The compact resort of Balchik in northeastern Bulgaria is not only the warm Black Sea, clean beaches, and gentle sun. It is also enchanting medieval architecture with white, red, and yellow houses lining narrow winding streets. The city is home to the famous Balchik Botanical Garden, located in the Balkan Mountains. It was founded by Romanian Queen Marie as a park surrounding her own summer residence, the "Quiet Nest" castle, several centuries ago. Today, both the botanical garden and the palace attract thousands of tourists annually. Balchik is also home to a large seaport that welcomes thousands of ships every day. At first glance, Balchik may seem modest, but it is a city with a dozen churches, the most famous of which is the St. Nicholas Church. In addition to the monuments of the Ottoman Empire and the Bulgarian Principality, the Temple of Cybele deserves the attention of travelers. It is a pagan cult site that has survived since the 3rd century BC. The resort is home to a balneological health center famous worldwide for its healing mud. Balchik is truly a versatile city. This is evidenced by several significant European festivals held annually, dedicated to documentary films, music, and the maritime theme.