Euxinograd, Varna, Bulgaria

Euxinograd is a late 19th-century Bulgarian former royal summer palace and park on the Black Sea coast, 8 kilometres north of downtown Varna. The palace is currently a governmental and presidential retreat, hosting cabinet meetings in the summer and offering access for tourists to several villas and hotels.

Prince Battenberg visited Varna in 1880 and he was welcomed at the monastery “St. Dimitar”, which was situated at the same place, where now the residence stands. The monarch liked the local nature so much, that two years later the Varna municipality bestowed him the monastery and its adjoining lands.

The palace park is an integral component of the Euxinograd complex. Prince Ferdinand attracted French park architects to design the 800 decare park in 1888. The project involved a rare tree species collection – from black oak to Atlantic cedar, which are the only species on the Balkan Peninsula. The bare and stony areas were covered in fertile soil, mostly taken from the valley of Kamchiya river. Greenhouses were built northeast of the palace for wintering of the palm trees and flower production. More than 500 flower species and 200 sapling species are grown there and in the arboretum.

In 1891 a palace winery was built as a part of the complex and a successor of the old monastery cellar. The initiative belongs to prince Ferdinand, and the design was made by a German architect. The building is a picturesque house in Bulgarian Revival style. It includes two underground levels, a host wing, a laboratory, a bottling workshop, administrative offices and a degustation room. The size of the winery is as the one of a small boutique production.

Another landmark in the area of the residence is the ruins of the late ancient fortress Kastritsi in the northeastern part of the park.

The complex offers accommodation. At the disposal of the guests there is a restaurant, a barbecue, as well as opportunities for practicing of various sports, such as table tennis, tennis, basketball, volleyball, fitness, bowling, water skiing, surfing, etc.

References:

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User Reviews

Rosina Simeonova (14 months ago)
The service is much higher than some 5 star hotels. The style of socialism has been preserved. 4 deserted beaches, a large park with many plant species, a winery, a church, bungalows on the beach. You sleep in a forest and listen to the sound of the sea all night. It's a pity that the pool is not working, but there is still so much potential...

the sequencer (16 months ago)
Tourist trap ! No information on web page, you need 5 days in advance to apply, so the security told me unfriendly. I've seen no tourists there, just 5 security people doing nothing, sent spontaneous tourists home. Is this 3rd world country? On google maps it was showing open, hey its holiday season.....what are you doing there?

Mihail Tanev (17 months ago)
An absolut treasure! Must visit ?As the Euxinograd Palace is an active national parliament residence you have to inquire about your visit via email (best 1 month in advance) - they will send you the available dates and times for your visit. Normally there are groups of up to 30 people and the guide is speaking Bulgarian and English. Photographing is allowed but only in the park area of the palace, inside of it you are not allowed to take photos. They even have their own winery and you can buy wine and other spirits made there. Highly recommended and worth the money (12 BGN or approximately 6 EUR)!

Vladyslav Kondratiev (22 months ago)
This place is nothing special if you are an experienced traveler. In my opinion, such a high-level establishment should be kept at the right level and the facade of the residence requires renovation. Maybe it's because I was there in late autumn and it will be refurbished for the high tourist season. Inside the residence, there is nothing mind-blowing and it's really funny that you are restricted to take photos of the rooms. I can only recommend this place if you have extra time and money.

gabriela wanek (3 years ago)
An idea only because are lost a lot of money and visitors . There should be 2-3-4 rounds for the visit, at fixed times, to be announced on the site ...... without making an appointment online and someone will answer you or not ?..... I think it would be the best idea I have seen this system in many places in the world. I hope that next year this system will be implemented. Because it's great to visit, but the facilities for visiting are complicated. EDIT!!!!!!!!!! I was in Varna for 3 days, but a week before I sent a booking email. They responded very promptly❤️ The palace has a super beautiful garden,wonderful to visit, it's a pity that the palace has only the ground floor open to the public. While reading the reviews I had a heartbreak, the guides are only in Bulgarian ..... But our guide, Matea, being the only foreigners, explained us separately in English, thank you very much.

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