Albena is a purpose built resort on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast located a short distance from Varna Airport. It is popular with British tourists looking for a relaxing beach holiday on a low budget. The golden beach is seven kilometres long and is edged by a wide promenade. The sand shelves gently into the clear blue sea where a variety of water sports are offered. Most of the accommodation is close to the beach, as are the many restaurants and cafes which serve a wide variety of food. Evening entertainment is mainly provided by the larger hotels although there are a number of lively bars, taverns and discos.
An Albena holiday offers an inexpensive way of enjoying sun, sea and sand in foreign climes.
Albena is an attractive resort with good facilities which has a wonderful sandy beach bathed by warm crystal clear waters. With a guarantee of summer sunshine and a range of recreational activities both in and out of the water, an Albena holiday will keep the whole family entertained. An additional attraction is its comparatively low cost.
Albena caters for all age ranges from the very young to retirees. It is not uncommon to see three generations holidaying together and enjoying the many attractions. Those seeking a more active holiday will find a large range of sporting activities both in and out of the water.
The summer season lasts from April to October with average temperatures of twenty-eight degrees and with a daily average of eight hours of sunshine.
Albena is located thirty kilometres from Varna on Varna Bay and benefits from a short transfer time from the airport. The purpose built resort lies on a long, broad stretch of soft sandy beach and is framed by densely wooded hills. Its beach slopes gently into the clear waters of the Black Sea giving safe conditions for children and less confident swimmers. A palm-lined promenade runs along the length of the beach and is filled with bars, cafes and tourist shops. Many water sports are available with sailing and diving schools, water skiing, jet skiing, para-sailing and fishing. On land you can try your hand at bowling, golfing, tennis and horse riding. There is also a children’s fun fair, trampolines and crazy golf courses. As your can see, there is far more to an Albena holiday than sun bathing on the beach.
Much of the accommodation is built along the sea front but as Albena’s popularity has increased, hotels and apartments have spread into the hills. A regular mini train links the hotels to the beach. With over one hundred restaurants, cafes and taverns, Albena has menus to tempt even the most pernickety of palates. They serve everything from traditional food to English pub grub and from international cuisine to fast foods. Shopping is largely limited to essential provisions as well as the usual numbers of tourist stores selling gifts and souvenirs. Popular items include wooden carvings and handmade boxes, leather goods and embroidered linens. Albena’s nightlife is fairly lively with bars and the occasional disco supplementing the hotel entertainment. There is also a small casino for those who enjoy a holiday flutter.
Albena may not have had a long history but it lies near some interesting historic sights. The old town of Balchik is certainly worth a visit with its botanical gardens. Other villages are Obrochishte with its Ottoman fortress and Kranevo with its Roman remains.
An Albena holiday offers equal measures of sun, sea and sand, a wide variety of sporting activities with a little culture on the side.
Although Albena nightlife can be fairly lively, it could never be described as raucous. The evening atmosphere is relaxed, reflecting the resort’s popularity with families. The Variety Casino has concerts and shows as well as gaming tables.
Albena has no real shopping centre with shops dotted throughout the resort. Mini-markets provide essential provisions and the many tourist shops sell the inevitable gifts and souvenirs. Many of these are locally crafted with wood carvings, boxes, leather goods and hand embroidered linens being popular purchases.
Albena has a large number of restaurants, many of which are attached to the hotels, as well as cafes and tavernas. They offer a wide variety of food and cater for most tastes. Traditional dishes are generally spicy with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. Stuffed vine leaves and peppers are popular. Try the speciality ‘Banista’ a cheese pie which melts in the mouth.
Bulgaria is a large European wine producer. The north is noted for its whites and the south for its reds. They are of good quality and are inexpensive.
