Cruise stop in Varna or Burgas: a private shore day with a driver

Updated: October 29, 2026

A private shore excursion in Varna works because the passenger terminal is only about 1 km from the city centre. Within 30 minutes of the ship you can reach Aladzha Monastery, Golden Sands nature park or the Stone Forest. Plan to be back at the terminal at least 60 minutes before all-aboard.

Cruise ships calling at Varna berth at the Passenger Terminal at the north-east end of Varna East port, about 1 km from the centre and 10 km from the airport, according to MedCruise. Burgas has a passenger berth in the port next to the city centre. Both cities are compact, and the sights around them are close, so a private car turns a short call into a well-used day.

The key rule for a shore day is to work backwards from the all-aboard time printed in your ship’s daily programme, not from the arrival time.

How much fits into your port time

Time ashore	Varna option	Burgas option
3 to 4 hours	Aladzha Monastery and a drive along the coast to Golden Sands	Sea Garden walk and a short drive to Pomorie salt lake
5 to 6 hours	Aladzha Monastery and the Stone Forest	Sozopol old town
7 to 8 hours	Balchik Palace and gardens	Nessebar old town, or Sozopol with the Ropotamo river
9 hours or more	Balchik and Cape Kaliakra, or Madara Rider	Nessebar and Pomorie

These times include driving, sightseeing and a margin for the return. If the ship is delayed in arriving, drop the last stop rather than cutting the margin.

Sample shore day in Varna

Time	Plan
08:30	Pick-up at the passenger terminal
09:00	Aladzha Monastery (about 25 min drive)
10:30	Golden Sands nature park, short forest walk
11:30	Drive to the Stone Forest (about 35 min)
12:15	Stone Forest
13:15	Lunch in Varna
14:30	Archaeological Museum or Cathedral in the centre
16:00	Back at the terminal, two hours before a 18:00 all-aboard

Check the Stone Forest opening days on the Varna museum website first: in summer it is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Sample shore day in Burgas

Time	Plan
08:30	Pick-up at the port
09:15	Nessebar old town (about 40 min drive)
12:15	Lunch in Nessebar or Pomorie
13:30	Pomorie: salt lake viewpoint and seafront
15:00	Back in Burgas: Sea Garden
16:00	At the port, two hours before a 18:00 all-aboard

Nessebar is busy in the middle of the day in summer. Arriving early, before the coaches, makes a difference. Our guide to day trips from Burgas has more options.

Set a firm return time with your driver before you leave the port, and keep your ship’s port agent number and your cabin card with you. Your ship will not wait for passengers on independent excursions.

Why a private car rather than the ship’s excursion

• Small groups of 2 to 8 move faster than a full coach and do not wait for others at each stop.
• You choose the order and can skip a stop if you are running late.
• The ship’s own excursion does carry one advantage: the ship waits if that tour is delayed. On an independent day the responsibility is yours, which is why the margin matters.

Practical notes for cruise passengers

• Bring your passport or ID card as well as your ship card; requirements can depend on your itinerary.
• Bulgaria uses the euro; small payments in cash are still common at sites.
• Wear walking shoes: old towns are cobbled and the monastery has steps.
• Give the ship’s name and the arrival date when booking so the pick-up point is clear.

For longer calls, see the best day trips from Varna or Aladzha Monastery. To book, enter Varna or Burgas as the start in the form above, your date and the number of passengers, and add your ship’s name and times in the notes.