National Maritime Museum

The museum is located at 2 Primorski Boulevard, right on the edge of the Sea Garden. In the 2026 season, the exposition is open from Tuesday to Sunday, typically between 10:00 and 18:00. Like many national museums in Bulgaria, it is closed to the public on Mondays. Admission is very affordable, with standard adult tickets costing about 3 to 5 Bulgarian Lev for the main exhibits, though a small extra fee of around 6 Lev is required if you wish to step on board the Drazki battleship. Discounted rates are available for students, seniors, and children under seven years old. The ticket office is located near the entrance of the main building and accepts both cash and cards. Most visitors spend roughly an hour exploring the outdoor park and the indoor galleries.

This museum is particularly engaging because it offers a mix of indoor and outdoor spaces. The outdoor military park is a highlight for photography, especially with the large-scale ships and vintage helicopters. While most of the grounds are flat and easy to navigate, the interior of the Drazki boat is quite cramped and requires climbing narrow ladders, so it may not be suitable for those with limited mobility. Information labels are generally provided in both Bulgarian and English, so you can follow the historical timeline easily. Since the site is right next to the Varna Port and the beach, it is wise to bring sunglasses and sun protection for the outdoor section. If you are traveling with children, the "outdoor military park" atmosphere usually keeps them highly entertained compared to more traditional art galleries.

The National Maritime Museum is one of the most accessible sites in Varna due to its central location near the port. If you are staying in the city center or near the Cathedral, it is a pleasant 15-minute walk through the pedestrian zone and into the Sea Garden. For those coming from further away, buses 17A and 20 stop at the Baseyna bus stop, which is just a few steps from the museum gates. If you are arriving from northern resorts like Golden Sands or St. St. Constantine and Helena, take bus 409 and get off at the Cathedral or the Festival Complex, then enjoy a short walk toward the sea. Taxis are also a convenient option and can drop you off directly at the museum entrance on Primorski Boulevard, where there are also several paid parking zones for those driving.