About Balchik
Dobrich Region
Located in a small bay on the Black Sea, Balchik is sited just 31km North of Varna and 37 km south-east of Dobrich. Balchik is Bulgaria's third most significant port after Varna and Bourgas.
Upon viewing the town from the sea, the Roman poet, Ovid, wrote: "O white stone town, I salute thee for thy inimitable beauty.", whilst Milesian colonists believed that Aphrodite, goddess of beauty, was born here from the sea foam. The spouting karst springs gave the town its former name of Krunoi (meaning spring or source in Old Greek).
Although popular with tourists, the town is well preserved, laid-back and less commercialised than resorts such as Albena, Golden Sands and Sunny Beach.
A key place of interest in its vicinity is the Palace, 'Quiet Nest'. Once the summer residence of Queen Marie of Romania, the Palace is a modest building on three terraces combining elements of the Moor style, Mediterranean architecture and the typical Bulgarian home. The complex was built by Italian architects Amerigo and Agustino between 1920-1936.
The famous and exotic Botanical Gardens are also here. These gardens are the largest and most diverse in the Balkans with flowers and trees from the Mediterranean islands, the Pacific Ocean, the Black Sea, South Asia, and Americas. The gardens are bedded between waterfalls, streams and ornamental canals. In all, a tranquil area where you can take a relaxing walk and enjoy the sights and aromas of beautiful flowers.
The town also comprises of an Art Gallery and the Historic-archaeological museum. The coastal alley, 4 km. long, is a nice place for strolling, so are the harbour and the small street around the mosque. Also, in the Tartar quarter, pebbled streets and the stone and adobe houses provide for an interesting walkway. There is a small ethnographic museum, a beautiful old church called ‘St.Nikola' and an old mosque. The Renaissance complex with the old school in the town is quite well preserved. After a stroll, visiting the mud spa and spring is a must!
Just 2km to the north of Balchik is an area called Topola. This is area is attracting many investors as the golf course designed by Gary Player is currently under construction.
There is regular transport to Dobrich, Varna and Albena. Apart from buses, there are numerous route – taxis and private mini buses, taxi and water transport to Varna and Albena.
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