Varna, locally pronounced Warna, is a seaside resort and port city along Bulgaria’s black sea coast. This is Bulgaria’s third largest city and is known for the Gold of Varna, a six-thousand-year-old Thracian jewelry discovered in one of its burial sites. 

With 340,000 people calling it home, Varna’s Black Sea beaches teem with thousands of people, particularly attracted to the sunny weather and exciting nightlife. 

The Visa application 

Nationals from the EU don’t need a visa to enter and stay in the country. Meanwhile, there are other visa options you may exploit to your advantage.  The list of Visas to apply for includes the following: 

1. The type C visa (tourist visa) that allows one to stay in the country for up to 90 days
2. Schengen visa, valid for up to 90 days 
3. European Union cards obtained in EU member states
4. The Freelancer visa 

While Bulgaria isn’t a Schengen member, the country allows third-country nationals under the following conditions;

• They must have a travel document, i.e., a passport with a minimum validity period of three months. 
• They must commit to staying in Bulgaria for three months within six months;
• They must apply for the visa three months before their intended travel date. 

However, if your mission in Bulgaria goes beyond three months, your best alternative would be the D visa. This document enables you to obtain 6-12-month long residence permits. 

Difference between a digital nomad visa and a freelance visa 

It is easy to imagine that a freelancer and a digital nomad visa are the same. That may be true in other jurisdictions or to some extent.  But in Bulgaria, the two are fundamentally different. 

A freelance visa allows you to carry out taxable activities in the country (including taking jobs from local enterprises). In contrast, the digital nomad visa is for foreigners working on remote contracts (the foreign market). 

The process of acquiring a freelancer visa 

• To acquire a freelancer visa, you must first obtain a self-employment permit which Bulgaria’s employment agency issues after reviewing and approving your detailed business plan.
• Once you have the self-employment permit, you should visit the Bulgarian consulate or embassy and apply for a “type D” visa. This document gives you access to Bulgaria. 
• Upon arrival in Bulgaria with your visa, you must apply for a residence permit issued by the migration directorate.

Requirements for a freelance visa in Bulgaria 

You need the following documents to acquire a Bulgarian freelance visa 

• A brief description of your freelance activity and wider objectives
• A comprehensive plan of your freelance activity within the time frame in question.
• Documents attesting to your professional experience in the particular field for at least two years 
• Bulgarian language certificate –level B1 
• A bank statement as proof of financial sufficiency in accordance with your business plan
• Two color passport photos 

You may be required to give additional documents in accordance with the country’s legislation to undertake certain activities. Your business plan should give pertinent details on how your activity would benefit the Bulgarian economy and society. 

Permit validity 

The freelance or self-employment permit applies for a maximum of one year and is renewable for up to 3 years. After three years, you must return to your own country and reapply for it after one month, following the same procedure. Note that the residence permit’s duration is aligned with the self-employment permit, and the residence permit becomes invalid following your self-employment permit’s expiry. Therefore, you need to renew it fourteen days before it expires.  

Cost of living and cost of living arbitrage 

Assuming you are a New Yorker, spending $9100 per month, you will need approximately $2197 to maintain the same lifestyle in Varna. 

Here is a quick summary of the indices difference;

• Consumer prices without rent- Varna is 61.68 percent cheaper than New York. If you add rent, Varna is 75.85 percent cheaper. 
• Rent- Varna is 90.93 percent cheaper than New York City
• Restaurant prices- Varna is 69.10 percent cheaper 
• Groceries- Varna is 66.73 percent lower than New York 
• Local purchasing power- Verna is 48.48% lower than NY CITY

What is the accommodation like in Varna? 

Your options for accommodation in Varna range from Hotels, hostels, Airbnb, rental apartments, and co-living spaces. Data shared on Nomad List shows that hotel rooms cost a median price of $950 a month and $44 per night. The other options range as follows 

• Airbnb’s median price is $1949 per month and $64 per night 
• 1 bedroom studio rent in the city center is $398. 

Most digital nomads embrace co-living spaces for the lump-sum benefits they have to offer. This community living concept draws like-minded individuals to live and work together. These facilities are well designed and furnished to ensure that you enjoy life but foot your bit of the collective bill. The concept ably caters to various lifestyles, but its highest value is in offering access to the community. 

One nice co-living space to consider in Varna is CoCoHub. You may search for other such facilities on websites like Coliving.com. 

Utilities

If you live in an 85m2 apartment, electricity for heating and cooling, water, and garbage disposal would cost you roughly $116. One minute of prepaid phone calls takes $0.24, while internet at download speeds of 60 Mbps costs about $12.68.  

Internet 

Bulgaria, like Romania, enjoys relatively high internet speeds. A Bulgarian Society for Electronic Communications survey ranked the country 20th in the Global Net Index for broadband internet speed. 

According to speedtest.net, Varna city currently runs at an average fixed download speed of about 60 Mbps. Mobile speeds are equally impressive, performing at download speeds of over 100 Mbps. Any digital nomad would want to be associated with such optimal internet speeds. 

Best coworking spaces

Varna has a range of coworking spaces designed to meet diverse nomad needs. If you are in town, check out the following joints; 

Innovator

Located in Talyana, Varna’s art neighborhood, Innovator is where art people, inventors, tech enthusiasts, and other nomads can meet for work and other forms of interaction. Here is how the place is organized 

• 1st floor – serves as a coworking space, but after 18:00, different events take over. These may include seminars, meetups, and indoor fun events such as video game tournaments, board games, etc. 
• 2nd floor- it consists of 5 offices. It is mainly used as an incubator for different startups and exciting business models. 

It opens Monday – Friday, 09:30 – 18:30. They are closed during weekends. 

Beehive 

Like other top centers, Beehive is a modern coworking space that attracts people who work independently yet share common values and interests. It offers a shared working environment, meeting rooms, and private rooms. The center’s location in downtown Verna city makes it accessible to everyone. 

It opens Monday – Friday, 09:30 – 18:30. They are closed during weekends.

Arty Design Co-Working space

Arty design is a meeting space for digital artists, sculptors, audio and video editors, 2D &3D painters, models, mobile, web, programming developers, and SEO marketers. The hub also hosts people dealing in handmade crafts and fashion. During the day, the center is a coworking space hosting different types of freelancers. Later in the evening, it becomes an arena for other events, including art exhibitions. 

The list of coworking spaces in Varna is long and seemingly exhaustive, but here are a few more facilities you may want to check out; 

• Follow coworking 
• Switch coworking 
• NeatPeak.

Blockchain and cryptocurrencies

Bulgaria has been in the mix as the global community strives to understand and adopt blockchain and its applications. There are claims that the Bulgarian government holds at least 213,519 bitcoins. It is said the government seized the Bitcoins from a criminal syndicate just before the 2017 bull run.

Is crypto legal in Bulgaria? 

Speaking in two separate interviews in 2022, the Bulgarian National Bank deputy governor shared his unofficial opinion saying Bulgaria is yet to regulate crypto-currencies except for AML or anti-money laundering purposes. Accordingly, the Financial Supervision Commission has severally issued warnings regarding crypto’s volatility and the risks underlying cryptocurrencies as unregulated investment ventures.  

Nonetheless, the Bulgarian government’s position on crypto-currencies is open and friendly. No meaningful national legislation is expected around the issue until the general EU regulation is adopted. 

Taxation 

The Bulgarian tax authorities recognize cryptocurrencies as a digital representation of value not issued by the central bank or public institution. So far, the National Revenue Agency has isolated a few taxable aspects of cryptocurrency, which include;

• Income from the exchange or trading of virtual assets  
• Income from mining virtual assets 
• Income from staking virtual assets. 

According to a VAT act (state gazette issue_ 63 of 2006), dealing in crypto assets is deemed a form of financial services provision, rendering it VAT exempt. However, a 5 % tax applies when freelancers register for trading cryptocurrencies as an economic activity. In Bulgaria, personal and corporate income tax are subject to a 10 percent flat rate. 

The country’s current legislation doesn’t expressly require individuals to declare their crypto holdings during annual tax returns.  

Blockchain startups in Varna 

Bulgaria’s level of Blockchain adoption is quite impressive, especially by the sheer number of startups in a city like Sofia. Varna city is fast catching up, with those who only knew it for its great seafood now reading about it as the 2nd most innovative city in the country and 45TH in Eastern Europe. 

Some of the startups established here are:

Casualino: A software development enterprise pioneered by creative, hardworking youth passionate about gaming. 

Aitiss: An email marketing company that seeks to help upcoming businesses create and maintain relationships for better sales.  

Mimirium: Experts in creating software ecosystems that help users collect and keep encrypted data in a browser extension or mobile App. 

UltraPlay: Creators of online casinos, lottery, sportsbook, and bingo software. They also develop software for lottery kiosks and sports betting shops. 

Fashorama: A pioneer rental platform for top-of-the-range women’s fashion focusing on formal wear and designer accessories. 

Digital nomad communities

Like all other cities, Varna nomad communities are mainly organized around coworking & Coliving spaces, Blockchain hubs, and on social media. The Cocohub telegram group would be a good place to start if you want a community to join. 

The Expat population

Getting an accurate population of ex-pats in most cities is tricky. However, a survey of their membership in social media groups would be a credible pointer. For example, the “Expats in Varna” Facebook group has over 4,000 members as of mid-December 2022. A platform like InterNations.com is another valuable resource for deriving estimates of the city’s ex-pat population. 

Local nomad job opportunity 

As we saw in the visa section, the Bulgarian digital nomad visa is still under consideration. In the meantime, holders of the freelancer visa can freely apply and take up local jobs. This is possible through the networking opportunity available in coworking & CoLiving spaces and on community platforms like nomadlist.com, fiverr.com, upwork, and others. 

Popular recreational activities and fun spots

Undoubtedly, Varna’s go-to places are the beaches because the city is best known for its resourceful coastal area. Varna is also famous for its sizzling nightlife, water sports, and various leisure activities. 

Varna stretches over 8 kilometers and is among the most attractive beaches along the coast. It pulls hordes of tourists, although it is rarely crowded due to the length of the beach. If you desire to party over mouth-watering dishes and rock through the night, then Varna beach is the place to be.  

Other coastal areas to consider include the Golden Sands beach. Varna Constantine Beach, Ellen beach, or Sozopol Beach. Slightly away from the city is Asparuhovo beach which appears to emerge from the forest. It is the least crowded beach making it ideal for those who want time away from bustling crowds. 

Let’s explore more attractions in Varna city.

Museum and Monastery Tour 

This five-hour tour from Varna leads you to an Archeological museum and Monastery. During this trip, you can open the pages of Bulgaria’s history as you marvel over the centuries-old artifacts at the museum. You will also have fun exploring the Orthodox Christian cave monastery complex. 

Half-day walking tour

For about 200 Euros, you can explore Varna city’s vibrant history on a guided walking tour that includes visiting the Picturesque gardens, Roman Baths, the Dolphinarium, and the Varna Aquarium. 

A Three-Hour Black Sea Cruise 

Enjoy a 3-hour cruise over the black sea as you marvel over the turquoise waters and scenic views. This trip may cost roughly 120 Euros which also covers refreshing drinks and a sumptuous lunch. You may also plunge into the Black sea if swimming is your thing. 

Varna is a resourceful city, meaning you can do so much more for fun and relaxation. For example, you may also tour 

• The stone forest 
• The sea garden 
• The Varna Cathedral 
• Nezavisimost Square
• Boris Georgiev Art Gallery.

And many more sites.  

Transportation

Like all established cities, Varna’s transport infrastructure is complete with air, road, and railway transport. Varna international airport is the city’s main landing spot. It was opened in 1946 and has grown into Bulgaria’s busiest airport. The facility operates with seasonal flights to various destinations in Europe and the Middle East. In 2018, 2.3 million passengers used it, and here are some of the services offered;

• The bank – opens from Monday –Friday, 9:00 am-6:00 pm, Saturday from 10:00 am -6:pm, and Sundays from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. 
• Forex Bureaus 
• VIP / Business lounge – Opens from 7:00 am – 9:00 pm. Here you are provided drinks, snacks, newspapers, Wi-Fi, TV, air conditioning, fax, and a smoking lounge. 

Bus transport 

Bus transport in Varna is well established, serving as a more affordable alternative for tourists on the move. The most significant bus lines to note include. 

Bus line № 409. 

It connects the airport with the city center, bus station, shopping centers, and the neighboring summer resorts.

Bus line № 9.

Gets you to the central railway station. If you wish to visit sites such as the Dolphinarium and the resorts “Golden sands” and “Sts. Constantine and Helena”, this is the right bus line.

Bus line № 31А.

Boarding Bus line № 31А takes you from the central railway station to the city to the “Sts. Constantine and Helena” resort. 

Trolleybus № 82.

This trolleybus can move you from the central railway station to the city center through to the “Vladislav Varnenchik” park-museum” and a few other destinations. 

For any urgent inquiries regarding this mode of transport, you may contact the following service providers;

1) Gradski Transport EAD 

• Telephone number – +359 (0) 700 10933; 
• e-mail: gtvarna@abv.bg web: www.gtvarna.com

2) Chensfild  

• Telephone number +359 87 830 0680; 
• e-mail: chensfild@gmail.com; web: www.chensfild.bg

Their call center agents are always available to take your inquiries

Means of payment 

You may use tickets or prepaid bus travel cards to pay for the bus fare, Tickets can be purchased at the bus stop or right on the bus. Sometimes prepaid card users enjoy incredible loyalty rewards. For example, once you top it up with 10 BGN, you earn an extra BGN. The cards are validated while entering the bus when you choose between a 120, 90, or 60-minute ride. 

Railway transport

BDŽ Putnicheski Prevozi Ltd oversees passenger train services. In 2019, the company ferried over 21.3 million passengers, with Central Railway Station being the main center coordinating domestic and international commuter services.

Note: 

• The train timetable is available on the company website 
• You may also purchase tickets online from the following ticketing portal 
• You may contact the railway station on the following numbers;

– +359 52 630 444

– +359 52 630 414 

– Address: – “Slaveykov” Square.1, Railway Station Varna.

Taxis

Taxi service is quite efficient in Varna, meaning you can get one easily by making a phone call. The cabs are easily recognizable by their green or yellow colors marked TAXI or TAKCH. Advertising stickers are also conspicuous on the doors. Once you make a phone call to any of the following numbers, you will find a taxi driver in a matter of minutes. 

• Triumpf Taxi: +359 879 644; +359 52 644 444 
• Joy Taxi: +359 899 388 388; +359 52 66 66 66; +359 52 30 30 30
• Lasia Taxi: +359 52 500 000 
• City Taxi: +359 878 388 838
• Omega Trans Taxi: +359 878 388; +359 52 388 888
• Hippo Taxi: +359 876 344 444; +359 52 344 444 

 Are there taxi apps in Verna? 

Yes, there are. However, they work slightly differently from the common ride-sharing apps like Uber, Bolt, and others. In Varna and other Bulgarian cities, these apps are used to access the existing taxi companies. Taxi Maxim and Taxi Me are the two cab service providers with such app-hailing functionality. 

Does Uber operate in Bulgaria? 

No, it doesn’t. Uber entered the Bulgarian market in late 2014 and did well. However, its success would only last for a while, following stiff opposition from the local taxi unions. They lobbied and threatened to demonstrate, citing the potential negative effects that would follow the App’s entry into their market. 

Is Varna city safe? 

Overall, Bulgaria’s third-largest city is safe, meaning you can move around without looking over your shoulder frequently. However, every society has social misfits, and Verna could not be an exception. 

Most recurrent crimes are burglaries, car theft, and, of course, pickpockets. Burglaries are typically executed at night, with the goons going after the cash, jewelry, laptops, smartphones, and anything valuable along their path. Violent crimes against foreigners are rare, although necessary caution must be observed. 

For example, you must only use well-lit streets and avoid brawls and confrontations while consuming alcohol. Also, manage any issues arising from bill settlement disputes amicably because such cases may easily culminate into a physical assault. 

Consider the following data regarding Varna city’s safety:

• Crime level- 36.28% (low)
• Crime incidence in the past three years -42.01%
• Mugging and robberies -30.90% (low)
• Car theft – 33.06% (low)
• Home break-ins and theft 34.91% (low)
• Assault and armed robbery 26.58% (low)
• Corruption and bribery -70.13 (high)
• Safety walking alone late-night – 58.87% (moderate)
• Safety walking alone during the day – 80.52 % (High)

If this data, enabled by 80 contributors, is anything to trust, then Varna is safe. 

Religious composition

According to the most recent 2011 census, Bulgaria is predominantly Christian, with 76% of the population identifying with the Eastern Orthodox denomination. A breakdown of other faiths goes as follows;

• Muslims – 10%
• Protestants -1.1%
• Roman Catholics – 0.8 % 
• Atheists -4.8 %
• 7.1 – hop from one faith to another; hence unsure where they belong

The Armenian Apostolic Orthodox, Judaism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and members of the Church of Christ comprise 0.2% 

Traditions and cultural norms 

Bulgarian culture thrives on a curious blend of Thracian, Bulgar, and Slavic traditions. The Eastern Orthodox Church also has a significant influence on it. The society upholds several ancient customs, such as the Thracian fire dancing, which UNESCO recognizes as an intangible cultural heritage. 

This society deserves credit for defying imperial influences to preserve and keep its identity. Today Bulgaria is an independent nation with unique traditions, beliefs, habits, and food. 

Cultural do’s and don’ts 

• Nod your head for a NO and shake it for a YES – In other settings, you would do the opposite. i.e., nod for a YES and shake it for a NO. This may be very confusing at first. 
• When invited to a friend’s house, never show up empty-handed. Always buy a gift to present to your host. 
• Take off your shoes before entering a neighbor’s or friend’s house 
• Don’t expect exceptional customer service. Sometimes It takes a while for service providers to respond to your invitation for, say, the internet or some other installation form. You may have to book an appointment in advance, especially when dealing with a government agency. 
• Avoid cracking jokes about the country. Bulgarians often do so but don’t appreciate such jokes from a foreigner. 
• When satisfied with a service in a restaurant or places like that, leave a tip. There is a growing expectation about this, although giving is not mandatory. 
• Do not call anything cheap. Locals take this to mean their country is poor or struggling economically. 

Political and economic stability

In its periodic collection and compilation of development indicators, the World Bank assesses countries with regard to political stability and the absence of terrorism. In 2021, the world body reported Bulgaria at 0.45827. 

After the 2020 recession, the country’s economy recovered by 4% in 2021, but analysts warn that economic activity will likely slow down from 2023 through 2027. The gloomy prediction is partly attributed to the shrinking population, labor market slack, and Russia-Ukraine conflict.  

Language and language barriers 

Most Bulgarian nationals speak a South Slavic language known as Bulgarian. which is recognized as the national language. According to the BBC, 85% of the country’s population (6.8 million Bulgarians currently) speak Bulgarian. There are a few interesting facts you may want to know about this language;

1. Its alphabet has 30 letters, i.e., 24 consonants and six vowels
2. It is established upon the Cyrillic alphabet, which was developed by two brothers around 1200 years ago. 
3. The pronunciation can be confusing if you are new to it. For example, the letter B sounds like V. 
4. It has 9 tenses

About 2.5 % of the population speak Macedonian, which is considered a Bulgarian language dialect and not an independent language. You will also find some speaking  minority languages, including Turkish, Romani, Albanian, Tatar, and Gagauz. 

English proficiency

Bulgaria’s English proficiency is high, placing at number 21 out of 111. This is according to a survey by the EF EPI (English proficiency Index). It ranks 18 out of 35 in Europe. Such impressive scores eliminate any prospects of the language barrier, particularly for digital Nomads with English-speaking backgrounds. 

Healthcare

Bulgaria’s health is good by some standards, although the country lags behind the European Union community. It is a largely centralized sector, with the National Health Insurance Fund, the health ministry, and the National assembly being its main funders. 

The country generally suffers a low supply of nurses. Although the number of physicians is well above the European Union average (4.2 per 1000 population against the EU average of 3.9 physicians per 1000), there are shortages in some key specialties. Nonetheless, the number of practicing nurses has been relatively stable over the past 15 years. 

The nursing shortage could be attributed to several factors, including:

• Emigration owing to disgruntlement over salaries and working conditions 

• An aging workforce
• A reduced number of nursing graduates.

In 2019 nurses organized countrywide protests calling for improved remuneration, fair working conditions, and better compensation for overtime and night shifts. The government responded positively. 

Let’s sample the following statistics to better understand the city’s healthcare. 

• How skilled and competent is the city’s medical staff? – 69.50%(High)
• Equipment for diagnostic testing and treatment- 51.50%
• How fast do they complete examinations and reports? -67.50%? (High)
• How friendly and courteous is the staff? – 56.50% (moderate)
• How accurately do they fill out reports? 62.5 (High)

Varna’s best hospitals 

The following hospitals may match your expectations if you come from a country with great hospitals and healthcare services.

1. Sims Hospital:  Near Modh Vanik Vadi, Katargam Road, Near Surat Railway Station  ( Rated 5*)
2. Urmil Multispecialty Hospital: 3rd Floor, Shagoon Step in, Koparli Road, Chharwada Gunjan, Vapi, Vapi – 396191, Near St Xavier School (Rated 5*)
3. Dr. Himanshu R. Patel: Vinayak Hospital and Icu, Sidhdhivinayak Plaza, Beside Blossom Hotel, Vapi, Vapi – 396195, Gunjan Char Rasta Nh 48 (Rated 5*)

Health insurance for digital nomads

Expats and Digital nomads residing in Bulgaria can access subsidized or free medical care courtesy of the country’s public health system. Once you have a residence permit, you can contribute to the scheme using your Bulgarian social security number. Otherwise, you must use the mandatory private insurance you purchased as a precondition to get the visa. 

Vaccinations

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends taking the following vaccines before traveling to Varna, Bulgaria. 

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Flu (influenza)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Shingles
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
• Polio

The following vaccines are also recommended with some specifications 

• COVID-19 – Eligible age groups
• Hepatitis A- 6 months old and above 
• Hepatitis B- 6 months old and above
• Rabies – Individuals working directly with wildlife 
• Tick-borne Encephalitis-For those traveling to TBE-infested areas 

Electronic standards

Bulgaria operates on a 220 Volts AC, which most European Union countries use. It also uses the European 2-round pin plugs. This means if you are an EU nomad, you won’t have to make any adjustments. 

However, if you come from the US, you will need adapters, voltage converters, and transformers to fit the local standards. The US uses plug type A (has two flat pins) and type B (has two flat pins and a grounding pin). And it operates on a 120V power supply voltage.

Telephone and internet plans

Bulgaria has three main mobile operators, namely:

1. Vivacom Bulgaria
2. Little Bulgaria (once called Telenor Bulgaria)
3. A1 Bulgaria (once called Mtel Bulgaria)

These operators broadcast on the following frequencies; 

• 2G- 900 megahertz and 1800 megahertz
• 3G- 900 megahertz and 2100 megahertz
• 4G/LTE- 900 megahertz [Band 8], 1800 megahertz (Band 3), 2100 megahertz [Band 1] & 2600 megahertz [Band 7]
• 5G NR- 1800 megahertz, 2100 megahertz (n1) & 3600 megahertz [n78]

Each service provider creates offers they believe would be appealing to their existing subscribers and the wider target market. 

Here are some of the plans offered by Vivacom

• Unlimited 2: If you are a fan of chatting, texting, and browsing music platforms, this is your ideal plan 
• Unlimited 100: This plan is good for those who frequent YouTube, Netflix, and other channels in that category. Enables you to stream and download high-quality videos. 
• Unlimited 300: Offers you fast unlimited internet (300 Mbps), which is ideal for data-intensive engagements like gaming, live streaming, and office work. 

Before traveling, ensure your phone is unlocked; otherwise, you may be unable to mount a foreign SIM card. In that case, you will have to buy a local gadget or roam internationally on your phone. Roaming would prove expensive unless you are riding on a company budget. 

Payment services infrastructure 

More Bulgarians are embracing contactless payment methods, with a recent Paysafe survey placing the number of debit card users at 45%. 24% prefer digital wallets, and since old habits die hard, 52% still go with cash payment. According to a Statista article, approximately 1,000,000 Bulgarians possessed credit cards in 2019. A 2018 report revealed that roughly 6 million Bulgarians had acquired debit cards by that year. These are high percentages considering the country’s dwindling population. 

Currencies and exchange rates

The Bulgarian Lev is the country’s official currency. As of December 15, 2022, 1 Bulgarian Lev is equivalent to $0.54. 

Climate and seasons

Bulgaria is not so large, meaning its regional weather variations are minimal (no more than 6-7 degrees centigrade). The country’s climate is a hybrid of Mediterranean and continental influences.   This means it has four well-defined seasons, i.e., spring, summer, autumn, and winter. 

Spring

Spring comes from March to June, with temperatures ranging between 15-25 degrees centigrade. It is less sunny than summer but it ,doesn’t rain much either. Spring weather is generally foggy and quite choppy, particularly in March, which is known for being unpredictable. 

Summer 

Summer rolls at the beginning of June when temperatures exceed 30 degrees centigrade. July and August are quite hot, and the sun can be unbearably strong at midday. Varna has occasionally recorded temperatures above 35 degrees centigrade, in some cases soaring to 40 °C. A typical summer day is clear and sunny, but it is likely to manifest in a short, tumultuous storm when it rains. 

Autumn 

Summer ends around mid –September, giving way to autumn. The second part of September and October may remain warm and pleasant since Bulgarian autumn doesn’t feature as much rain as the rest of Europe.   This is the season when grape farmers yield their harvest in readiness to make wine. Autumn temperatures range around 10-25 degrees centigrade, gradually going down to usher in winter in early December.  

Winter 

Temperatures quickly drop in December, hurtling down to below zero. Snow starts forming at the end of December and persists until March. Snow temperatures may oscillate between -5 -15 °C, with some days being clear and sunny. You may be surprised to learn that Bulgaria’s winter is the driest season, the freezing temperatures notwithstanding. 

Popular Cuisine

Bulgaria is known for its quality of dairy products, vegetables, and mild spices. Chicken and pork are the more common forms of meat, although seafood, veal dishes, and fish are also popular. 

For some reason, Lamb has a unique place in Bulgarian cuisine. 

Traveling a little further to places like Greece, Turkey, or Serbia, you may be surprised to see most Bulgarian dishes being served. However, Bulgarian dishes highlight a uniquely local flavor that sets them worlds apart from the neighboring versions. Therefore, if you’ve just landed at Varna international airport, hype your appetite for hearty salads, delicious pastries, and sizzling grilled meat, among other finger-licking delicacies. 

Bob chorba

This soup is made from white and kidney beans, tomatoes, peppers, onions, carrots, and mint. Bell peppers, potatoes, paprika, and meat may serve as additional ingredients. 

Tarator

Tarator is a cold soup made from Bulgarian yogurt, walnuts, chopped dill, cucumbers, sunflower oil, garlic, and some water or ice. You may use bread instead of nuts, carrots, lettuce, or cucumbers. 

Ribena chorba

This is a traditional fish soup prepared from varieties of fish (or fish heads) and vegetables. Take salt or freshwater fish and cook it in salted water. Cut it into smaller pieces and then simmer it with chunks of vegetables, spices, and herbs in a fish broth. 

Common Concerns 

• Air pollution is high 
• High bribery and Corruption index
• Loss of medical personnel through emigration 

Despite these few concerns, Varna is a great city for digital nomadism, especially due to its high internet speeds.