Balchik today is one of the most popular resorts in Bulgaria. It is essentially a small town located in the northeast of the country with a population of only 12,000 people. Despite its compact size, Balchik is home to the main botanical garden of the Balkans, the third-largest port in the country, numerous beaches, and several youth discos.
History of Balchik
In the 6th century, a small settlement named Kruni was founded around natural karst springs. Most of the houses in the settlement had the characteristic white color of limestone. In the 14th century, the scattered villages became part of the Dobruja Principality, and the new regional center was renamed Balchik in honor of its leader, Balik. Throughout its history, the city has been part of the Ottoman Empire, Romania, and Bulgaria.
Cultural and Natural Landmarks of Balchik
“The Lonely Nest” Palace
The main cultural attraction of the town is the summer residence of the Romanian Queen Maria, the “Lonely Nest” palace. Despite its simple interior and rather modest exterior decoration, this is an elegant castle. It will surely appeal to tourists who appreciate refined architectural taste without extravagance.
Interestingly, the queen was Christian, but one of the palace towers is a typical Islamic minaret. According to legend, Maria was in love with a Turkish ruler and dedicated the building to her unrequited love.
Entrance to the palace costs 15 BGN for adults and 7 BGN for children over seven years old.
Botanical Garden
The most famous botanical garden in the Balkans is located in Balchik. The idea of its creation belongs to the same Romanian Queen Maria. Considering its close proximity to her summer residence, Balchik’s botanical garden serves as the park surrounding the palace.
The man-made park features an unusual combination of flora typical of the southern Balkans as well as completely exotic plants. Additionally, there is a small wine cellar with a tasting room, where for an extra fee visitors can sample several types of local wine or jams made from rose petals, feijoa, and other original ingredients.
Entrance to the botanical garden costs about 15 BGN for adults. Children’s tickets are half price.
Other Architectural Landmarks
For those who pay attention to history when discovering a new city, it is essential to visit the museums of Balchik:
The Historical and Ethnographic Museums, located on the city’s main square;
The miniature city-museum “Architectural Complex of the Renaissance Era”;
The Art Museum-gallery showcasing exhibitions of Bulgarian masters.
The small town of Balchik boasts about a dozen ancient churches. The most well-known temples include:
Saint George Church from the 19th century, notable for its artistic value;
The Church of Saints Constantine and Helena, built in the same century;
The Cathedral of Saint Paraskeva, constructed during the difficult 1930s;
Saint Nicholas Church, which has survived four full destructions and reconstructions during its 200-year history;
The Temple of Cybele. This pagan cult site, dating back to the 3rd century BC, is dedicated to the Phrygian goddess of fertility.
Other Useful Information for Tourists
Accommodation
You can find apartments in Balchik to suit every taste. However, the resort is considered a budget option, and most hotels in the area have 3 or 4 stars.
For one night's accommodation and two days for two adults in Balchik, you can expect to pay around 70 USD. The local hotels are suitable not only for couples but also for families with children. There is a wide selection of apartments with their own kitchens where you can prepare your own meals.
Transportation
You can get to Balchik by taxi, bus, or transfer from Sofia, where one of the country's two major airports is located. The road trip to the capital takes about 500 km, and the corresponding transfer costs around 60 BGN.
The distance from Balchik to Varna is 50 km. The resort town of Albena is even closer (20 km). You can reach these destinations by boat or bus. In both cases, the ticket will cost between 12 BGN (Albena) and 25 BGN (Varna).
It is almost impossible to reach other cities (such as Nessebar) from Balchik without transfers.
Balchik is a wonderful small resort town that will particularly appeal to those who appreciate picturesque places. However, it has everything to satisfy lovers of comfortable summer vacations. Therefore, Balchik should definitely be on your must-visit list if you are considering a trip to Bulgaria!
