Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
package, and so no accommodation options are given here; try Varna or Sveti Konstantin
instead.
ALADZHA MONASTERY
A major local attraction is
Aladzha Monastery
(adult/student 5/2 lv; 9am-6pm Apr-Oct, to 4pm Tue-Sat Nov-
Mar)
. Little is known about this bizarre rock monastery; the caves were first inhabited by 11th-century hermits, but
what remains today was created during the 13th and 14th centuries, including some remarkable frescoes.
A signposted path (600m) leads to the three-level catacombs, accessed by stairways.
To walk to the monastery from Golden Sands, head up the road past the post office, cross the main Varna-Albena
road, and follow the signs to 'Kloster Aladja' and the markings along the obvious trail. The walk takes an hour one
way and wends its way through a wonderful, shady forest, part of the 1320-hectare Golden Sands Nature Park.
The road (3km) starts about 500m south along the Varna-Albena road from the start of the walking trail. The in-
frequent bus 33 from Varna to Kranevo drops passengers outside the front entrance of the monastery.
Activities
The usual water sports, such as jet skiing (60 lv for 15 minutes) are available on the
beach. Diving is also popular, and there are several outlets along the beach, including the
PADI-certified
Harry's Diving Center
( 356 701;
www.divewithharry.com
;
May-
Oct)
. Single dives, exploring the reefs just 30m offshore, cost 80 lv.
WATER SPORTS
Aquapolis
( 389 966;
www.aquapolis.net
; adult/child 33/16 lv, after 3pm 24/12 lv; 10am-7pm)
Near the main road, Aquapolis is a water park featuring lots of different pools, slides and
other kid-friendly attractions, including a mini climbing wall. A minibus (1 lv, every 40
minutes) to Aquapolis picks up at various signed points around the resort.
Eating
Eating out in Golden Sands costs about twice as much as in Varna, and there are plenty of
unremarkable restaurants aimed at passing tourists along the seafront. Try
Taj Mahal
