Varna's history goes back to the 6th Century B.C. when it was founded by settlers from the Greek city of Miletus in Asia Minor, and was called Odessos. There must have been an earlier settlement in the area, although it was not mentioned in written sources, as archeologists discovered nearby a Chalcolitic necropolis housing the world' oldest worked gold, now exhibited in the city's archeological museum. Soon Odessos became a lively Black Sea port and commercial center. From the 3rd Century B.C. it minted its own silver and gold coins. As part of the Roman Empire from the 1st Century A.D. it retained its role as economic and cultural center. The largest Roman baths in the Balkans were built there in the 2nd Century. (The baths are well preserved and open for visitors.)  In the 6th centurt came the Slavs, and in 681 Khan Asparukh's Bulgars. Byzantine, Bulgarian, Ottoman and again Bulgarian rule came one after the other, but the city invariably grew and prospered.

Much of Varna's center is pedestrianised, the broad streets are lined with shops, trees and benches, and open-air cafes and cozy restaurants cater for the tourist crowds. Old buildings have been beautifully restored, the facades of some of them are lit up at night, and so is the magnificent Assumption Cathedral, one of the city's symbols. Varna is a clean, friendly and relaxed city with lots of interesting sites to visit, and plenty of entertainment.

The Seaside Garden stretches along the vast beach. It is an oasis of greenery, flowers, fountains, open-air stages, monuments to prominent Bulgarians, playgrounds and cafes. The seaside promenade is lined with restaurants and discotheques. The garden contains the city's Planetarium, Aquarium and Dolphinarium. At its entrance stands the Festival and Congress Centre, a modern venue with halls of various sizes, a restaurant, a café and a market. The traditional film festival 'Love is Madness' is held there annually.