Bulgarian Regions
Balchik
Location:The town of Balchik is a relatively large settlement along the Northern seaside with its population numbering 13,766 people and a harbor used for medium-sized passenger and commercial vessels. It is situated 31km north of Varna in a beautiful inlet and 17 km south of Kavarna which is also a sea resort.
History: The place was first inhabited by Ionians in the 5th century BC. At that time, the settlement was called Kmuni or Krounoi after the Greek word for springs, due to the abundance of karst springs in the area. Later on it was renamed Dionisopolis after the name of Dionisius, the Greek god of wine and feasts.
History: The place was first inhabited by Ionians in the 5th century BC. At that time, the settlement was called Kmuni or Krounoi after the Greek word for springs, due to the abundance of karst springs in the area. Later on it was renamed Dionisopolis after the name of Dionisius, the Greek god of wine and feasts.
According to one of the most popular explanations, the town received this name after a statute of Dionisius was dragged there by the sea. The god’s image appeared also on the coins minted there. Noteworthy, the town was a rather important centre on the northern Black Sea coast till the beginning of the new era and it was second in significance only to Varna (named Odessos at that time). Later on the town was included in the territory of Bulgaria. Around the 13th - 14th century AC it was moved to a natural fortification, called Dzhina Bair. Following its rule by the Boyar Balik, it received its present-day name of Balchik. The town flourished and grew into a big corn-trading centre after the Crimean War (1853-1856).
Yet after the Balkan War which ended 1913, it was annexed to the territory of Romania. Struck by the natural beauty of the place, The Romanian Queen Maria built a summer palace and a botanical garden there. The royal complex also included a chapel and a villa for Romanian aristocrats. The town turned into a luxurious resort at the time. After 1940 Balchik was again included in Bulgarian territory.Places of Interest: Apart from the palace complex and the botanical garden, which is the biggest and most diverse on the Balkans, the town also appeals to tourists with its ancient spirit, reflected into steep pebbled streets and houses made of stone and adobe.
The palace complex consists of a central palace with a high tower, numerous buildings, a terraced park, summer houses made of stone and propped up on marvelous columns facing the sea, a throne under an old tree where Queen Maria loved to watch the sunset, and a small chapel where her heart is preserved. There are more than 3,000 rare and exotic species of plants in the botanic garden, which has made it a part of the teaching facilities of Sofia University. The whole complex was called Tenha Yuva (Quiet Nest). Besides the palace and the botanic garden, the Art Gallery of the town, which houses also the town’s museum, is also an interesting place to visit.
There is also a small ethnographic museum and a beautiful old church called St. Nicola. A Renaissance complex with the old school, which is quite well preserved, can be other possible destinations of a walk. The coastal alley, which is about 4km long, is also a nice place to stroll, the same way as the harbor and the small streets of the town are. Outside the city, the area of Touzlata is located 4 km east of the town. It is well known for its curative mud, which was the main reason to build a curative centre there beside two lakes, formed by old landslides. A large recreational complex, a lot of villas, bungalows and a camping site can be also found there.
There is a mineral spring with water temperature of above 30?C. Two big camping sites - Sandrino Camping and Beliyat Bryag Camping are also located near Balchik. They offer various opportunities for rest and water sports, clubs, bars, numerous bungalows for tourists having no camping equipment, small restaurants and snack bars for seafood and continental food. Fifteen kilometers away from the town in south-west direction is the village of Obrochishte with a well-preserved fortress dating back to the early Ottoman rule, which travelers of that time used to compare it with the beauty of Baghdad.
Accommodation: The most popular hotels in the town are Valeo Hotel, Elit Hotel, Rai hotel and Paris hotel. One can reserve rooms at the Palace as well. There are bungalows near the shore in the Tihiya Kut Resort (The Quiet Corner) and many private lodgings offered in the town with their prices depending on the comfort and the distance to the beach or the centre. Not far from the town is the Bisser Camping offering bungalows and space for caravans to park and tents to put up. We also recommend the following local hotels: Balchik Hotel ***, Alex Hotel ***, Diana Hotel ***, Green Bay Lodge ***, Horizont Hotel, Complex **, Jupiter Hotel 2 **, Lotos Hotel ***, Residence Sinfonie ***, Victoria Hotel **, Villa in Balchik and Villa Romantika **.
The Valeo hotel *** is situated on the sea side of Balchik near the Botanique garden and the Palace Complex. The hotel is on the coast street, just a second away from the central part of the town. The individuality of The Valeo Hotel is the complex of home comfort and the innovation taste. The lobby of the hotel gently confides the guests that they have made the best choice. The restaurant makes them feel cozy thanks to its comfortable atmosphere and selected music. Everyone can see the quantity of the hotel if they see the interior and feel the attitude. The hotel has 58 places, organized in rooms and studios. There are air-conditioning, a mini-bar, a toilet and a bathroom in every single room. All rooms have a sea view. There is swimming pool for children near by.
The Elit hotel *** is situated in Balchik near the Botanic garden, 250 m from the seacoast. The furniture of the rooms and the apartments is modern. The whole hotel offers everything needed for a real vacation. It offers 54 rooms and 7 apartments. The guests of the hotel have the opportunity for using: a restaurant, a lobby bar, rent-a-car, parking, a swimming pool and billiard. Every room includes air-conditioner, TV-set, a mini-bar, a large terrace and a bathroom. The Rai hotel ** is located in a picturesque bay, 6 km far from Balchik in the direction of Kavarna town. The hotel is ideally located only 20m from the sea coast. The hotel disposes of 20 rooms each one with extra-bed, 3 apartments. All rooms have a sea view and own bathroom/shower and toilet.
There is also a restaurant, a bar, a parking lot, a swimming pool with children's section and a playground. Each room has its own bathroom/shower and toilet, two beds and one extra-bed. Seven rooms are equipped with air-condition, TV-set, refrigerator. The Paris hotel ** is the newest in Balchik and is situated on the entrance of the town 300 m. away from the Palace and 700 m. away from the beach. It has 16 double rooms (from 15 to 19 sq. m. each) equipped with unique furniture, pleasant pastel tones and original lighting. Some of the rooms have TV-sets and three of them have additional air for one more.The hotel has an open area swimming pool, billiard, fitness, snack-bar with 100 sites that can be used by the visitors. Each room has a luxury sanitary knot – bathroom and WC. The parking place is non-stop security guarded.
Catering: Apart from several big restaurants in the palace, in the hotels and downtown, there are a number of small private restaurants and coastal stalls offering seafood, pizzas, spaghetti and other kinds of European cuisine. Groceries can be also an alternative for tourists who prefer to cook for themselves.
Transport: There is regular bus transport to the nearby town of Dobrich, Varna and the Albena resort. Apart from buses, there are numerous route taxis and private minibuses, taxis and water transport to Varna and Albena.
Catering: Apart from several big restaurants in the palace, in the hotels and downtown, there are a number of small private restaurants and coastal stalls offering seafood, pizzas, spaghetti and other kinds of European cuisine. Groceries can be also an alternative for tourists who prefer to cook for themselves.
Transport: There is regular bus transport to the nearby town of Dobrich, Varna and the Albena resort. Apart from buses, there are numerous route taxis and private minibuses, taxis and water transport to Varna and Albena.
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