visit on this tour?

Yes. The tour is built around your choices: you decide which attractions to visit and how long to spend at each one. Cape Kaliakra is the main stop, but you can add Balchik Palace and its botanical garden, visit the Aladzha Monastery, or spend more time at Tyulenovo or Cape Shabla lighthouse.

What is included in the tour price?

Private transportation, all taxes and fees, entrance to Cape Kaliakra, and mineral water throughout the day are included. Entrance fees to Balchik Palace, the botanical garden, and the Aladzha Monastery are optional and paid separately if you choose to visit them.

How long does the tour last?

The tour runs 8 to 10 hours depending on which stops you choose and how long you spend at each one.

Is there a wine tasting included?

A complimentary wine tasting at the Queen's Winery in Balchik Palace is included if you choose to visit the palace and botanical garden.