The pearl of the Bulgarian Riviera, the lively seaside resort of Albena, known for its second largest beach (6 km) on the Black Sea coast, is just part of a luxury resort area. Near Albena there are no less luxurious resorts - Golden Sands and St. Constantine and Elena. Varna and Balchik are quite close to Albena. Therefore, the question of what to see in Albena is not even worth it.
Albena is not only a beach and the sun, happy from the sight of many vacationers. It is also a sports and youth center where you can go water skiing, catch a wave on a surfboard, go underwater fishing, play tennis, mini golf, bowling, and spend nights in bars and nightclubs. Tourists from the former republics of the Soviet Union travel with pleasure to Albena. It seems that time on the Black Sea coast of Bulgaria has stopped. Here are all the same beaches as several decades ago, decent hotels where the staff speaks Russian, and even the dishes served in the cafe are the same - the national shopt salad, stuffed peppers under the ridiculous name "Chushka", kebabs and kebabche.
You won't be bored in Albena. If you get tired of lying on the beach, go on excursions. There are many interesting sights in the vicinity of the resort!
Top 10 attractions of Albena and its surroundings
Baltata Natural Park
Baltata Natural Park
On the Black Sea coast near the village of Obrochishche, near Albena, there is the Baltata Nature Reserve, which was founded in 1978 to preserve the natural dense forest at the mouth of the Batova River, which flows into the sea between Varna and Balchik. The suitable type of soil, consisting of sand and clay, and the high humidity of the air are favorable conditions for the growth of dense forests in these places. Two types of trees prevail in the Baltata reserve - elm and holly ash. They reach 30-35 meters in height. Also in the forest there are trees typical for deciduous forests: oaks, maples, wild pears, hornbeams, white poplars, white willows, etc. The average age of these trees is 45-50 years. It is not at all easy to walk between the trees, because everything is overgrown with shrubs, among which hawthorn, dogwood, blackberry, wild rose, hazel and the like can be noted. There are special trails for moving around the reserve. You can get to it right along the beach. No money is charged for entering the territory of Baltata.
Albena beaches
Albena beaches
The main treasure of Albena, founded in 1969 on a long spit protruding into the sea, are its beaches. The length of the coast, intended for recreation by the water, is about 6 km, the width is 150 meters. This means that there are never such busy beaches as in Yalta or Sochi. The sea off the coast of Albena is calm, rather shallow, so here you can often meet families with small children. The absence of pitfalls, unpleasant algae, poisonous inhabitants of the sea guarantees an excellent rest.
For the convenience of vacationers, many beaches are equipped with open-air libraries. White cabinets are installed right on the seashore, in which there is literature in 15 languages of the world. An honorable place in beach libraries is occupied by the book of the Bulgarian Yordan Yovkov, the main character of which is the very Albena, in honor of which the resort got its name. This book has been translated into 6 languages.
Aladzha monastery
Aladzha monastery
A few kilometers from the resort of Golden Sands, which is adjacent to Albena, in the rocks there are the remains of the Aladzha monastery dating from the XIII-XIV centuries. Several caves of natural origin were adapted for the monastery premises. High stone steps lead to the monastery, located on two levels. To climb to the cave churches and monks' cells, you will have to spend 20 minutes.
History has not preserved the name of the saint to whom the Aladzha Monastery was dedicated. The name "Aladzha" is translated from Turkish as "bright, colorful". Most likely, the monastery received this name because of the surrounding multi-colored rocks. Or maybe it was called that, thanks to the bright paintings that have survived to this day on the walls of the local cave chapel.
There is a museum near the Aladzha monastery, and about a kilometer from the monastery there are several more caves where Christians gathered in the 4th-6th centuries. You cannot inspect them, but they offer excellent views of the surroundings.
Dervish monastery in Obrochishte
The village of Obrochishte is located just a few kilometers from the Albena resort. We can say that the resort was built near the village. It is not surprising that tourists first of all go to explore this nearest Bulgarian village. On its outskirts, there are the remains of the former dervish monastery, where the Turkish saint Akyazil Baba lived. Christians came here to pray to St. Athanasius.
Little has survived from the monastery: the turbbe (mausoleum) of Akyazil Baba and the imaret - the place where monks once performed their rituals and received pilgrims. It is believed that the monastery was built by the Alevis - a religious group that still exists in some Muslim countries. It happened in the 16th century. The Tomb of Akyazil Baba is a heptagonal structure with a small annex, built of stone. Inside it is decorated with murals, probably created in the late 19th - early 20th centuries. These frescoes are now a valuable monument.
Water park "Aquamania"
Water park "Aquamania"
In 2015, the Aquamania water park was opened in Albena, built according to the project of a Canadian company specializing in the construction of water amusement parks. Pools with various slides are located on an area of 30 thousand square meters.
For adults, there is a long Tantrum slide, an almost steep Free Fall descent platform and a Pro Racer speed slide, where you can arrange fun races and go down into the water for a while. There are also quieter areas, for example, a theater on the water. Children will be able to appreciate a walk in the company of their parents along the "Lazy River", which bends around the islets with fountains, and independently explore the depths of space, meet with not at all scary space aliens on children's versions of adult attractions.
Luna Park in Albena
Travel agencies position Albena as a family-friendly resort. This means that there are enough places in Albena where a child can feel happy. One of them is an amusement park with various carousels, attractions, swings for the little ones. For older children, inflatable slides and trampolines of various shapes are installed. On one of them, you can jump with an elastic band, however, under the supervision of adults, so as not to get injured. Kids of all ages love to ride two and three-wheeled bicycles for rent in the park.
There is also entertainment for adults in Luna Park: for example, an attraction called "Rodeo". You need to get used to the role of a cowboy and stay on the back of a spinning bull for as long as possible. It doesn't hurt to fall, as the bull tries to throw its rider over the soft mats.
There are many stalls in Luna Park selling various sweets.
Botanical garden in Balchik
Botanical garden in Balchik
Just 10 km from Albena, there is the famous resort Balchik, where the largest botanical garden in the Balkan countries is located, which today belongs to the University of Sofia, and the palace of the Romanian Queen Maria, who, in fact, turned Balchik into a popular vacation spot for the Romanian nobility. The palace is adjoined by a landscaped park with terraces, arches, green tunnels, observation decks marked with graceful pavilions, shady paths. The minaret dominates the palace. Thermal baths and a power plant were built near the mansion.
The botanical garden, founded in the middle of the last century, covers an area of 35 hectares. More than 3 thousand plants have been planted in it, donated by botanical gardens from all over the world to Balchik. The local rose garden and cactus collection are magnificent.
Fortress ruins in Kranevo
Kranevo resort is located 3 km from Albena. If desired, tourists can walk there right along the beach. The main historical site of Kranevo is considered to be the ruins of the ancient fortress of Kraneja, which is located 1, 4 km south of the center of the village. The Kranej fortification was erected in ancient times on a 252 m high hill with a flat top. From the south, this hill is connected by a narrow passage with the nearby mountains. The fortress had a triangular shape and was surrounded by high walls 3 meters wide with 37-40 towers. The towers have not survived. The castle grounds could be accessed through two gates. The southern ones led to the road to Kastritsi, through the northwestern ones it was possible to descend into the valley. The western round tower was converted into a pottery workshop in Byzantine times. The fortress was also used during the Middle Ages: a suburb of the village of Kranevo was erected on the remains of ancient buildings. Now you can see the remains of the walls and foundations of buildings.
Balneological center of Albena
The symbol of the Albena resort, which can be seen on souvenir products, is the Dobrudzha hotel, which resembles two sails connected at a slight angle. On the territory of this hotel is located the largest balneological center in Bulgaria, which offers treatment based on mineral and sea water, healing mud and various medicinal plants. Thermal water is suitable not only for various procedures, but also for drinking. The balneological center accepts patients with problems in the nervous system, skin diseases, diabetes, diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Qualified specialists are involved in prescribing treatment. Albena is ideal not only for a beach holiday, but also for restoring your own health.
Stone forest
Stone forest
An unusual natural landmark is located near Albena. It can only be reached by taxi or as part of an organized excursion. These are unique limestone, partially hollow columns, formed, according to scientists, several tens of millions of years ago as a result of the work of wind and rain. The time of their appearance can be judged by the inclusions in the limestone. With the naked eye, you can see the remains of the shells of ancient mollusks.
The largest pillars are 6 meters high. Many columns have already collapsed, others still adorn the green meadow. In the past, pagans and even Christians came here to conduct religious rites. Nowadays, sorcerers and psychics come, claiming that they are fed by the stones with energy.
