Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

The oldest resort on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast is located 10 km north of Varna

The Sts. Constantine and Helena resort complex turns 115 years old

Photo: visitstconstantine.bg

The Saints Constantine and Helena is the oldest resort on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. Located 10 km from the center of Varna, the resort is a winning combination of thermal water, sea, sand and a centuries-old park, recreational facilities, hotels, restaurants and sports facilities. 

The name of the complex comes from the monastery of Sts. Constantine and Helena, built in the 14th-16th centuries in honour of Emperor Constantine I and his mother Helena. Today a small chapel remains from the monastery, which is much visited by Orthodox Christians. 

Tourists have been coming to this place since the time when Bulgaria was under Ottoman rule. After the independence of Bulgaria the flow of tourists increased. The monks used to accommodate them in the farm buildings of the monastery.

The first hotel opened in 1908. On top of an old building belonging to the monastery, the monks built two more floors and called this building the Prague Hotel - after the first foreign visitors, who were Czechs. Later it was also visited by Polish and German tourists.

In the years between 1957 and 1992 the resort was known as "Druzhba" ("Friendship") and it is still popular among the residents of Varna. Two outdoor pools with hot mineral water up to 55°C, one of which runs around the clock, are open all year round in St. Constantine and Helena. 

Today Sts. Constantine and Helena resort is among the resorts of national importance, the third largest and the fourth most visited Bulgarian seaside resort.



Photos: BGNES, visitstconstantine.bg


Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Mountain resort of Borovets officially kicks off winter season

The mountain resort of Borovets in Mount Rila is giving the official start to the winter season today with a sound and light show . The light show will take place at 5 PM at Rila ski run. The ski zone will be open from 8.30 AM until 4.30 PM...

published on 12/21/24 7:40 AM

Taking a break with wine, spa and adventures – the perfect weekend combination

Wine culture has been thriving in Bulgaria, with more and more locations and events drawing a growing number of wine lovers and boosting interest in wine tourism. Demand in wine tasting has gone up significantly in 2024, weekend advance bookings..

updated on 12/20/24 11:46 AM

Forbes: Plovdiv is among the best destinations for New Year’s Eve

Bulgaria’s second largest city of Plovdiv is in the top 3 of recommended destinations for the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays in a ranking by Forbes. Experts from the European Best Destinations organization put Plovdiv in third..

published on 12/16/24 1:50 PM